“After a year of working with our production teams and reflecting on the vast examples of how African-American experiences have been captured in film, we are honored to demonstrate our commitment to creators of color by taking a stand with Diversity in Cannes”, said Cheryl P. Williamson, Co-Founder of Williamson Media Group. “With this body of work, we aim to provide Black women in film with an honorable professional foundation to amplify their voices, create space for their stories and illuminate a path to a sustainable career in film.”

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Added Brinkley, “In 75 years, the Cannes Film Festival has selected only one Black woman director in competition. With the plethora of talented Black female voices sounding off at other global film festivals, awareness is no longer an acceptable excuse for the gross underrepresentation of Black women directors in competition. As they celebrate their jubilee as the world’s most prestigious film festival and welcome their first female president, I believe change is inevitable. In the interim, delay is denial, and I welcome the opportunity to align with Cheryl Polote-Williamson to celebrate Black women in film, at the 75th Festival de Cannes.”