(As first reported by Variety)
Malcolm D. Lee is doubling down on the future of romantic comedies.
The director-producer behind Girls Trip and The Best Man: The Final Chapters is teaming up with Universal Pictures and Tribeca Studios to launch “Love & Laughs,” a new initiative designed to support emerging filmmakers with a passion for comedy and romance.
Developed by Lee alongside his Blackmaled Productions banner and Universal’s Filmmaker & Content Strategies division, the program will select up to three filmmakers to create short films as proof-of-concept projects, with the goal of expanding them into full-length features.
Each participant will receive a $50,000 grant from Tribeca Studios, along with mentorship, access to studio resources, and the opportunity to screen their work at a Los Angeles premiere in 2027.
“I’ve always wanted to help amplify aspiring filmmakers who can bring heart and humor to the screen,” Lee said in a statement. “We’re ready to roll up our sleeves with the next great storyteller.”
The initiative builds on Universal’s broader efforts to cultivate new voices. In 2024, the studio launched “No Drama” in partnership with Monkeypaw Productions, which focused on emerging horror filmmakers.
For more information: https://tribecafilm.com/loveandlaughs
For Lee, Love & Laughs also extends a longstanding relationship with Universal, where he has delivered culturally resonant hits and expanded franchises that center Black stories with humor and authenticity.
But the launch of the initiative also arrives at a pivotal moment for the genre.
Filmmaker Nina Lee recently sparked industry conversation after sharing that the success of Black-led romantic comedies can directly impact whether similar projects are greenlit—highlighting the ongoing challenges many filmmakers face when trying to bring these stories to the screen.
Against that backdrop, Love & Laughs feels like more than just a new program—it signals a growing recognition that romantic comedies, particularly those rooted in culturally specific storytelling, are worth investing in from the ground up.
Submissions for the one-year, non-exclusive program are now open and will close May 20.
With Love & Laughs, Lee isn’t just creating opportunities—he’s helping shape what the next era of romantic comedies could look like.