Hollywood Diversity Programs & Initiatives

By this point, we are all well aware of the fact that Hollywood has a ways to go before the industry reflects the diversity seen across the globe both in front of and behind the camera. “The Annenberg Report on Diversity ” (released last month) examined 109 films that were released by studios in 2014 in addition to the 305 scripted television and digital series across 31 networks and streaming websites and found that 87% of directors are white, 3.4% of films were directed by women, and only 2 out of 109 films were directed by black women (Ava DuVernay directing Selma and Amma Asante directing Belle).

Despite the lack of inclusion within the highest ranks of the industry, many companies have committed themselves to changing things by establishing diversity initiatives to launch careers in television and film.

Below are some of the most popular programs:

CBS Writers Mentoring Program
Website: http://diversity.cbscorporation.com/page.php?id=23
Application window March 1 to May 2, 2016.

Warner Brother Fresh Ink Writing Program
Website: http://writersworkshop.warnerbros.com/
Application window opens May 1, 2016.

Sundance Episodic Lab

Website: http://www.sundance.org/programs/episodic-story-lab/

Applications by invitation only. Information on submission window for 2017 program will be available in December.

NBC’s Writers on the Verge
Website: www.nbcunitips.com (launching late April) or http://www.nbcunicareers.com/writers-verge

Application window is generally from May 1^st through May 31^st.

Disney/ABC Writing Program

Website: http://www.abctalentdevelopment.com/writing_program.html

Submissions accepted annually in May.

FOX Writers Intensive

Website: http://www.fox.com/audiencestrategy/foxwritersintensive/

Application window opens September, however you must be nominated your agent, manager, or by one of Fox’s approved partner orgs in order to submit.

NHMC Writers Program

Website: http://www.nhmc.org/writersprogram

Application window open July- August

WGA Writers Access Program

Website: http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=3436

Application window opens in September/October.

The Black List

Website: https://blcklst.com/register/

Application window is always open.

NY Women In Film Writers Lab

Website: http://www.nywift.org/article.aspx?ID=5504

Submission window closes in June.