Exclusive: The Gotham Film and Media Institute and HBO Documentary Films have set the cohort and mentors for the second edition of their Documentary Development Initiative. Launched in 2022, the initiative was designed for storytellers who identify as Bipoc, LGBTQ+, and/or storytellers with disabilities, the goal being to provide resources to develop thought-provoking, character-driven, contemporary ideas for documentary films and limited series.
This year’s participants are Rolake Bamgbose, Dan Chen, Elizabeth Lo, Andy Sarjahani, Krystal Tingle, and Monica Villamizar. Distinguished creatives serving as mentors will include Anthony Caronna, Zackary Drucker, David France, Dawn Porter, Fernando Villena, and Nanfu Wang.
Taking place throughout the fall of 2024, the second annual program will see selected filmmakers receive grants of $50,000 for research and creative development at an early stage. HBO and The Gotham will provide resources and mentorship to support the development of documentary projects and select grantees will have the opportunity to receive additional funding.
This year’s participants are Rolake Bamgbose, Dan Chen, Elizabeth Lo, Andy Sarjahani, Krystal Tingle, and Monica Villamizar. Distinguished creatives serving as mentors will include Anthony Caronna, Zackary Drucker, David France, Dawn Porter, Fernando Villena, and Nanfu Wang.
Taking place throughout the fall of 2024, the second annual program will see selected filmmakers receive grants of $50,000 for research and creative development at an early stage. HBO and The Gotham will provide resources and mentorship to support the development of documentary projects and select grantees will have the opportunity to receive additional funding.
- 1/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Westbrook Studios and Rei Co-op Studios have teamed up to produce a documentary about the first all-Black team, supported by Nepali Sherpas, to summit Mount Everest. News & Documentary Emmy nominee Rolake Bamgbose (Connected to the World) and Justice A. Whitaker (Restrictions Apply) will direct and produce the project about the team’s historic achievement, notched earlier this month, via their Shango Light Films banner, in their feature debut.
The as-yet-untitled documentary will follow nine athletes as they shift the legacy in a white-dominated sport while experiencing a unique global cultural exchange during their triumphant journey to the top of the famous peak. Rooted in the story of the Everest ascent and the year of training the climbers underwent as a team, the film’s true emotional anchor is embedded in the individual journeys undertaken by each of the climbers, representing the diversity of the Black experience in the outdoor community.
The as-yet-untitled documentary will follow nine athletes as they shift the legacy in a white-dominated sport while experiencing a unique global cultural exchange during their triumphant journey to the top of the famous peak. Rooted in the story of the Everest ascent and the year of training the climbers underwent as a team, the film’s true emotional anchor is embedded in the individual journeys undertaken by each of the climbers, representing the diversity of the Black experience in the outdoor community.
- 5/23/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
YouTube Originals is bolstering its originals slate with a slew of unscripted orders including the acquisition of a Tom Petty feature documentary.
The streamer has acquired the rights to Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, exploring how the musician made his seminal album. The film, which is directed by Mary Wharton, features ever-before-seen footage drawn from a newly discovered archive of 16mm film as well as new interviews with album co-producers Rick Rubin and Heartbreaker Mike Campbell, along with original Heartbreaker Benmont Tench.
The film first debuted in March as an Official SXSW 2021 Selection, winning the festival’s Audience Award, and will see its theatrical release on October 20 for a one-night global celebration via Trafalgar Releasing.
Launching on YouTube later this year, it is produced by Peter Afterman with executive producers Dan Braun, Mary Wharton and Adria Petty and presented by Inaudible Films, Warner Music Entertainment and Warner Records.
The streamer has acquired the rights to Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free: The Making of Wildflowers, exploring how the musician made his seminal album. The film, which is directed by Mary Wharton, features ever-before-seen footage drawn from a newly discovered archive of 16mm film as well as new interviews with album co-producers Rick Rubin and Heartbreaker Mike Campbell, along with original Heartbreaker Benmont Tench.
The film first debuted in March as an Official SXSW 2021 Selection, winning the festival’s Audience Award, and will see its theatrical release on October 20 for a one-night global celebration via Trafalgar Releasing.
Launching on YouTube later this year, it is produced by Peter Afterman with executive producers Dan Braun, Mary Wharton and Adria Petty and presented by Inaudible Films, Warner Music Entertainment and Warner Records.
- 9/23/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple TV+ has ordered a two-part docuseries about Oprah Winfrey from director Kevin MacDonald and executive producer Lisa Erspamer, the team behind “Whitney,” the streaming service said Thursday.
Per Apple, “The Oprah Winfrey documentary will chronicle 25 years of American history through the lens of one show and one woman, who rose from humble roots to become a billionaire, philanthropist, actress, media executive and agent of social change.”
Rolake Bamgbose will serve as showrunner on the currently untitled project, which is being produced by Happy Street.
This is the latest project that Apple and Winfrey have collaborated on, after the iconic producer and talk show host’s “The Oprah Conversation,” “Oprah’s Book Club” and “Oprah Talks Covid-19” currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Winfrey signed a multiyear content partnership deal with Apple in June 2018. Under the nonexclusive pact, Winfrey produces “original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world.
Per Apple, “The Oprah Winfrey documentary will chronicle 25 years of American history through the lens of one show and one woman, who rose from humble roots to become a billionaire, philanthropist, actress, media executive and agent of social change.”
Rolake Bamgbose will serve as showrunner on the currently untitled project, which is being produced by Happy Street.
This is the latest project that Apple and Winfrey have collaborated on, after the iconic producer and talk show host’s “The Oprah Conversation,” “Oprah’s Book Club” and “Oprah Talks Covid-19” currently streaming on Apple TV+.
Winfrey signed a multiyear content partnership deal with Apple in June 2018. Under the nonexclusive pact, Winfrey produces “original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world.
- 1/14/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Oprah Winfrey is getting the biographical documentary treatment after Apple TV+ ordered a two-parter focusing on the billionaire multi-hyphenate.
Academy Award-winner Kevin MacDonald is re-teaming with Emmy-nominated producer Lisa Erspamer and her banner Happy Street Entertainment on the project. The pair previously made Whitney Houston biographical doc Whitney.
Winfrey was known to be a fan of that film, having tweeted at Erspamer back in 2018 calling the movie “fearless”. Winfrey and Erspamer also have a long-standing relationship from when the latter produced The Oprah Winfrey Show for a decade between 1999 and 2009.
The new doc will chronicle 25 years of American history through the lens of one show and one woman who rose from humble roots to become a globally famous talk show host, producer, actress and philanthropist. MacDonald is directing the two-parter, Emmy nominee Rolake Bamgbose is serving as showrunner.
The project joins a growing list of unscripted shows Apple is...
Academy Award-winner Kevin MacDonald is re-teaming with Emmy-nominated producer Lisa Erspamer and her banner Happy Street Entertainment on the project. The pair previously made Whitney Houston biographical doc Whitney.
Winfrey was known to be a fan of that film, having tweeted at Erspamer back in 2018 calling the movie “fearless”. Winfrey and Erspamer also have a long-standing relationship from when the latter produced The Oprah Winfrey Show for a decade between 1999 and 2009.
The new doc will chronicle 25 years of American history through the lens of one show and one woman who rose from humble roots to become a globally famous talk show host, producer, actress and philanthropist. MacDonald is directing the two-parter, Emmy nominee Rolake Bamgbose is serving as showrunner.
The project joins a growing list of unscripted shows Apple is...
- 1/14/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
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