Netflix is pioneering a revolutionary fellowship program aimed at empowering writers and filmmakers with disabilities to break into the entertainment industry. This groundbreaking initiative provides a comprehensive, yearlong support system, including financial backing, mentorship, and community building.
The Visionary Fellowship is designed to bridge the gap between short films and feature debuts, offering a robust platform for participants to showcase their creative talent.
Through this program, selected participants will receive $55,000 to produce a short film with an experienced crew, plus additional support for living expenses, health insurance, marketing, and travel needs. The Inevitable Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering writers and filmmakers with disabilities, will manage the program.
The fellowship offers a rich landscape of resources, including mentorship and workshops with industry leaders, collaborative opportunities with peers, and a showcase event that brings together creative executives, agents, and managers.
This investment in disabled creatives marks a remarkable expansion of Netflix’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, fostering a pipeline of talented disabled creators who will shape the future of the industry.
The co-founders of the Inevitable Foundation, Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, praised Netflix’s commitment, stating, “This investment represents a powerful expansion in our pipeline of support for disabled creatives, speaking to the core of our mission: helping disabled creatives reach positions of industry power.”
With this fellowship, Netflix is taking an outstanding step towards a more inclusive entertainment industry, providing opportunities for talented creators with disabilities to shine.