I believe the most effective way to create more opportunities for women and non-binary artists is by giving them the chance to present their work to industry professionals at a high, professional level.
From my own experience, I’ve seen that Los Angeles/and the country as a whole currently lacks a truly supportive community and consistent platform to showcase women in comedy—a central hub that uplifts and champions women comedians. As a result, we continue to lag behind our male counterparts in securing leadership roles in comedic projects, both in major motion pictures and television.
Through my screenings for Desiree Staples Productions, I aim to highlight projects led by women in above-the-line roles—including (1) of the departments as: Directors, Producers, Writers, and Stars/Ensemble casts—to amplify their visibility and help them secure their next opportunities.
This is a women-founded organization dedicated to independent filmmaking. Our mission is to champion new, innovative voices and showcase complex, multifaceted women and non-binary artists through the power of storytelling.We focus on film and television projects that feature female and non-binary ensembles and antiheroes, often with a comedic edge. While our work spans multiple genres, at its core are women-centered stories that push boundaries and challenge the unspoken expectation that female characters must always be “likable.” Real women are layered, flawed, funny, and fearless—and our stories should reflect that.We will host showcases of short films by these underrepresented artists, presenting their work to industry decision-makers and change-makers. Additionally, we will also aim to connect with recent graduates to help them find an artistic community after college and create meaningful pathways into the industry.