Charter Diversity & Inclusion

Les Films du Bord de Mer vzw (FBM) wants to fulfill its public and representative role within the Flemish film festivals and audiovisual sector and wants to contribute to an open and respectful culture for everyone regardless of gender, age, education, disability, ethnicity, religion/philosophy, sexual orientation, social and/or economic background and sub/cultures. We therefore strive to be an inclusive organization and to have a diverse composition in its representative functions. With this charter, FBM endorses its inclusive organisational values.

Who?

  • Governance and organizational structures of Les Films du Bord de Mer vzw: Efforts are made to fill the mandates with a wide diversity of people representing their sector. It has been agreed with the city council that in a future legislature gender diversity will be taken into account when appointing delegates;
  • Internal and external collaborators, with whom Les Films du Bord de Mer vzw partners for the festival, the annual operation or other activities;
  • When appointing temporary staff, we strive to compose a diverse team;
  • Alliance and partnerships with organizations that together promote an inclusive approach. e.g. The Ensors, The Jamies, VAF, Symfoon, UitinVlaanderen, Regenbooghuis, City of Ostend,  Oesterbank, etc.

How? 

  • By, both visible to the outside world (public and media) and invisible behind the scenes, applying an active equal opportunities policy. Actively, by sufficiently searching for diverse profiles for its organizational structures and sections in order to prevent exclusion or discrimination;
  • By promoting a low-threshold and a diverse as possible access to the Flemish audiovisual sector, also for smaller, diverse players who by themselves feel little connection with the stronghold that the Flemish film profession still is;
  • By using inclusive language, e.g. gender-inclusive addressing in all communication;
  • By promoting inclusive image creation through the use of inclusive stories/images, both internally and through external media and as diverse as possible. In doing so, the following questions are always consciously asked:
    • Who is in the frame?
    • How are people portrayed? 
    • Is there enough diversity during red carpet moments, in promotional videos and during interviews?
    • Do we avoid portraying stereotypes purely thematically?
  • By promoting the inclusive organizational values through the various communication channels;
  • By taking into account one's own blind spots or prejudices. In doing so, we are open for input to further grow into an open culture for all;
  • By searching in the programming for films with a great diversity of makers, cast, subjects, ... and by actively promoting these films;
  • By consciously aiming for a diverse programme in side activities such as master classes, Walk of Fame, homages, etc;
  • By consciously looking for diverse profiles in the choice of the master.

Why?

In the context of Good governance in culture

  • FFO wants to strive for an inclusive and diverse audiovisual sector;
  • FFO wants to contribute to the positive image of the Flemish audiovisual sector from its organizational values;
  • FFO wants to promote the audiovisual culture in general;
  • FFO wants to contribute to raising awareness among the public and the media by supporting diverse talent.

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