In this Spotlight, 891 Costume member Allisa Swanson and Executive Director of the Disability Screen Office Winnie Luk share their experiences working with disability and how union members and industry leaders can help make the motion picture industry more accessible.

With 891 election season underway, this article aims to support members interested in running, or nominating someone, for the role of 891 Business Representative. Through excerpts of interviews with five members who have served in the role, learn how this democratically elected position can help shape the growth of the Union, expand workers' right, and build a strong motion picture community in BC.

Jeff Harvey is helping to empower film workers to use more clean energy on set. As a lead facilitator for IATSE 891’s Clean Battery Workshops, he provides technical knowledge and practical steps for expanding sustainable practices in the industry. We shine a spotlight on his journey into film, what he loves most about being a Union member, his push for better safety and training as chair of the Lighting Department for 17 years, and his hopes for the future of the industry and sustainable production.

Doreen Manuel is an Indigenous (Secwepemc/Ktunaxa) artist and educator with a passion for advancing authentic representation and inclusion of Indigenous peoples in film. After leading an Indigenous Costume Design Workshop for 891 members, she shares her vision for the future of film in BC and how the industry can open doors for more collaborative relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Nancy Hum-Balbosa, new International Representative for Western Canada, shares her story for Asian Heritage Month, celebrated each May. An 891 Set Dec. member for eight years, Nancy loves creative work, uplifting others, and growing the labour movement so that more people from diverse communities can enjoy the benefits of union representation and opportunities offered by a career in film.