Assemblymembers David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) Monday night joined San Francisco API community leaders to celebrate diversity in film before a screening of Crazy Rich Asians. Speakers highlighted new diversity reporting elements in Senate Bill 871, the film tax credit law that was recently signed by Governor Jerry Brown, and how this legislation could lead to greater Asian and Pacific Islander (API) representation in Hollywood.
“Representation in entertainment matters,” said Assemblymember David Chiu. “I believe the faces we see on screen should be a reflection of the faces we see around us every day. Increased reporting requirements could lead to greater diversity in entertainment and the making of another groundbreaking film like Crazy Rich Asians.”
Senate Bill 871, signed into law in June by Governor Brown, addresses disparities in API media representation by requiring the California Film Commission to collect aggregated diversity information from applicants hoping to receive incentives from the California Film Tax Credit. Additionally, the bill requires applicants to provide a summary of their voluntary programs to increase the representation of minorities and women.
“Crazy Rich Asians proves you can make a good movie with a diverse cast and crew,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting and Vice-Chair of the API Caucus. “We want to encourage more studios to look at our community for talent. By adding diversity statistics in the application process for tax incentives, we’re motivating television and film projects to move the needle toward inclusion.”
The press conference took place before a screening of Crazy Rich Asians, the first major motion picture in 25 years to feature a predominately API cast.
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