This week, Monkeypaw Productions has partnered with TIFF and the Universal Filmmakers Project to reveal the NO DRAMA Initiative, a program designed to help six aspiring filmmakers create.
On January 30, the NO DRAMA Initiative was announced. This exciting program was launched by Monkeypaw Productions, partnered with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Universal Filmmakers Project to help six aspiring filmmakers (writers, directors, and anywhere in between) create short films with the penultimate goal of developing these short films into full-length projects with Monkeypaw and Universal Pictures. This is not the first partnership between Jordan Peele and Universal, as they’ve just inked a five-year deal that sees Universal developing his next two features.
Renowned Director, Filmmaker and Founder of Monkeypaw Studios, Jordan Peele, said, “A good monster story comes from a perspective that’s very personal and very vulnerable. It’s a story that is so deeply personal that you think no one else can relate to it,” including “That’s exactly the purpose of NO DRAMA – to challenge filmmakers to turn their deepest fears into fun, thrilling stories that need to be told.”
Universal Pictures President Peter Cramer said, “Jordan and his team at Monkeypaw are visionary filmmakers who are committed to using their platform to identify and uplift emerging talent across the industry. We are proud to have TIFF join us in supporting Monkeypaw’s No Drama initiative and can’t wait to see the results from its first group of exciting filmmakers,” echoing the excitement Jordan Peele has for the initiative.
How To Apply for The NO DRAMA Initiative
Interested filmmakers have a small checklist to complete before submitting a project in hopes of being chosen as one of the six entrants in this new initiative. First, to meet eligibility, applicants need to be at least 18 years old, and they must be the sole owner of their submission. Applicants must also be allowed to work in the country they are based in. Each project must also have an interest in creating content that resonates with an international/global audience while also remaining passionate about sub-genre focus. All submissions need to be completed by February 29 for consideration as well.
Those interested in this exciting new opportunity can visit the official submission requirements page on the Monkeypaw Productions website.
