fbpx
 
Four Native American television writers awarded mentorship with industry veterans via the first-ever Native American Showrunner Program. (Courtesy Photos)

LOS ANGELES —  The need for more Native Americans working in the television industry doesn’t only include actors working in front of the cameras, but also the behind-the-camera talent. The Barcid Foundation, a Native American arts organization, announced its selections for the 1st annual Native American Showrunner Program, a nine-month intensive mentoring program for television showrunners [lead producers] and series creators, as well as emerging Native American writers.

The inaugural fellows include Shelley Dennis (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Siena East (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Anthony Florez (Paiute) and John Timothy (Muscogee/Creek). “We are excited to launch a new and robust program that offers genuine opportunities for experienced Native American writers,” said Director Patricia Gomes. “The goal is to provide fellows, who have been through our programs and have grown their careers, a new level of support from the entertainment industry.” The showrunner program, which is sponsored by Bad Robot, Comcast NBCUniversal and Walt Disney Television, is designed to “propel experienced Native American writers to higher levels of television,” according to a statement. “It equips the next generation of Native American writers with the skills and professional network to break into television producing positions.” Program fellows will take part in meetings with seasoned showrunners, who will offer career guidance and feedback on current projects. The fellowship includes weekly 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,” according to a Barcid Foundation statement. Initiatives like this are a continuation of the Barcid Foundation’s ongoing drive for inclusion, and also focus on new points of access for Natives working in the industry. The fellowship is a direct extension of the Native American TV Writers Lab, a five-week TV script-writers workshop curated by experienced writing executives.

 

For more information, visit laskinsfest.com.

More Stories Like This

MMIP Red Dress Installation Vandalized in Alaska
NCAI Mid Year Underway on Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Homelands
Native News Weekly (June 3, 2023): D.C. Briefs
House Passes Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Deal; How Native American Members of Congress Voted
History Made as First Navajo Appointed U.S. Federal Judge in California

Native News is free to read.

We hope you enjoyed the story you've just read. For the past dozen years, we’ve covered the most important news stories that are usually overlooked by other media. From the protests at Standing Rock and the rise of the American Indian Movement (AIM), to the ongoing epidemic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP) and the past-due reckoning related to assimilation, cultural genocide and Indian Boarding Schools.

Our news is free for everyone to read, but it is not free to produce. That’s why we’re asking you to make a donation to help support our efforts. Any contribution — big or small — helps.  Most readers donate between $10 and $25 to help us cover the costs of salaries, travel and maintaining our digital platforms. If you’re in a position to do so, we ask you to consider making a recurring donation of $12 per month to join the Founder's Circle. All donations help us remain a force for change in Indian Country and tell the stories that are so often ignored, erased or overlooked.

Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous journalism. Thank you. 

About The Author
Author: Rich TupicaEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.