Episode 277: A new global summit aims to elevate and empower racialized screen professionals

East by North West is a new global summit designed to highlight, elevate, and empower racialized creatives in and across film, TV, streaming, gaming, and animation. Produced by the Racial Equity Screen Office in association with Gold House, East by North West runs July 28-30 in Vancouver and connects screen professionals with world film markets so that they can network, establish contacts, and gain invaluable insights into conquering the complex realm of international distribution avenues – something that has traditionally been a tough nut to crack for racialized film workers. What does this look like? It looks like three days of startlingly relevant panels (including one on the future of entertainment and AI), intensive networking sessions, a dim sum drag event, a gala opening night party, and a keynote address from Shannon Lee, the daughter of Bruce Lee and the executive producer of Warrior. It looks like a platform that bridges the gap between creatives of colour and other underrepresented communities. It looks like gathering, networking, sharing wisdom, and celebrating connections. Barbara Lee is the founder of the Racial Equity Screen Office and the creator of East by North West, and she joined Sabrina in the YVR Screen Scene studio to preview this new global summit. Says Barbara: “We are no longer waiting for the establishment to approve or find value in our stories and content. Instead, East by North West is the mechanism to build our own table.” Episode sponsor: Biz Books + The Drama Class