Advocacy and film are extremely useful tools to get a message across and for Zane Hubbard, that message is representation, diversity, and inclusion. The world is a beautiful place and it should be showcased as it is. Storytelling is something that Zane is passionate about so he is using his filmmaking and scriptwriting to create new content that people can resonate with.
Zane is an actor, producer, model, filmmaker, creator, and CEO. His naturally gifted scriptwriting is interesting, fresh, and brings people together to see themselves and others in a positive light and representation. A lot of advocacy is near and dear to Zane and this is something that he can translate into his storytelling. Everyone just wants to be able to see themselves in a way that makes them feel seen and heard. In his industry, he has provided a number of opportunities to create space for people that are different, unique, and disabled in film.
As a director and producer, Zane has opened a number of doors with his filmmaking. “I want to connect with people, I love that part about my job. I get to create a space where they feel comfortable and accepted, this is what gets me excited about going to work, because it doesn’t feel like it,” he says. Zane’s passion for people and stories are what makes his business stand out. In 2016, he established his own production company called Ironbeard Films where his talent and expertise stands out and thrives. There is a lot more freedom to do what he loves with his own company, “We started out a bit small and had some struggles during COVID, but we made it out the other side. We are safely making films and creating once again, but I can’t say it wasn’t difficult, we lost a lot at first.”
Ironbeard Films is “is a multi-platform production company creating original content for television, film, corporate brands, music videos, and digital networks.” They create high definition wedding videos, short films, and are expanding to documentaries that are in the works. “Viewers retain ninety-five percent of a message when they watch it in a video compared to ten percent when reading it in text,” Zane quoted. “That is why visual stories are so popular and useful for spreading a message and representing what you’re creating.” He firmly believes that his film company is going to expand, “I see myself growing my business in Atlanta, Georgia with a second office. We will work with major corporations and make feature films.”
With Zane’s impact and passion for people, he sees a lot of good coming from what he’s creating. “I see the future of my industry changing for the better with more diversity and opportunities for people of color,” he says. His art is diverse, customized, and original, much like what he promotes in his stories. His optimism and passion for what he does is his drive. “Someone told me once that if you do what you love, it won’t feel like work, and I wake up everyday working to make sure that what I do is what I love,” he says.
“I started small, but I dreamed big and now I’m here,” Zane says smiling. “This is what feels like success to me. Nothing feels like I’m working and I get to create something everyday.” He says that you really have to keep pushing yourself to keep going, build yourself up, and take up space to let people know you are here to stay. And as a self-proclaimed badass, his advice aligns with his strength, resilience, and fight for inclusion and advocacy.
This is a journey to inclusion in film and media and Zane is doing his part to help make this a regular occurrence in the industry. The stories that are important are the ones that are inclusive, diverse, and resonate. This type of art is what can give back to communities and give people a place to belong.
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