Last year, The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center held its first “Diversity in Film” evening, featuring a panel discussion and a series of shorts, in partnership with 3.B.T. Productions.
That evening was so successful that it’s happening again this year, with “Diversity in Film Vol. 2” set for July 23 at the Sewickley nonprofit theater.
The panel discussion, featuring five film industry experts, will precede the showing of 10 short films. According to 3.B.T. Productions co-founder Xayne Allen, the short films range from 1 minute 20 seconds to 22 minutes.
“Diversity, in general, is having a negative connotation spun on it and I don’t want to see that,” Allen said in an interview. “I would really like to see it be what it’s supposed to be, naturally happening. Film is supposed to be a mirror of everything you see, and when you’re out in the world, you see diversity, whether you know it or not.”
3.B.T. Productions is a Pittsburgh-based film production company started in 2021.
It has done short films and is working on making feature films and getting investments for those features.
“We do a lot of stuff like this. We really believe in diversity and that film is open to everyone; it’s an art that everyone can do,” Allen said. “I don’t want anyone to feel like it’s out of reach.”
Allen said that last year’s “Diversity in Film” event went very well: “Better than we expected.”
The panel this year will be expanded from four members to five, facilitating an even better discussion than the lively one at last year’s event. The panel will include a film industry makeup artist, film producers, film score musicians and a representative from Pittsburgh’s August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
“We had such a positive response from last year’s diversity event; we knew we had to bring the event back,” said Delaney Hathaway, co-founder of 3.B.T. Productions. “Not only do we have such a strong panel of industry professionals from all backgrounds in the arts, but we will also be screening a beautiful lineup of inclusive narrative stories that highlight the incredibly diverse community we have in and near Pittsburgh. We are so excited to be back to celebrate all of the wonderful filmmakers and artists. We can’t wait to share this with the community.”
Tickets for the event, which will begin at 7 p.m. on July 23, are free, but online RSVPs are requested. The evening will start with the panel discussion and lead into the 10-short screening. To learn more and RSVP for the event, visit thelindsaytheater.org.