Blueprint for Social Change: Shaping an Impact-Based Strategy - Case Study 2002 – 2020

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expressed support for authentic representation of actors with disabilities in film and television. For the first time, Hollywood’s Academy Awards ceremony in 2020 included host Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down's Syndrome. ngine of chang

Engines of Change We believe that a change inHollywood, the heart of the entertainment industry, will have an impact on future content which will, in turn, influence millions of culture consumers, with and without disabilities, around the world. The result could be a chain reaction, in which the industry will reshape public awareness and the public will demand and receive greater diversity and authentic representation. Hollywood is the leading creator of films and a magnet for shapers and lovers of culture, establishing trends and norms for all film industries worldwide. During this process, we identified a need to increase the number of actors with disabilities as an important factor for success. The Foundation is therefore partnering with the prestigious Yale School of Drama to offer scholarships for acting students with disabilities. Yale graduates are leaders in the industry. By choosing Yale, we will be fostering a high caliber of young actors with disabilities, which will ensure the adoption of the model in other drama schools. In Israel, our collaborationwith theGesherMulticultural FilmFund, the leader of discourse on diversity in Israeli film and television, has already brought about change among decision-makers, foundations and the Israeli public. Gesher’s series has established new norms with respect to the authentic representation of actors with disabilities, ensuring that this advocacy will continue in future productions even without the Foundation’s involvement. These cultural assets will stand the test of time, influencing large numbers of viewers, and encourage filmmakers, actors and production companies to diversify casting and include actors and others with disabilities in a variety of roles and occupations in the film and television industry.