Inevitable Foundation has announced the winners of its partnership with the Loreen Arbus Foundation to support disabled women and nonbinary writers.
The recipients are Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini, Melanie Abrams Fierstein, Natalia Temesgen and Anne Hamilton, who will each receive an $8,000 grant as well as mentorship, coaching and professional connections.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome our newest members of Elevate Collective with the support of The Loreen Arbus Foundation, who shares our steadfast dedication to elevating the voices of disabled creatives,” stated Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Loreen’s unparalleled legacy of championing disabled creatives continues to impact the entertainment landscape — and these four disabled creatives — at-large.”
Added Arbus: “Given my lifelong commitment to advocating for the rights and opportunities of individuals with disabilities, I am thrilled to support this diverse cohort of writers and filmmakers. Together, we aim to provide these creatives with the necessary resources...
The recipients are Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini, Melanie Abrams Fierstein, Natalia Temesgen and Anne Hamilton, who will each receive an $8,000 grant as well as mentorship, coaching and professional connections.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome our newest members of Elevate Collective with the support of The Loreen Arbus Foundation, who shares our steadfast dedication to elevating the voices of disabled creatives,” stated Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Loreen’s unparalleled legacy of championing disabled creatives continues to impact the entertainment landscape — and these four disabled creatives — at-large.”
Added Arbus: “Given my lifelong commitment to advocating for the rights and opportunities of individuals with disabilities, I am thrilled to support this diverse cohort of writers and filmmakers. Together, we aim to provide these creatives with the necessary resources...
- 4/30/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Inevitable Foundation, a nonprofit which supports disabled writers and filmmakers, has launched a Young Adult Relief Fund for Los Angeles-based creatives, supported by Snap Foundation.
The fund arose out of the financial instability following Hollywood’s historic dual strike last year, as both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA membership hit the picket lines over a period of six months.
“The work stoppages as well as increasing instability in the entertainment industry have derailed opportunities for young disabled creatives, creating a need to ensure the next generation’s voices are heard,” notes a press release announcing the fund’s launch.
Inevitable plans to dispense unrestricted $500 grants to more than 50 disabled 18-25 year olds in the L.A. area who are pursuing careers in screenwriting and filmmaking and experiencing financial hardship. Applications are open now for creatives in living in Angeles Forest, Antelope Valley, Central L.A., Eastside, Harbor, Northeast L.A., Northwest County,...
The fund arose out of the financial instability following Hollywood’s historic dual strike last year, as both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA membership hit the picket lines over a period of six months.
“The work stoppages as well as increasing instability in the entertainment industry have derailed opportunities for young disabled creatives, creating a need to ensure the next generation’s voices are heard,” notes a press release announcing the fund’s launch.
Inevitable plans to dispense unrestricted $500 grants to more than 50 disabled 18-25 year olds in the L.A. area who are pursuing careers in screenwriting and filmmaking and experiencing financial hardship. Applications are open now for creatives in living in Angeles Forest, Antelope Valley, Central L.A., Eastside, Harbor, Northeast L.A., Northwest County,...
- 2/27/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The Inevitable Foundation has revealed the winners of its Starz #TakeTheLead Elevate Collective Grants and the Winter 2024 Elevate Cohort, both of which support disabled TV writers to level up their careers.
Recipients of the Inevitable Foundation x Starz #TakeTheLead partnership include Kryzz Gautier, Hari Ziyad and writing partners Chris and Charlie Frazier. Each receives a $12.5k grant as well as mentoring and coaching from Starz creative executives.
For its Winter 2024 Elevate Collective Cohort, the winners are Andrew Reid, Roma Murphy, Obiageli Odimegwu and Cheryl Meyer. Each will receive $5k in funding for professional development, including career coaching, professional development, work-from-home equipment, script consultation and/or IP acquisition.
“We are excited to announce the awardees from our partnership with Starz #TakeTheLead given their commitment to supporting diverse creators in the premium cable space. We look forward to leveraging this partnership to support Kryzz, Hari and Chris and Charlie’s professional development and unique stories,...
Recipients of the Inevitable Foundation x Starz #TakeTheLead partnership include Kryzz Gautier, Hari Ziyad and writing partners Chris and Charlie Frazier. Each receives a $12.5k grant as well as mentoring and coaching from Starz creative executives.
For its Winter 2024 Elevate Collective Cohort, the winners are Andrew Reid, Roma Murphy, Obiageli Odimegwu and Cheryl Meyer. Each will receive $5k in funding for professional development, including career coaching, professional development, work-from-home equipment, script consultation and/or IP acquisition.
“We are excited to announce the awardees from our partnership with Starz #TakeTheLead given their commitment to supporting diverse creators in the premium cable space. We look forward to leveraging this partnership to support Kryzz, Hari and Chris and Charlie’s professional development and unique stories,...
- 1/19/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
The Loreen Arbus Foundation and Inevitable Foundation have teamed on a new series of professional development grants aimed at supporting disabled women and nonbinary screenwriters.
The Inevitable Foundation x Loreen Arbus Foundation Elevate Collective Awards will bestow four recipients with an $8,000 grant along with mentorship, coaching and connections to advance their careers.
“As someone who is a lifelong advocate for the rights of and opportunities for people with disabilities, I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Inevitable Foundation to invest in writers and filmmakers with disabilities. Together, we can provide them with the resources and support they need to not only succeed but thrive in this industry,” Arbus said in a statement. “The stories and perspectives of disabled creatives are essential and deserve to be heard. Our collaboration will help provide job placement, professional development, funding, and mentorship to this community, giving them the tools to build fulfilling and impactful careers.
The Inevitable Foundation x Loreen Arbus Foundation Elevate Collective Awards will bestow four recipients with an $8,000 grant along with mentorship, coaching and connections to advance their careers.
“As someone who is a lifelong advocate for the rights of and opportunities for people with disabilities, I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Inevitable Foundation to invest in writers and filmmakers with disabilities. Together, we can provide them with the resources and support they need to not only succeed but thrive in this industry,” Arbus said in a statement. “The stories and perspectives of disabled creatives are essential and deserve to be heard. Our collaboration will help provide job placement, professional development, funding, and mentorship to this community, giving them the tools to build fulfilling and impactful careers.
- 11/1/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Inevitable Foundation has launched the Inevitable Foundation x Loreen Arbus Foundation Elevate Collective Awards. The professional development grants are part of Inevitable’s Elevate Collective program and will support four disabled women and/or nonbinary people with $8,000 professional development grants and the mentorship, coaching and connections they need to level-up their careers.
“We are thrilled to partner with The Loreen Arbus Foundation, who share our unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of disabled creatives,” said Inevitable Foundation Co-Founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Loreen has an incredible track record of supporting disabled creatives and upholding our shared belief that they have unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the diversity and richness of storytelling.”
Loreen Arbus is an author, disability rights advocate, writer, and producer, as well as President of The Loreen Arbus Foundation and Loreen Arbus Productions, Inc. She has established many funds and scholarships that both enhance and...
“We are thrilled to partner with The Loreen Arbus Foundation, who share our unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of disabled creatives,” said Inevitable Foundation Co-Founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Loreen has an incredible track record of supporting disabled creatives and upholding our shared belief that they have unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the diversity and richness of storytelling.”
Loreen Arbus is an author, disability rights advocate, writer, and producer, as well as President of The Loreen Arbus Foundation and Loreen Arbus Productions, Inc. She has established many funds and scholarships that both enhance and...
- 11/1/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Launched in 2021, Inevitable Foundation is a non-profit that invests in disabled writers and filmmakers so they can achieve artistic and financial freedom and use film and television to destigmatize disability and mental health globally. The organization announced the selection of Jenn Lloyd, Marc Muszynski, and Sheridan O’Donnell as its 2023 Accelerate Fellows.
All three were previously selected as members of Elevate Collective, Inevitable’s professional development program for disabled screenwriters, a decision that reflects the robust pipeline of disabled screenwriters that Inevitable Foundation is building with their interconnected programs. The winners join previously awarded Accelerate Fellows Monica Lucas, David Dineen-Porter, Sam Dunnewold, Anton Ray, Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin, Aoife Baker, Kalen Feeney, and Shani Am. Moore.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jenn, Marc, and Sheridan to the Accelerate Fellowship,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “The Fellowship is laser-focused on investing in disabled creatives to...
All three were previously selected as members of Elevate Collective, Inevitable’s professional development program for disabled screenwriters, a decision that reflects the robust pipeline of disabled screenwriters that Inevitable Foundation is building with their interconnected programs. The winners join previously awarded Accelerate Fellows Monica Lucas, David Dineen-Porter, Sam Dunnewold, Anton Ray, Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin, Aoife Baker, Kalen Feeney, and Shani Am. Moore.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jenn, Marc, and Sheridan to the Accelerate Fellowship,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “The Fellowship is laser-focused on investing in disabled creatives to...
- 10/26/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The entertainment industry can be brutal and punishing even during the best of times, let alone amid disruptive WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. But it’s even tougher for those with disabilities.
While there have been highly publicized donations to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation from superstars such as Dwayne Johnson, Oprah Winfrey and other A-listers to help their fellow union members through this challenging time, philanthropic organizations such as Inevitable Foundation, launched in 2021, have stepped up while keeping their focus on their mission, helping writers with disabilities.
“The higher up you get up in the industry, the less representation there is offscreen,” says Richie Siegel, the organization’s co-founder and president, noting that America’s largest minority group, the disabled, is the least visible. “We said if you really want to solve this problem, you have to start with the storytellers. You have to start with the writers.”
Prior to the strikes,...
While there have been highly publicized donations to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation from superstars such as Dwayne Johnson, Oprah Winfrey and other A-listers to help their fellow union members through this challenging time, philanthropic organizations such as Inevitable Foundation, launched in 2021, have stepped up while keeping their focus on their mission, helping writers with disabilities.
“The higher up you get up in the industry, the less representation there is offscreen,” says Richie Siegel, the organization’s co-founder and president, noting that America’s largest minority group, the disabled, is the least visible. “We said if you really want to solve this problem, you have to start with the storytellers. You have to start with the writers.”
Prior to the strikes,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Paul Plunkett
- Variety Film + TV
Inevitable Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disabled screenwriters reach their full commercial and creative potential, has selected its Spring 2023 Elevate Collective Award winners.
Lydia Caradine, Halo Starling, Alys Murray, Zayre Ferrer, and Filipe Coutinho will each receive a $5,000 grant to invest in career coaching, professional development, script consultation, work-from-home setups, and intellectual property acquisition. It also offers community building and professional networking opportunities for members and ongoing support from the Inevitable Foundation team.
Lydia Caradine, Halo Starling, Alys Murray, Zayre Ferrer and Filipe Coutinho.
“We are proud to support these talented disabled screenwriters with $5,000 professional development grants, which will help them level-up their careers and projects” Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska said in a joint statement.
Disabled people make up 20 percent+ of the population but represent less than 1 percent of writers behind the screen. The foundation focuses on increasing the odds for disabled creatives by...
Lydia Caradine, Halo Starling, Alys Murray, Zayre Ferrer, and Filipe Coutinho will each receive a $5,000 grant to invest in career coaching, professional development, script consultation, work-from-home setups, and intellectual property acquisition. It also offers community building and professional networking opportunities for members and ongoing support from the Inevitable Foundation team.
Lydia Caradine, Halo Starling, Alys Murray, Zayre Ferrer and Filipe Coutinho.
“We are proud to support these talented disabled screenwriters with $5,000 professional development grants, which will help them level-up their careers and projects” Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska said in a joint statement.
Disabled people make up 20 percent+ of the population but represent less than 1 percent of writers behind the screen. The foundation focuses on increasing the odds for disabled creatives by...
- 5/23/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Inevitable Foundation and Starz are teaming for a new multiprogram partnership that has already placed one selected participant on the writing staff of the network’s upcoming original series from director Ava DuVernay.
Starz’s #TaketheLead is part of a larger commitment to supporting and amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences. And it now counts Inevitable, which has launched a series of needle-moving initiatives that expand professional and creative opportunities for writers with disabilities since its founding in 2021, among its latest collaborators.
This series of programs will see the non-profit and the cable network empowering foundation participants both financially and professionally through a three-pronged approach.
One portion of the program will support professional development grants through Inevitable Foundation’s Elevate Collective program, which is currently open to applicants. Three will be chosen as a special cohort and will receive a grant, mentoring and coaching from Starz programming executives.
Starz’s #TaketheLead is part of a larger commitment to supporting and amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences. And it now counts Inevitable, which has launched a series of needle-moving initiatives that expand professional and creative opportunities for writers with disabilities since its founding in 2021, among its latest collaborators.
This series of programs will see the non-profit and the cable network empowering foundation participants both financially and professionally through a three-pronged approach.
One portion of the program will support professional development grants through Inevitable Foundation’s Elevate Collective program, which is currently open to applicants. Three will be chosen as a special cohort and will receive a grant, mentoring and coaching from Starz programming executives.
- 4/26/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In 2021, shortly after founding Inevitable Foundation, their nonprofit to advocate for disabled screenwriters, Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska penned a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter explaining the “consultant trap” in which all too many scribes with disabilities find themselves. Rather than hiring them for the writers room, the industry tends to relegate such artists (and those of other historically excluded identities) to short-term, creatively limited gigs as consultants, which pay little and build no career equity.
“The op-ed got a great response, but you go, now what?” Siegel tells THR. “How do we actually do something about this systemic issue versus just articulating it? We weren’t going to write 10 more op-eds. We could go meet with people and try to convince them, but we believe in direct action. It’s aggressive, and I think people recognize the aggression of it in a good way.”
The solution that the...
“The op-ed got a great response, but you go, now what?” Siegel tells THR. “How do we actually do something about this systemic issue versus just articulating it? We weren’t going to write 10 more op-eds. We could go meet with people and try to convince them, but we believe in direct action. It’s aggressive, and I think people recognize the aggression of it in a good way.”
The solution that the...
- 3/31/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WME is getting behind Inevitable Foundation in an industry push to empower disabled screenwriters in film and TV.
Besides offering unspecified financial support, the Hollywood talent agency will use its TV and motion picture literary agents to increase development and writers room opportunities for entertainment scribes with disabilities.
Inevitable Foundation’s Accelerate Fellows program will enlist creatives on WME’s roster of clients to mentor disabled screenwriters. “There is simply not enough access for writers from underrepresented groups, and that is even more apparent amongst the disabled population,” WME president Ari Greenburg said in a statement on Tuesday.
The goal for WME, a subsidiary of Endeavor, and Inevitable Foundation, co-founded by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, is to get more stories told by disabled screenwriters onto film and TV platforms.
“We are thrilled to partner with WME to help disabled writers build creative power in the film and television industry.
Besides offering unspecified financial support, the Hollywood talent agency will use its TV and motion picture literary agents to increase development and writers room opportunities for entertainment scribes with disabilities.
Inevitable Foundation’s Accelerate Fellows program will enlist creatives on WME’s roster of clients to mentor disabled screenwriters. “There is simply not enough access for writers from underrepresented groups, and that is even more apparent amongst the disabled population,” WME president Ari Greenburg said in a statement on Tuesday.
The goal for WME, a subsidiary of Endeavor, and Inevitable Foundation, co-founded by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, is to get more stories told by disabled screenwriters onto film and TV platforms.
“We are thrilled to partner with WME to help disabled writers build creative power in the film and television industry.
- 3/29/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
WME is teaming with the non-profit Inevitable Foundation to assist in its goal of helping disabled screenwriters to reach their full commercial and creative potential.
Under the partnership, Inevitable Foundation will look to leverage WME’s expertise, resources and relationships to break down barriers for disabled writers. The Foundation will receive financial support from WME, while working with their TV and MP lit agents to increase development and staffing opportunities for disabled writers, and setting their Accelerate Fellows up with opportunities for mentorship by notable agency clients.
“We are thrilled to partner with WME to help disabled writers build creative power in the film and television industry,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Disabled writers represent only 0.15% of first-look and overall deals, 3% of upper-level television writers, and less than 1% of the WGA. Having an industry power broker like WME put their strength behind radically reshaping how the...
Under the partnership, Inevitable Foundation will look to leverage WME’s expertise, resources and relationships to break down barriers for disabled writers. The Foundation will receive financial support from WME, while working with their TV and MP lit agents to increase development and staffing opportunities for disabled writers, and setting their Accelerate Fellows up with opportunities for mentorship by notable agency clients.
“We are thrilled to partner with WME to help disabled writers build creative power in the film and television industry,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Disabled writers represent only 0.15% of first-look and overall deals, 3% of upper-level television writers, and less than 1% of the WGA. Having an industry power broker like WME put their strength behind radically reshaping how the...
- 3/29/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Inevitable Foundation, an organization that helps disabled screenwriters reach their full commercial and creative potential, has announced that they are joining forces with WME to expand opportunities for disabled writers.
WME, named one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies, is an entertainment organization that represents a variety of creatives across the industry. Teaming up with the Inevitable team, the two entities promise to blend their varying expertise, resources and relationships to continue to push the scope for disabled writers.
“We are thrilled to partner with WME to help disabled writers build creative power in the film and television industry,” said said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Disabled writers represent only 0.15% of first-look and overall deals, 3% of upper-level television writers, and less than 1% of the WGA. Having an industry power broker like WME put their strength behind radically reshaping how the entertainment community values disabled people will...
WME, named one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies, is an entertainment organization that represents a variety of creatives across the industry. Teaming up with the Inevitable team, the two entities promise to blend their varying expertise, resources and relationships to continue to push the scope for disabled writers.
“We are thrilled to partner with WME to help disabled writers build creative power in the film and television industry,” said said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Disabled writers represent only 0.15% of first-look and overall deals, 3% of upper-level television writers, and less than 1% of the WGA. Having an industry power broker like WME put their strength behind radically reshaping how the entertainment community values disabled people will...
- 3/29/2023
- by McKinley Franklin
- Variety Film + TV
Inevitable Foundation, an organization which helps disabled screenwriters reach their full commercial and creative potential, has released an open letter to the entertainment industry asking producers to hire disabled creatives for their film and television projects.
Written by the organization’s co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, the letter is signed by creatives including Marlee Matlin, “Coda” director Sian Heder, “A Quiet Place” star Millicent Simonds and “Grey’s Anatomy” showrunner Krista Vernoff.
In the letter, the foundation is offering several solutions to the issue of disabled screenwriters often not getting jobs writing about disabled characters but rather being hired as low-paid diversity consultants.
The letter reads as follows:
Hey Hollywood,
The growing number of disability-inclusive film and television projects in the past few years might lead one to think that the largest minority group in America is finally seeing itself represented on-screen.
But these on-screen gains have unfortunately not increased...
Written by the organization’s co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, the letter is signed by creatives including Marlee Matlin, “Coda” director Sian Heder, “A Quiet Place” star Millicent Simonds and “Grey’s Anatomy” showrunner Krista Vernoff.
In the letter, the foundation is offering several solutions to the issue of disabled screenwriters often not getting jobs writing about disabled characters but rather being hired as low-paid diversity consultants.
The letter reads as follows:
Hey Hollywood,
The growing number of disability-inclusive film and television projects in the past few years might lead one to think that the largest minority group in America is finally seeing itself represented on-screen.
But these on-screen gains have unfortunately not increased...
- 3/23/2023
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Marlee Matlin, Ramy Youssef, Lauren Ridloff, Ryan O’Connell and Ali Stroker are among the Hollywood names supporting the Inevitable Foundation’s open letter calling on the industry to shift away from relying on disability consultants and instead hire creatives with disabilities on film and TV projects.
A total of 35 deaf, disabled and allied writers, actors, showrunners and producers signed their names to the letter written and published by the Inevitable Foundation’s co-founders Marisa Torelli-Pedevska and Richie Siegel as part of their new Hire Disabled Writers, Not Just A Disability Consultant initiative.
Paul Feig, Jason Katims, Sian Heder, Liz Tigelaar, Krista Vernoff, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, Josh Feldman, Shoshannah Stern and Timothy Omundson also backed the open letter, pledging to, in their own creative capacities, put more disabled creatives in positions of power and move away from the consultant model. It’s a system frequently used “instead of — not...
A total of 35 deaf, disabled and allied writers, actors, showrunners and producers signed their names to the letter written and published by the Inevitable Foundation’s co-founders Marisa Torelli-Pedevska and Richie Siegel as part of their new Hire Disabled Writers, Not Just A Disability Consultant initiative.
Paul Feig, Jason Katims, Sian Heder, Liz Tigelaar, Krista Vernoff, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, Josh Feldman, Shoshannah Stern and Timothy Omundson also backed the open letter, pledging to, in their own creative capacities, put more disabled creatives in positions of power and move away from the consultant model. It’s a system frequently used “instead of — not...
- 3/23/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Inevitable Foundation has announced its inaugural five-person cohort for its newly launched Elevate Collective as well as its 2022 Caring Across Generations Care Award recipient.
Keisha Zollar, Gisselle Legere, Sheridan O’Donnell, Jenn Lloyd and Brett Maline have been selected as the winter 2022 cohort for Elevate, a program designed to support mid- and upper-level disabled writers with mentorship, coaching and networking opportunities that can literally elevate the careers of the established screenwriters. Recipients for the grant will receive a 5,000 professional development grant and Elevate Collective benefits.
“These 5,000 grants can be used for anything from professional development, such as career coaching or script analysis, to work-from-home setups, which for this audience is super important,” Inevitable Foundation co-founder Richie Siegel tells The Hollywood Reporter. “The money can also be used to option IP, and that’s an area where we think disabled writers specifically are incredibly disenfranchised...
Inevitable Foundation has announced its inaugural five-person cohort for its newly launched Elevate Collective as well as its 2022 Caring Across Generations Care Award recipient.
Keisha Zollar, Gisselle Legere, Sheridan O’Donnell, Jenn Lloyd and Brett Maline have been selected as the winter 2022 cohort for Elevate, a program designed to support mid- and upper-level disabled writers with mentorship, coaching and networking opportunities that can literally elevate the careers of the established screenwriters. Recipients for the grant will receive a 5,000 professional development grant and Elevate Collective benefits.
“These 5,000 grants can be used for anything from professional development, such as career coaching or script analysis, to work-from-home setups, which for this audience is super important,” Inevitable Foundation co-founder Richie Siegel tells The Hollywood Reporter. “The money can also be used to option IP, and that’s an area where we think disabled writers specifically are incredibly disenfranchised...
- 12/15/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Inevitable Foundation’s screenwriting fellowship is expanding with help from Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity.
The newly named Accelerate Fellowship will see the program’s mid-level disabled writers receive expanded support with the multi-year commitment from the streamer.
“We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to launch the Accelerate Fellowship and speed up the transition for disabled writers to become high-level creators,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Despite disabled people making up over 20 percent of the U.S. population, less than 0.5 percent of first-look and overall deals go to disabled writers and 97 percent of writers’ rooms have no upper-level disabled writers.”
In addition to the fellowship’s previous offerings, which included 40,000 grants alongside business and writing support to help writers develop and sell their own content, selected fellows will now have access to health insurance, additional mentorship opportunities...
Inevitable Foundation’s screenwriting fellowship is expanding with help from Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity.
The newly named Accelerate Fellowship will see the program’s mid-level disabled writers receive expanded support with the multi-year commitment from the streamer.
“We are thrilled to partner with Netflix to launch the Accelerate Fellowship and speed up the transition for disabled writers to become high-level creators,” said Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska. “Despite disabled people making up over 20 percent of the U.S. population, less than 0.5 percent of first-look and overall deals go to disabled writers and 97 percent of writers’ rooms have no upper-level disabled writers.”
In addition to the fellowship’s previous offerings, which included 40,000 grants alongside business and writing support to help writers develop and sell their own content, selected fellows will now have access to health insurance, additional mentorship opportunities...
- 11/17/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The non-profit Inevitable Foundation, dedicated to breaking down barriers for mid-level disabled screenwriters, has announced the expansion of its Accelerate Fellowship via an exclusive, multi-year commitment from Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, also today naming Monica Lucas and David Dineen-Porter as its Fall 2022 Fellows.
Formerly known as Inevitable’s Screenwriting Fellowship, the Accelerate Fellowship is a year-along program that offers its participants 40,000 grants, along with the business and writing support necessary to develop and sell their own content. The expanded program includes additional mentorship opportunities with industry experts and creatives, access to health insurance, and expanded educational and community programming, including guidance on IP acquisition.
Inevitable Foundation has granted over 250,000 in funding to disabled screenwriters since launching in 2021. Its Fall 2022 Fellows Lucas and Dineen-Porter join Spring 2022 Fellows Sam Dunnewold and Anton Ray, Fall 2021 Fellows Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin and Aoife Baker, and Spring 2021 Fellows Kalen Feeney and Shani Am.
Formerly known as Inevitable’s Screenwriting Fellowship, the Accelerate Fellowship is a year-along program that offers its participants 40,000 grants, along with the business and writing support necessary to develop and sell their own content. The expanded program includes additional mentorship opportunities with industry experts and creatives, access to health insurance, and expanded educational and community programming, including guidance on IP acquisition.
Inevitable Foundation has granted over 250,000 in funding to disabled screenwriters since launching in 2021. Its Fall 2022 Fellows Lucas and Dineen-Porter join Spring 2022 Fellows Sam Dunnewold and Anton Ray, Fall 2021 Fellows Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin and Aoife Baker, and Spring 2021 Fellows Kalen Feeney and Shani Am.
- 11/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Inevitable Foundation has launched the Elevate Collective, a multi-tiered program created to support the careers of mid- and upper-level disabled screenwriters.
The program features the Elevate Collective Awards, 5,000 professional development grants for disabled writers to invest in career coaching, professional development, script consultation, work-from-home setups, and intellectual property acquisition. It also offers community building and professional networking opportunities for members and ongoing support from the Inevitable Foundation team.
Disabled people make up 20 percent+ of the population but represent less than 1 percent of writers behind the screen. The foundation focuses on increasing the odds for disabled creatives by helping to break down barriers preventing them from unlocking their full potential.
The Elevate Collective will support dozens of disabled screenwriters annually, and the Inevitable Foundation plans to award grants on a quarterly basis. Applications are now open via the foundation’s website.
“We are thrilled to launch Elevate Collective and provide...
The program features the Elevate Collective Awards, 5,000 professional development grants for disabled writers to invest in career coaching, professional development, script consultation, work-from-home setups, and intellectual property acquisition. It also offers community building and professional networking opportunities for members and ongoing support from the Inevitable Foundation team.
Disabled people make up 20 percent+ of the population but represent less than 1 percent of writers behind the screen. The foundation focuses on increasing the odds for disabled creatives by helping to break down barriers preventing them from unlocking their full potential.
The Elevate Collective will support dozens of disabled screenwriters annually, and the Inevitable Foundation plans to award grants on a quarterly basis. Applications are now open via the foundation’s website.
“We are thrilled to launch Elevate Collective and provide...
- 9/28/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The nonprofit Inevitable Foundation, which exists to help screenwriters with disabilities, has launched Elevate Collective, a program targeted at mid- and upper-level writers.
Among the offerings are 5,000 grants that will be awarded quarterly, with applications available on Elevate’s webpage. The grants are intended to help further these writers’ careers by helping them pay for career coaching, script consultation, work-from-home setups, IP acquisition and other professional development. Elevate also plans to provide community building and professional networking opportunities for the dozens of qualifying writers each year.
“We are thrilled to launch Elevate Collective and provide mid- and upper-level disabled screenwriters targeted support, education, connections and financial resources to level up their careers,” Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska said in a joint statement. “We built Elevate Collective based on a year and a half of learnings from running our Fellowship program.
The nonprofit Inevitable Foundation, which exists to help screenwriters with disabilities, has launched Elevate Collective, a program targeted at mid- and upper-level writers.
Among the offerings are 5,000 grants that will be awarded quarterly, with applications available on Elevate’s webpage. The grants are intended to help further these writers’ careers by helping them pay for career coaching, script consultation, work-from-home setups, IP acquisition and other professional development. Elevate also plans to provide community building and professional networking opportunities for the dozens of qualifying writers each year.
“We are thrilled to launch Elevate Collective and provide mid- and upper-level disabled screenwriters targeted support, education, connections and financial resources to level up their careers,” Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska said in a joint statement. “We built Elevate Collective based on a year and a half of learnings from running our Fellowship program.
- 9/28/2022
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Inevitable Foundation, a non-profit funding and mentoring mid-career disabled screenwriters, has set Sam Dunnewold and Anton Ray as its Screenwriting Fellows for Spring 2022.
Through the Fellowship, each will receive a 40,000 grant and 12 months of bespoke mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities with entertainment industry leaders. They join Fall 2021 Fellows Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin and Aoife Baker, as well as Spring 2021 Fellows Shani Am. Moore and Kalen Feeney.
The foundation, whose funders include Netflix, Amazon, WarnerMedia, AMC Networks, Ford Foundation and Nielsen Foundation, has received hundreds of applications for the Fellowship over the last year. Inevitable’s commitment to diversity and intersectionality is highlighted in their applicant base, with 58 of applicants identifying as female or nonbinary, 53 identifying as Bipoc and 46 identifying as Lgbtqia+.
Dunnewold is a Minnesota-born Carleton College graduate who honed his comedy voice as an editor at places like The Onion, Funny or Die and Team Coco before moving...
Through the Fellowship, each will receive a 40,000 grant and 12 months of bespoke mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities with entertainment industry leaders. They join Fall 2021 Fellows Shaina Ghuraya, Greg Machlin and Aoife Baker, as well as Spring 2021 Fellows Shani Am. Moore and Kalen Feeney.
The foundation, whose funders include Netflix, Amazon, WarnerMedia, AMC Networks, Ford Foundation and Nielsen Foundation, has received hundreds of applications for the Fellowship over the last year. Inevitable’s commitment to diversity and intersectionality is highlighted in their applicant base, with 58 of applicants identifying as female or nonbinary, 53 identifying as Bipoc and 46 identifying as Lgbtqia+.
Dunnewold is a Minnesota-born Carleton College graduate who honed his comedy voice as an editor at places like The Onion, Funny or Die and Team Coco before moving...
- 6/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Inevitable Foundation is calling for Hollywood to be more inclusive of disabled creatives, a community that is often looked over for jobs and omitted from conversations and studies about diversity. Disabled people make up over 20 percent of the population but count on less than 1 percent of representation in film and TV.
Founded in 2021 by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, the non-profit organization was originally launched with the purpose of supporting mid-career disabled writers. But as they began speaking to groups involved in the diversity and equity inclusion space and Hollywood executives, they were faced with challenges.
“We have this dual mission when we started: it was about funding and mentoring mid-career disabled writers and increasing the number of characters on screen. That second part turned out to be really problematic because we would talk to execs and other people and they say, ‘Oh, great, I’ll call you when the disabled roles come up.
Founded in 2021 by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, the non-profit organization was originally launched with the purpose of supporting mid-career disabled writers. But as they began speaking to groups involved in the diversity and equity inclusion space and Hollywood executives, they were faced with challenges.
“We have this dual mission when we started: it was about funding and mentoring mid-career disabled writers and increasing the number of characters on screen. That second part turned out to be really problematic because we would talk to execs and other people and they say, ‘Oh, great, I’ll call you when the disabled roles come up.
- 5/20/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
A nationwide PSA has launched on Tuesday that urges Hollywood to increase the number of people with disabilities both behind and in front of the camera.
The campaign, formally known as Disability Is Diversity, comes from the Inevitable Foundation, a nonprofit created 16 months ago by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska that seeks to fund and mentor disabled mid-career screenwriters.
The PSAs feature open letters that read, “Dear Entertainment Industry, There Is No Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Without Disability.”
Disabled people make up more than 20 of the population, but only 2 of on-screen characters have disabilities. Less than 1 of writers in Hollywood are disabled.
Disability Is Diversity is the first campaign created by an all-disabled international team and will run across several platforms, including print, digital, audio and billboards in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta. Partners include JCDecaux, Lamar, Clear Channel, Tiffany & Co, Caruso, Simon Property Group, Becker Boards, Capitol Outdoor,...
The campaign, formally known as Disability Is Diversity, comes from the Inevitable Foundation, a nonprofit created 16 months ago by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska that seeks to fund and mentor disabled mid-career screenwriters.
The PSAs feature open letters that read, “Dear Entertainment Industry, There Is No Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Without Disability.”
Disabled people make up more than 20 of the population, but only 2 of on-screen characters have disabilities. Less than 1 of writers in Hollywood are disabled.
Disability Is Diversity is the first campaign created by an all-disabled international team and will run across several platforms, including print, digital, audio and billboards in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta. Partners include JCDecaux, Lamar, Clear Channel, Tiffany & Co, Caruso, Simon Property Group, Becker Boards, Capitol Outdoor,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Inevitable Foundation launched the Content Development Concierge, which links disabled screenwriters with Hollywood’s decision makers to increase the number of disabled writers actively working on film and television projects.
Underpinning the service is a curated roster of professional disabled screenwriters, along with their writing samples and their background and experience that will be available to creative executives, showrunners, and producers.
Currently, less than one percent of film and television writers are disabled, compared to over 20 percent of the US population, according to stats from the WGA.
The Inevitable Foundation decided to launch the Content Development Concierge in response to requests from showrunners and executives asking for recommendations for talented disabled writers, regardless of whether their projects included disabled characters or themes.
“Most talent discovery solutions today expect potential employers and collaborators to exert an exorbitant amount of time and energy to find diverse talent for their projects,...
Underpinning the service is a curated roster of professional disabled screenwriters, along with their writing samples and their background and experience that will be available to creative executives, showrunners, and producers.
Currently, less than one percent of film and television writers are disabled, compared to over 20 percent of the US population, according to stats from the WGA.
The Inevitable Foundation decided to launch the Content Development Concierge in response to requests from showrunners and executives asking for recommendations for talented disabled writers, regardless of whether their projects included disabled characters or themes.
“Most talent discovery solutions today expect potential employers and collaborators to exert an exorbitant amount of time and energy to find diverse talent for their projects,...
- 12/1/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Atx Television Festival has set June 2-5 as its 2022 dates, planning to return to in-person events but still provide a virtual attendee option.
Additionally, the festival announced that submissions for its annual pitch competition are now open and will be through Jan. 30, 2022.
This will be the festival’s 11th year overall, but its first in-person one since 2019. Programming information, as well as details on how to attend, is expected to be announced in January 2022.
The pitch competition gives undiscovered writers a chance to pitch their script ideas to top decision-makers in television (both on the creative side and executives). First, applicants must submit a 90-second video pitch and a 10-page writing sample for a scripted TV show. The top candidates are narrowed down by a panel composed of network and studio executives, showrunners and other writers and producers, as well as The Black List, Sundance Episodic Labs and Inevitable Foundation,...
Additionally, the festival announced that submissions for its annual pitch competition are now open and will be through Jan. 30, 2022.
This will be the festival’s 11th year overall, but its first in-person one since 2019. Programming information, as well as details on how to attend, is expected to be announced in January 2022.
The pitch competition gives undiscovered writers a chance to pitch their script ideas to top decision-makers in television (both on the creative side and executives). First, applicants must submit a 90-second video pitch and a 10-page writing sample for a scripted TV show. The top candidates are narrowed down by a panel composed of network and studio executives, showrunners and other writers and producers, as well as The Black List, Sundance Episodic Labs and Inevitable Foundation,...
- 11/15/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
After hosting fully virtual festivals the last two years, the Atx TV Festival will return next year with an in-person event for its 11th edition, along with a virtual option. The 2022 event, dubbed “TV Camp for Grown Ups,” is set for June 2-5 in downtown Austin.
Expected for next year’s event are screenings, Q&As, events, and a return of the annual Pitch Competition. Details on how to attend, badges, passes, pricing, and initial programming confirmations will be announced in January.
The Pitch Competition begins accepting submissions November 15; applications are due January 30. The competition provides up-and-coming TV writers a chance to pitch their scripted ideas to decision-makers. It also gives those without access to the industry a path to management, agents, staffing; all finalists get tools and resources for career advancement.
Applicants submit 90-second video pitches and a 10-page writing sample. The pitches are judged by a panel of network and studio executives,...
Expected for next year’s event are screenings, Q&As, events, and a return of the annual Pitch Competition. Details on how to attend, badges, passes, pricing, and initial programming confirmations will be announced in January.
The Pitch Competition begins accepting submissions November 15; applications are due January 30. The competition provides up-and-coming TV writers a chance to pitch their scripted ideas to decision-makers. It also gives those without access to the industry a path to management, agents, staffing; all finalists get tools and resources for career advancement.
Applicants submit 90-second video pitches and a 10-page writing sample. The pitches are judged by a panel of network and studio executives,...
- 11/15/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Shaina Ghuraya and writing partners Greg Machlin and Aoife Baker are the latest screenwriting fellows awarded by Inevitable Foundation, whose mission is to fund and mentor mid-career disabled screenwriters.
The foundation’s funders include Warner Media/AT&T Foundation, Ford Foundation and the Conrad Hilton Foundation.
Ghuraya, along with Machlin and Baker will be awarded a $25,000 grant and access to six months of mentorship, workshops and networking opportunities with entertainment industry leaders. They join Shani Am. Moore and Kalen Feeney, the program’s spring 2021 fellows.
Ghuraya, a wheelchair user, is a Netflix writing apprentice and writer on the streamer’s show “Boons and Curses.” She graduated from USC’s Mfa Film and Television Production program and Academy Gold and received a SFFilm Rainin Grant.
Machlin and Baker, who both identify as neurodiverse, have written on the PBS Kids series “Pandemic Playhouse,” which includes a segment on a disability both writers share.
The foundation’s funders include Warner Media/AT&T Foundation, Ford Foundation and the Conrad Hilton Foundation.
Ghuraya, along with Machlin and Baker will be awarded a $25,000 grant and access to six months of mentorship, workshops and networking opportunities with entertainment industry leaders. They join Shani Am. Moore and Kalen Feeney, the program’s spring 2021 fellows.
Ghuraya, a wheelchair user, is a Netflix writing apprentice and writer on the streamer’s show “Boons and Curses.” She graduated from USC’s Mfa Film and Television Production program and Academy Gold and received a SFFilm Rainin Grant.
Machlin and Baker, who both identify as neurodiverse, have written on the PBS Kids series “Pandemic Playhouse,” which includes a segment on a disability both writers share.
- 11/3/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The nonprofit Inevitable Foundation, which aims to mentor and support the next generation of disabled screenwriters, has launched a new initiative to help close the diversity gap in film and television.
The Pipeline Program features a broad coalition of prominent industry individuals and organizations working to identify promising disabled screenwriters and fast-track them for consideration by showrunners, creative executives and the foundation’s Screenwriting Fellowship program.
Inevitable, which is supported by WarnerMedia/AT&T Foundation and a number of other foundations, has lined up more than 25 creative and development executives from studios, streamers and networks and more than a dozen showrunners who will be working with the foundation’s Screenwriting Fellows and other finalists to mentor them and prepare them to sell their work.
Founding members of the coalition include the Sundance Institute, The Black List, Easterseals, Deaf Talent Collective, Words Uncaged, Pillars Fund and the Writers Guild Foundation,...
The Pipeline Program features a broad coalition of prominent industry individuals and organizations working to identify promising disabled screenwriters and fast-track them for consideration by showrunners, creative executives and the foundation’s Screenwriting Fellowship program.
Inevitable, which is supported by WarnerMedia/AT&T Foundation and a number of other foundations, has lined up more than 25 creative and development executives from studios, streamers and networks and more than a dozen showrunners who will be working with the foundation’s Screenwriting Fellows and other finalists to mentor them and prepare them to sell their work.
Founding members of the coalition include the Sundance Institute, The Black List, Easterseals, Deaf Talent Collective, Words Uncaged, Pillars Fund and the Writers Guild Foundation,...
- 7/21/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hollywood’s continuing efforts to embrace diversity and inclusion has received a significant boost with the launch of the Inevitable Foundation, whose mission is to fund and mentor the next generation of disabled screenwriters.
The outfit is founded by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, both with personal connections to physical and developmental disabilities. With their support of disabled writers, the duo are looking to close the disability representation gap in film and television.
A recent report on the television writing landscape from the Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity stated that 93% of disabled writers surveyed said they were the only disabled person on staff, and 97% of writing rooms had no upper-level disabled writers. Currently, people with disabilities make up 20% of the general population, but represent only 2% of characters on screen, and less than 1% of those writing in the industry.
The foundation announced screenwriting fellowships in April and received hundreds of applications,...
The outfit is founded by Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, both with personal connections to physical and developmental disabilities. With their support of disabled writers, the duo are looking to close the disability representation gap in film and television.
A recent report on the television writing landscape from the Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity stated that 93% of disabled writers surveyed said they were the only disabled person on staff, and 97% of writing rooms had no upper-level disabled writers. Currently, people with disabilities make up 20% of the general population, but represent only 2% of characters on screen, and less than 1% of those writing in the industry.
The foundation announced screenwriting fellowships in April and received hundreds of applications,...
- 6/8/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.