RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab, Summer 2022
Aisha Almada
Aisha Almada is passionate about raising awareness for social change through the power of a great story that can change hearts and minds. With a knack for engaging niche audiences online, she works as a Publicity Manager at ITVS where she partners with documentary filmmakers to increase the viewership of their films. She has a background in social media marketing, digital content production, and documentary film impact producing.
Almada earned her B.A. in Film Studies, with an emphasis in Political Science, from Pepperdine University in 2014. She aspired to work in politics, but found her love for filmmaking that caused her to go down a new creative path. After graduating college, Aisha began her journey with chronic illness and chronic pain that has inspired her to advocate for inclusion in the film industry. When she’s not watching the latest documentary release, she’s usually hiking with her dog and camera in tow. Aisha is also a member of Documentary Filmmakers with Disabilities and a former Creative Futures fellow.
Learn More
After an extensive search and interview process, 18 individuals and one writing duo were invited to participate in the Virtual Cohort of RespectAbility’s 2022 Entertainment Lab taking place August 16 – September 22, 2022. This 6-week, 18-session Lab aims to further develop and elevate the talent pipeline of diverse professionals with disabilities working behind-the-scenes in television, film, and streaming. Participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities ranging in age from people in their 20’s through their 50’s. The Lab is a recipient of The Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award.
The Virtual Cohort of the 2022 Entertainment Lab is made possible with support by:
- Platinum Sponsors: Murray/Reese Foundation and Netflix
- Gold Sponsors: The Harnisch Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and The Walt Disney Company
- Silver Sponsors: Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, and NBCUniversal
