WIA President Marge Dean on Future Expansion, Equality in Animation (EXCLUSIVE)
Marta Balaga Women in Animation is expanding. “Our focus is on the globalization of WIA and setting up new chapters in all parts of the world,” said its president, Marge Dean. “We have partnered with UNESCO and Disney to start developing a similar kind of presence in South Africa, then we would like to expand into the rest of Africa.
We have a chapter in Ireland, we have been having conversations with folks in the U.K, with Latin American countries. Expanding our movement and figuring out how to support these groups in different parts of the world is key.” WIA’s mentorship and leadership programs will grow as well. “We started talking about Africa too, because we have been able to use it as a tool to work in different parts of the world and focus on specific issues in those places.
We are trying to figure out how to break through the glass ceiling, because so many women get stuck.” The association, dedicated to championing gender justice in animation, recently addressed issues plaguing the industry during the annual WIA World Summit at Annecy, as well as the need for greater diversity in content. “There is this concern that with things shifting in the industry, and work being so hard to find, diversity is the first thing that will go outside the window.
That was our thinking, going into the Summit,” admitted Dean. “We have to continue reminding people that regardless of the state of the industry, diversity and inclusion continues to be something that’s important to strive for.
