Making LGBTQ Films with Black - Indigenous - People of Color - Religious Minorities - Disabilities

This is a free event. No tickets or reservations are required. There are no geo-blocking restrictions. This event can be seen worldwide.

TIME: Thursday, August 19 at 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm (EST)

LENGTH: 45 minutes

LINK: CLICK HERE

Simply click on the link above on Thursday, August 19 at 7:00 pm (EST) to view the Panel Discussion.

This program includes a live chat so that you can submit questions to the artists.

Note: The link will redirect you to our YouTube Channel

After the live event is over, the recorded video will be available to watch by clicking on our YouTube Channel. 

Synopsis of the panel discussion topic:

This panel includes documentary, narrative, and experimental filmmakers that identify or made a film featuring BIPOC, a disability, bilingual, non-English subtitled, religious minority in the USA. The panel will discuss the challenges of distribution, pigeonholing, and criticism that may happen when creating films with different representation on screen. Filmmakers will discuss why they made their story and how they were able to keep the story authentic. They may also discuss why they made the film in the first place, as well as how the cast and crew’s diversity impacted the film.

This discussion is open to audience questions about the topic. Filmmakers will offer their opinions and experiences related to the topic discussed. OUTSOUTH is always happy to have filmmakers share their stories and enlighten audiences about the challenges and thrills of filmmaking.

Artists on the panel:   

Zhongyu (Robin) Wang is an award-winning director and screenwriter based in Los Angeles. He graduated from Duke University with a BA degree in English and is now an MFA candidate in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California. Robin strives to create comedies and dramas that are meant to be a captivating, illuminating, and authentic portrayal of the APIQ community. His short film, Graduation, is screening at OutSouth.

Todd Lien is an award-winning bilingual actor/singer based in LA. Besides his acting training and background, his language skill and music expertise has helped him land several national commercials, musical performances with high profile singers, and film productions. Some of his credits include viral short film “Straight A”, GAP national commercial with Janelle Monae, Hollywood Bowl performance with Hugh Jackman, and The Rescue with Eddie Peng. His short film, Graduation, is screening at OutSouth.

Mylo Butler is a short film director and cinematographer committed to telling empowering stories centered around the underrepresented. As of early 2021, after 5 years of freelancing and working with multiple high-profile production companies, Mylo has obtained his LLC and is the managing member of his own production company MyloB Productions, focusing on storylines that feature BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other largely marginalized communities. Turning attention to issues that desperately need to be addressed in society and that are often overlooked or forgotten. Taking from his own personal experiences, Mylo is committed to capturing incredibly powerful and compelling moments that are emotionally fulfilling and moments that generate and inspire fresh meaningful concepts and ideas that shape and develop the audience's perspective. His short film, Sundown Town, is screening at OutSouth.

Tashan Thornthon is a fledgling actor from Philadelphia who currently studied Computer Science at North Carolina A&T State University. He got his first big break with Sundown Town. He hopes that Sundown Town is the first of many excellent performances and has continued to work on various Independent projects since then; In addition to the upcoming Prime Video series “No Joke” (Coming Fall 2021) Tashan’s work ethic and professionalism are what he hopes can allow for him to be to a name to watch out for and continue to be a rising star. His short film, Sundown Town, is screening at OutSouth.

Thomas Ireton’s home was a melting pot of three different cultures and languages. Born and raised in Tokyo, Japan to an Irish American/Japanese father and Filipina mother, he grew up avidly watching movies and TV shows with his family, which opened his eyes to pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Thomas’ passion for entertaining people led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Film and Television Production, and Theatre, at LMU. He wrote, produced and co-directed LMU’s first narrative short film shot in Tokyo, To Have and to Hold. Thomas’ short film ‘Til I See You, was a finalist at the 2018 On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project film festival. Along with his writing partner Jen, they were finalists for the Roadmap LGBTQ+ Fellowship, semi-finalists for the 2021 Walt Disney Television Writing Program, and the 2019 OutFest Screenwriting Lab. In 2021, they wrapped as paid Story/Script Consultants for the web series CHOSEN FAM. His short film, Money Cat, is screening at OutSouth.

Connor Kurth is a film lover from an early age, Connor lives in Los Angeles working as a Producer/Director who has had the opportunity to work on a variety of narrative, unscripted, commercial, and music video projects. He hopes to continue telling stories that expand queer narratives through a multitude of genres. His short film, Money Cat, is screening at OutSouth.

Ann James has an extensive career in theatre education, stage direction and conflict resolution in corporate and artistic environments. As an internationally certified educator she has had the opportunity to teach theatre on 4 continents. Ms. James has been featured as moderator in "Intimacy and Covid-19" with Theatre Communications Group and HowlRound, "Intimacy and Theatre Practice" with The Los Angeles Theatre Alliance, "How Intimacy Impacts the work of Artistic Directors" with The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, and "Intimacy and the Pandemic" with Lincoln Center Director's Lab West. She is a published author on HowlRound, and has been a featured Intimacy Specialist on many other theatre affiliated panels during Covid-19. Ann is devoted to making both stage and screen safer places for Black, Indigenous and People of Color to practice their craft. Her company, Intimacy Directors of Color has had consultancy relationships with Actor's Equity, ArtsEquity, Theatre Communications Group, and TimesUp. Ms. James is currently a long-term educator in Anti-Racist University Theater Leadership Models for East Los Angeles College, and is currently an institutional intimacy consultant with A.R.T./New York. To that end, Ms. James is pursuing America's first MFA in Performance Pedagogy with emphasis in Intimacy Direction for People of Color at Loyola Marymount University.  Ann is representing the film, Pool Boy, screening at OutSouth.