The 4 Corners Film Office will facilitate a discussion about women in the entertainment industry as actors continue to come forward with stories about sexual misconduct and sexism in Hollywood.
The discussion will be part of 4CFO’s annual panel during the Durango Independent Film Festival.
Deahna Geehan, an advisory board member for 4CFO, said the topic was chosen because of its timely nature with Hollywood riddled with sexual misconduct accusations and fights for equal pay.
“This is in the news almost every day, and we have amazing female representation at the festival this year,” she said. “I’m sure the audience is curious what these women have to say about what they are experiencing right now as filmmakers.”
Mark Wahlberg was the highest-paid male actor in 2016-17, raking in $68 million, more than double the highest-paid female actor that same year, according to Forbes magazine.
Emma Stone, the highest-paid female actor in 2016-17, made $26 million and was out-earned by 14 of her male counterparts.
The six female film professionals on the panel represent different facets of the industry, Geehan said.
They will speak about their experiences as women in the entertainment industry, as well as how the atmosphere in Hollywood has changed after the emergence of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
Social activist Tarana Burke is credited with starting the “Me too” phrase in 2006 as part of a campaign to empower women of color and shed light on the pervasiveness of sexual assault and harassment.
Inspired in part by #MeToo, the #TimesUp movement was created by Hollywood actors as a call for action in the entertainment industry.
Hundreds of women in Hollywood have shared their experiences with sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse perpetrated by more than 20 Hollywood bigwigs.
“It is important to stay current with what’s happening in the world, especially with women in this industry having a harder time getting good jobs and salaries,” Geehan said. “This is an important discussion to have.”
The panel is free and open to everyone. Guests include costume and production designer Rebecca Bertot; producer and writer Jules Bruff; actress, speaker and women’s rights activist Jess Jacobs; composer, producer and actress Liza Figueroa Kravinsky; producer Lisa Rodriguez; and actress and producer Abigail Wright.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
