Code of Conduct

Event Code of Conduct

Fundamental to MACSD’s mission, to promote access to film and video as tools for community self-expression and social change while supporting the professional development of media artists, MACSD holds events to encourage the open exchange of ideas and to support professional development and personal growth. We believe that ensuring a wide, diverse range of voices that fully represent the diversity of the communities we serve is essential and we encourage the open exchange of ideas and perspectives in a mutually respectful environment that provides guests and staff with a safe and enjoyable experience while attending our film festivals, theaters, and events.

To that end, MACSD is dedicated to ensuring that our events and gatherings are an inclusive, respectful, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental ability, color, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, marital status or partnership status, pregnancy or lactation status, religion or creed, status as a veteran or active military service member or any other basis protected by U.S. federal, state, or local laws.

MACSD Event Code of Conduct

In order to participate in a MACSD-sponsored event, all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers must agree to abide by this code of conduct (“Code of Conduct”). MACSD reserves the exclusive and sole right to enforce its code of conduct.[1]

This Code of Conduct covers all events and venues used by MACSD for film festivals, education programs, special screenings, MACSD’s physical and virtual offices, and in all digital spaces.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR

In order to support an environment that builds community and positive connections, the following behaviors are expected of all participants in MACSD-sponsored events:

• Be present and participate actively.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
• Act with respect towards everyone you encounter, including event and venue staff.
• Exercise consideration in your speech, films, and actions.
• To support a participatory learning environment for everyone, be mindful of how much time you use (e.g. in discussions or Q&A sessions).
• Behave in accordance with professional standards (such as this Code of Conduct, your respective employer’s policies, and applicable law).

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Harassment, bullying, microaggressions,[2] intimidation, and/or insinuations that are hurtful or interfere with any other attendee’s experience or participation are unacceptable behaviors. Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to the following:

• Demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior or speech, including but not limited to personal insults, sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist or ableist language or any language that insults or demeans the characteristics of a person protected under U.S. federal, state or local law.
• Inappropriate physical contact; you should have someone’s consent before touching them.
• Language that implies exclusion or derogation of a person on the basis of the person’s immutable characteristic; for example, asking a participant where they are “really from”; assuming a person’s spouse or partner is of the opposite gender; deliberately using the wrong pronoun to refer to an individual.
• Unwelcome sexual attention, including sexualized comments or jokes, inappropriate touching, groping, or sexual advances.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following.
• Sustained disruption, including during talks and presentations.
• Displaying sexually explicit or violent material including in presented materials (e.g. slides, presentations, talks) or in informal settings or on personal devices (e.g. on your phone).
• Violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person or group.
• Possession of dangerous or unauthorized materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons or similar items.
• Bullying including repeated verbal abuse; verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a threatening, intimidating or humiliating nature; or the sabotage or undermining of a person’s performance.
• Theft or inappropriate removal or possession of property.
• Use, distribution, sale, or transfer of illegal drugs.
• Disorderly conduct caused by inebriation
• Actions that create unsafe conditions (like a trip hazard)
• Any other illegal activity or forms of harassment not covered above.

MACSD reserves the right in its sole discretion to determine what constitutes unacceptable behavior and what actions it will take to address incidents that occur before, during, or after an event.

CONSEQUENCES OF UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at MACSD-sponsored events. Anyone asked by a MACSD staff member or affiliate to stop engaging in unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior or fails to comply with expected behavior at any time before, during, or after the sponsored event, MACSD may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to removing the participant from the event without a refund.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR

If you witness or are subjected to unacceptable behavior or have any other concerns at a MACSD-sponsored event, notify a MACSD staff member as soon as possible. If you have questions in advance of the event regarding the Code of Conduct or its implementation, please email Ethan Van Thillo, MACSD Executive Director, at ethan@mediaartscenter.org. 

Please bear in mind that notifying us does not constitute or replace notifying law enforcement.

MACSD will review all incidents that violate our Code of Conduct in a timely and equitable manner. We reserve the right to immediately remove, and permanently ban, any person from an event or venue for violations of this Code of Conduct, including the revocation of membership, tickets, passes and other privileges.

AGREEMENT

In line with and in consideration for my participation in a MACSD-sponsored event, I accept and will adhere to the Code of Conduct when participating in such event. I understand that MACSD may take any action it deems appropriate, including removing me from the event without a refund, should I fail to adhere to this Code of Conduct.

[1] This Code of Conduct is not intended to create rights for any third parties nor are any third parties entitled to any particular action by MACSD under this Code of Conduct.

[2] Microaggressions are a verbal, behavioral or environmental slight, indignity, or snub – intentional or unintentional – that demeans, invalidates the experience of, expresses a prejudiced or discriminatory attitude or communicates hostility or a negative message towards a marginalized group.