Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to make sense of the world. From the beginning of time, we’ve passed down knowledge, imagined futures, and connected across generations and cultures through the simple act of telling stories. Through them, we shape identity, create a sense of belonging, and expand our worldview.
Yet the stories we’ve seen across media have often reflected only a narrow slice of human experience. Historically and systematically, diverse voices have been excluded from the creative process. To truly reflect the richness of humanity, storytelling must embrace complexity, intersectionality, and authenticity. That’s why representation matters, both on screen and behind the scenes.
The power of storytelling
When we see ourselves in stories, it affirms our existence and tells us our experiences matter. For children, representation in media can shape identity and open up possibilities. For all of us, it builds empathy, challenges stereotypes, and broadens perspective.
Storytelling allows audiences to learn about cultures, histories, and experiences they may not encounter otherwise. It fosters curiosity, connection, and understanding. Most importantly, it reflects our world back to us with all the nuance and diversity present in the audience itself.
The consequences of exclusion and misrepresentation
Systemic discrimination has long kept many voices out of the media landscape. Lack of access, opportunity, and recognition has led to the under- and misrepresentation of communities. These gaps have real consequences on screen and beyond.
When stories ignore entire communities altogether, it feels like a denial of their existence. And when stories do include marginalized groups but rely on stereotypes or tokenism, they reinforce harmful narratives rather than challenge them.
Misrepresentation can take many forms:
- Stereotyping: Reducing characters to clichés based on race, gender, sexuality, or other identities.
- Erasure: Including diverse characters but stripping away cultural specificity or depth.
- Villainization: Repeatedly casting certain groups as threats or problems.
- Exploitative portrayal: Treating diverse characters as symbols of pity or perseverance, rather than portraying them as full individuals.
These portrayals shape public perception and influence real-world attitudes. Authentic representation requires not just visibility, but depth, honouring complexity, intersectionality, and lived experience with nuance and care.
Expanding the narrative
Inclusive storytelling doesn’t just benefit those who are represented, it benefits everyone. It challenges assumptions, breaks down barriers, and invites us to connect more deeply with the world around us. When everyone is included both in the stories we tell and in the telling itself, our narratives become more powerful, more expansive, and more human.
Advancing equity in B.C. storytelling
Across B.C., the motion picture industry is taking meaningful steps toward greater equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Creative Equity Roadmap, developed in partnership between Creative BC and Elevate Inclusion Strategies, offers a shared framework to guide organizations in building inclusive practices. It supports industry-wide collaboration and provides practical tools, common language, and resources to help reshape systems and workplace culture. Discover the Creative Equity Roadmap here.
On an individual level, Creative Pathways™ Professional Development Programs are helping film professionals deepen their understanding and create change. Discover the two programs:
Inclusive Leadership in Film + TV
An impactful two-day series designed specifically for leaders and supervisors committed to creating respectful and inclusive workplace cultures.
Inclusive Workplaces for Film + Television Workers
A full-day session to deepen film workers’ understanding of anti-discrimination, unconscious bias, and cultural awareness.
