ACCESS:VFX, an industry-led coalition of world leading VFX, animation and games studios, today announced two new non-executive UK board members, welcoming VFX Producer Anne Akande and Executive Producer Gin Godden. Together, they bring more than 30 years’ of industry experience to the organisation.
Following the news of ACCESS:VFX’s new US West Coast chapter, the initiative’s reach and influence continues to grow across the industry as it opens up new opportunities to people from varying backgrounds. Gin and Anne join at an exciting time as the Prospela-run e-mentoring initiative goes from strength to strength, with more than 532 mentees of varying ages currently supported by industry pros from competitive gaming, VFX and animation organisations, including PlayStation, Framestore, and The Foundry.
"I’m thrilled to be joining ACCESS:VFX as it continues to investigate and break down the barriers faced by candidates from different backgrounds, and work to inspire them to engage with VFX, Gaming & Animation opportunities. As our creative industry is tasked with reflecting its audience, we are now more than ever appreciating the need to include perspectives and stories from everyone. This gives us an opportunity to respond by making sure a variety of talent is channelled into our creative communities. Access:VFX has been effectively putting actions behind these intentions for some time now and I’m delighted to be able to add my experience and effort to the work it is doing,\" said Gin Godden, Freelance Executive Producer and ACCESS:VFX board member.
During a career spanning more than 20 years, Gin has worked on most sides of the industry with directors of film, TV and advertising. Having been vocal about the lack of diverse talent coming through industry doors, Gin was invited to join the Ravensbourne University Advisory Group which serves to inform course content. Her time in the group has seen her champion students of the D&AD nominated “Nuff Said” campaign to push action for diversity, as well as mentoring other graduates emerging into the industry. Her role on the board of Directors for ACCESS:VFX will be to build on her efforts encouraging the industry to share creative opportunities across a broader demographic.
Anne Akande has been producing for over a decade and brings experience in various areas of the creative industry from advertising to immersive content, having been focused on VFX in recent years. She is passionate about building strong relationships both with clients and her team, working to get the best out of everyone whilst serving wholeheartedly. Currently VFX Producer and TV Central Production Manager at DNEG, Anne believes in the power of storytelling and is a big advocate of inclusion at every level of business and the creative process.
"I’m so thrilled to be joining the ACCESS:VFX board. Simon Devereux is one amazing human who truly understands what it means to be inclusive. As a Black creative, I’m consciously deciding more and more to lean into the spaces and moments that allow me to be SEEN and HEARD. The industry we all love needs to start looking through a lens of true equality and inclusion. This is an area that ACCESS:VFX has always championed. There is still much work to be done and we’re just getting started. I look forward to working with the entire team on the adventures ahead,\" said Anne Akande, Producer & TV Central Production Manager at DNEG, and ACCESS:VFX board member.
"Anne and Gin are welcome additions to the ACCESS:VFX non-executive board and I couldn't be more excited to work with them and the rest of the team on some big projects! Both bring with them a huge amount of strategic and innovative ideas and a wealth of industry experience. I personally cannot wait to get started!\" said Simon Devereux, Founder and Director of ACCESS:VFX.
