Netflix Introduces Emerging Filmmaker Initiative (EXCLUSIVE)
Angelique Jackson Netflix has launched a new pipeline program aimed at launching the “next wave of marquee filmmakers” working in high-concept genres.The Emerging Filmmaker Initiative (EFI) gives three filmmakers the opportunity to develop, fund, produce and distribute their short films on Netflix, with a focus on stories in the sci-fi, action, horror and thriller genres.The initiative is inspired by the trajectory of rising star Stefon Bristol, who first teamed with the streamer on “See You Yesterday.” The high-impact time-travel tale went on to earn an Independent Spirit Award for best first screenplay and Bristol has set his second project with Netflix, “Gordon Hemingway & The Realm of Cthulhu.” Like “See You Yesterday,” Bristol will direct the upcoming film, produced by Spike Lee. “Stefon’s short opened a lot of doors, but for many up-and-coming filmmakers, it takes years just to get that first shot.