At the Justice Film Festival, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling to build empathy, inspire action, and promote justice for all communities. We are committed to amplifying the voices and perspectives of underrepresented and equity-owed groups, including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and all those whose voices have been historically marginalized in the film industry.
Representation in Programming
We prioritize the inclusion of diverse filmmakers and stories that reflect a broad spectrum of human experiences. Our selection process actively seeks films that center on issues of social justice, human rights, and equality from filmmakers of varied backgrounds, ensuring that our festival lineup includes works that challenge dominant narratives and provide fresh, underrepresented perspectives.
Diverse Judging Panel
Our festival's selection and award processes are shaped by a diverse panel of judges. We are proud that a significant portion of our jury comprises individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities. This diversity ensures that our evaluation process is fair, inclusive, and reflective of the communities we aim to serve.
Support for Emerging Filmmakers
We recognize that filmmakers from marginalized communities face unique barriers to entry and success within the industry. To support equity-owed filmmakers, we offer a platform to showcase their work, provide networking opportunities with industry professionals, and connect them with resources to advance their careers — like our FilmLab. We also work to eliminate financial barriers by keeping submission fees accessible and offering discounted fees for filmmakers who demonstrate need.
Equitable Access to Audiences
The Justice Film Festival reaches a global audience of advocates, educators, and change-makers who are passionate about social justice. We are committed to promoting the works of underrepresented filmmakers across our extensive audience base, providing opportunities for visibility and engagement that lead to wider distribution and impact.
Ongoing Initiatives
As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we regularly review and update our internal practices to ensure that they align with the evolving needs of the communities we serve. This includes ongoing education for our staff and judges, fostering an inclusive environment at our events, and actively seeking partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to social justice and equity.