Film Independent Sets Six For 2022 Producing Lab, Unveils Imaginar Producers Residency Awarding $150,000 In Grants To Latinx Creatives

Courtesy of Deadline

Film Independent launched Imaginar Producers Residency for Latinx Producers that helps Latine independent producers develop skills and further their career. Film Independent is partnering with The Walt Disney Company and Searchlight Pictures to help diverse studio producers. They are also collaborating with NALIP to support the expansion of the Latine producing community. Applications are set to open November 1st!To read more about the new fellowship and those involved, go here!

Apply to Participate at SXSW 2023: Music Showcases, Film Screenings & More

Courtesy of SXSW

The countdown clock has started, deadlines are creeping up for admissions to SXSW music festivals, film festivals, SXSW Pitch, and Innovation Awards. A couple deadlines are coming up this month, so keep a close eye! For more information on the deadlines, go here.

Celebrating 20 years of the Documentary Film Program

Courtesy of Sundance Institute

The Documentary Film Program, which was launched by late Diane Weyerman with the support of the Open Society Foundations, was based on human rights advocacy. The program gives a home for nonfiction storytellers at Sundance and builds a community for those artists. Read more about the DFP here.

Cartoon Network’s Award-winning “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” Campaign Releases New Content In Honor of National Bullying Prevention Month

Courtesy of WarnerMedia

Cartoon Network announced the PSA “Redraw Your World Without Bullying” as part of their national campaign “Stop Bullying: Speak Up.” The video is about how to be an ally for someone who is being bullied because of their identity. Read more about the PSA and campaign here.

HBO Max Announces Interactive “House of Halloween” Spotlight Page

Courtesy of WarnerMedia

HBO Max launches the “House of Halloween” spotlight page as an interactive Halloween experience for its users. The page offers costume ideas, animated episodes, and more for all ages. Users can click tarot cards: the fool, the magician, the devil, the executioner, the lovers, and the creature. Read more about it here.

NBCU Launch Welcomes 2022-23 Class of NBC TV Writers Program

Courtesy of Comcast NBCUniversal

NBC TV Writers Program, launched in 2005 and formally known as Writers on the Verge, is a brand making efforts on comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion. For the class of 2022-2023, NBCU Launch has selected writes Emman Sadorra, Ida Yazdi, Hernán Barangan, Aurora Ferlin, Amelia Swedeen, Varta Torossian, Tommar Wilson, and William Yu. Read more here.

CAA Signs Filmmaker Martine Syms

Courtesy of Deadline

Martine Syms had her directorial debut with “The African Desperate,” and premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and New Directors/New Films Festival. Besides filmmaking, Syms also hosts a monthly radio show “Double Penetration” and just recently signed with CAA. Read more here.

Longtime SXSW Head Janet Pierson Steps Aside, With No. 2 Claudette Godfrey Taking Reins

Courtesy of Deadline

After leading SXSW Film & TV for 15 years, Janet Pierson has decided to hand over the reins to Claudette Godfrey. Godfrey has been working for SXSW for 17 years and started off as a volunteer crew manager. Read more about Pierson and Godfrey here.

WGA Wins Arbitration That Will Allow More Writers To Reacquire Their Unproduced Screenplays

Courtesy of Deadline

The Writers Guild won a dispute for its members that involved a feature film writer’s right to reacquire original scripts that weren’t produced. This is followed by another settlement against Netflix and Amazon. Read more here!

Sundance Institute Unveils 35 Documentary Projects To Receive $1.4M In Grants; 2022 Marks 20th Anniversary Of Documentary Film Program

Courtesy of Deadline

Sundance announced 35 projects that were recipients of $1.39 million in grants. The projects were funded by the 2022 Documentary Fund and are a prime example of Sundance’s support for unscripted work. Read here for a full list.