Anthony Sparks

Disney Entertainment Television (DET) has selected the latest cohorts for its Directing and Writing Programs, two of the entertainment industry's most successful talent development initiatives. These programs nurture creative talent on the cusp of television episode directing and staff writing, and connect them to opportunities with Disney series.

Disney Entertainment Television (DET) has opened applications for the 2024 DET Writing Program. Now in its 34th year, the one-year writing program helps emerging, diverse writers secure their first staff writer assignment on a Disney series, in addition to offering mentorship and advanced professional development.

Disney General Entertainment Content’s (DGE) Writing Program celebrates 33 years as one of the entertainment industry’s best initiatives for identifying and championing unique voices. The program has served as a launching pad for many showrunners and producers today and is seen as one of the most successful television staff writer programs. 

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today the acclaimed contemporary drama series “Queen Sugar,” created and executive produced by filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“When They See Us,” “Cherish the Day”), returns Tuesday, September 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.

A Choir scripted series by the same production team is also in development at Disney Branded Television for the streaming service. Award-winning writer/producer and showrunner Anthony Sparks (“Queen Sugar,” “The Blacklist”) is attached to develop and create the scripted drama series and will serve as showrunner and executive producer.

Disney General Entertainment Content (DGE) proudly announces the 13 writers selected for its 2021 writing program and names the recipient of Disney Channel’s Eunetta T. Boone Comedy Writer’s Scholarship, established last year by the network in honor of the late writer/producer for diverse and aspiring comedy writers.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that production will resume in New Orleans for the fifth season of the critically acclaimed series “Queen Sugar” from creator Ava DuVernay.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has renewed for a fifth season Ava DuVernay's critically acclaimed drama series “Queen Sugar” to air in 2020. Produced by Warner Horizon Scripted Television, “Queen Sugar” has been lauded for its powerful portrayal of an African-American family in the Deep South and for DuVernay's initiative since the series' inception to hire an inclusive crew and all-female directing team, many of whom were first time TV directors. Current season four showrunner Anthony Sparks returns for the fifth season. 

Celebrating its 37th anniversary, Outfest - the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization promoting equality by creating, sharing, and protecting LGBTQ stories on the screen - today announced the complete programming lineup for the 2019 Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, presented by HBO. The nation's leading LGBTQ festival will be held July 18-28, 2019.

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK unveiled today the new trailer and key art for its highly-anticipated season four return of 'Queen Sugar,' the critically acclaimed drama series from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay ('When They See Us,' '13th,' 'Selma'), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, which returns Wednesday, June 12 (9 p.m. ET/PT) on OWN.

IFC Center today announced an impressive and wide-ranging lineup for the third annual Split Screens Festival (www.splitscreensfestival.com) taking place Wednesday, May 29 through Monday, June 3, 2019, at the IFC Center in New York City. The festival consists of special events offering a variety of looks at history, identity and the mystery of existence itself, including panels on series that explore dystopian realities and alternate timelines, and screenings that transport us into any number of time periods and places, be it a late-1800s South Dakota town or the height of 1980s ballroom culture in New York City.

“Queen Sugar,” the critically acclaimed drama series from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“A Wrinkle in Time,” “13th,” “Selma”), executive producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, returns for its fourth season on OWN Wednesday, June 12 (9 p.m. ET/PT). Continuing a creative initiative established in the show's first season, series creator/executive producer DuVernay has once again assembled an all-female directing team for the fourth consecutive season. Season 4 directors include Cheryl Dunye, who will also serve as producing director, in addition to Carmen Marrón, Numa Perrier, Heidi Saman, Bola Ogun and Tchaiko Omawale, all of whom will be making their television directorial debut, with additional names to be announced.

Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference (AFF) has announced its continued commitment to diversity in filmmaking through its grant from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, AFF is known for championing writers' contributions to film, television, and new media. The Academy's FilmCraft grant was established to identify and empower future filmmakers from nontraditional backgrounds, cultivate new and diverse talent, promote motion pictures as an art form, and provide a platform for underrepresented artists.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has renewed for a fourth season Ava DuVernay's critically acclaimed original drama series “Queen Sugar,” from Warner Horizon Scripted Television, ahead of the extended 90-minute season three finale airing Wednesday, August 22 (10-11:30 p.m. ET/PT).

Sundance Institute announces the six projects selected for the annual New Frontier Story Lab, which supports independent artists working at the cutting-edge convergence of film, art, media, live performance and technology.

The winners of the 49th NAACP Image Awards in the non-televised categories were announced during a gala dinner celebration that took Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the Pasadena Conference Center the event was hosted by The Real's Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai and Tamera Mowry-Housley.

The winners of the "48th NAACP Image Awards" in the non-televised categories were announced during a gala dinner celebration that took place Friday, February 10, 2017, at the Pasadena Conference Center - the event was hosted by Erica Ash and Deon Cole.

The nominees for the NAACP Image Awards were announced today. The awards recognize the year's best in film, TV, music and books.