Lena Waithe is once again doing her part to make sure the future of Black filmmakers is secure. Her company, Hillman Grad Productions has partnered with Indeed to announce the 10 filmmakers selected for season two of Indeed: Rising Voices. Created last February the initiative aims to invest and support stories created by filmmakers of color.
“Indeed’s Rising Voices not only levels the playing field for BIPOC creators in Hollywood by creating opportunities for individuals to be seen, heard, and represented, but also empowers the next generation of storytellers, providing access to funding, on-site skill, career development, and mentorship,” said Waithe, 37.
“Our continued mission at Hillman Grad Productions is to ensure that program mentees are truly set up for success as they continue to grow within their individual careers.”
Waithe is best known as the show creator for Showtime’s The Chi and the BET comedy series Boomerang and Twenties.
The 2022 class
The ten selected filmmaker teams for the 2022 edition of Rising Voices are Cara Lawson, Gbenga Komolafe, Georgia Fu, Jalmer Caceres, Justin Floyd, Leon Cheo, Shanrica Evans, Tara Motamedi, Travis Wood, and Urvashi Pathania.
Their films will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 18-19. The finalists were selected from 900 applicants who submitted screenplays.
The perks
Each filmmaker will be awarded a $10,000 writing and direction fee to create a 15-minute short film. During the 12-month program, the filmmakers will get a $100,000 production budget, a line production crew from Hillman Grad and 271 Films, and an additional budget for COVID safety protocols to ensure the safety of their crews.
They will also receive mentorship from Hillman Grad Productions and veteran filmmakers and directors such as Destin Daniel Cretton, Justin Chon Melina Matsoukas, and Rayka Zehtabchi.
Indeed has pledged $3 million to the Rising Voices initiative.
“Indeed’s mission is to help people get jobs. Season One of Rising Voices proved our belief that talent is universal but opportunity is not,” said Indeed CEO Chris Hyams. “With Season Two, we are thrilled to bring 10 brilliant new voices to the story of the power of jobs to change lives.”
