“ACADEMY DIALOGUES” FOCUSES ON IMPORTANCE OF “OWNING YOUR BRAND” IN HOLLYWOOD With DeVon Franklin,

Part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Academy Aperture 2025 initiative, “Academy Dialogues: It Starts With Us” is a new series of virtual panels, with conversations about race, ethnicity, gender, history, opportunity and the art of filmmaking. The latest episode in the series, “Academy Dialogues: Owning Your Brand,” features a conversation with Academy governor and producer DeVon Franklin (“Breakthrough”), Franklin Leonard, founder and CEO of the Black List, producer Debra Martin Chase (“Harriet”), and M88 president, managing partner and co-founder Phillip Sun discussing their professional journeys and finding success outside of the traditional Hollywood system. They address the importance of having a vision, investing in yourself, and building a business brand by taking control to tell new and authentic stories. WHO:DeVon Franklin, Academy governor and producer Franklin Leonard, founder and CEO of the Black ListDebra Martin Chase, producerPhillip Sun, president, managing partner and co-founder of M88WHEN/WHERE:Available now on YouTube.HIGHLIGHTS:“Have the will to make change, wherever you may be, and wherever you may sit.” – DeVon Franklin“There is not one seat at the table anymore. Build your own table. They will come.” – Phillip Sun

ABOUT THE ACADEMY The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a global community of more than 10,000 of the most accomplished artists, filmmakers and executives working in film. In addition to celebrating and recognizing excellence in filmmaking through the Oscars, the Academy supports a wide range of initiatives to promote the art and science of the movies, including public programming, educational outreach and the upcoming Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, opening April 30, 2021.

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