Sony Pictures Television and Channel 4 support We Are Parable’s Momentum filmmaker programme; Applications open

We Are Parable, the award winning film exhibition platform, have announced a new partnership with Sony Pictures Television’s Creative Diversity Fund who will support the continued growth of Momentum, We Are Parable’s existing initiative funded by Channel 4 providing Black British filmmakers and content creators with the tools to enhance and elevate their careers.

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) will join Momentum’s principle partners Channel 4 (who have signed on for another year) as supporters of the programme, with applications opened on Tuesday 18th July for the 2023 edition.

Since its inception, Momentum, which is funded by 4Skills, Channel 4’s nationwide training and development programme, has worked with 80 Black British creatives from around the UK, offering them a six month development programme that includes mentoring from leading film and television executives, mental health wellbeing workshops, access to industry experts and the opportunity to pitch to commissioners. Previous participants have included Adura Onashile, whose feature debut "Girl" will be released later this year and Idurobo Gift Imafidon, who produced the award winning “All the Colours of the World are between Black and White”, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February. This year’s programme will commence in October and will welcome another 60 filmmakers and content creators.

SPT will support the Momentum programme through industry masterclasses and the provision of experienced mentors who will assist the selected creatives with navigating challenging areas in their careers.

Anthony Andrews, co-founder and creative director of We Are Parable, said:
“Having Sony Pictures collaborate with us on Momentum will enable us to offer our cohort the opportunity to hear from professionals across the organisation, enabling them to gain key insight and advice from world leaders in entertainment production.”

We Are Parable will also continue their support of past Momentum alumni through a series of conversations with professionals from both Sony Pictures and Channel 4, as well as ‘Momentum Mixers’ networking events designed to encourage connections between old and new cohorts.

Neeta Patel, Executive Director, Diversity, Inclusion & Talent, and Melissa Stirling, Executive Director, Business Affairs, Sony Pictures Television, said:
“Momentum is a fantastic initiative that accelerates opportunity and exposure for underrepresented filmmaking talent, which aligns perfectly with the aims of SPT’s Creative Diversity Fund. We are incredibly pleased to partner with We Are Parable and Channel 4 to support the bright futures for the new Momentum cohort”

Anthony Andrews, co-founder and creative director at We Are Parable, added:
“One of the factors that is so important to filmmakers involved in Momentum, is the community they get to build. By creating a space which enables potential collaboration, we hope that our participants start to form meaningful and long term partnerships that lead to exceptional work in the months and years to come.”

Neila Butt, Creative Diversity Lead at Channel 4 said: “We are thrilled to have another partner in Sony on board for a programme that Channel 4 has committed to for another year. Our continued support means that a number of regional UK black filmmakers have flourished, and we are excited to see who our next cohort will be.” 

Teanne Andrews, co-founder and director of operations at We Are Parable, said:
“It’s our hope that this year’s Momentum programme is our biggest yet. It has the potential to provide our 2023 cohort with the tangible tools they need to move their careers forward to the next level.”