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Taking a look at diversity in film after the Oscars

Posted at 1:18 PM, Feb 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-25 17:54:06-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Remember a few years ago when #OscarsSoWhite was trending due to the lack of diversity at the Academy Awards?

Now this year, diversity has taken center stage during Hollywood's Big Night.

I went Around Town to the Eclipse Theatre in Downtown Las Vegas and also to the Film School at UNLV. Eclipse Theatre is a minority-owned establishment, but its doors are always open to the community and beyond.

"We're all about serving the community," says spokesperson Sabrina Cofield. "We've partnered with several groups, and nonprofit organizations including Junior Achievement, United Way, and the Clark County School District." Notably, the theatre opened its doors last year to over 600 CCSD students to see Oscar-winning movie "Black Panther."

While there, they also got a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be an work at a place like Eclipse, and also tips on being an entrepreneur by Eclipse owner, Nic Steele.

And while diversity is gaining more nods in Hollywood, local film students believe it still has a long way to go. Students at the UNLV Film School are slowly seeing things get better.

"And even me being able to see myself represented on screen. As an Asian-American, there's not too many main roles for that," says film student Trevor Floyd. "I think people definitely are making efforts to break that, and to have more diversity. Even on the independent level."

Several of the film students went to the Sundance Film Festival this year, where they say 40% of directors were females.

This year more progress was made at last nights Oscars. According to the Academy, 29 of the 52 presenters were non-white, and much more gender and race inclusion was noticed more.

Many are calling the "diversity," the big award winner of the night.