'Normalising Blackness in Australia'- True Representation on our Screens, Stages and Pages
Announcement posted by MAISONSMITHS 10 Oct 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
10th October
In a career spanning over 20+ years as both an Actor and Communications Creative in Australia and Internationally in the US (Los Angeles + New York ) as well as London and South Africa, Simone K. Smith is assembling history, experience and first-hand knowledge of the entertainment and media industry as both talent and business leader to present a SXSW Sydney conference session on the realities of representation and portrayals of Blackness in Australian media, arts, creative and cultural spaces.
On our screens, stages and pages- a topic that now, more than ever deserves real attention as we continue to navigate ideas on race and identity- particularly for Black communities in Australia and how mis- representations, imbalance and lack of visibility in power and influence is handled in Entertainment and Media driven environments and the effect on culture and society. 'The stories we have and the narratives we are sold often don't align- depending on which lens is showcased to the world', said Smith.
'It's not a one and done type scenario with representation and inclusion- the solidarity and plans for change that sprung from the Black Lives Matter movement- opened the conversation in a different way in Australia but there is a sense that the boxes have been ticked so now we can simply 'move on'. But for Black creatives- especially in amplified public work settings like media & entertainment, we continue to wade through disproportionate levels of real equality and normalisation."
The needle hasn't managed to shift far enough, especially in terms of nuance and dynamics within mainstream Australian film and television settings, where Black characters are in consistent leading roles and dominant storylines. There's a huge opportunity to amplify and showcase narratives that normalise and celebrate instead of the constant othering- where the storytelling is more seamlessly interwoven within the fabric of projects.
SXSW is an incredible opportunity and platform to exchange, listen, participate and be inspired by ideas, ways of thinking and ignite forces for change. 'I'm honoured to be apart of the sharing at a globally recognised conference like this and on a discussion that is long overdue', said Smith.
When: Monday 14th of October @ 2.45pm Where: SXSW Sydney, ICC
Room C2.5 & C2.6 - SHORT TALKS
SXSW Sydney Badge Holders
ABOUT
"Normalising blackness in Australia- True representation on our Screens, Stages and Pages"
Being Black, our culture is often "up for grabs" in society. In some ways, it's become trendy to be like me. Taking the parts of Black culture that people love but then being silent when we want to talk about racism and representation- especially in influential media and cultural settings.
On our screens, stages and pages- acknowledging, celebrating and honouring Blackness in a dynamic, nuanced, consistent and impactful way on a mainstream level seems to be challenging for us.
The risk of showcasing and heralding something different for fear that people aren't ready to see it or embrace it or that it somehow won't be AS successful- especially if they're Black, Bold and in a position of power or influence.
SXSW Sydney: https://schedule.sxswsydney.com/sessions/059cb426-bd64-4315-991a-f3816f1f317f
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES, INTERVIEW REQUESTS OR SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT:
MAISONSMITHS
SIMONE SMITH (Founder + Director)
E: contact@maisonsmiths.com
