EXCLUSIVE: HBO Documentary Films and The Gotham Film & Media Institute on Tuesday opened submissions for the second cohort of their Documentary Development Initiative, designed for storytellers who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or storytellers with disabilities.
Launched last fall, the program provides up-and-comers with resources for the development of thought-provoking, character-driven contemporary ideas for documentary films and limited series.
Among those resources is a grant of $50,000 to each participant for research and creative development at an early stage. Ideas generated through the Initiative are offered to HBO on a “first-look” basis, giving the network the first opportunity to make an offer to develop them further. “It has been a joy to watch the creative process unfold during the course of this past year’s development initiative,” said HBO’s SVP of Documentary Programming, Sara Rodriguez. “We are thrilled this essential program will continue to help elevate the voices in our documentary community that don’t often get heard.” Remarked The Gotham Deputy Director Kia Brooks, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with HBO Documentary Films on this empowering initiative seeking to uplift voices in the media industry.
We have seen time and time again the impact we can make when we equip storytellers from historically excluded communities with the necessary resources to bolster their careers.
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