The Native American Media Alliance announced its selections for the inaugural Native American Showrunner Program, sponsored by Bad Robot, Comcast NBCUniversal, A+E Networks and Pop Culture Collaborative.
“This program continues to create new paths for talented indigenous writers,” said Patricia Gomes, Executive Director, Barcid Foundation. “As writers find challenges to build, develop and maintain their creative careers, we find avenues to support them in their journey.”
The Native American Showrunner Program is a nine-month intensive that offers mentorship from television showrunners and series creators to experienced Native American writers. Program fellows take part in meetings with assigned showrunners who will offer guidance on furthering the fellows’ writing careers and to provide creative feedback on current projects. The program consists of one-on-one mentoring to develop the writers’ abilities, offer advice as it pertains to producing for television and overall insight into running a television series.
The Native American Showrunner Program is a unique initiative designed to propel experienced Native American writers to higher levels of television. This initiative continues the Native American MedIa Alliance’s drive for inclusion and focuses on new points of access for the Native American community. This program equips the next generation of Native American writers with the skills and professional network to break into the television producing positions.
The 2023 Native American Showrunner Program fellows:
The Native American Showrunner Program was created to expand the number of Native Americans working behind the camera to increase fair and accurate portrayals of Native Americans on television. Native Americans continue to maintain the lowest representation of writers on current television series.
In addition, participants will author a new pilot and series bible with the artistic support of their respective mentors. Participants will also have group meetings with their fellows participants and showrunners from other television series. These components offer additional creative and business oriented opportunities. Participants will also receive a small stipend, writing software and additional resources to help bolster their career.
Sponsored by:
