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 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
When the Writers Guild strike began on May 2, it wasn’t just union members trying to anticipate what a months-long work stoppage might mean.
A number of industry and writer-adjacent organizations on both coasts had already begun discussions about the work stoppage’s potential impact in the weeks before negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ended on May 1 without a deal. With the memory of the three months it took to reach a deal during the last Hollywood writers’ strike in 2007-2008 on the mind, industry and entertainment-adjacent organizations were on alert.
The challenge, a few tell The Hollywood Reporter, wasn’t whether they’d respond, but to what needs, when and for how long alongside what the WGA was already offering its striking members.
As of last December, that was $20 million in strike funds, according to the union, with WGA West’s...
A number of industry and writer-adjacent organizations on both coasts had already begun discussions about the work stoppage’s potential impact in the weeks before negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ended on May 1 without a deal. With the memory of the three months it took to reach a deal during the last Hollywood writers’ strike in 2007-2008 on the mind, industry and entertainment-adjacent organizations were on alert.
The challenge, a few tell The Hollywood Reporter, wasn’t whether they’d respond, but to what needs, when and for how long alongside what the WGA was already offering its striking members.
As of last December, that was $20 million in strike funds, according to the union, with WGA West’s...
- 5/18/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Inevitable Foundation is launching an Emergency Relief Fund to provide financial assistance amid the Writers Guild of America strike.
Created in response to the first WGA work stoppage in 15 years and designed to support union and non-union writers with disabilities through major industry crises like the current strike, the fund will immediately begin offering unrestricted, responsive cash grants, the nonprofit announced Thursday. For the first round of funding, which will take place May 11-21, the foundation will distribute grants starting at $500 for writers expected to lose income and job opportunities.
For the nonprofit, which does not have a formal relationship with the WGA, the fund serves as a way to remain “responsive to the negative impacts of a strike on the careers of disabled writers both inside and outside the union since non-union writers are also impacted and face work stoppages,” the foundation said in a statement.
The relief fund...
Created in response to the first WGA work stoppage in 15 years and designed to support union and non-union writers with disabilities through major industry crises like the current strike, the fund will immediately begin offering unrestricted, responsive cash grants, the nonprofit announced Thursday. For the first round of funding, which will take place May 11-21, the foundation will distribute grants starting at $500 for writers expected to lose income and job opportunities.
For the nonprofit, which does not have a formal relationship with the WGA, the fund serves as a way to remain “responsive to the negative impacts of a strike on the careers of disabled writers both inside and outside the union since non-union writers are also impacted and face work stoppages,” the foundation said in a statement.
The relief fund...
- 5/11/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writers with disabilities expect to lose career prospects and momentum, as well as a potential $2 million in earnings, according to a survey by Inevitable Foundation.
The Disabled Writers Strike Impact Report, which is not affiliated with the guild but surveyed 33 professional disabled screenwriters (82 percent of whom are WGA members), offers insight into how one group of historically underrepresented creatives is grappling with the direct impact of the work stoppage, a result of the WGA and AMPTP negotiations ending without a deal on Monday night. Loss of work, income and earnings, and career prospects, are all on the table, but several scribes reinforce the necessity of supporting the strike even as they collectively face “mini-rooms” and shortened seasons that make it difficult to get staffed full-time.
According to the report, 57 percent of those surveyed stated they’d lose work or income and 53 percent face the loss of career prospects or momentum.
The Disabled Writers Strike Impact Report, which is not affiliated with the guild but surveyed 33 professional disabled screenwriters (82 percent of whom are WGA members), offers insight into how one group of historically underrepresented creatives is grappling with the direct impact of the work stoppage, a result of the WGA and AMPTP negotiations ending without a deal on Monday night. Loss of work, income and earnings, and career prospects, are all on the table, but several scribes reinforce the necessity of supporting the strike even as they collectively face “mini-rooms” and shortened seasons that make it difficult to get staffed full-time.
According to the report, 57 percent of those surveyed stated they’d lose work or income and 53 percent face the loss of career prospects or momentum.
- 5/3/2023
- 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 and Spotify have partnered on a new program geared towards improving accessibility in the podcasting space on both sides of the mic.
Elevate for Podcasters will offer both financial support and creative development opportunities for disabled fiction podcasters looking to amplify their voice and advance in the industry. Recipients will receive 10,000 grants which can be used for professional development, equipment, living expenses, accommodations, marketing and IP acquisition. Those selected for the program will also have access to mentorship and community-building opportunities.
“Podcasting is one of the rare creative mediums that is easier to break into and allows for more self-sufficiency, which is one of the reasons some disabled people have found initial success in the industry,” Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska said in a joint statement. “But despite disabled people making up over 15 of the global population, no...
Inevitable Foundation and Spotify have partnered on a new program geared towards improving accessibility in the podcasting space on both sides of the mic.
Elevate for Podcasters will offer both financial support and creative development opportunities for disabled fiction podcasters looking to amplify their voice and advance in the industry. Recipients will receive 10,000 grants which can be used for professional development, equipment, living expenses, accommodations, marketing and IP acquisition. Those selected for the program will also have access to mentorship and community-building opportunities.
“Podcasting is one of the rare creative mediums that is easier to break into and allows for more self-sufficiency, which is one of the reasons some disabled people have found initial success in the industry,” Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska said in a joint statement. “But despite disabled people making up over 15 of the global population, no...
- 12/1/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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
The Hollywood Reporter hosted the inaugural “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon, presented by Walmart at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on Wednesday, April 20th.
Marlee Matlin speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Raising Our Voices
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
“Raising Our Voices” brings together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
During the program, keynote speaker Marlee Matlin was introduced by Troy Kotsur. During the speech, Matlin discussed the lack of representation of the deaf and disabled community within the entertainment industry and the importance of working together to help amplify these authentic and diverse voices.
Additional key moments from the program included:
Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist) and Crystal Echo Hawk (President and CEO...
Marlee Matlin speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Raising Our Voices
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
“Raising Our Voices” brings together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
During the program, keynote speaker Marlee Matlin was introduced by Troy Kotsur. During the speech, Matlin discussed the lack of representation of the deaf and disabled community within the entertainment industry and the importance of working together to help amplify these authentic and diverse voices.
Additional key moments from the program included:
Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist) and Crystal Echo Hawk (President and CEO...
- 4/26/2022
- Look to the Stars
A new report from The Inevitable Foundation reveals the financial costs of disability-based accommodations for Hollywood productions alongside the personal toll workplace inaccessibility can have on talent with disabilities.
The largest known compilation of qualitative and quantitative data about the state of accommodations in film and TV, the “‘Cost’ of Accommodations Report features line budget research outlining the financial impact accommodations can have on TV and film budgets of various sizes as well as a survey of disabled talent on their experiences requesting accommodations across more than 600 different TV and film projects.
That work, which was funded through a Nielsen Foundation grant, is included alongside a series of ready-to-use tools like an accommodations calculator, Excel-based budget templates, a regularly updated database of existing accommodations, and a list of steps productions can take to create more equitable work environments.
This first attempt by the foundation to offer a comprehensive look at...
The largest known compilation of qualitative and quantitative data about the state of accommodations in film and TV, the “‘Cost’ of Accommodations Report features line budget research outlining the financial impact accommodations can have on TV and film budgets of various sizes as well as a survey of disabled talent on their experiences requesting accommodations across more than 600 different TV and film projects.
That work, which was funded through a Nielsen Foundation grant, is included alongside a series of ready-to-use tools like an accommodations calculator, Excel-based budget templates, a regularly updated database of existing accommodations, and a list of steps productions can take to create more equitable work environments.
This first attempt by the foundation to offer a comprehensive look at...
- 4/20/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Hollywood Reporter has announced the inaugural “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon, presented by Walmart.
“Raising Our Voices” will bring together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
The event, which is curated and hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, will take place at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on April 20, 2022.
Marlee Matlin – Academy Award-winning actor, star of Apple Studios’ 2022 “Best Picture” Oscar-winner Coda and disability advocate – will deliver the keynote speech at the event.
Additional speakers and panelists set to take the stage include: Troy Kotsur, Geena Davis, Sarah Kate Ellis (President and CEO of GLAAD), Wilmer Valderrama (actor and activist), Dr. Sharoni Little (Head of Global Inclusion Strategy at CAA), Gloria Calderón Kellett, Samata Narra, Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist...
“Raising Our Voices” will bring together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
The event, which is curated and hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, will take place at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on April 20, 2022.
Marlee Matlin – Academy Award-winning actor, star of Apple Studios’ 2022 “Best Picture” Oscar-winner Coda and disability advocate – will deliver the keynote speech at the event.
Additional speakers and panelists set to take the stage include: Troy Kotsur, Geena Davis, Sarah Kate Ellis (President and CEO of GLAAD), Wilmer Valderrama (actor and activist), Dr. Sharoni Little (Head of Global Inclusion Strategy at CAA), Gloria Calderón Kellett, Samata Narra, Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist...
- 4/14/2022
- Look to the Stars
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
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
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