At this year’s international Festival de Cannes, actor and Vancouver Film School alumna Grace Dove participated in the pioneering industry program impACT.
impACT’s intention is to place the spotlight on inclusion, representation, sustainability, and the responsible and ethical use of data in the film industry.
At the event, Grace Dove delivered a keynote address titled “Indigenous Portrayal in Hollywood and Reclaiming Identity.” Primarily known for roles in “The Revenant” and “How It Ends,” Grace has also worked alongside Hollywood greats such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Forest Whitaker.
Dove is a passionate advocate for Indigenous communities, and her address played a key role in promoting a diverse and inclusive sector.
Representation matters
“When we are in control of our own representation, when we tell our own stories, and when we, Indigenous people, portray ourselves, we are not only challenging stereotypes but also empowering ourselves in a form of truth-telling that is liberating us from the harms of colonialism.”
VFS’s President, James Griffin, added: “We are at an exciting tipping point in the filmmaking sector with a new reality taking hold not only within the context of film production, but also amongst film educators. It is about parity and inclusivity. It is a true honor to participate in the impACT forum, which is an important effort to articulate and codify the diversity of human experience in a way that progresses the human condition.”