US-based actress and activist Azita Ghanizada shared her struggle as an Afghan-born actress with a Muslim name looking for work in the post 9/11 era. She elaborated on how a majority of interactions with casting directors and studios nudged her toward stereotypical roles, which she turned down and eventually axed from her career. Pointing out how “diversity [only] became important five years ago,” she called attention to the problematic number of actors from the MENA region being typecast as terrorists. Lysette responded by equating diversity with humanity, which drew applause from the audience. While all the panelists acknowledged efforts to move toward a more diverse film fraternity, the common underlying idea was the need for more initiatives.

Ghanizada’s passion for improving representation in the industry fueled her to found the MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC). The coalition, based in the US, works toward the advancement and visibility of Middle Eastern and North African performers on-screen in film, television, and online streaming platforms. Ghanizada’s call for increased diversity in casting and writing rooms resonates with one of FCC’s main goals to collaborate with international filmmakers and ensure Farsi-speaking communities are adequately and accurately represented in the industry.