March 1, 2024
Luminate Film & TV: Women's History Month
Luminate Film & TV celebrates the talent and creativity of women this National Women's History Month. Historically, the presence of women on screen has been relegated to decorative, overtly sexualized objects at the service and indulgent whims of the male gaze. But in this new era of filmmaking, women are changing how their stories are told on screen by taking charge behind the screen – as writers, producers, directors, and more. The projects below feature women of color, queer women, and women of all ages, telling stories as nuanced and complex as they are. Please enjoy our collection and have a Happy National Women's History Month!
Women's History Month: Projects
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Nyad
ARENA: Biographical, LGBTQ Stories, Literary Adaptation Sports, True Story / Event, Women Centered Stories
NETFLIXRELEASE DATE:
10/20/2023Determined to become the first person to finish the swim without a shark cage, Diana, at the age of 60, goes on a four-year journey with her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll and a dedicated sailing team.
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Expats
ARENA: Asian Stories, Ensemble, Family Relationship, Feminist Stories, Limited / Event Series, Literary Adaptation, Relationship Drama, Serialized Drama, Women Centered Stories
PRIME VIDEOSEASON PREMIERE DATE:
01/26/2024EXPATS centers on three American women whose lives intersect after a sudden family tragedy. The series interrogates privilege and explores what happens when the line between victimhood and culpability becomes blurred.
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True Detective: Night Country
ARENA: Action/Adventure, Anthology, Black Stories, Crime, Detective Mystery Drama, Indigenous Stories, Noir, Police Drama, Serialized Drama, Women Centered Stories
HBO SEASON PREMIERE DATE:
01/14/2024To solve the case, detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro must confront their pasts and the dark truths lying underneath the Arctic ice
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Griselda
ARENA: Biographical, Crime, Feminist Stories, Latinx Stories Limited / Event Series, Serialized Drama, True Story / Event Women Centered Stories
NETFLIX SEASON PREMIERE DATE:
01/25/2024GRISELDA chronicles the real life of savvy and ambitious Colombian business woman, Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history.
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Flint Strong
ARENA: Biographical, Black Stories, Boxing, Feminist Stories Sequel / Prequel / Remake, Women Centered Stories
AMAZON MGM STUDIOSRELEASE DATE:
08/09/2024Based on the true story of 17-year-old Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields, the Flint, Michigan fighter who became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.
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Lisa Frankenstein
ARENA: Coming of Age, Creature / Monster, Horror Comedy, Period Piece, Romantic Comedy, Women Centered Stories
FOCUS FEATURESRELEASE DATE:
02/09/2024An unpopular high schooler, who accidentally re-animates a handsome Victorian corpse during a lightning storm, starts to rebuild him into the man of her dreams using the broken tanning bed in her garage.
Women's History Month: Talent
Jodie Foster
Director, Producer, Writer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 79
PROJECTS True Detective: Night Country, NYAD, The Mauritanian
ETHNICITY White/Caucasian LGBTQ+
-
Sofía Vergara
Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 76
PROJECTS Griselda, Strays, America's Got Talent
ETHNICITY Latin/Hispanic
-
Nkechi Okoro Carroll
Writer, Showrunner, Talent
SCREEN SCORE N/A
PROJECTS Found, All American, All American: Homecoming
ETHNICITY Black (African)
-
Alice Hewkin
Talent
SCREEN SCORE 42
PROJECTS The Brothers Sun, Rye Lane, Half Bad: The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself
ETHNICITY Asian
(East Asian) -
Brittani Nichols
Writer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 26
PROJECTS Abbott Elementary, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Transparent
ETHNICITY Black
LGBTQ+ genderqueer
-
Lulu Wang
Writer, Showrunner, Director, Music Department, Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE N/A
PROJECTS Expats, Bottomless Brunch at Colman's, The Farewell
ETHNICITY Asian
(East Asian) -
Michelle Thrush
Other Crew, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 27
PROJECTS Little Bird, Bones of Crows, Prey
ETHNICITY Indigenous
(Indigenous Canadian) -
Anna Diop
Talent
SCREEN SCORE 53
PROJECTS The Book of Clarence, Titans, Nanny
ETHNICITY Black
(African) -
Madison Ferras
Other Crew, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 26
PROJECTS Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The King, Shades of Blue
ETHNICITY White/Caucasian
DISABILITY muscular dystrophy
February 1, 2024
Luminate Film & TV: Black History Month
Luminate Film & TV proudly commemorates Black History Month this February, illuminating the incredible talent and cinematic masterpieces that capture the diverse cultural narratives of the Black community in the United States. The cinematic gems below show the depth of Black talent and underscore the power of storytelling's pivotal role in fostering empathy and compassion.
Please enjoy the films and immerse yourself in celebrating 2024 Black History Month!
Black History Month: Projects
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Rustin
ARENA: Biographical, Black Stories, LGBTQ Stories, Period Piece, Political, Prejudice, True Story/Event
NETFLIXRELEASE DATE:
11/03/2023The architect of 1963's momentous March on Washington, Bayard Rustin was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. He challenged authority, never apologized for who he was, what he believed, or who he desired. And he did not back down. He made history, and in turn, he was forgotten.
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American Fiction
ARENA: Black Stories, Literary Adaptation, Satire
ORION PICUTRESRELEASE DATE:
12/15/2023Thelonious "Monk" Ellison is an English professor and author who writes a satirical novel under a pseudonym, aiming to lay bare the hypocrisies of the publishing world. The book's immediate success forces Monk to get deeper enmeshed in his assumed identity and challenges his closely-held worldviews. Based on the novel "Erasure" by Percival Everett.
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The Book of Clarence
ARENA: Black Stories, Faith/Religious, Period Piece, Satire
TRISTAR PICTURES | SONY PICTURES RELEASE DATE:
01/12/2024Streetwise but struggling, Clarence is trying to find a better life for himself and his family, make himself worthy to the woman he loves, and prove that he's not a nobody. Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah and His apostles, he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, a journey through which he finds redemption and faith, power and knowledge.
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Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé
ARENA:Biographical, Black Stories, Concert/Performance, Feminist Stories, Music, Popular Culture, Women Centered Stories
VARIANCE FILMS RELEASE DATE:
12/01/2023The film follows the Renaissance World Tour, from its inception to the opening in Stockholm, Sweden, to the finale in Kansas City, Missouri, and the artist's involvement in every aspect of the production.
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Leave the World Behind
ARENA:Black Stories, Dystopia/Apocalypse, Literary Adaptation, Psychological, Survival
NETFLIXRELEASE DATE:
12/08/2023Amanda and her husband Clay rent a luxurious home for the weekend with their kids, Archie and Rose. Their vacation is soon upended when two strangers — G.H. and his daughter Ruth — arrive in the night, bearing news of a mysterious cyberattack and seeking refuge in the house they claim is theirs. Based on the novel by Rumaan Alam.
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South to Black Power
ARENA: Black Stories, Documentary, Political
MAXRELEASE DATE:
11/28/2023On the eve of last year's midterm elections, Charles M. Blow, New York Times columnist and best-selling author of "The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto," sets off across the country on a personal journey to test his theory on Black Liberation.
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Bye Bye Barry
ARENA: Biographical, Black Stories, Football, Sports
PRIME VIDEORELEASE DATE:
11/21/2023One of the giants of the sport, Barry Sanders, displayed a style and flair that has never been replicated. Ten years into his Hall-of-Fame career, it was only a matter of time before he broke Walter Payton's record for most career rushing yards. But in his prime, at age 31, in the summer of 1999, he walked away from the game, never to return.
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High on the Hod: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
ARENA: Art/Culture, Black Stories, Documentary, Food/Drink/Cooking, Informative
NETFLIXRELEASE DATE:
11/22/2023Black food is American food. Chef and writer Stephen Satterfield traces the delicious, moving throughlines from Africa to Texas in this docuseries.
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The Little Mermaid
ARENA: Literary Adaptation, Live Action/Animation, Magical, Musical, Romance, Remake
THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOSRELEASE DATE:
05/26/2023The youngest of King Triton's daughters, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea. While visiting the surface, she falls for Prince Eric and decides to follow her heart. She makes a deal with Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but places her life in jeopardy. Reboot of the 1989 animated film "The Little Mermaid" and based on Hans Christian Anderson's short story.
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We Grown Now
ARENA:Black Stories, Buddy Pic, Coming of Age, Period Piece
SONY PICTURES CLASSICS | STAGE 6 FILMSRELEASE DATE:
COMING SOONTwo young boys discover the joys and hardships of growing up in the sprawling Cabrini-Green public housing complex in 1992 Chicago.
Black History Month: Talent
Jurnee Smollett
Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 70
PROJECTS We Grown Now, The Burial, Lou
ETHNICITY 2+ Ethnicity
(Black; White/Caucasian)-
Colman Domingo
Writer, Author, Director, Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 83
PROJECTS Drive-Away Dolls, The Color Purple, Rustin
ETHNICITY 2+ Ethnicity
(Black: Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino; Latin/Hispanic)LGBTQ+ Gay
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Beyoncé
Director, Producer, Writer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 84
PROJECTS Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé, Black Is King
ETHNICITY Black (Creole)
-
Halle Bailey
Talent
SCREEN SCORE 75
PROJECTS The Color Purple, The Little Mermaid, Celebrity Game Face
ETHNICITY Black
(African American) -
Myha Herrold
Talent
SCREEN SCORE 42
PROJECTS Leave the World Behind, Dumb Money, Black Mirror
ETHNICITY 2+ Ethnicity
(Black; White/Caucasian)LGBTQ+ Queer
-
Stephen Satterfield
Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE -
PROJECTS High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America, Repeat
ETHNICITY Black
(African American) -
LaKeith Stanfield
Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 73
PROJECTS The Book of Clarence, The Changeling, Haunted Mansion
ETHNICITY Black
(African American) -
Teyana Taylor
Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 61
PROJECTS The Book of Clarence, A Thousand and One, Coming 2 America
ETHNICITY Black
(African American, Afro-Caribbean) -
Jeffrey Wright
Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 84
PROJECTS American Fiction, Rustin, Asteroid City
ETHNICITY Black
(African American) -
Erika Alexander
Director, Producer, Talent
SCREEN SCORE 54
PROJECTS American Fiction, Earth Mama, Black Pop: Celebrating the Power of Black Culture
ETHNICITY Black
(African American)
November 20, 2023
Luminate Film & TV: National Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month
Join us in celebrating Indigenous storytelling this November with Luminate’s recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month. Using our comprehensive film & TV intelligence database, we’re shedding light on the richness and diversity of Indigenous identities and projects. Click the links below to immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of Indigenous representation on screen and behind the scenes in projects past and present.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' HERITAGE MONTHIndigenous Projects
Killers of the Flower Moon
CRIME, INDIGENOUS STORIES, LITERARY ADAPTATION, MYSTERY, PERIOD PIECE, THRILLER, WESTERN
PARAMOUNT PICTURESRELEASE DATE:
10/20/2023In 1920s Oklahoma, the Osage Indians were granted revenue rights to oil discovered under their lands that was harvested by oil companies. Suddenly, they begin to get murdered as did those trying to investigate. Based on David Grann's book "Killers Of The Flower Moon: An American Crime And The Birth Of The FBI."
Lakota Nation vs. The United States
HISTORICAL, INDIGENOUS STORIES, POLITICAL, SOCIAL
IFC FILMSRELEASE DATE:
7/14/2023Poet Layli Long Soldier crafts a searing portrait of her Oyate's connection to the Black Hills, through first contact and broken treaties to the promise of the Land Back movement, in this lyrical testament to resilience of a nation.
Next Goal
WinsDRAMEDY, INDIGENOUS STORIES, LGBTQ STORIES, REMAKE, SOCCER, SPORTS
SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES RELEASE DATE:
11/17/2023Based on the 2014 British soccer documentary from directors Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, which follows Dutch coach Thomas Rongen who attempts the nearly impossible task of turning the American Samoa soccer team from perennial losers into winners.
War
PonyANTHOLOGY, COMING OF AGE, INDIGENOUS STORIES, TRUE STORY/EVENT
MOMENTUM PICTURES LIMITEDRELEASE DATE:
7/28/2023The interlocking stories of two young Lakota men on the Pine Ridge Reservation as they grapple with a world built against them and navigate unique paths to manhood.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' HERITAGE MONTHIndigenous Talent
Beulah Koale
PROJECT Next Goal Wins
ETHNICITY Indigenous (Pacific Islander)
C/TOH* Samoa C/TOO* New Zealand
GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him
Lily Gladstone
PROJECT Killers of the Flower Moon
ETHNICITY Indigenous (Native American)
C/TOH* United States C/TOO* United States
GENDER Nonbinary PRONOUNS she/they
Nathaniel Arcand
PROJECT Killers of the Flower Moon
ETHNICITY Indigenous (Indigenous Canadian)
C/TOH⭑ Canada C/TOO* Canada
GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him
Jesse Short Bull
PROJECT Lakota Nation vs. The United States
ETHNICITY Indigenous (Native American)
C/TOH* United States C/TOO* United States
GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him
Michelle Thrush
PROJECT Little Bird
ETHNICITY Indigenous (Indigenous Canadian)
C/TOH* Canada C/TOO* Canada
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her
William Belleau
PROJECT Killers of the Flower Moon
ETHNICITY Indigenous (Indigenous Canadian)
C/TOH* Canada C/TOO* Canada
GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him
October 17, 2023
Luminate Film & TV: Halloween
Trick-or-Treat! In a genre often overlooked, horror has become a trailblazer for diversity, inclusion, and authentic representation. The evolution of horror as a medium for exploring multifaceted female characters, diverse cultural perspectives, and LGBTQ+ experiences is a testament to the genre's ability to push boundaries and challenge societal norms.
This month, Luminate Film & TV spotlights projects and talent that have moved the needle forward. Here's to a bone-chilling October and remember, equity doesn't have to be scary!
HALLOWEEN 2023Horror Isn't Afraid of Diversity: Projects
The Exorcist: Believer
BLACK STORIES, REBOOT, SUPERNATURAL
UNIVERSAL STUDIOSRELEASE DATE:
10/06/2023The father of a possessed child seeks out the help of Chris MacNeil, who has previously dealt with her own child's possession. Continuation of the classic 70s-80s horror franchise.
Make Me Scream
COMPETITION
PRIME VIDEORELEASE DATE:
10/03/2023This Halloween special features three celebrity teams that embark on a game where they must face a series of bone- chilling scare zones while trying NOT to scream, in order to take home the prestigious Medal of Mayhem.
Unseen
ASIAN STORIES, CRIME, SUSPENSE, THRILLER, WOMEN CENTERED STORIES
PARAMOUNTRELEASE DATE:
03/07/2023Two women form an unlikely connection when a depressed gas station clerk, receives a call from Emily, a nearly blind woman who is running from her murderous ex in the woods.
The Fall of the House of the Usher
ENSEMBLE, GOTHIC, HORROR, LIMITED/EVENT SERIES, LGBTQ STORIES, LITERARY ADAPTATION, SUSPENSE,THRILLER
NETFLIXRELEASE DATE:
10/12/2023Siblings Roderick and Madeline Usher have built a pharmaceutical company into an empire of wealth, privilege, and power; however, secrets come to light when the heirs to the Usher dynasty start dying.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
GOTHIC, LITERARY ADAPTATION, MYSTERY, PERIOD PIECE, SUPERNATURAL, THRILLER, VAMPIRE
UNIVERSAL PICTURESRELEASE DATE:
08/11/2023The merchant ship, Demeter, is chartered to carry 50 unmarked wooden crates from Carpathia to London. On board, the doomed crew is stalked each night by a merciless presence.
Talk to Me
SUPERNATURAL, SUSPENSE, THRILLER
A24RELEASE DATE:
07/29/2023Conjuring spirits has become the latest local party craze, and looking for a distraction on the anniversary of her mother's death, teenage Mia is determined to get a piece of the otherworldly action.
It Lives Inside
ASIAN STORIES, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, SUPERNATURAL
NEONRELEASE DATE:
09/22/2023An Indian-American teenager struggling with her cultural identity has a falling out with her former best friend and, in the process, unwittingly releases a demonic entity that grows stronger.
Clock
FILM ADAPTATION, THRILLER, WOMEN CENTERED STORIES
HULURELEASE DATE:
04/28/2023A woman attempts to fix her broken biological clock after friends, family, and society pressures her to have children. Adapted from the short of the same name.
HALLOWEEN 2023Horror Isn't Afraid of Diversity: Talent
Lidya Jewett
PROJECT The Exorcist: Believer
ETHNICITY Black (African)
COH* Ethiopia COO* Ethiopia
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her
Jane Mun
PROJECT Make Me Scream
ETHNICITY Asian
COH Korea (South) COO Korea (South)
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her
Yoko Okumura
PROJECT Unseen
ETHNICITY Asian (East Asian)
COH Japan COO Japan
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her LGBTQ+ Queer
Paola Núñez
PROJECT The Fall of the House of the Usher
ETHNICITY Latin/Hispanic
COH Mexico COO Mexico
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her
Ruth Codd
PROJECT The Fall of the House of the Usher
ETHNICITY White/Caucasian
COH Ireland COO Ireland
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her DISABILITY Amputee
T'Nia Miller
PROJECT The Fall of the House of the Usher
ETHNICITY Black (Afro-Carribean)
COH Jamaica / UK COO Jamaica / UK
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her LGBTQ+ Lesbian
Corey Hawkins
PROJECT The Last Voyage of the Demeter
ETHNICITY Black
COH U.S. COO U.S.
GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him
Sophie Wilde
PROJECT Talk to Me
ETHNICITY Black: African; White/Caucasian
COH Australia, Ivory Coast COO Australia
GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her
Bishal Dutta
PROJECT It Lives Inside
ETHNICITY Asian (South Asian)
COH India COO India
GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him
September 19, 2023
Deaf Awareness Month
In honor of Deaf Awareness Month, Luminate Film & TV is spotlighting projects and talent that break down stereotypes and promote authentic representation within the industry.
Including deaf representation in film and TV can have a positive effect on all aspects of filmmaking. The role of sign language, for example, can be a powerful storytelling tool; including sign language on-screen can enhance communication, create unique narratives, and bridge cultural gaps. The lens of film and TV can be used to put greater emphasis on the importance of accessibility; closed captioning, audio indicators, and other accessibility enhancements make content more inclusive for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, allowing them to engage more fully with storylines and characters.
Luminate Film & TV is extremely sensitive in representing talent who identify as d/Deaf. Many deaf individuals do not see themselves as disabled or as members of the disabled community; conversely, many do not identify as members of the Deaf community or participate in Deaf culture. Lowercase “deaf” is used most commonly when describing the audiological condition of having no functional hearing, or in regards to someone who does not align with the greater Deaf community and culture. Deaf, with a capital "D" refers to someone who participates in the community and embraces its culture.
Luminate Film & TV invites you to explore the projects and limitless talent of filmmakers and creatives from the Luminate Film & TV database during Deaf Awareness Month.
Deaf Awareness Month Projects
El DeafoDISABILITY STORIES
RELEASE DATE:
01/07/2022Perceptive young Cece loses her hearing and finds her inner superhero. Going to school and making new friends can be tough. Having to do both while wearing a bulky hearing aid on your chest? That takes superpowers!
CODACOMING OF AGE, DISABILITY STORIES, DRAMEDY, FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, MUSICAL
RELEASE DATE:
8/13/2021Gifted with a voice that her parents can't hear, 17-year-old Ruby is the sole hearing member of a deaf family — a CODA, Child of Deaf Adults. Her life revolves around interpreting for her parents and working on the family's struggling fishing boat.
Deaf UDOCUMENTARY, REALITY SERIES, UNSTRUCTURED REALITY
RELEASE DATE:
10/09/2020A coming-of-age documentary series following a tight-knit group of deaf students at Gallaudet University, a renowned private college for the deaf and hard of hearing, in Washington, D.C.
A Quiet Place IIALIEN, DISABILITY STORIES, FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, SEQUEL, SUSPENSE, THRILLER
RELEASE DATE:
05/28/2021Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence.
Deaf Awareness Month Talent
James Caverly
Talent SCREENSCORE 32 UPCOMING PROJECTS Only Murders in the Building, Chicago MED
Millicent Simmonds
Talent SCREENSCORE 49 UPCOMING PROJECTS A Quiet Place Part II, This Close
Josh Feldman
Writer, Talent SCREENSCORE 46 UPCOMING PROJECTS This Close
Nyle DiMarco
Writer, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 42 UPCOMING PROJECTS Queer as Folk, Audible, The Nyle DiMarco Project, Flash Before the Bang
Keivonn Montreal Woodard
Talent SCREENSCORE 28 UPCOMING PROJECTS The Last of Us
Katie LeClerc
Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 43 UPCOMING PROJECTS Fantasy Island, NCIS
Chella Man
Talent SCREENSCORE - UPCOMING PROJECTS Titans
Anthony Natale
Talent SCREENSCORE 33 UPCOMING PROJECTS Nancy Drew, What?
Angel Theory
Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 43 UPCOMING PROJECTS The Walking, Kinderfanger
September 19, 2023
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month this September, Luminate Film & TV directs its focus toward showcasing the remarkable talents and projects that vividly portray the rich diversity of multi-cultural Latin/Hispanic experiences.
Luminate's 2023 Entertainment Diversity Progress Report underscores the glaring discrepancy between the burgeoning Latin/Hispanic community in the United States and its underrepresentation across film, TV, and streaming projects. The 2023 Entertainment Diversity Progress Report found that only six films centered on Latin/Hispanic narratives in 2022, representing only 0.9% of all movies released that year. The report also showed that across the board, there was a decrease in Latin/Hispanic representation from 2021 to 2022 with main title roles (8.7% - 7.7%), directors (6.8% - 4.6%), series regulars (14.2% - 12%), and series creators (9% - 7.8%), respectively.
Addressing this vital need for representation, Luminate Film & TV has meticulously gathered data on talents' heritage, languages, and countries of origin. As the industry’s benchmark, we hope our database encourages Hollywood to be more inclusive and intentional about hiring Latin/Hispanic talent.
Luminate Film & TV invites you to explore the talent and projects in this month’s celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month; we also encourage you to utilize the vast Luminate Film & TV database for further discovery.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: Projects
The Lincoln Lawyer
LATINX STORIES, LEGAL DRAMA, LITERARY ADAPTATION, SERIALIZED DRAMA, WORKPLACE DRAMA
NETFLIXRELEASE DATE (2nd Season):
07/06/2023The Lincoln Lawyer revolves around Mickey Haller, who runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car, as he takes on cases across the expansive city of Los Angeles.
Blue Beetle
COMIC BOOK / GRAPHIC NOVEL ADAPTATION, LATINX STORIES, LITERARY ADAPTATION, SUPERHERO
WARNER BROS.RELEASE DATE:
08/18/2023A Mexican-American teen acquires body armor that gives him superpowers. Based on the DC Comics series created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner in 2006.
What We Do in the Shadows
LATINX STORIES, LGBTQ STORIES, LITERARY ADAPTATION, VAMPIRE
FXRELEASE DATE (5th Season):
07/13/2023Set in New York City, the series follows three vampires who have been roommates for hundreds and hundreds of years. Based on the 2014 movie by Jermaine Clement and Taiki Waititi.
Flamin' Hot
BIOGRAPHICAL, FOOD/DRINK, LATINX STORIES, TRUE STORY/EVENT, WORKPLACE DRAMA
HULURELEASE DATE:
6/09/2023Richard Montanez rose from humble beginnings to a successful businessman when he created the food phenomenon Flamin' Hot Cheetos. This idea transformed the Frito-Lay brand into a pop culture phenomenon, disrupting the food industry.
Cassandro
BIOGRAPHICAL, LATINX STORIES, LGBTQ STORIES, SPORTS
AMAZON STUDIOSRELEASE DATE:
9/22/2023Saul Armendariz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the "exotico" character Cassandro, the "Liberace of Lucha Libre." In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world but also his own life.
This Fool
LATINX STORIES, SINGLE CAMERA COMEDY
HULURELEASE DATE (2nd Season):
7/28/2023Inspired by the life and stand- up comedy of Chris Estrada, this half-hour comedy explores Julio's work at a gang-rehabilitation non- profit and his quest to overcome his codependency issues with his family as he navigates working- class life in South Central L.A.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: Talent
Xolo Mariduena
Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 56 PROJECTS Batwheels, Blue Beetle, Cobra Kai
Angel Manuel Soto
Producer, Director, Camera and Electrical Department, Editor, Writer SCREENSCORE - PROJECTS Blue Beetle, Menudo: Forever Young, Charm City Kings
Harvey Guillén
Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 59 PROJECTS Blue Beetle, Harley Quinn, What We Do in the Shadows
America Ferrera
Director, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 79 PROJECTS Dumb Money, Barbie, We Crashed
Eva Longoria
Producer, Director, Talent SCREENSCORE 80 PROJECTS Flamin' Hot, Eva Longoria: Searching For Mexico, Tell it like a Woman
Judy Reyes
Talent SCREENSCORE 52 PROJECTS Birth/Rebirth, The Horror of Dolores Roach, Florida Man
Roberta Colindrez
Talent SCREENSCORE 42 PROJECTS Cassandro, Unidentified Objects, A League of Their Own
Laura Patalano
Talent SCREENSCORE 33 PROJECTS This Fool, The L Word: Generation Q, Gentefied
Laz Alonso
Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 45 PROJECTS My Dad the Bounty Hunter, The Boys, Robot Chicken
Linda Yvette Chavez
Writer, Director, Talent SCREENSCORE - PROJECTS Flamin' Hot, Gentefied, The Loud House
July 28, 2023
WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAY
In honor of World Nature Conservation Day, Luminate Film & TV is celebrating the advocacy of select top talent for their work in raising awareness around the preservation of our natural resources. These talented advocates are using their influence to fight for the ocean, the air, and the soil; along with the future well-being of our planet.
Luminate Film & TV is highlighting recent documentaries that bring attention to conservation efforts. These captivating stories can be found under the "Climate & Sustainability" arena tag, as well as the new "Climate & Sustainability Stories" arena; which specifies narrative projects whose main storyline surrounds topics such as land conservation, climate change, or fighting environmental injustice. These projects spark conversation and get us thinking about how we can help our planet!
WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAYNature Conservation Projects
Our Planet IINETFLIX
RELEASE DATE:
6/14/2023A natural history series that will take viewers into never-before-filmed wilderness areas from the ice caps and deep ocean, to deserts and remote forests.
Path of the PantherGRIZZLY CREEK FILMS
RELEASE DATE:
2/24/2023In the southern Everglades, a wildlife photographer, veterinarians, ranchers, conservationists, and indigenous people join forces to track and protect the endangered Florida panther.
Wild LifeNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
RELEASE DATE:
4/14/2023A sweeping portrait of conservationists Kris and Doug Tompkins chronicling their fight and protect the endangered and protect the endangered to preserve one of the last truly wild places on earth.
The Ants & The GrasshopperGIANT PICTURES
RELEASE DATE:
3/31/2023Anita Chitaya has a gift: she can help bring abundant food from dead soil, she can make men fight for gender equality, and she can end child hunger in her village.
WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAYNature Conservation Activists
Leonardo DiCaprio
SCREENSCORE 93 NATURE CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT Demonstrating a profound passion for environmental causes, he has effectively utilized his film career as a platform to champion significant issues pertaining to climate change, sustainability, and conservation. Notably, he served as the executive producer for the impactful documentary A Plastic Ocean in 2016, followed by Path Of The Panther in 2022 and We Are Guardians in 2023.
Idris Elba
SCREENSCORE 92 NATURE CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT He serves on the board of Conservation International, an organization dedicated to safeguarding oceans, forests, and other vital ecosystems to enhance the well-being of individuals worldwide. This past February, he, alongside his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba, received recognition from TIME for their collaborative efforts with the United Nations in combating food insecurity and addressing the crucial connection between environmental conservation and communites that are food insecure.
Lamorne Morris
SCREENSCORE 51 NATURE CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT In 2022, he expressed his endorsement for the Save Soil Movement via social media. The Save Soil Movement aims to increase global awareness about the deteriorating quality of soil and inspire individuals to engage with local policies, as well as promote positive changes that protect and nurture our precious soil.
Barack Obama
SCREENSCORE -- NATURE CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT Throughout his presidency, President Obama made remarkable strides in land conservation, surpassing all of his predecessors by establishing 19 national monuments that encompassed an expansive 260 million acres of land. He remains committed to the cause of conservation. Notably, he lent his expertise to the production of Netflix's Our Great National Parks, serving as both narrator and producer. Additionally, he collaborated with Netflix to narrate videos that shed light on the company's sustainability objectives.
Jenna Ushkowitz
SCREENSCORE 42 NATURE CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT As a member of Oceana's Media Advisory Board, she actively utilizes her platform to advocate for ocean conservation and raise awareness about the urgent challenges of climate change. Her influential voice urges others to take action in protecting our oceans and fostering a greater understanding of the critical need for environmental sustainability.
Lucy Lawless
SCREENSCORE 49 NATURE CONSERVATION ENGAGEMENT Dedicated to working with Greenpeace New Zealand for more than a decade, she has actively collaborated in safeguarding the Arctic region from the perils of offshore drilling. Her impactful actions include participating in protests, filming public service announcements (PSAs), and leveraging social media platforms to amplify the message of environmental protection. She has played a crucial role in raising awareness and mobilizing support for the preservation of the Arctic ecosystem.
July 20, 2023
Disability Pride Month:
Lights, camera, inclusion! Welcome to Disability Pride Month, a celebratory month commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Luminate Film & TV invites you to join us in recognizing and appreciating the remarkable talents, stories, and perspectives of talent and filmmakers with disabilities.
Luminate Film & TV has created the most comprehensive and detailed database around individuals with disabilities within the entertainment industry. Our highly nuanced metadata captures and celebrates the intersectional aspects of those living and working with disabilities. For example, those who identify as neurodiverse and deaf do not always identify as having a disability, but rather as part of a community. We’ve only included talent who publicly identify as having a disability in this newsletter.
So, grab your popcorn, adjust your lens, and let's embark on a month-long celebration that brings Disability Pride Month to the forefront of the cinematic stage, shedding light on the beauty, resilience, and infinite possibilities within the disability community.
Disability Pride Month: Projects
DarumaENVISAGING PRODUCTIONS
RELEASE DATE:
6/28/2023Patrick discovers he has a four-year-old daughter and agrees to take her, but soon discovers that she would do better living with her maternal grandparents on the East Coast. Patrick enlists the help of his neighbor...
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Is There Anyone Out There?HOT PROPERTY FILMS
RELEASE DATE:
1/22/2023Born with a disability so rare that no reliable statistics for it exist, filmmaker Ella Glendining wonders if there is anyone who can share the experience of living in a body like hers. This simple question...
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The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See The TitanicIT'S ALIVE FILMS
RELEASE DATE:
3/12/2022Jaakko is blind and disabled, tethered to his wheelchair. He loves Sirpa. Living far away, they have never met in person, but they meet every day over the phone. When Sirpa is overwhelmed by shocking news...
READ MORE >
Still: A Michael J. Fox MovieAPPLE STUDIOS
RELEASE DATE:
5/12/2023A recount of Michael J. Fox's story in his own words - the improbable tale of an undersized kid from a Canadian army base who rose to the heights of stardom in 1980s Hollywood. The account of Fox's...
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I Didn't See You ThereREPORT MEDIA
RELEASE DATE:
1/24/2023Spurred by the spectacle of a circus tent that goes up outside his Oakland apartment, a disabled filmmaker launches into an unflinching meditation on freakdom, (in)visibility, and the pursuit of individual agency. ...
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Disability Pride Month: Talent
Ella Glendining
Documentary Director SCREENSCORE -- PROJECTS Is There Anybody Out There?
Gaten Matarazzo
Alternative Producer, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 49 PROJECTS My Father's Dragon, Honor Society
Nic Novicki
Talent, Producer SCREENSCORE 29 PROJECTS Marry Me, T11 Incomplete
Michael J. Fox
Writer, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 69 PROJECTS Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, Corner Gas Animated
Reid Davenport
Documentary Director, Documentary Producer, Documentary DP, Talent SCREENSCORE -- PROJECTS I Didn't See You There
Petri Poikolainen
Talent SCREENSCORE 22 PROJECTS The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic
George Robinson
Talent SCREENSCORE -- PROJECTS Sex Education
June 20, 2023
LGBTQ+ Pride Month:
Luminate recognizes June’s Pride Month, a celebration of love, acceptance, equality and the myriad contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. We acknowledge the historical struggles and ongoing journey towards achieving equal rights and recognition for all.
Authentic LGBTQ+ representation serves as a vehicle for activists, artists and storytellers to amplify their voices and advocate for social change. By challenging harmful stereotypes and misconceptions, they pave the way for greater acceptance and create space for new narratives that reflect the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ lives. True representation calls for diverse and intersectional stories that reflect the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals from different races, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities. It demands authentic casting, behind-the-camera inclusion, and space for LGBTQ+ stories.
Luminate’s film & TV metadata is second to none in accurately representing the complex identities existing under the rainbow umbrella. Luminate is the source of truth for the industry, exemplified by the 2023 Entertainment Diversity Progress Report. The latest report found that LGBTQ+ representation shrank year-over-year across every metric tracked (download the full report here).This underscores the need for advocacy and insistence on inclusive and authentic representation.
Our goal is to continue sharing insights to fuel conversations for progress.
We wish a happy Pride Month to all who celebrate.
PRIDE MONTHLGBTQ+ Project Spotlight
Of An AgeFOCUS FEATURES
RELEASE DATE:
2/17/2023Set in the summer of 1999 a 17-year-old Serbian-born, Australian amateur ballroom dancer experiences an unexpected and...
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MonicaIFC FILMS
RELEASE DATE:
5/12/2023Monica, a transgender woman, returns to her childhood home in the Midwest after a lengthy absence to take care of her ailing mother...
READ MORE >
HeartstopperNETFLIX
RELEASE DATE:
8/3/2023The story of Nick and Charlie, two British teens at an all-boys grammar school: Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker...
READ MORE >
Queer EyeNETFLIX
RELEASE DATE:
5/12/2023The Queer Eye co-hosts will once again lend their expertise in food and wine, interior design, fashion, grooming and culture to a new crop...
READ MORE >
We're HereHBO
RELEASE DATE:
11/25/2022An unscripted series that recruits small- town residents across America to participate in a one-night-only drag show. In each episode ...
READ MORE >
Framing AgnesKINO LORBER
RELEASE DATE:
12/02/2022In 1958, a young trans woman named Agnes entered a study about sex disorders at UCLA to get the gender-affirming care she needed, by ...
READ MORE >
Joy RideLIONSGATE
RELEASE DATE:
6/23/2023Four Asian American women travel through Asia in search of one of their birth mothers. Along the way, their experience becomes ...
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My PolicemanAMAZON STUDIOS
RELEASE DATE:
10/21/2022In the late 1990s, the arrival of elderly invalid Patrick into Marion and Tom's home triggers the exploration of seismic events from 40 years...
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PRIDE MONTHTop Selected LGBTQ+ Talent
Janelle Monáe
Talent GENDER Nonbinary PRONOUNS she/her, they/them LGBTQ+ Pansexual UPCOMING PROJECTS Human Resources, RuPaul's Drag Race
Devery Jacobs
Writer, Producer, Talent GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her LGBTQ+ Queer UPCOMING PROJECTS Spirit Rangers, Reservation Dogs
Kal Penn
Producer, Writer, Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him LGBTQ+ Gay UPCOMING PROJECTS The Santa Clauses, American Horror Story
Trixie Mattel
Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him (out of drag), she/her (in drag) LGBTQ+ Gay UPCOMING PROJECTS Call Me Kat, The Masked Singer
Colman Domingo
Author, Writer, Director, Producer, Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him LGBTQ+ Gay UPCOMING PROJECTS Fear the Walking Dead, Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches
Trace Lysette
Producer, Talent GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her LGBTQ+ Trans UPCOMING PROJECTS Monica, Quantum Leap
Katherine Moennig
Director, Producer, Talent GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her LGBTQ+ Lesbian UPCOMING PROJECTS The L Word: Generation Q, Grown-ish
Brian Michael Smith
Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him LGBTQ+ Trans UPCOMING PROJECTS 9-1-1: Lone Star, Queen Sugar
Alex Newell
Talent GENDER Nonbinary, gender nonconforming PRONOUNS any pronouns LGBTQ+ Gay UPCOMING PROJECTS The Book of Queer, Our Kind of People
Leo Sheng
Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him LGBTQ+ Trans, queer UPCOMING PROJECTS The L Word: Generation Q, Grown-ish
Sara Ramirez
Documentary Producer, Producer, Talent GENDER Nonbinary PRONOUNS they/them LGBTQ+ Bisexual UPCOMING PROJECTS And Just Like That, Visible: Out on Television
Ronen Rubinstein
Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him LGBTQ+ Bisexual UPCOMING PROJECTS 9-1-1: Lone Star, American Horror Stories
Victoria Alonso
Producer, Visual Effects Department, Talent GENDER Female PRONOUNS she/her LGBTQ+ Lesbian UPCOMING PROJECTS The Marvels, Loki
Haaz Sleiman
Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him LGBTQ+ Gay UPCOMING PROJECTS Moving On, The Eternals
Cheyenne Jackson
Talent GENDER Male PRONOUNS he/him LGBTQ+ Gay UPCOMING PROJECTS Call Me Kat, The Masked Singer
June 19, 2023
Juneteenth:
This Juneteenth, Luminate is celebrating the contributions of directors, writers, and producers who amplify the stories of Black Americans. These projects focus on themes of hope, injustice, humor, and the enduring spirit of joy in the face of adversity.
The Luminate database features diverse "arena" tags used to highlight themes and subjects beyond genres. These arena tags allow users to comprehensively and accurately search for projects that center the lived experience of different cohorts (for example, our database currently features over 1,000 films tagged Black Stories).
Join us this Juneteenth for thought-provoking narratives that inspire dialogue, ignite laughter and remind us about the power of resilience and community during this monumental federal holiday.
Happy Juneteenth!
JUNETEENTHProject Spotlight
The 1619 ProjectARENA: Black Stories, Documentary, Historical, Literary Adaptation
RELEASE DATE:
1/26/2023A documentary series based on materials drawn from The New York Times Magazine and Nikole Hannah-Jones' acclaimed "The 1619 Project,” a landmark undertaking...
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The Angry Black Girl and Her MonsterARENA: Black Stories, Creature/ Monster, Fantasy, Thriller
RELEASE DATE:
6/9/2023Vicaria is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal and sudden murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him...
READ MORE >
The BlackeningARENA: Black Stories, Horror Comedy, Spoof
RELEASE DATE:
6/16/2023A group of Black friends reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by his rules, the...
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The Color PurpleARENA: Black Stories, Feminist Stories, Literary Adaptation, Musical, Period Piece, Women Centered Stories
RELEASE DATE:
12/25/2023Celie grows up in poverty in the 1930s Deep South, enduring harsh treatment which makes her question her faith in humanity. Adaptation of the Broadway...
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Searching for Soul FoodARENA: Art/Culture, Black Stories, Food/Cooking, Travel
RELEASE DATE:
6/2/2023"Searching for Soul Food" follows Alisa Reynolds' discoveries of what soul food looks like around the world. As she seeks out food in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Appalachia ...
READ MORE >
The Wonder YearsARENA: Black Stories, Coming of Age, Family, Family Relationship, Period Piece, Reboot, Single Camera Comedy
RELEASE DATE:
6/14/2023Inspired by the beloved award- winning series of the same name, "The Wonder Years" is a coming of age story set in the late 1960's that takes a nostalgic look at a Black ...
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JUNETEENTHTop Selected Trailblazers
Blitz Bazawule
Director AWARDS 52nd NAACP Awards Nomination UPCOMING PROJECTS The Color Purple
Bomani J. Story
Director, Producer, Credited Writer AWARDS 52nd NAACP Awards Nomination UPCOMING PROJECTS The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster
Roger Ross Williams
Director, Producer AWARDS 28th PGA Awards Nomination, 69th DGA Awards Nomination, 89th Academy Awards Nomination UPCOMING PROJECTS Love to Love You, Donna Summer
Saladin Patterson
Creator, Executive Producer AWARDS 74th WGA Awards Nomination UPCOMING PROJECTS The Wonder Years
Traci Curry
Show Runner AWARDS 94th Academy Awards Nomination UPCOMING PROJECTS Searching for Soul Food
Tim Story
Director, Producer AWARDS 52nd NAACP Awards Nomination UPCOMING PROJECTS The Blackening
May 23, 2023
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration:
In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Luminate Film & TV has selected talent and projects that spotlight the vibrancy of the Asian diaspora.
The talent and projects featured this month represent only a small fraction of the diversity of the Asian experience and cultures. The contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander talent, both behind and in front of the camera, enrich the tapestry of America’s cultural landscape. Asian voices and narratives are taking center stage, as exemplified by the record-breaking success of Netflix’s Squid Games and the groundbreaking achievement of South Korea’s Parasite becoming the first non-English project to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Adding to this momentum, Everything Everywhere All At Once won the Academy Award winner for Best Picture and India’s RRR won Best Original Song - Motion Picture at the Oscars and was a 2023 Golden Globes nominee for Best Motion Picture. These successes, and the project and talent highlighted here, remind Hollywood that the Asian experience and culture is not a monolith.
The Luminate Film & TV database offers a comprehensive selection of the top 100 projects for film, TV, and digital content originating from South Korea, Japan, and India. Our coverage spans from 2015 to the present, and as of last year, we have expanded our scope to include forward-looking data, providing information on projects at various stages of production.
The film industry in India, commonly referred to as Bollywood, is centered in Mumbai. Luminate Film & TV recognizes and acknowledges the significance of diverse regional cinema industries within India. We have introduced different arena tags for specific regional film industries, such as Kollywood for Tamil cinema, Pollywood for Punjabi cinema, Tollywood for Bengali and Telugu cinema, and Mollywood for Malayalam and Marathi cinema. These tags allow us to highlight and honor the unique contributions of each regional industry and provide comprehensive coverage to our users. These stories matter, and Luminate Film & TV is thrilled to share them this month as clients continue to explore throughout the year!
AAPI HERITAGE MONTHProject Spotlight
BEEFNETFLIX
RELEASE DATE:
4/6/2023BEEF follows the aftermath of a road rage incident between two strangers. Danny Cho, a failing contractor with a chip on his shoulder, goes head-to-head with Amy Lau, a self- made entrepreneur with a picturesque life. The increasing stakes of their feud unravel their lives and relationships in this darkly comedic and deeply moving series.
Never Have I EverNETFLIX
RELEASE DATE:
6/8/2023A coming-of-age comedy series about the complicated life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl, inspired by Kaling's own childhood.
Jimmy O. Yang: Guess How Much?PRIME VIDEO
RELEASE DATE:
5/2/2023A follow-up to GOOD DEAL, Yang's beloved first global special, GUESS HOW MUCH? dives into various topics including love languages, loser friends, and negotiating with his Asian parents.
Past LivesA24
RELEASE DATE:
6/2/2023A budding childhood romance between Nora and Hae Sung, at a primary school in Seoul, ends abruptly when Nora's family emigrates to Canada. Twelve years later, Nora, now a playwriting student in New York, notices that Hae Sung's been searching social media for her. They reconnect online and imagine reunion. Another dozen years pass and they finally meet in New York.
AAPI HERITAGE MONTHTop Selected AAPI Talent
Tan France
JOB TITLE Talent SCREENSCORE 45 PROJECTS Queer Eye, Next in Fashion
Ali Wong
JOB TITLE Writer, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 72 PROJECTS Human Resources, BEEF
Steven Yeun
JOB TITLE Documentary Producer, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 79 PROJECTS BEEF, Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV
Jimmy O. Yang
JOB TITLE Writer, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 57 PROJECTS American Born Chinese, 80 for Brady
Nicole Scherzinger
JOB TITLE Talent SCREENSCORE 57 PROJECTS That's My Jam, The Masked Singer
Jason Momoa
JOB TITLE Producer, Alternative Producer, Writer, Documentary Producer, Director, Talent SCREENSCORE 80 PROJECTS Fast X, The Climb
Merle Dandridge
JOB TITLE Talent SCREENSCORE 55 PROJECTS The Last of Us, Truth Be Told
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
JOB TITLE Talent SCREENSCORE 31 PROJECTS Never Have I Ever
Utkarsh Ambudkar
JOB TITLE Producer, Writer, Talent SCREENSCORE 60 PROJECTS Never Have I Ever, The Drop
Mindy Kaling
JOB TITLE Director, Writer, Showrunner, Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 77 PROJECTS Never Have I Ever, Velma
Celine Song
JOB TITLE Writer, Director SCREENSCORE N/A PROJECTS Past Lives
Hong Chau
JOB TITLE Talent SCREENSCORE 75 PROJECTS Showing Up, The Whale
May 18, 2023
Jewish American Heritage Celebration:
In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month in May, Luminate Film & TV is shining a spotlight on Jewish American talent and the stories that celebrate, explore and embody Jewish heritage. To achieve this, Luminate Film & TV has developed a Cultural/Religious Identity dataset that takes into account a person's Religious Background, identifying which religion they were born into or raised in (important note: this may no longer reflect their current cultural or religious affiliation/practice); their Religious Practice, which is the religion they currently practice; and their Religious Cultural Identity, which describes how they identify as part of a religious or cultural group, even if they choose not to participate in certain or all aspects of the formal religious practice. Our identity and heritage are not just about our ethnic background but also highlight our generational religious practices and cultural religious origins, which are often linked to a specific land or geographical region. The Jewish American community is just as diverse and unique as any other community, and Luminate Film & TV is thrilled to showcase the selected talent and projects that bring heart, laughter, tears, understanding, and joy to the screen.
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTHProject Spotlight
Jewish MatchmakingNETFLIX
RELEASE DATE:
5/3/2023A new series from the producers of Indian Matchmaking, Jewish Matchmaking features singles in the US and Israel as they turn their dating life over to a top Jewish matchmaker. Will using the traditional practice of shidduch help them find their soulmate in today's world?
Marvelous Mrs. MaiselPRIME VIDEO
RELEASE DATE:
4/14/2023A dramedy about Miriam "Midge" Maisel, a 1958 New York City woman who has everything she's ever wanted the perfect husband, two kids, and an elegant Upper West Side apartment perfect for hosting Yom Kippur dinner. But her perfect life suddenly takes an unexpected turn and Midge discovers a previously unknown talent-one that changes her life forever.
A Small LightNATIONAL GEOGRAPHICS / DISNEY+
RELEASE DATE:
5/2/2023Tells the remarkable story of 20-something secretary Miep Gies (Bel Powley), who didn't hesitate when her boss Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber) asked her to hide him and his family from the Nazis during World War II. It was Miep who found Anne's diary and preserved it so that she and Otto could later share it with the world.
The FabelmansUNIVERSAL
RELEASE DATE:
11/23/2022Inspired by Steven Spielberg's childhood, this story details the coming-of-age of 16-year-old aspiring filmmaker Sammy Fabelman in Arizona, California. In this portrait of 20th Century American childhood, we see the effects of shattering family secrets and explore how movies have the power to help us see the truth about each other and ourselves.
JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTHTop Selected Jewish Talent
Mila Kunis
JOB TITLE Producer, Talent RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Daniel Levy
JOB TITLE Director, Writer, Alternative Producer, Animation Writer, Producer, Talent RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Christianity (Protestant), Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Ben Platt
JOB TITLE Talent, Producer RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Judaism (Jewish) RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Rashida Jones
JOB TITLE Producer, Writer, Author, Director, Alternative Director, Alternative Producer, Documentary Director, Documentary Producer, Talent CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Ashkenazi Jewish)
Daveed Diggs
JOB TITLE Talent, Producer, Writer, Composer RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Julia Garner
JOB TITLE Talent RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Jon Favreau
JOB TITLE Talent, Producer, Writer, Director, Alternative Producer CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Abbi Jacobson
JOB TITLE Talent, Producer, Writer, Director CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Mandy Patinkin
JOB TITLE Writer, Producer, Talent RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Judaism (Jewish) RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Ariela Barer
JOB TITLE Talent CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Michael Zegen
JOB TITLE Talent, Producer, Writer, Director RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
Alex Borstein
JOB TITLE Director, Writer, Showrunner, Production Management, Producer, Talent RELIGIOUS BACKGROUND Judaism (Jewish) RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Judaism (Jewish) CULTURAL IDENTITY Judaism (Jewish)
May 4, 2023
NATIONAL EARTH MONTH PROJECTS & DISTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT:
In celebration of Earth Month, Luminate Film & TV is shining a light on the many different creatives, projects and companies in entertainment that use their platform to bring awareness to climate change and sustainability.
This week we’ve selected a handful of projects and distributors that are working to make a difference in the entertainment industry. Many studios have recognized the impact the film industry has on the planet - a single hour of television can produce 13 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the amount a single person can generate in a year - and have committed to making changes behind the camera and through the content they produce.
Through new initiatives and certifications, these select distributors below are working to make the industry more sustainable. They’re not just trying to make an impact behind the camera - many are creating content that makes us think about and care for the world we live in. From recognizing the beauty of the oceans in Avatar: The Way of the Water to dealing with climate change in real time in Extrapolations, each will leave you with a message of the importance of preserving the natural world for generations to come.
EARTH MONTH DATA CELEBRATIONDistributor Spotlight
Netflix
Netflix has implemented a plan called Net Zero + Nature, which works to REDUCE their emissions, RETAIN existing carbon storage, and REMOVE carbon from the atmosphere. Netflix is committed to creating empowering stories of sustainability and created an independent advisory group of experts to better understand their own carbon footprint. In their collection "Sustainability Stories," viewers can choose from a collection of various genres, exploring our changing world through Climate and Sustainability stories.
Universal
In March 2023, Universal created a new program called GreenerLight, an initiative focused on embedding sustainability across the entire filmmaking process through development, production and distribution. Their goal is to continue to reduce environmental impact on their sets. Universal integrates a sustainability mindset from the development stage to on- screen behaviors.
Apple TV+
Apple Inc. is committed to achieve carbon neutrality across all of its products by 2030. Apple TV+ is reinforcing these efforts by producing climate and sustainability related content like, Extrapolations and Five Days at Memorial. Behind the camera, Apple TV+ utilized the sustainability consulting agency Earth Angel to improve their carbon footprint on shows like Severance.
EARTH MONTH DATA CELEBRATIONProject Spotlight
SHOWS
Extrapolations
RELEASE DATE 3/17/23 DISTRIBUTOR Apple TV+
Unstable
RELEASE DATE 3/30/23 DISTRIBUTOR Netflix
Down to Earth with Zac Efron: Down Under
RELEASE DATE 11/11/22 DISTRIBUTOR Netflix
MOVIES
Nope
RELEASE DATE 7/22/22 DISTRIBUTOR Universal
Avatar: The Way of Water
RELEASE DATE 12/16/22 DISTRIBUTOR 20th Century Studios
All That Breathes
RELEASE DATE 10/21/22 DISTRIBUTOR Submarine Deluxe *Won Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film
April 18, 2023
April is National Autism Awareness Month, and Luminate Film & TV is taking this opportunity to showcase a selection of series that not only provide an empowered representation of the autism spectrum and neurodivergent experience but also highlight the incredible talents of six trailblazing artists who live with autism and or a neurodivergence.
These series were created with a clear intention to uplift the stories and lived experiences of people with autism, and the casting choices were made with careful consideration to ensure that individuals with autism were given the opportunity to showcase their talents in a safe environment. True diversity is not just about placing individuals in roles as a mere box-ticking exercise. It's about creating an environment of equitable inclusion, where everyone's unique story is expressed and presented within the vast scope of their lives.
Luminate Film & TV invites you to discover and explore the groundbreaking talents featured in these series, as they pave the way for authentic casting and inspire young kids with autism to dream big and make it to the big screen.
National Autism Awareness Trailblazers
As We See It(PRIME VIDEO)
A half-hour coming- of-age comedic drama about three 20-something roommates on the autism spectrum, striving for the same things that we all desire: to get a job, keep a job, make friends, fall in love, and navigate a world that eludes them.
Everything's Gonna Be Okay(FREEFORM)
The half-hour comedy introduces Nicholas (Josh Thomas), a neurotic 25-year-old still living at home with his single dad and two teen half-sisters, one of whom has autism. When their dad becomes terminally ill, Nicholas is the one who will have to hold it all together.
Heartbreak High(NETFLIX)
An incendiary mural exposes everyone's secret hook-ups at Hartley High. Its author, Amerie, has to grapple with the messy fallouts as a total outcast. A reboot of the popular 1990s Australian teen drama.
Love on the Spectrum U.S.(NETFLIX)
An insightful and warm- hearted docu-reality series following people on the autism spectrum as they navigate the world of dating and relationships searching for something we all hope to find, love.
Albert Rutecki
SCREENSCORE 39 JOB TITLE Talent CREDITS Chicago MED, As We See It
Rick Glassman
SCREENSCORE 43 JOB TITLE Makeup Department, Talent CREDITS Not Dead Yet, As We See It
Sue Ann Pien
SCREENSCORE 28 JOB TITLE Talent CREDITS As We See It, Ballers
Kayla Cromer
SCREENSCORE 24 JOB TITLE Stunts, Talent CREDITS Everything's Gonna Be Okay, Apparition
Josh Thomas
SCREENSCORE 25 JOB TITLE Director, Writer, Showrunner, Talent CREDITS Everything's Gonna Be Okay, Please Like Me
Chloe Hayden
JOB TITLE Talent CREDITS Heartbreak High
April 13, 2023
In celebration of April being Earth Month, Luminate Film & TV is shining a light on the many different creatives, projects and companies in entertainment that use their platform to bring awareness to climate change and sustainability.
This week, we've selected these top talents who you may not know have utilized their platform to advocate for climate change awareness by using social media, engaging in specific business ventures, making sustainable lifestyle choices, and working with advocacy organizations. Many of them have dedicated their careers to climate activism and have a significant influence not only in the entertainment industry but also in policymaking, inciting change in real-time.
Whether it's supporting anti-fracking measures, protesting on Capitol Hill, or persuading major designers to produce only vegan fashion, they make sure their voices -- and those whom they represent -- are heard. As a reminder, subscribers both active and inactive will continue to have free access to our Data Celebration Awareness Month alerts until April 22, 2023!
EARTH MONTH DATA CELEBRATIONTop Selected Environmental Champions
Jane Fonda
SCREENSCORE 83 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Spearheaded climate change advocacy for 30+ years through actively promoting causes on media/press tours, attending/leading climate protests and supporting petitions. Wrote the book What Can I Do: The Path From Climate Despair to Action.
Cristela Alonzo
SCREENSCORE 47 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Promotes vegan alternatives on social media, signs climate petitions and works with the group Climate Power to spread awareness about the affects of climate change on farm workers.
Pamela Anderson
SCREENSCORE 64 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Throughout her career, she's advocated for PETA, veganism, and created the Pamela Anderson Foundation supporting climate change awareness. She will host a plant-based cooking show for Food Network Canada.
Elliot Page
SCREENSCORE 70 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Directed There's Something in the Water in 2019 which followed activists protecting land in Nova Scotia from pollution. They've advocated for access to clean water, water conservation and the right to protest injustice.
Javier Bardem
SCREENSCORE 84 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Recently become a vegan and worked with Greenpace and Extinction Rebellion throughout his career. In 2018, he partnered with Sea2See to support upcycling ocean plastic waste it into eyewear.
Jaden Smith
SCREENSCORE 49 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT He founded the company JUST Water to reduce single- use plastic in the world. The company is a Certified B Corp. JUST Water and his charity, 501CTHREE, have actively donated water to Flint, Michigan and other underserved communities.
Mark Ruffalo
SCREENSCORE 85 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT On the Board of Directors for The Solutions Project. Advocates for anti-fracking measures and brings awareness to protests. He can be seen in the documentary In This Climate and leading the environmental drama Dark Waters.
Lucy Liu
SCREENSCORE 75 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2004 and has traveled internationally to advocate for impoverished communities, as well as composting. She eats a primarily plant-based diet.
Antonio Banderas
SCREENSCORE 78 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT A UN Goodwill Ambassador since 2010 and uses his social media to encourage his followers to take actionable steps to reduce the effects of climate change.
Billie Eilish
SCREENSCORE 71 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Encouraged her 108 million Instagram followers to participate in Veganuary, used her Vogue cover story to highlight youth environmental activists and partnered with Reverb to make her tours more sustainable.
Zoe Saldana
SCREENSCORE 81 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Wore vintage and ethnically made fashion to the 2023 Oscars in support of RCGD (Red Carpet Green Dress) Global. Partnered with Adidas, who prioritzes inclusivity and sustainability.
Jason Momoa
SCREENSCORE 81 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Attended protests for the protection of land, oceans and indigenous people, and has spoken at the UN. The owner of Mananalu, a company that produces water in aluminum bottles to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in the industry.
Priyanka Chopra-Jonas
SCREENSCORE 59 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT A dedicated ambassador for UNICEF and Global Citizen, she's attended numerous events raising awareness for ending global poverty, proper waste management and addressing the growing problem of plastic.
Djimon Hounsou
SCREENSCORE 74 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT Raises awareness for protecting endangered species and wildlife conservation on social media. In 2021, he narrated a short video about the white rhino in Kenya and bonds they form with their protectors.
Alicia Silverstone
SCREENSCORE 61 CLIMATE CHANGE ENGAGEMENT A strong advocate for a vegan lifestyle, she has also become an animal agricultural activist. In a 2021 Bumble interview she shared her composting style and efforts to reduce food waste.
April 12, 2023
NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH DATA CELEBRATION: CREATIVE INNOVATORS
In recognition of March’s National Disability Awareness Month, Luminate Film & TV aims to draw attention to the important and vital contributions made by artists with disabilities in our database. For far too long, both in front of and behind the camera, authentic representation for those with lived disability experience has been largely unseen. The individuals featured this week include 12 top creative innovators who navigate the world through paralysis, limb loss, spinal cord injuries, mobility issues, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, dwarfism, cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, and Down syndrome. Their work has transcended stigma and stereotypes to uplift and expand the diversity of voices telling stories today. It is our hope that the Luminate Film & TV database can be a positive tool for bringing about a more equitable and inclusive entertainment industry. We encourage you to explore our database and discover artists with disabilities who are enhancing the collective narrative—project by project—to create a more accessible and inclusive space for all. In the upcoming months, we look forward to celebrating the contributions of many more individuals from our database, as we celebrate Deaf Awareness Month, as well as Autism and Neurodiversity Awareness Months, among others.
DATA CELEBRATIONNational Disability Month
Ali Stroker
Talent SCREENSCORE 38 SELECTED CREDITS Gossip Girl, Only Murders in the Building
Baxter Humby
Stunts, Talent SELECTED CREDITS Amsterdam, Mayans MC
Daryl Mitchell
Talent SCREENSCORE 45 SELECTED CREDITS Fear the Walking Dead, NCIS: New Orleans
Eric Graise
Director, Talent SCREENSCORE 30 SELECTED CREDITS Step Up, Locke & Key
Kiera Allen
Writer, Talent SCREENSCORE 31 SELECTED CREDITS Law & Order, The Good Doctor
Kurt Yaeger
Talent SCREENSCORE 41 SELECTED CREDITS Quantum Leap, Best Foot Forward
Liz Carr
Talent SCREENSCORE 22 SELECTED CREDITS The Witcher, Infinite
Nic Novicki
Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 30 SELECTED CREDITS Marry Me, T11 incomplete
Ryan J. Haddad
Talent SCREENSCORE 29 SELECTED CREDITS The Politician, Madam Secretary
Santina Muha
Writer, Talent SCREENSCORE 24 SELECTED CREDITS Moving On, Dollface
Shannon DeVido
Talent SCREENSCORE 26 SELECTED CREDITS Lucky Hank, The Other Two
Zach Gottsagen
Producer, Talent SCREENSCORE 31 SELECTED CREDITS Best Summer Ever, The Peanut Butter Falcon
Mar 24, 2023
Women’s History Month Data Celebration: Noteworthy Women Creatives
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Luminate Film & TV is taking the opportunity to highlight the incredible accomplishments and stories from female creatives throughout March, which builds upon the ways in which we already celebrate these artists throughout the year. This week, we acknowledge twelve diverse artists who use their words, share their perspectives, compose stories through musical notes, fill our bellies with laughter and use their voices to transport us into worlds unknown. Explore our database for even more unique and talented women directors, actors, writers, editors, cinematographers and many more!
DATA CELEBRATIONWomen's History Month
Amber Midthunder
Talent SCREENSCORE 58 SELECTED CREDITS PREY, Reservation Dogs
Chanda Dancy
Film Composer SELECTED CREDITS Devotion, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Gina Prince -Bythewood
Director, Writer, Producer, Talent SELECTED CREDITS The Woman King, Women of the Movement
Hiam Abbas
Director, Talent SCREENSCORE 54 SELECTED CREDITS Succession, Hellraiser
Jillian Mercado
Talent SCREENSCORE 33 SELECTED CREDITS Along for the Ride, The Wonder Years
Laura Kariuki
Talent SCREENSCORE 58 SELECTED CREDITS PREY, Reservation Dogs
Mandy Walker
Camera and Electrical Department, Director of Photography SELECTED CREDITS Elvis, Mulan NOTES Third woman DP to be nominated for an Oscar
Michelle Yeoh
Talent, Producer SCREENSCORE 96 SELECTED CREDITS The School for Good and Evil, Everything Everywhere All At Once NOTES First Asian woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress
Our Lady J
Talent, Writer SCREENSCORE 21 SELECTED CREDITS American Horror Story, Fantasy Island
Pinar Toprak
Composer, Music Department, Producer SELECTED CREDITS Shotgun Wedding, Slumberland
Ruth E. Carter
Costume Designer, Producer, Longform Costume Designer, Talent SELECTED CREDITS Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Above Suspicion NOTES First Black woman to win multiple Oscars
Simone Ashley
Talent SCREENSCORE 70 SELECTED CREDITS Bridgerton, The Sister
Mar 3, 2023
Black History Month Data Celebration: Noteworthy Black Stories and Directors
For our last Black History Month Data Celebration, we’re highlighting the richness and breadth of Black Stories – and specifically the power of visual storytelling as told through the eyes of these Top Ten Directors. The stories they've brought to screen are poetic, groundbreaking. They include an uplifting animated series, thrillers led by Black actors, historical symphonies of the Black experience, the trials of a sports player forced to use his fame to stand in the margins for civil rights, the courage of trans women who unapologetically reveal the hidden complexities of society, and a teenage girl super genius who reverse engineers Iron Man's suit. We invite you to explore or re-explore the creative worlds of these Black Stories and noteworthy directors.
Noteworthy Black Stories
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
RELEASE 1/23/23 PLATFORM Theatrical Release
88
RELEASE 2/17/23 PLATFORM Theatrical Release
The 1619 Project
RELEASE 1/26/23 PLATFORM Hulu
Kokomo City
RELEASE 1/21/23 PLATFORM Theatrical Release
Bill Russell: Legend
RELEASE 2/8/23 PLATFORM Netflix
Creed III
RELEASE 3/3/23 PLATFORM Theatrical Release
Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
RELEASE 2/10/23 PLATFORM Theatrical Release
lronheart
RELEASE Fall/Winter 2023 PLATFORM Disney+
Missing
RELEASE 1/20/23 PLATFORM Theatrical Release
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
RELEASE 2/10/23 PLATFORM Disney+
Top 10 Black Directors
Calmatic
Known for his work with Grammy Award-winning music video for Lil Nas X's hit record "Old Town Road"
2023 PROJECT House Party
Michael B. Jordan
Directorial debut
2023 PROJECT Creed III
Nia DaCosta
The first Black female director to have a film debut in the top spot in the US box office
2023 PROJECT The Marvels
Stephen Williams
Multi time Emmy Award nominee
2023 PROJECT Chevalier
D. Smith
Grammy award winning producer and first transgender cast member on the Love & Hip Hop series
2023 PROJECT Kokomo City
Maggie Betts
Winner of Variety's 10 Directors to Watch for 2023
2023 PROJECT The Burial
Mo McRae
Feature Film debut
2023 PROJECT A Lot of Nothing
Raven Jackson
Making her directorial debut with Oscar winning director Barry Jenkins as producer
2023 PROJECT All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
Thomas Ikimi
A computer programmer who created Qurator, a movie review app
2023 PROJECT 88
Sam Pollard
Oscar nominated documentarian
2023 PROJECT Bill Russell: Legend
Feb 2, 2023
BLACK HISTORY MONTH DATA CELEBRATION: CLIMATE CHANGE & SUSTAINABILITY
Join us for a Black History Month Data Celebration, which will highlight the creative achievements of Black creatives in front of and behind the screen. While the expansive contributions of the Black community could not possibly be captured within the span of a few weeks, we hope to shed a light on these incredible artistic feats of Black talent across all disciplines that continue to enrich the entertainment industry with their voices, their stories, and their multifaceted cultural influence.
In this week’s Celebration, we recognize advocacy and activism. These two practices are carried out in a myriad of ways, and the contributions to Climate Change and Sustainability are no exception with these Top Ten Black Sustainability Advocates. Through their commendable efforts, these dynamic talents have utilized their platforms, money, and stardom to not only encourage others to participate in Sustainability advocacy but are going the distance themselves.
Top Black Sustainability Advocates
Adjoa Andoh
Has supported the work of the Fairtrade Foundation since 2005, and discusses sustainability in interviews while promoting Bridgerton.
Angela Bassett
In addition to being mostly plant based, she has lent her acting talents to many voice over roles advocating for the environment, such as the Nature Conservancy and National Geographic.
Beyoncé
She founded BeyGood in 2013 which, among many other accomplishments, supports sustainable equity in business and serves underresourced commmunities.
Don Cheadle
He's been a longtime environmentalist activist and is apart of many organizations, such as the Years Project, the United Nations, and Citizen's Climate Lobby.
Lizzo
In an interview she mentions that she keeps track of her carbon footprint, saying that she doesn't have a car, is vegan, and is very much against litter.
Rihanna
Her Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) invests in climate justice initiatives in the Caribbean & United States and helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disasters.
Rosario Dawson
Co-founded Studio 189 which focuses on empowerment, creating jobs, and supporting education, and partners with orgs such as the United Nations ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative.
SZA
In 2018, she created a line of sustainable merch that featured upcycled shirts with the phrase "puck flastic" and "sustainability gang."
Viola Davis
She will co-chair the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in L.A during Oscar season, which honors environmental and social sustainability in the fashion world and entertainment industry.
will.i.am
In 2020, he partnered with Amazon to promote their Climate Pledge Program. He's vegan and promotes sustainability through his social media and music.