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The Roku Channel Expands Partnership With Create the Writers Room Initiative by Streaming ‘Five Film Fridays’ Selections
The Roku Channel is expanding its partnership with Create the Writers Room (CTWR) by streaming selected films from its “Five Film Fridays” showcase. The move gives underrepresented filmmakers wider exposure while supporting CTWR’s wider aim of helping creatives build sustainable careers and retain control of their work.
Founded in 2018 by filmmaker Rickey Castleberry, CTWR selects five short films or proof-of-concepts each quarter and accompanies screenings with industry discussions. Five titles are already available to Roku’s 100 million subscribers, while further films are planned; the next event is in Los Angeles on 16 October, alongside a New York edition, with submissions open until 25 September and feature-length films accepted for the first time.
In short
- Roku will stream selected CTWR “Five Film Fridays” films.
- The partnership aims to raise underrepresented filmmakers’ visibility.
- CTWR now accepts feature-length film submissions.
Explained simply
The Create the Writers Room (CTWR) is an initiative founded in 2018 that showcases short films and experimental projects by emerging filmmakers. It selects five titles each quarter and accompanies screenings with industry discussions to help creators build connections and develop sustainable careers in film.
CTWR focuses on supporting filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. Its partnership with the Roku Channel, which has approximately 100 million subscribers, extends its reach beyond in-person screenings to provide these independent creators with exposure to a much larger audience.
The initiative's core mission is to help underrepresented filmmakers build sustainable careers whilst maintaining creative control of their work. By streaming CTWR's selected films, Roku amplifies these creators' visibility and opportunities to build their profiles.
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