TV Collective Launches New Initiatives to Support Global Majority Talent
Monday 9 September, 2024 – The TV Collective has announced the launch of two new initiatives aimed at supporting global majority talent in the TV industry. The TV Collective’s Content Fund, managed by BeeSMART, and the new accelerator scheme, TV Collective Develops, are part of the organization’s bespoke offer to help global majority talent who have been disproportionately impacted by the downturn in TV commissioning.
Both initiatives will be launched at the TV Collective’s first international hybrid festival, taking place from 16-27 September. The festival will feature top tier talent such as Sheila Nortley and Sebastian Thiel, discussing the behind-the-scenes of Netflix’s hit show ‘Supacell’; Paul Garnes, president of Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, speaking about the future of filmmaking; Akala, best-selling author and co-founder of Immovable Studios, discussing his book ‘Natives: Race, Class in the ruins of Empire’; and Rajesh Thind, award-winning filmmaker, discussing ‘Defiance: Fighting The Far Right’.
Other events at the festival include a talk with George Amponsah, an award-winning filmmaker behind Amazon Prime’s ‘Gassed Up’, and the TV Collective Legacy Lecture honoring industry giants like Simon Albury. Attendees can also participate in in-person events, including a lunch with Big Zuu on Friday 20th September.
The festival, based on The TV Collective podcast (formerly The Plug), will allow attendees to book 1-2-1 sessions with industry experts, attend over 30 masterclasses and business clinics covering topics such as pitching, attracting finance and distribution, protecting intellectual property, and the impact of AI. It will also provide opportunities for international networking and celebrate creatives of color who are producing content that dominates our screens today and in the future.
TV Collective CEO Simone Pennant MBE says, “Despite the successes of our Breakthrough Leaders program, which has supported over 200 global majority talent at senior levels in TV to progress their careers, many of us are still in survival mode given the current economic challenges. With these new initiatives, TV Collective hopes to inspire our community to thrive, not just survive. By supporting the TV Collective Content Fund, not only do creatives of color have a chance to win big every month and get their hands on some cash money, but more importantly, the money raised goes to global majority creatives to help them develop and produce the content audiences want to see. TV Collective – the clue is in the name; we all have to be in it to win it!”
Big Zuu, a rapper and TV presenter, says, “TV Collective is trying to make sure it’s lit for diverse talent in TV and giving away cash money! Join me for an in-person Big Zuu lunch at TV Collective’s festival, where I will be chatting about how and why I am bodying TV content production, and find out how TV Collective is backing their chat with cash!”
Paul Garnes, president of ARRAY Filmworks, adds, “On behalf of ARRAY Filmworks, I am delighted to join my fellow producers and storytellers at this forward-thinking convening to explore the importance of narrative change and the future of film.”
The TV Collective is a CIC that champions excellence, inclusion, and change for creatives of color behind the camera in the screen industries. Founded in 2011 by CEO Simone Pennant MBE, the organization is a networking platform and community for creatives of color in the UK to come together, support, celebrate, and create opportunities for each other.
For full TV Collective Live festival schedule information and to book tickets, visit https://www.airmeet.com/e/18f16eb0-5ed7-11ef-bb56-bdf91d43844a. To join the TV Collective community for £8.99 monthly and access all online Festival events for free, visit https://network-7138364.mn.co/plans/1439780?bundle_token=a08dc26e03cb9006276b63a6b55fb245&utm_source=manual. To participate in the TV Collective Content Fund lottery, sign up for £10 a month and receive a Free Gourmet Society membership at https://collectivecontentfund.joinourlottery.org.uk/collectivecontentfund/.
For more information on the TV Collective’s Content Fund, Festival, and TV Collective Develops, or to schedule an interview with CEO Simone Pennant MBE, please contact TV Collective publicist Paula Ogun Hector via WhatsApp messaging @PaulaOH on +44 7445 104 862 or paula@imaginationlab.co.uk.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.