Netflix and the European Women’s Audiovisual Network (EWA) will launch a series accelerator program for old continent film producers looking to break into scripted television.
Announced at this week’s MIA Market in Rome, the initiative will be open to members of the EWA Network, offering emerging and mid-career film producers a three-part workshop covering series development, financing and packaging, while offering selected participants a €5,000 ($5,300) grant.
Eight participants will be selected for the accelerator’s inaugural class, which will launch early next year with in-person development workshop at Netflix EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam, before moving online for a springtime focus on business and financing, and finally concluding next June with presentation prep ahead of an industry pitch session. The program will be open to female-identified European producers with at least one feature credit and a nascent series project.
Applicants can submit their proposals from Oct. 30 onward via the EWA website.
“We have so many incredibly talented women working in film production right across Europe, with the transferable skills that series production needs,” said EWA director of strategy Edel Brosnan. “This program is about demystifying the crucial creative and practical differences between film and series, and encouraging female-led teams to compete with confidence for series commissions, develop resilient businesses and career paths, and remain in the screen industries for the long haul.”
“We believe this program will give women film producers the edge they need to explore new creative territory, but also to access opportunities in the creative market more competitively,” added EWA executive director Anamaria Antoci. “Netflix is the ideal partner as they are a great ally in supporting diverse voices in the industry; we’re excited about supporting women producers to bring series with a strong European flavor to life.”
“We are delighted to be partner with the EWA on this program,” said Netflix Fund for Creative Equity co-lead Krysia Kozniewska. “[Because] we are committed to building new pathways for talent within the entertainment industry through our Fund for Creative Equity, and we know that women are still underrepresented in Europe’s series fiction industry.”
