Netflix is partnering with US nonprofit org Transgender Film Center (TFC) to launch a new TV and film career development program for transgender and non-binary creatives.

The Career Development Lab at TFC will run a combination of in-person and virtual experiences over 12 weeks this spring, and the program is best suited to would-be directors, writers and producers.

In year one, the TFC will select eight creators who will get to hone their filmmaking skills through hands-on and online classes, as well as network with entertainment execs. And each participant will receive a US$10,000 grant. 

As part of a “real-talk curriculum,” they will also have a chance to benefit from personalized advice on how to navigate the challenges of being a transgender creative in the industry.

“We are getting into the nitty-gritty of how to navigate the industry as a trans person, what to do when you encounter bias, how decisions really get made that affect your advancement—things that aren’t talked about in the open, but are required knowledge to get the most out of a career in entertainment,” said TFC executive director Sav Rodgers in a release. 

Creators interested in being considered should submit their profiles on the TFC website by April 23. A panel comprised of TFC board members and lab partners will then select the final eight participants from the profiles received.  

Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity is financing this program as part of a broader effort to create opportunities for underrepresented groups in entertainment. Last year, the streamer also launched an initiative for creatives with disabilities and a mentorship program for Black creatives.

Image courtesy of Venti Views via Unsplash.