Diversity & Inclusion Charter

Broader context

This charter also independently aligns with the policies of the Flemish government and the VAF, which strive for inclusivity and diversity in Flanders in general and in the audiovisual sector in particular.

Scope

This charter is binding for the board of the non-profit organization De Ensors and for the organization in all its aspects and components; this also applies to any new members. It will be published on the organization’s website. We invite the members of the Ensor Academy to apply this charter in their own practice as well.

This charter is binding for the board of vzw De Ensors and the organization in all its aspects and components; this also applies to any new members. It will be published on the organization’s website. We invite the members of the Ensor Academy to apply this charter in their own practice.

The board presents the charter to its member and partner organizations with the request to implement it within their own organizations as well.

The charter serves as a guiding framework for all internal and external collaborators with whom the non-profit De Ensors works for the gala or other activities. We expect them to act in accordance with the charter.

Concrete applications

The non-profit organization De Ensors aims to implement an active equal-opportunities policy, both visibly to the outside world (public and media) and invisibly behind the scenes.

This means, among other things, but not exclusively:

• The Ensors and the Ensor Academy are open to everyone in the audiovisual sector, including smaller, diverse players who differ significantly from the traditional composition of the Flemish film profession.

• De Ensors actively seeks diverse profiles for its organizational structures and divisions in order to prevent exclusion or discrimination.

• Non-profit De Ensors uses inclusive language, for example through gender inclusive forms of address.

• Vzw De Ensors bevordert een inclusieve beeldvorming via het gebruik van inclusieve verhalen/beelden, zowel intern als via externe media en zo divers mogelijk. Daarbij worden steeds bewust vragen gesteld als: Wie en wat komt in beeld? Hoe komen mensen in beeld? Is er in de line-up en interviews voldoende diversiteit zodat niet steeds enkel de usual suspects de revue passeren? Vermijden we louter thematisch stereotypen in beeld te brengen door mensen voldoende gelaagd als persoon en in hun beroep te interviewen? …

• De Ensors promotes inclusive representation through the use of inclusive stories/images, both internally and through external media, and as diversely as possible. This includes consciously asking questions such as: Who and what is shown? How are people represented? Is there sufficient diversity in the line-up and interviews so that not only the usual suspects appear? Do we avoid portraying only thematic stereotypes by interviewing people in a sufficiently layered way as individuals and professionals? …

• This charter is a statement of intent, and its implementation is undoubtedly a work in progress. We strive to take into account persistent blind spots or biases, but remain open to further growth, best practices from others, and input to continue evolving toward an open culture for everyone. Therefore, as of July 2022, a digital contact point is available on our website

The board of the non-profit organization De Ensors consists of representatives from Filmfestival Oostende, the Belgian Screen Composers Guild, BEMontage, De Acteursgilde, Flanders Doc, SBC, Scenaristengilde, Unie van Regisseurs, V.O.F.T.P. and Abraca.