Industry body, Access:VFX, has added two new non-executive UK board members with DNEG VFX Producer Anne Akande and freelance Executive Producer Gin Godden both joining.
ACCESS:VFX is a coalition of companies in VFX, animation and games – including Aardman, ILM, Milk, MPC and Epic Games- that focuses on encouraging diversity and opportunity in the industry.
Gin Godden, Freelance Executive Producer, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining ACCESS:VFX as it continues to investigate and break down the barriers faced by candidates from different backgrounds, and work to inspire them to engage with VFX, Gaming & Animation opportunities. As our creative industry is tasked with reflecting its audience, we are now more than ever appreciating the need to include perspectives and stories from everyone. This gives us an opportunity to respond by making sure a variety of talent is channelled into our creative communities. Access:VFX has been effectively putting actions behind these intentions for some time now and I’m delighted to be able to add my experience and effort to the work it is doing.”
Godden is part of the Ravensbourne University Advisory Group which has seen her champion students of the D&AD nominated “Nuff Said” campaign to push action for diversity, as well as mentoring other graduates emerging into the industry. Her role on the board of Directors for ACCESS:VFX will be to build on her efforts encouraging the industry to share creative opportunities across a broader demographic.
Anne Akande, VFX Producer and TV Central Production Manager at DNEG, said: “I’m so thrilled to be joining the ACCESS:VFX board. Simon Devereux is one amazing human who truly understands what it means to be inclusive. As a Black creative, I’m consciously deciding more and more to lean into the spaces and moments that allow me to be SEEN and HEARD. The industry we all love needs to start looking through a lens of true equality and inclusion. This is an area that ACCESS:VFX has always championed. There is still much work to be done and we’re just getting started. I look forward to working with the entire team on the adventures ahead.”
“Anne and Gin are welcome additions to the ACCESS:VFX non-executive board and I couldn’t be more excited to work with them and the rest of the team on some big projects! Both bring with them a huge amount of strategic and innovative ideas and a wealth of industry experience. I personally cannot wait to get started!” said Simon Devereux, Founder and Director of ACCESS:VFX.
Jon Creamer
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