“The thing I’m most looking forward to in 2021…is 2021,” said actor Bonni Dichone in the community video we featured at our recent Snow Place Like Home event. Given the year we just had, it’s safe to say we have a lot to look forward to next year! And here at Washington Filmworks, we’re excited to let the community know about some big plans we have in the works for 2021.

Since the pandemic started, we’ve been laser-focused on getting cast and crew back to work—safely—with updated information on our Resource page and industry-wide conversations on our Set Safety Series webinars.

Creating jobs is the heart and soul of what we do—and we’re going to use all the tools in our toolbox to make that happen for you in 2021. We’re already talking to a number of projects for our production incentive program in the next year. And we’re on the phones every day talking up all the amazing possibilities for filming that Washington State has to offer!

We’re also deeply committed to working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), which is why we started a Statewide Equity Committee for Film. The Equity Committee will develop programs and policies not only for Washington Filmworks but tools for the entire statewide film industry so that we can do better. We’re in the process of talking to potential chairs of the committee…so stay tuned for that announcement!

Also on the equity front, we’re excited to announce our Media Mentorship Program, a pilot program for BIPOC and people from underrepresented communities to gain access to the film industry. The program will have education and mentorship components and create pathways to real production jobs. We’re so excited to be launching this program in Q1 2021!

In the big picture, we know that the creative industries are diverse, vibrant, and unique. Despite these differences, there’s more bringing us together than keeping us apart. So many different creative people are drawn to work on a film set, and we know that the challenges in the film industry aren’t unique to film.

We’ve learned lessons from the pandemic about the availability of unemployment insurance for gig workers, the misclassification of workers, and access to affordable healthcare—issues that affect creative workers across disciplines.

So as we go into 2021, we are looking to start cross-pollinating creative industries and find solutions to these big picture issues under the Whipsmart umbrella that we launched this year.

Because as we fundamentally believe at Washington Filmworks and Whipsmart—we are stronger together.

Have a safe and happy holiday and see you in 2021!