How do you tackle the lack of representation in UK cinema? Filmmaker and founder of the Vertical Lab, Charlotte Knowles is joined by film artists, Leaphia Darko, Sumerah Srivastav and Chloe Mamelok to discuss the the importance of mentoring, seeking out talent amongst underrepresented groups and breaking down doors. Come and join the discussion and watch films produced by a diverse range of artists that are making waves in UK film.
Speakers
Charlotte Knowles
Independent Film Trust
Write-up: How do you tackle the lack of representation in UK cinema? Filmmaker and founder of the Vertical Lab, Charlotte Knowles is joined by film artists, Leaphia Darko, Sumerah Srivastav and Chloe Mamelok to discuss the the importance of mentoring, seeking out talent amongst underrepresented groups and breaking down doors. Come and join the discussion and watch films produced by a diverse range of artists that are making waves in UK film.
Sumerah Srivastav
Sumerah Srivastav is a playwright and screenwriter. For the screen she has written for EastEnders and her short film Origami, starring Nicholas Pinnock and Pearl Mackie, is currently in post-production. In 2017 she was identified as a rising star in the BBC’s New Talent Hotlist. This year she is as a BAFTA Crew participant and is due to complete MediaXchange and Creative Skillset’s Advanced Writing for TV drama programme. She is on Twitter @sumerahas and more info can be found at www.sumerah.com
Leaphia Darko
Leaphia Darko is an actor, writer and life long Londoner. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art after receiving scholarships. Since graduating from RADA in July 2017 she has appeared as Portia opposite Ben Wishaw’s Brutus in Nick Hytner’s production of Julius Caesar and as Katherine in Loves Labours Lost in The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at The Shakespeare’s Globe. This year, under the mentorship of The Prince’s Trust, Leaphia founded the production company The London Rep which focuses on telling the stories of women and the working classes on stage, on screen and online. A strong focus of the company is making period pieces featuring people of colour who have been at the centre of 2000yrs of European History (thelondonrep.com).
Chloe Mamelok
Chloe Mamelok is a documentary producer and journalist. She has recently worked at Vice media, producing and shooting on documentaries ranging from a series on international extremist groups to a feature-length film on assisted dying. She was recently selected as one of Sheffield Documentary Festival’s ‘Future Producers 2018’ and is currently co-directing a short film about a rehabilitation program for drug-addicted mothers in New Jersey, supported by Glassbreaker Films in the US.
