The International Casting Directors Association is conscious of historic inequities in the entertainment industry with regard to race, age, ethnic origin, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, religion or belief, and disability. ICDA is committed to promoting and encouraging diversity in the casting of actors in the interest of equality.
We recognise that the performing arts reflect the wide range of the human experience, and that an inclusive casting process has the potential to discover and nurture fresh talents, to ensure that film and media reflects the diverse world around us and to cater appropriately to emerging markets of diverse audiences.
Our Association supports the casting of actors from varying social, economic and cultural backgrounds, to create opportunity, access and equity, and believes that courage and innovation are values that can pay off in commercial products.
In addition, we acknowledge the lack of diversity within our own ranks, and entreat all of our members to provide opportunities, access, mentorship and employment to people of colour, as well as all other underrepresented groups, in order for our profession to more accurately reflect the rich and vibrant world we live in.
We will continue to learn and take action to improve diversity within the sector, amongst our colleagues and with all professional organisations that we work with. We will start monitoring equality in castings and amongst our members by distributing forms, so that we have a clear set of figures to refer to.
ICDA is proud to be a member of ARTEF, the Anti-Racism Taskforce for European Film. ARTEF’s mission is to address institutional racism in the European film industry and work with stakeholders to create awareness about the existing problems, provide targeted education through training and guide institutions to find their solutions. Their primary focus is on European film institutions responsible for upholding the structures that enable racist discrimination and exclusion. In addressing those, they prioritise the voices and lived experiences of those affected by racism in the film industry.
