Entertainment Industry Initiatives
Our outreach programs create a more inclusive entertainment industry.
Expanding the Narrative, Perspectives, and Opportunities
Our efforts to diversify the entertainment industry are multi-faceted. Media partnerships ensure the development of diverse programming while fellowships deliver a healthy stream of diverse candidates for roles on screen and behind the camera. It's imperative to tackle the industry from every angle to change the narrative and accurately depict the fullness of Black life.
One of the goals is to create pathways to inclusion. How do we create pathways for inclusion be it the Image Awards, our internship, fellowship programs, a symposium or partnership with the guilds? Delivering on that is big. So, with everything that we do, that is the end game.
- Robin Harrison, Vice President, NAACP Hollywood BureauDEPICTING TRUTH IN BLACK STORYTELLING
To disrupt the production and dissemination of these troubling narratives, the NAACP provides media guidelines that create much-needed awareness about the connections between storytelling choices and resulting social outcomes.
Programs and Initiatives
Review the websites for specific details about the programs, including eligibility requirements and application periods.
The NAACP Diversity Fellowships are an effort to support, encourage and educate new voices within the industry. Each year, the Fellowship is awarded to a graduate student whose work offers a fresh perspective on ways in which minorities are represented.
In addition to providing students with financial assistance with their studies, they are mentored throughout their academic program by the networks. The Fellowship provides new talent with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working alongside some of the best creative and executive talent the industry has to offer.
For more information on the fellowship program, please send an email to hollywoodbureau@naacpnet.org.
Betsy Magnuss Leadership Institute
A leadership development program geared toward training senior-level women in the cable telecommunications industry. Learn more
LEAP Exceed: Executive Leadership Program
Aims to increase the number of Asian and Pacific Islanders in director and executive management positions in the Fortune 1000. Learn more
NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program
Executives of color with a minimum of two years at the director level and above who are endorsed by senior management for participation. Learn more
NAMIC Leadership Seminar
Managers, supervisors, and new (less than 2 years) directors receiving their company's endorsement should learn more about this opportunity. Learn more
AFI Directing Workshop for Women
This hands-on training program is committed to increasing the number of women working professionally in screen directing. Learn more
CBS Directing Initiative
The program will select directing candidates for episodic network television and match them with directors of CBS Television Network drama and comedy series. Learn more
CDDP - Commercial Directors Diversity Program
A 6-month program consisting of workshops, mentorships, networking, shadowing, a 15k grant to make a spec commercial, and an industry showcase to share the work. Learn more
Disney | ABC DGA Directors Program
This two-year professional directing program spans two television seasons and recruits experienced directors on the cusp of making the transition into episodic directing. Learn more
Film Independent's Project Involve
Offers 30 up-and-coming film professionals from under-represented communities opportunities to gain the industry access necessary to succeed as working artists. Learn more
HBOACCESS
Designed to give emerging, directors from underrepresented groups the ability to shoot a project for HBO. Learn more
NBC Alternative Directors Program
A directing initiative for unscripted programming intended for female and ethnically diverse talent with at least one directing credit. Learn more
NBC Emerging Director Program
Designed to take established directors in their respective fields (features, commercials, music videos) and give them the opportunity to work with episodic television directors. Learn more
NBC Female Forward
An initiative that forges a path for female scripted series directors. Learn more
NY DGA Trainee Program
Designed to provide opportunities to become Assistant Directors in film, television & commercial production. Learn more
Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program
Provides access and exposure for highly qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to television episodic directing. Learn more
ViewFinder: Viacom Emerging Directors Program
Providing directors with underrepresented voices an opportunity to enhance their skill set and grow their network. Learn more
Warner Bros. Director Workshop
Initiative designed to introduce up-and-coming diverse directors to prime time television. Learn more
Women in Film Finishing Fund
Female directors who need support in finishing their documentary, short form, or narrative feature. Learn more
Academy Nicholl Fellowship
An international competition established to identify and encourage talented new screenwriters. Learn more
CBS Writers Fellowship
Supporting new and emerging writers in their efforts to improve their craft and develop the interpersonal skills necessary to break in and succeed. Learn more
NBC Late Night Writers Workshop & Writers on the Verge
Exposing talented sketch and comedy writers to NBCUniversal's late night & alternative line-up and readying them for a staff writer position. Learn more
NBC Writers on the Verge
Dedicated to preparing participants for a staff writer position on a television series. Learn more
WarnerMedia Access Writers Program
Writers from historically underrepresented backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. Learn more
Nickelodeon Writing Program
Writers get paid full-time to receive hands-on experience writing scripts and pitching ideas for both live-action and animated television. Learn more
Sesame Workshop Writers' Room
Writers from underrepresented racial backgrounds participate in a program that focuses on creating original children's content. Learn more
Sundance Screenwriters Lab
Seeking to support independent filmmakers whose distinctive films will engage audiences worldwide. Learn more
Universal Writers Program
Identifies up-and-coming and experienced screenwriters with unique points of view that reflect the vast diversity of our audiences. Learn more
Walt Disney Television Writing Program
The primary goal is to staff on a Walt Disney television series as a staff writer at the completion of the one-year program; however, staffing is not guaranteed. Learn more
Warner Bros Writing Workshop
Exposes new writers to top writers and executives with the ultimate goal of earning them a staff position on a Warner Bros.-produced television show. Learn more
WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Screenwriting Lab
This screenplay competition and lab strives to encourage stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. Learn more
Creative Talent Development & Inclusion
Find programs and initiatives that connect creative talent with diverse stories with opportunities across Walt Disney Television. Learn more
Emma L Bowen Foundation
A paid summer program that recruits students of color and places them in multi-year paid internships at some of the nation's leading media and tech companies. Learn more
Film Independent
Explore the website to learn about several programs supporting filmmakers. Learn more
Gotham Film & Media Institute (formally IFP)
Explore the website to learn about several programs supporting filmmakers. Learn more
Hollywood CPR
Trains students to start working in key, union-recognized, entry-level positions in the entertainment industry. Learn more
Howard
Provides resources and support to recent college graduates and young professionals to help ensure that they are better prepared and qualified for full-time employment. Learn more
Inner-City Filmmakers: Los Angeles
Trains inner-city youths in all aspects of filmmaking and helps them find industry jobs when they graduate from the eight-week summer program. Learn more
LEAP Emerge
Serving as a leadership pipeline for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) across all sectors. Learn more
Made in NY PA Training Program
Assist aspiring production assistants gain access to the film and television industry. Learn more
Minorities in Broadcasting Training Program– MIBTP
Provides training opportunities to college graduates in TV/radio news reporting, sports and weather reporting, news management, TV production (special projects). Learn more
Production Assistant Initiative
Creates an opportunity for ethnically diverse production assistants to work on an NBC show over the course of a season. Learn more
Production Office Coordinator Program
Giving ethnically diverse participants an opportunity to shadow a production office coordinator on an NBC series. Learn more
Streetlights
Low income, minority, and women applicants 20 years or older who are interested in becoming a set PA. Learn more
Talent Infusion Programs
Explore programs that support those interested in the entertainment industry. Learn more
WarnerMedia
Learn about programs that attract, recruit, retain and empower the best and brightest talent from underrepresented backgrounds. Learn more
Women in Film
Find programs that seek to advance the careers of women working in front of and behind the camera, across all levels of experience. Learn more
WriteGirl
Matches high school girls from underprivileged communities in Los Angeles with professional women writers who mentor them on a weekly basis in creative writing, journalism and other styles of writing. Learn more