We Are Parable, the award-winning film exhibition and distribution company, has teamed up with returning partner Channel 4 and new sponsor Sony Pictures Television to produce Momentum, a six-month mentoring and training programme for a cohort of sixty Black filmmakers and content creators around the UK.
Momentum, now in its third year, has been produced to support nationwide filmmakers to create new opportunities for them to progress their career forwards in the film and television industry. Over 500 applications were submitted for the six-month programme, which will offer support across three key pillars: mentoring, mental health and well-being, and access to world leading industry professionals.
The sixty participants will join mentoring sessions, masterclasses, discussions and networking events from experts from across the film and television industry, including Channel 4, Sony Pictures Television, and many more. Participants will receive support in key areas across the filmmaking pipeline from film financing, funding and co-productions, to pitching work and submitting to festivals.
SPT’s partnership comes through the SPT Creative Diversity Fund, which was established in 2021 by Sony Pictures Television’s International Production division to support the recruitment and development of under-represented talent, and to work towards bringing meaningful, substantial change to the British television production industry.
Anthony Andrews, Co-Founder and Creative Director of We Are Parable, said: “We have had more applications for this year’s Momentum than we’ve ever seen in the three years of running the programme, with an extremely high level of quality almost across the board and over 50% of this year’s cohort coming from outside of London. We’re very excited to welcome our sixty creatives to the programme this year and we can’t wait to see how their careers progress in the coming months.”
Neila Butt, Creative Diversity Lead at Channel 4 said: “It’s wonderful to be working with We are Parable again for Momentum 2023 as a continuation of our commitment to mentor and develop off screen talent, especially in the regions. With support from 4Skills, the success of the first programme, has led to increased investment, and we can’t wait to see who is on this year’s cohort.”
Neeta Patel, Executive Director, Diversity, Inclusion & Talent, and Melissa Sterling, Executive Director, Business Affairs, Sony Pictures Television, said: “The sheer volume of applications for Momentum this year is a testament not only to what a vital initiative this is, but a glimpse at the scale of underrepresented filmmaking talent across the UK who are looking for opportunities and exposure in our industry. Along with We Are Parable and Channel 4, we look forward to welcoming this year’s cohort”.
The sixty participants (as pictured above) are:
1st Row: Dorcas A. Stevens, Karla Williams, Luke Oliveira-Davies, Che Scott-Heron Newton, Kudzi Synos, Lekia Lée, Suher Sofi, Awate Abdalla, Romaine Reid, Amber Akaunu
2nd Row: Davy Lazare, Princess Arinola Adegbite,Chante Adjei, Oneikeh Campbell, Anita Safowaa, Dominic Stewart,Euella Jackson, Tibyan Mahawah Sanoh, Macy Byfield, Stevie Amoh
3rd Row: Asma Kabadeh, Corinne Walker, Daniel Oyegade,Nyasha Gudo, Meena Ayittey, Josh Bridge, Jeremiah Towolawi, Yasmin Godo, Ife Yssis, Richard Ampeh
4th Row: Chris Chuky, Sid Elbadawi, Larissa Hope, Sarah Githugu ,Olaoluwapo adediji, Mojola Akinyemi, Yvonne Shelling, Jordan Alexandra, Rob Ball, Ibrahim K. Muhammad
5th Row: Bisola Alabi, Michael Mante, Stéphane Ugeux, Takudzwa Zibengwa, Adekemi Roluga, Brandon Pantry-Melsom, Kidst Ayalew, Dean Leon Anderson, Natalie Gumede, Brioni Farren
6th Row: Tayo Odesanya, Jamie Noel, Daniel Granville, Stephanie Pearce-Power,Akpoufuoma Edafe, Thulani Rachia, Isaac Ameyaw, Joanna Burrows, Tolu Ogunware, Sosthene Zakuani (no image)
Michael Burns
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