The U.K.’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) has teamed up with Left Bank Pictures, the production company behind “The Crown,” for the NFTS Diverse Writers Development Program. This program aims to select six emerging U.K. screenwriters from underrepresented backgrounds and provide them with the opportunity to contribute their voices to the entertainment landscape.
The chosen writers will participate in a paid 10-week program where they will develop and pitch four full series ideas. The goal is to create commercially viable television drama concepts that inject fresh perspectives into the industry. The curriculum for the program has been designed by the NFTS, and the participants will have the chance to connect with production executives from Left Bank Pictures and potentially other British production companies.
Applications for the program are currently open and will close on October 31. This initiative is a crucial step in promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry by providing opportunities for writers from underrepresented backgrounds to showcase their talents and contribute their unique perspectives.
In other news, Alexandre Moreau has been promoted to head of sales at Paris-based company Memento International. Moreau will be responsible for overseeing the company’s slate of films and strategy. He will be reporting to the CEO and owner of Memento International, Emilie Georges, who is also focused on her newly-launched production company, Paradise City.
Moreau will be replacing Mathieu Delaunay, who recently left the company after eight years. During his tenure, Delaunay handled international sales for several prestigious arthouse movies. Memento International will be announcing new hires shortly, and the sales team currently includes Tanja Meissner, Vincent Comoy, Anaïs Gagliardi, and Paul Pelletier.
Memento International is known for its selective slate of director-driven films and is currently working on projects from acclaimed filmmakers such as Luca Guadagnino, Cate Shortland, and Asghar Farhadi. The company’s current slate includes “Woman Of…” by Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert and “Sisterhood” by Nora El Hourch, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and Toronto Platform, respectively.
Finally, Jio Studios and Maddock Films are set to release the Indian Air Force action film “Sky Force” on October 2, 2024. The film marks the directorial debuts of Veer Pahariya, Sandeep Kewlani, and Abhishek Kapur, and it stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role. Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Jyoti Deshpande, with Amar Kaushik serving as the creative producer, “Sky Force” aims to bring an exciting action-packed story to Indian audiences.
Overall, these recent developments in the entertainment industry highlight the importance of promoting diversity, supporting emerging talent, and bringing unique voices to the forefront of storytelling. Programs like the NFTS Diverse Writers Development Program and promotions like Alexandre Moreau’s are essential in creating a more inclusive and dynamic entertainment landscape.
