Netflix, Sky pair on minorities bursary

US streamer Netflix and European pay TV broadcaster Sky are linking with Sex Education screenwriter Bisha K Ali to support six aspiring screenwriters from minority backgrounds.

Bisha K Ali

As well as a US$31,820 bursary, successful applicants will benefit from a support network in the form of an industry mentor and will receive their first TV credit as a result of working on a production.

Those applying to the programme will need to submit a full script in order to be considered.

Ali began writing on Sex Education before landing a job working on Mindy Kaling’s series adaptation of Four Weddings & a Funeral. She is now the head writer on forthcoming Disney+ series Ms Marvel, about a Muslim girl who discovers she has superpowers.

Ali said: “Although my hope is that one day there will be no need for programmes like this to exist, this fellowship serves as an attempt to move toward a more inclusive industry and, ultimately, decrease barriers to entry for those who are often made to feel like outsiders in this field.”