Independent Global Film Initiative Celebrates Diversity Day at 76th Cannes Film Festival
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CANNES, France - Californer -- Yolonda Brinkley, founder of Diversity in Cannes, the independent film movement promoting inclusion at the Cannes Film Festival, is pleased to announce official selections of the 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, created to ensure marginalized voices and underrepresented filmmakers are seen, heard and celebrated at the world's most prestigious film industry event.

Presented by American Publicist and Event Producer, Yolonda Brinkley, with support from Academy Award Winner Viola Davis and Julius Tennon's JuVee Productions, the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase will spotlight 28 films, of 200 submissions across 5 continents, selected by an international screening committee of diverse entertainment industry professionals. The competition was stiff. However, these films prevailed; 15 in competition and an additional 13 out of competition. A curated selection, will be screened in France during Diversity Day, concurrent with the 76th Festival de Cannes, while the entire slate will screen virtually as a part of a hybrid event. Winners will be announced onsite at an awards reception immediately following the showcase.

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Competition

1. "Something Wicked" by Louise Brie Andersen
2. "Building Minds with Chess" by Ken Mask & Marshall Woodworth
3. "Hand in Hand" by Shelley Addams
4. "Incomplete" by Zoey Martinson
5. "Blood of Iran" by Alicia Afshar
6. "Baltringue" by Léa Rouaud
7. "Aureo & Mirele" by Filipe Galton
8. "Choice" by Kameishia Wooten
9. "Mundo" by Charles Witcher
10. "BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES" BY Lisa Cole
11. "Dos Bros Force by Jyothi Kalyan Sura
12. "Indigenous Resistance: Now and Then" by 'Wáats'asdiyei Joe Yates
13. "Black Boy Suffering is a Mood" by Vince Maui
14. "Piedra Dura" by Rommel Villa
15. "Employee of the Month" bu Goga Clay

Out of Competition
16. "All In" by Dusan Brown
17. "The Ringmaster" by Maya Albanese
18. "3 Blind Mice" by Letia Solomon
19. "Okay" by Yasmine Aker, Elliot Knight
20. "Hello (Again)" by Melanie Chung
21. "Call for Cassie" by Jiwon Lee
22. "Blackifier" by Christian Kamala
23. "Keyz" by Chris Brew
24. "Benny & James" by Logan Vaughn
25. "Everything's Fine" by Funky Alafiatayo
26. "Self Help" by Michelle Ann, Rawiri Jobe
27. "7 Minutes of Heaven" by Neen
28. "Spare Room" by Andrea Johannes
29. "But You'd Be a Great Mom" by Hollie Brubaker
30. "At All Cost" by Jamaal Scott

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"The 2023 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase International Screening Committee, had the awesome task of determining the official selections from hundreds of global submissions. With an acceptance rate of approximately 10%, I am delighted to welcome these filmmakers to the Diversity in Cannes family and to showcase their work during Diversity Day," comments Yolonda Brinkley, creator of Diversity in Cannes. "I am honored to pioneer the independent movement promoting inclusion at the Cannes Film Festival. However, it's the unwavering support of filmmakers that inspires the continual momentum necessary to ensure marginalized voices and underrepresented stories are seen and heard at the Cannes Film Festival and beyond."

Diversity Day is Monday, May 22, 2023 at Hotel Gray D'Albion, Salon Esterel 2, 38 rue des Serbes Cannes, France 06400. All are welcome. RSVP required. In the interim, for more information or to support the movement, email Diversity in Cannes or follow @diversencannes on all social media outlets.