What's Happening?
Tubi, a Fox-owned ad-supported streaming service, has announced an expansion of its partnership with The Black List to launch a new initiative aimed at horror screenwriters. This program is designed to provide both emerging and established writers the
opportunity to submit horror screenplays, with the potential for Tubi to produce and distribute the selected screenplay. The Black List will serve as the executive producer for the chosen film, collaborating closely with Tubi throughout the process. Writers worldwide, aged 18 and over, can submit their scripts in English, with submissions opening on March 1 and closing on June 30. The initiative follows previous collaborations between Tubi and The Black List, such as the 'To Be Commissioned' program, which focused on developing films from underrepresented writers. Tubi's Chief Content Officer, Adam Lewinson, emphasized the company's commitment to expanding genre storytelling, noting horror as one of the most-watched genres on the platform.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is significant as it highlights Tubi's strategy to enhance its content offerings by tapping into the horror genre, which has a dedicated and growing fanbase. By partnering with The Black List, Tubi aims to discover and nurture new talent, potentially leading to innovative and diverse storytelling in horror films. This move could also strengthen Tubi's position in the competitive streaming market by attracting horror enthusiasts and providing unique content that differentiates it from other platforms. For writers, this initiative offers a valuable opportunity to gain exposure and have their work produced and distributed by a major streaming service, potentially launching their careers in the film industry.
What's Next?
Following the submission period, a committee of Tubi content executives will review the scripts and select a screenplay to move forward with production. The chosen script will be announced, and Tubi, along with The Black List, will begin the process of producing the film. This initiative may lead to further collaborations between Tubi and The Black List, potentially expanding into other genres or creating additional opportunities for underrepresented writers. The success of this program could also inspire other streaming services to adopt similar initiatives, fostering a more diverse and inclusive film industry.
