Film and television have the power to give voice to stories that connect, inspire, and transform. With this belief at heart, Otros Ojos, Boston Center, and EFD Studios have joined forces to promote a more inclusive audiovisual industry—one where diversity is not just portrayed but built from a place of authenticity.
As part of this shared commitment, the masterclass “Authentic and Nuanced Gender Representation in Film and TV: Impact, Opportunities, and Strategies” took place on February 12 in Mexico City. It was a space for learning and reflection on the importance of telling stories from a wide range of perspectives. The event brought together screenwriters, showrunners, producers, and development executives, key players with the power to shape more representative and meaningful narratives.
The session was led by Juliana Martínez, Ph.D., a narrative strategy expert specializing in gender and diversity, and current Head of Narrative Strategy at the Fondo Nebula. She was joined by experts Karla Salas and Michelle Gama, who guided the conversation around the need to build characters and stories that reflect the complexity of today’s society.
The discussion emphasized the importance of portraying a broad spectrum of cultures, backgrounds, ages, body types, abilities, and identities, fostering a more truthful, stereotype-free industry.
Breaking Stereotypes to Build Authentic Characters
During the masterclass, Juliana Martínez, Ph.D. highlighted the need to challenge traditional, normative perspectives that often reinforce stereotypes. “We need to resist the pull of the normative,” she said, explaining how our beliefs shape the way we portray characters on screen.
In an open roundtable format, attendees shared their experiences and challenges, fostering a rich exchange of insights and perspectives. Together, they explored practical ways to integrate diversity into the creative process—not just as a trend, but as a philosophy that informs every stage of production.
To achieve authentic representation, the session emphasized three key pillars:
- Balance: Who is being represented? Does it reflect real-world demographics and social contexts?
- Complexity: Is the character fully developed, or are they presented in a one-dimensional way?
- Authenticity: Beyond stereotypes, do the characters resonate as real and relatable to those who share similar experiences?
A Commitment to Inclusive, Impactful Storytelling
At EFD Studios, representation is not just about diversity—it’s about storytelling quality and emotional connection. As Bea Cavanillas, Global Comms & PR Director at EFD Studios, put it:
“We’re driven by the idea that more people should be able to see themselves on screen and connect with stories that genuinely speak to them. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Boston Center and Otros Ojos in this initiative. We believe spaces like this masterclass are essential to building more authentic and powerful narratives.”
Otros Ojos and Boston Center: Partners in Genuine Representation
The Otros Ojos initiative, along with Boston Center, is deeply committed to creative collaboration and open dialogue. They provide production teams with the tools to ensure that character representation is balanced, respectful, and multi-dimensional. Their approach seeks to generate stories that not only reflect reality, but actively contribute to a more just and inclusive society.
EFD Studios: Championing Stories That Deserve to Be Told
At EFD Studios, we believe that every image on screen shapes how we see the world. That’s why we support spaces for training and reflection that help build a more diverse, authentic, and representative film and television landscape.
Our commitment is clear: to keep telling stories that connect, resonate, and reflect the full richness of our society.
