Spotlighting Diversity at the Cannes Film Festival

LOS ANGELES - May 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Yolonda Brinkley, creator of Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes is pleased to announce the details of the 2014 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and Awards. Created to celebrate the work of globally diverse filmmakers at the Cannes Film Festival, the Showcase is Sunday, May 18, 2014 1:00 PM at Quai 21, 21 Quai Saint Pierre Cannes, France (across from Radisson Blu Hotel).

Presented by Yolonda Brinkley, a US based publicist and event producer, with support from entertainment attorney Elizabeth Broden, Producer Angelou Deign, Bugsy Productions and Leonard Green Graphics, the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase will present nine films in competition, selected by an independent screening committee of globally diverse film industry executives including Kirstin Wilder, managing editor and vice-president of Variety Magazine. Final winners will be selected by jury and announced Sunday during an awards ceremony immediately following the screening. Lisa Cortés, executive producer of the critically acclaimed 2009 Cannes Film Festival official selection Precious, will oversee the jury and will be available for Q & A after the special screening of her short film Imagine a Future, a documentary presented by Procter & Gamble as a part of its My Black is Beautiful consumer campaign.

“For the past few years, I have witnessed Yolonda’s unwavering commitment to promoting diversity at the Cannes Film Festival with Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes,” remarks Lisa Cortés. I appreciate the important work she is doing and commend her efforts to promote underrepresented stories globally.”

Brinkley is committed to making diversity a priority at the Cannes Film Festival and is proud of her efforts. To date, her Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes initiatives including the diversity symposium and the diversity showcase have received submissions from Slovenia, Spain, Reunion, Kenya, Turkey and Korea and have hosted panelists from Ghana, Congo, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States including award winning directors Michael Rowe, Alrick Brown and Annemarie Jacir, Palestineʼs first female feature filmmaker.

“I am delighted to present the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase & Awards at the Cannes Film Festival,” comments Yolonda Brinkley, showcase producer. “Since not all filmmakers were accepted into official competition or recognized for their accomplishments by the Festival de Cannes, the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and Awards is the perfect opportunity to roll out the red carpet and spotlight the work of globally diverse filmmakers sharing unique stories specific to race, age, gender, religion, physical ability and sexual orientation at the Cannes Film Festival and beyond.”

The Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and Awards are open to the public and scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2014 1:00 PM at Quai 21, 21 Quai Saint Pierre Cannes, France (across from Radisson Blu Hotel).  Suggested donation 5€.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/diversityincannes, www.diversityincannes.com, www.twitter.com/diversencannes for more information or email us at diversityincannes@hotmail.com to RSVP.