BIPoC Alliance: How a Growing Collective Can Impact the Cinema Sector

Industry Insights – The EFM Podcast is presented by the European Film Market of the Berlinale. Hosted by Curator and Public Speaker Nadia Denton, it delves deep into the rapidly evolving film industry.

The BIPoC Alliance is the largest coalition of BIPoC filmmakers in the German-speaking DACH region, created to amplify representation, visibility, and collaboration in the film industry. Founded during Berlinale 2024, the BIPoc Alliance connects emerging and established talents, fostering knowledge sharing, networking, and community-building opportunities.

Jessica Sy is a versatile actress, drama teacher, screenwriter and anti-discrimination trainer with a broad education and extensive experience in various fields of acting and social awareness. She is also active as an anti- discrimination trainer and offers workshops in schools to sensitize young people to discrimination and empowerment - both as an acting lecturer and as a committed campaigner for a fairer society. In 2023, she worked as an assistant director with director Miriam Ibrahim and author Julienne De Murier at the Residenztheater in Munich and was involved in various theater productions, including “Das Gelobte Land” by Asiimwe Deborah Kawe, directed by Fabiola Kuonen and “Die Mittelmeer-Monologe” directed by Michael Ruf. Other stage productions she has appeared in include “The Vagina Monologues” (2020-present).

Weina Zhao is an Austrian-Chinese filmmaker and writer committed to amplifying marginalized narratives. While pursuing her Master’s in Sinology, she began working in various roles within documentary filmmaking. Since 2012, Weina has directed and written numerous film and radio projects. Her debut feature documentary, Weiyena – The Long March Home (AT 2020, codirected with Judith Benedikt), received multiple awards for Best Documentary. She is currently in post-production of her short film “Bye Bye Nainai”. Beyond filmmaking, she co-founded the intersectional Asian diaspora zine Perilla and leads creative writing workshops for BIPOC communities, fostering new and inclusive narratives.

Lena Whooo is a Berlin-based multidisciplinary actor, author & activist blending poetry, sound, and performance to explore identity, resilience, and sensory perception. As a representative of “Schwarze Filmschaffende” at the BIPoC Alliance during the Berlinale, they advocate for industry change by amplifying marginalized voices and fostering more inclusive storytelling practices.

The host Nadia Denton has worked in the UK film industry for over a decade as an Impact Producer, Curator and Author. She specialises in Nigerian Cinema and coined the term BEYOND NOLLYWOOD. She has worked with the BFI London Film Festival, Berlinale EFM, British Film Institute, British Council, Doc Society, London Film School, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival and Comic Relief. Her books include The Nigerian Filmmaker’s Guide to Success: Beyond Nollywood and The Black British Filmmaker’s Guide to Success: Finance, Market and Distribute Your Film. She is an Honorary Research Fellow with the University of Exeter.

The Berlinale’s European Film Market is the first international film market of the year, where the film industry starts its business. Industry Insights - The EFM Podcast puts a spotlight on highly topical and trendsetting industry issues, thereby creating a compass for the forthcoming film year. The year-round podcast is co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA. This episode was developed in partnership with BIPoC Alliance.