Diverse Screens Parramatta Filmmakers | L-R Rashmi Ravindran; Gary Paramanathan; Vonne Patiag
This event ended on 21 June, 2018.
Diverse Screens Parramatta Filmmakers | L-R Rashmi Ravindran; Gary Paramanathan; Vonne Patiag
Inclusion, exclusion and cultural diversity in the arts
Taking on the big issues, three films from three exciting new filmmakers will be screened for the first time at ICE at 6pm on 21 June.
Rashmi Ravindran, Gary Paramanathan and Vonne Patiag launch their short films exploring themes of cultural diversity in the creative sector. Through documentary, these Parramatta filmmakers tackle themes of inclusion, exclusion and cultural diversity in the arts and screen sectors.
The story has also been covered on SBS World News.
The arts are widely perceived as being an inclusive and accepting working environment, but short films exploring cultural diversity and inclusion in the arts world are revealing a different picture.
Professor James Arvanitakis is the Executive Director of the Australian American Fulbright Commission.
James has 20-year experience in the higher education sector having also had successful careers in finance and the not-for profit sector. As an educator, researcher and public commentator, James was the driving force behind several innovative programs at Western Sydney University where he worked for fifteen years including the establishment of The Academy, and the Graduate Research School. Most recently he was the Pro Vice Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement).
James is a Fulbright alumni, having spent 12 months at the University of Wyoming as the Milward L Simpson Fulbright Fellow.
James is internationally recognised for his innovative teaching, receiving the Prime Minister’s University Teacher of the Year Award (2012) and named an Eminent Researcher by the Australia India Education Council (2015).
In 2021, he was appointed the inaugural Patron of Diversity Arts Australia in recognition of his commitment to promoting a cultural sector that reflects the rich diversity of Australia. He is also an academic fellow of the Australia India Institute and on the Advisory Board of the Herbert and Valmae Freilich Project for the Study of Bigotry. He has over 100 publications and is a regular media commentator often seen on the ABC. His research areas include trust, US politics, water security and the future of democracies. He tweets at @jarvanitakis
Roanna Gonsalves is the author of The Permanent Resident (UWAP) published in India and South Asia as Sunita De Souza Goes To Sydney (Speaking Tiger). The book won the NSW Premier’s Literary Award Multicultural Prize 2018 and was longlisted for the Dobbie Literary Award 2018. Her writing has been compared to the work of Alice Munro and Jhumpa Lahiri. Her four-part radio series On the tip of a billion tongues, commissioned and broadcast by ABC RN’s Earshot program, is a portrayal of contemporary India through its multilingual writers. Roanna is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Award. She has been an invited Keynote Speaker and panellist at numerous literary events. She is a recipient of The Bridge Awards’ inaugural Varuna – Cove Park Writing Residency Scotland. She serves on the Board of Writing NSW. She works as a Lecturer in Creative Writing at UNSW Sydney. Roanna was born and raised in Mumbai and now lives in Sydney. https://roannagonsalves.com.au/
Mastering the Rhythm: Gary Paramanathan
What makes an artist, especially when their art form is unheard of for most? Sumati Nagpal, an accomplished Kathak dancer, teacher and choreographer, discusses her love of Kathak, a classical Indian dance tradition and her journey to mastering the practice, and opening a dance school in Harris Park.
Watch the Mastering the Rhythm trailer by Gary Paramanathan
Shading: Vonne Patiag
Shading is a short documentary that explores current white-washing practices of the Australian film and theatre industries that are unfamiliar with the nuances of darker shades of ethnic skin. Three POC performers share unheard stories of on-set racial prejudice and the effect make-up and lighting has on leaving them unrecognizable even to themselves.
Watch the Shading trailer by Vonne Patiag
First Impressions: Rashmi Ravindran
First Impressions traces the journey of three first-generation migrant artists in Australia. The film explores the work of writer Roanna Gonsalves, actor and theatre producer Neel Banerjee and creative producer Jiva Parthipan and highlights some of the challenges these CALD artists have faced, and how their position as migrant artists has informed their art.
Watch the First Impressions trailer by Rashmi Ravindran
Event will run until 7.30pm. Join us after the launch to meet the filmmakers, network and share some refreshments.
Join us on Facebook LIVE
If you are unable to attend the launch event, we will be doing a Facebook Live event. Stay tuned on our Facebook page and launch event page for more updates.
Public Transport
Approximately 15 minutes walk down Church Street from Parramatta Station and Bus Interchange, as well as from Parramatta Ferry Wharf
Trains (T1 Western Line, T5 Cumberland Line NSW Trainlink Blue Mountains Line, Central West XPT and Outback Xplorer) run to Parramatta Station and the Bus Interchange
Bus routes (T61, M54, M52) run from Parramatta station and stop near Church Street & Victoria Road intersection
Free Shuttle Bus 900 departs from Macquarie Street and stops at Church Street North and Prince Alfred Park on Church Street
Still from Rashmi Ravindran’s film First Impressions | Diverse Screens Parramatta
Parking
I.C.E. does not have on-site parking. On-street, paid parking is available along Villiers Street (4P, 8am to 6pm Monday – Saturday)
The Fennell Street Car Park is located a 5 minute walk from I.C.E. on the corner of Fennell and Villiers Streets ($9 all-day parking)
Drivers with a Mobility Parking Scheme card displayed are entitled to park in a metered/ticketed area at no charge
Accessibility
Auslan interpreting will be provided. Venue is wheelchair accessible.
Please inform us of any additional accessibility needs, including interpreting in languages other than English, which we will seek to meet.
