Media and entertainment company Banijay launched a global accelerator programme designed to exclusively support women creators with promising unscripted formats. Unveiled in Cannes for MIPCOM 2023, Banijay Launch is geared towards discovering and incubating untapped talent to support the next generation of global franchise makers.
Initiated by Sharon Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine North America, and co-led by James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development, Banijay, Banijay Launch will provide mentorship to selected women by Banijay’s global collective of creatives to aid them in developing bold new formats from concept to pitch to sale.
Entries are open at www.banijaylaunch.com.
Conceived as an enterprise-level strategy to address gender inequity and fuel creativity, Banijay Launch will seek out undiscovered formats with international appeal and form an incredible pool of undiscovered women across the globe. Banijay Launch was inspired by the Propelle programme, a female-focused accelerator initiative created and developed in 2020 by Everywoman Studios’ CEO Abby Greensfelder.
To support the program, Banijay Americas has also commissioned a first-of-its-kind study with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, in partnership with Everywoman Studios. The study will investigate women’s inclusion in creative leadership roles in unscripted production across four distinct territories: Brazil, the UK and US, and one EU territory to be determined.
Sharon Levy, CEO, Endemol Shine North America said, “As a group, Banijay is constantly exploring new ways to support the broader content community, diversify its pipeline and ultimately, sharpen its creative edge. With an undisputed track record of travelling IP, expansive cross-territory network of first-class producers, and industry-leading unscripted infrastructure led by Creative Networks, the business is primed to open its doors to yet-to-be-discovered creative minds. Through Banijay Launch, and the partnership with the Geena Davis Institute, we hope to welcome women creators who may be struggling to have their voices heard, setting a new narrative for the industry, and fostering the next generation of break-out unscripted formats.”
Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay said, “We are proud at Banijay to have over 50 pc of our managerial positions globally filled by women. However, we recognise the landscape has not always supported this demographic of creators in breaking through. With Banijay Launch, we are vested in spearheading a raft of new unscripted format ideas, ideated by women, and in doing so, we hope to bring new voices and talent to the market, with the potential of creating the next Survivor, MasterChef, or Big Brother…”
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