If you're a multicultural producer who needs tools, support, and access to gatekeepers in order to scale up in this industry, then this Lab is aimed at you! The Blackhouse Foundation, a leading organization bent on expanding opportunities for black multi-platform content creators, has partnered with the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) to create this year-long program for film, television, and digital media projects.
Sponsored by the HBO Corporate Social Responsibility Department, fellows of the program will take part in intensive workshops at the “Made in NY” Media Center by IFP in New York and at HBO headquarters in Los Angeles, culminating at IFP Week 2019.
Here is what Brickson Diamond, Blackhouse Co-Founder and Board Chair, had to say about the new program that was announced at The Blackhouse Foundation’s Opening Night party at Sundance 2019.
“As we look to the future, The Blackhouse Foundation’s annual focus will expand to include formalized talent development educational programs and we are delighted to partner with industry-leading IFP and HBO on our first year-round program. We look forward to playing a role in increasing the pool of established production companies and production executives that global media conglomerates can work with to develop and produce content. Our vision is to see more multicultural content, written, directed, produced, and owned by members our community.”
So what exactly will be in store for the first seven participants of this all-new initiative? According to The Blackhouse Foundation, here are a few details about the program for this first year:
A cohort of seven (7) producers of innovative fiction and nonfiction projects (film, television, and digital media) were selected by IFP, Blackhouse, and HBO. These Fellows will participate in this year-long, collaborative program to expand the number of multicultural production companies; to increase their pipeline of content; and to support the sustainability of mid-career independent producers and the scale at which their projects and businesses operate. The first cohort of participating producers are all women, signaling all of the partner organizations’ focus on supporting female filmmakers.
While the fellows for the first year have been chosen, starting in 2020, it will be open to submissions from everyone! Check out this list of the seven fellows that have been selected for 2019 to get a sense of who they might be looking for next year.
2019 IFP-Blackhouse Multicultural Producers Lab Fellows:
• Quan Lateef
• Kiara Jones
• JaSaun Buckner
• Rochée Jeffrey
• HaJ House & Dahéli Hall
• Chanelle Aponte Pearson
Read more about the program at The Blackhouse Foundation here. If this seems like a program that you could benefit from, stay tuned for what you need to know to apply for year two!
For more, see our ongoing list of coverage of the coverage of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
No Film School's podcast and editorial coverage of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival is sponsored by RODE Microphones and Blackmagic Design.
Richard Gere and Uma Thurman in 'Oh, Canada' via Kino Lorber 
Uma Thurman in 'Oh, Canada'via Kino Lorber 
