About us
The SDIN actively seeks to improve the diversity of the talent that shapes Australian content, and the types of stories that are reflected on our screens.
The SDIN recognises that our storytellers should be drawn from the widest possible talent pool, and the screen industry should draw on a range of backgrounds, influences and experiences in generating Australian screen culture.
What We Do
The SDIN is committed to reflecting Australian society by progressing diversity objectives and addressing barriers to inclusion in the sector. SDIN members can make change, particularly when working together. The Network offers a forum for sharing ideas on initiatives and approaches; encourages partnerships between members; and will set targets and evaluate progress via on-going data collection. All data will be anonymised and reported in aggregate.
One of the key tenets of the SDIN is that change needs to happen with participation and engagement from the whole sector, with an understanding that effective responses to issues of underrepresentation need to be industry-wide, long-term and adequately resourced.
The SDIN draws on good practice from international models, such as the UK’s broadcaster-led Creative Diversity Network and its measurement system Project Diamond.
Who We Are
Loani Arman (Co-Chair)
Loani Arman is a proud Indonesian-Australian woman, who joined SBS in 2022 as Scripted Commissioning Editor. In the role, Loani works across the development and production of scripted content and oversees SBS’ short form drama slate and other talent development initiatives. For SBS, she has been the Executive Producer on Latecomers, which was the only Australian production to screen at Series Mania this year, and Appetite, which recently screened in competition at Canneseries.
Prior to SBS, Loani was a Content Director at Screen Queensland where she led their development programs and initiatives. Earlier in her career, she was the Drama Associate for Showtime Australia, working across original drama commissions including Cloudstreet and Tangle.
As a screen creative, Loani has had a drama series in development through the STAN / Screen Queensland Premium Drama Fund. In 2020, her documentary series, My Body Says (ABC), won the inaugural AIDC Best Short Form Award; and in 2019, Loani was the winner of the AACTA Pitch Competition with her film, Our Greatest Escape.
Olivia Khoo (Co-Chair)
Olivia Khoo is Head of Film and Screen Studies at Monash University. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of New South Wales, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Western Australia.
A member of the Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts, Olivia is internationally recognised for her research on Asian and Asian Australian cinema, gender, sexuality and screen media. She has authored / co-edited seven books, including Transnational Australian Cinema: Ethics in the Asian Diasporas and Futures of Chinese Cinema: Technologies and Temporalities in Chinese Screen Cultures. Olivia co-founded, and is chair of, the Asian Australian Studies Research Network. She has also co-produced a database of Asian Australian films, as part of the ARC Discovery Project on the History of Asian Australian cinema.
Olivia has collaborated with the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Taipei Artists Village, and the Asian Film Archive, Singapore to promote screen diversity. She has also served as Associate Editor of Metro magazine (ATOM: Australian Teachers of Media), and Editor of the Gender, Sexualities and Cultures in Asia book series.
Anita Kimber (Project Officer)
Anita has a strong background in project support including many years working at a senior level in the insurance sector. She also has deep experience advocating for the LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse communities.
With a passion for horror and sci-fi screenwriting and storytelling, Anita is keen to focus on improving the visibility of traditionally under-represented groups within these genres.
Everyone Counts Report
Everyone Counts is the first report using data on diversity in the Australian screen industry collected through The Everyone Project. Using an online tool for registration of screen productions and a voluntary demographic survey, The Everyone Project is a groundbreaking initiative aiming to capture the diversity of all cast and crew in TV and film in Australia – from extras through to on-screen leads; producers through to runners; and camera departments through to hair and make-up; working on productions ranging from reality TV through to documentaries and feature films.