Create The Writers Room (CTWR), founded in 2019 by director, writer, and producer Rickey Castleberry, is teaming up with the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) to amplify opportunities for filmmakers of color in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. This partnership introduces the groundbreaking initiative, Five Film Fridays, a quarterly program designed to showcase the work of underrepresented voices in these imaginative storytelling spaces.
Castleberry’s recent success with his short film The Distinguished—which starred Harold Perrineau, Tracie Thoms, and Jabbar Lewis—set the stage for this initiative. Garnering over 1.5 million views on social media and premiering as the opening night short at the 6th Annual Micheaux Film Festival, the film demonstrated the enthusiasm underserved audiences have for diverse sci-fi and fantasy narratives. However, Castleberry noted a significant gap in recognition for these genres at Oscar-qualifying festivals.
“During my journey through the major festival circuit with The Distinguished, there was no clear pathway for sci-fi and fantasy films to gain recognition at Oscar-qualifying festivals for filmmakers of color,” Castleberry said.
This realization prompted him to relaunch Create The Writers Room with Five Film Fridays, a program that aims to provide filmmakers of color with both a platform and direct mentorship from Hollywood decision-makers. Oduduwa Olatunji, PAFF’s Executive Director, echoed the excitement surrounding the initiative: “We love what [CTWR] stands for, and we see a lot of growth for Black filmmakers in sci-fi and fantasy. We want to be at the forefront of innovative storytelling, and that’s why we are partnering with CTWR—this is going to be a hit!”
Five Film Fridays will spotlight five projects each quarter, offering filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work before studio, network, and production executives. Additionally, three projects will be selected by Create The Writers Room’s partners to compete in PAFF’s newly introduced sci-fi and fantasy category. This category, conceptualized by Castleberry, provides a direct pathway to Oscar eligibility—a monumental step for historically underrepresented genres and filmmakers.
Beyond screenings, the program will connect participants with mentors from major industry players, including BET, Warner Horizon, Shondaland, Revelations Entertainment, and others. The initiative is also bolstered by Castleberry’s collaboration with Olivia-Diane Joseph of ODJ Consulting Group, further cementing its focus on fostering emerging talent.
Key Dates and Submissions
Submissions for Five Film Fridays are now open and will close on January 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM PST. Filmmakers can apply via www.createthewritersroom.com. The first Five Film Fridays event is scheduled for January 31, 2025, with selected projects set to screen at the Pan African Film Festival, which runs from February 4–17, 2025.
The three chosen films will compete for Best Short Narrative or Best Animated Short at PAFF, signaling a transformative chapter for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) filmmakers in sci-fi and fantasy.
About Create The Writers Room
Create The Writers Room was established to elevate and celebrate emerging filmmakers of color, providing them with platforms to amplify their voices and ideas while promoting representation within the entertainment industry.
For more details on Five Film Fridays and upcoming events, follow @writencolor on Instagram or visit www.createthewritersroom.com.