Netflix and the Transgender Film Center (TFC) are partnering to launch a Career Development Lab to help support promising transgender and nonbinary filmmakers. This 12-week intensive project, funded by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, will support eight filmmakers in the film and television industry for its inaugural class. The fellowship aims to accelerate the careers of its participants and enable access for transgender creators in the industry.
“While transgender creators are beginning to make headway in pursuing their storytelling careers, there is still a powerful need to both enable access and prepare trans filmmakers to succeed in the industry,” says Sav Rodgers, TFC’s executive director. He further added that the Career Development Lab will provide valuable insights and partnerships with industry players to help participants break into film and television careers.
Applicants will be evaluated on their demonstrated strength in six individual areas, including potential, readiness, and need. The selected fellows will have access to hands-on site visits, behind-the-scenes looks at festivals, virtual classes, and in-person workshops hosted by industry professionals. The curriculum will focus on developing skills and understanding around the written and unwritten expectations of success in Hollywood. Participants will also have access to working industry executives and will receive a $10,000 unrestricted grant to support their program participation, including travel and accommodations.
“One of the things we believe sets this lab apart from others is the real-talk curriculum,” says Rodgers. “We are getting into the nitty-gritty of how to navigate the industry as a trans person, what to do when you encounter bias, how decisions really get made that affect your advancement — things that aren’t talked about in the open but are required knowledge to get the most out of a career in entertainment.”
TFC and Netflix are set to host the inaugural lab this spring, and selected participants will be notified by May 31. The application is currently available at transfilmcenter.org, and submissions are open until April 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
This fellowship is an important step towards promoting inclusivity and diversity in the film and television industry. It provides a platform for transgender and nonbinary creators to gain valuable insights and partnerships with industry players to help them break into film and television careers. The Career Development Lab also provides a real-talk curriculum, which is essential to help navigate the industry as a trans person and provide knowledge on what to do when encountering bias. By enabling access and preparing trans filmmakers to succeed in the industry, this fellowship will create more opportunities for diverse storytelling in Hollywood.
