WE ARE Parable, the award winning film exhibition and distribution company, have 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 round 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.

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 per cent 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 years cohort.”

Neeta Patel, Executive Director, Diversity, Inclusion and 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”,

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.

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