**FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
While further work is needed to spotlight transgender and non-binary queer people, women categorically account for 50% of all moviegoers (MPAA 2017), yet there is still a vast disparity in gender representation, on and off screen. Of the 100 top grossing films of 2017, only 8% of the directors and 24% of producers were women-identified (Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film). Of this already marginalized group, women of color make up an even smaller demographic in the film industry. It begs the question: Can inclusivity ever be achieved?
In a time period where #MeToo and #OscarsSoWhite movements dominate the public conversation, Vietnamese, female filmmakers are proving to be the leaders in defying the status quo. It is a first in Viet Film Fest history to have more than 50% of the films screening at the 2018 festival be either directed and/or produced by a woman. These movers and shakers are countering stereotypical images of the hyper-sexual/exotic/submissive heterosexual Asian female with strong, nuanced feminist characters and women-centered storylines that are often missing in mainstream Hollywood productions. For this special group of panelists, the achievement of equality has been rooted not only in their diverse storytelling, but also as their talent as directors, producers, and actresses. Join us as we have a special discussion with trailblazing veterans and emerging artists in the industry about how they choose to tell their stories and why other women should do it too.
Moderated by Tram Le
Hanh Nguyen (Actress and Producer-Hanh, Solo)
Hong Anh (Actress-Go Go Sisters and Director-The Way Station)
Ngoc Thanh Tam (Actress- The Way Station)
Cao Thuy Nhi (Director-Summer in Closed Eyes)
Quyen Nguyen Le (Director-Nuoc [Water/Homeland])
Loan Hoang (Producer-First Generation)
Ngo Thanh Van [Producer-Actress: The Tailer (Co Ba Saigon)]