Culver City CA – March 2022 – Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has announced the fifteen finalists in its 2022 Diverse Directors Program. This initiative, which SPT established in 2014, is part of the studio’s overall strategy to identify and cultivate an expanding pool of emerging talent from a wide range of backgrounds.
Diverse Directors Program finalists will have the opportunity to participate in an intensive episodic directing workshop consisting of discussion and instruction from working directors, production personnel and entertainment professionals. Finalists will learn about the intricacies of the pre-production, production and post-production phases.
As of this January, program alumni have directed 159 episodes of television working across all studios, networks and streamers. Barry Jenkins, who was part of the inaugural class, directed both the Oscar nominated If Beale Street Could Talk, as well as the landmark, Academy award-winning film Moonlight. Aneesh Chaganty directed Screen Gems’ Searching, which brought in more than $75M in global box office. Other notable alumni include Pete Chatmon (Black-ish, Insecure, and SPT’s Atypical), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (The Gilded Age, Underground), Sharat Raju (The Good Doctor) and Laura Belsey (Preacher). In addition, Daniel Willis recently directed the 200th episode of The Blacklist.
“SPT’s Diverse Directors Program is an integral part of the studio’s multi-pronged strategy to further expand and enhance our roster of under-represented talent. It is a priority for us to continue the work to ensure a more inclusive environment in front of and behind the camera, and we are excited to welcome this new class of directors,” said Jeff Frost, President, Sony Pictures Television Studios.”
The finalists are as follows:
- Alison Rich
- Alexandra Chando
- Kristen Buckels
- Mauro Mueller
- Dale S. Lewis
- Alvaro Ron
- Caitlin Gerard
- Cameron Ali Fay
- Kandis Fay
- Ria Pavia
- David Mahmoudieh
- Bao Tran
- Gustavo Cooper
- Zoe Stewart
- Aron Kantor
The Diverse Directors Program runs from March 1 through May 6, 2022. For more information, please visit www.sptdiversedirectors.com.
