As a treat synonymous with film and entertainment, the M&M’S brand has recently launched an initiative called the M&M’S FUNd, which aims to push diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in the entertainment industry. Find out more about the M&M’S FUNd here.
As part of FUNd, #FilmsYouWantToSee was created. The campaign started with independent research to uncover thoughts and feelings of young Brits on the current state of D&I in cinema.
The research showed that over half of under 35-year-olds (57%) think stereotypes are offensive and overused in films. As part of this research, we asked Twitter users to share ideas on stereotype-busting films.
From here, we challenged up and coming young filmmakers to create trailers for these films based on Twitter suggestions that ultimately shine a light on the issue of outdated stereotypes.
Any dates mentioned in the trailers are for creative purpose only and aren’t reflective of any full production of the trailers.
Monique Needham
Monique Needham is a Jamaican-British writer and director, passionate about broadening the type of stories told about her community. She has created two short films since 2019, which have been shown and commended at film festivals globally. Her films cover family and youth culture with a comedic twist, and showcase the lives and bonds of people of colour. When not creating narrative films, she enjoys experimenting with ideas and shares them for everyone to enjoy
Trailer precis: On paper, life for Maya looks perfect: an athlete, popular, has a loving family, and is head over heels for her girlfriend Jasmine. However, she's about to risk it all by inviting Jasmine around to Sunday Dinner. With the help of her grandmother, with whom she shares a special bond, will dinner with her quirky family go smoothly, or will they scare Jasmine off?
Guy Chackarov
and Omri Dagan
Delorean Films is a London based film production duo, formed in 2022 by the two Israeli filmmakers, Omri Dagan and Guy Chackarov. Each have their own style and approach, and together their filmmaking has a unique identity, from scripts to full productions. Together, they’ve produced a host of content, including short horror films and music videos.
Trailer precis: In a not-too-distant future, rookie cops Jheanell and JD let a career making bust slip through the cracks. Demoted, disarmed, and dismayed, they must now clean the street from the ground up. However, when an opportunity to catch the city’s biggest minor crime boss, Max Danger, presents itself, they know it’s time to step up and regain their status.
Ethan Ross
Ethan is a young queer filmmaker from London. Since co-founding production company Big Tent Films in 2019, Ethan has directed several award-winning short films as well as music video and commercial work, approaching each challenge with his keen passion for storytelling.
Trailer precis: After a routine mission accomplished, a member of Pink Glove, an all LGBTQ+ spy agency, is assassinated, leaving the agency is disarray. His boyfriend and fellow spy, Jonah, with the support of rogue agents from Pink Glove, must now figure out who is trying to take them down.
Natasha Mwansa
Natasha Mwansa is a writer and filmmaker from London. In 2020 she was selected as a finalist for the Papaya Young Directors competition. Her film ‘Damian’ was commissioned by the Barbican and released in December 2020. She was also part of BBC Comedy Writers Room 2020/21.
Trailer precis: Maria, a recent heart transplant recipient, finds herself feeling emotions that belong to Jordan, the previous owner of her heart – there’s unfinished business with an old lover that Maria must resolve.
Bringing the Movie to the Big Screen
Our 2023 Winner: Monique Needham
A panel of film industry experts, directors and diversity and inclusion professionals reviewed each trailer and have chosen a winner to receive further funding to bring their story to life through a short film.
Sunday Dinner
On paper, life for Maya looks perfect: an athlete, popular, has a loving family, and is head over heels for her girlfriend Jasmine. However, she’s about to risk it all by inviting Jasmine around to Sunday Dinner. With the help of her grandmother, with whom she shares a special bond, will dinner with her quirky family go smoothly, or will they scare Jasmine off?
challenging stereotypes in film
57%
of Brits aged 18-35 think
outdated movie character stereotypes are overused and offensive
52%
believe that the film industry has
a greater responsability than any other to improve its diversity and inclusivity
Source: Independent research by M&M’S via OnePoll
43%
admit they
can't relate in any way to the characters they see on the big screen
top ten characters and attitudes young Brits would like to
see more of in film
