Lena Waithe on Bringing Diversity to Hollywood With Rising Voices Program: 'We Have a Ways to Go' (Exclusive)
etonline.comLena Waithe isn't just talking the talk. The Emmy-winning writer and producer recently entered the third year of the Indeed: Rising Voices program, an initiative that «aims to discover, invest in, and share stories created by BIPOC filmmakers & storytellers around the power and meaning of work.»In partnership with 271 Films, Waithe's production company, Hillman Grad, selects 10 filmmakers to award a $100,000 production budget.
Those filmmakers produce a short film, with access to mentorship and support from the advisory panel, and premiere their films at the 2023 Tribeca Festival in New York.
After the program's conclusion, Indeed invests in marketing and support for the finished films' distribution, along with the festival debut.«It is probably one of the most intense programs we do because they have such a short period of time, but that's what's exciting.
It creates opportunities,» Waithe told ET. «Deondray and Quincy [LeNear Gossfield], who were part of our first year of Rising Voices, are currently producing directors on s sixth season.
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