At Netflix, Black Directors Find a Friendlier Home in Hollywood
Apple TV+ and Disney+, both services that launched in November 2019, have also released a limited number of original films on their services. Apple TV+ released “The Elephant Queen” and “Hala” in 2019, while Disney+ debuted “Lady and the Tramp,” “Noelle” and “Togo.” None of these films were directed by black filmmakers.
Amazon Studios was not immediately available for comment, while Hulu, Apple TV+ and Disney+ did not respond to request for comment.
As more streaming services debut, Rose said, the need for new and compelling content will increase -- and so will the need for new and underrepresented voices.
“When you have that much content to fill, you’ve got to keep it fresh,” he said. “It would be a horrible business decision to not allow diverse directors. They represent different points of view, which represent different parts of the audience.”
This year, Netflix has already released films from Tyler Perry and Dee Rees, and will distribute Spike Lee’s latest film, “Da 5 Bloods,” as well as films from Prentice Penny, David E. Talbert and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Amazon Studios will distribute two films from black filmmakers -- “Selah and the Spades” and “Sylvie’s Love” -- later this year, as well as additional films from traditionally underrepresented filmmakers.
Black-helmed releases from traditional studios include: Lionsgate Films’ “Antebellum,” which is co-directed by Gerard Bush and is set to hit the big screen in April; Nia DaCosta’s “Candyman,” from Universal Pictures, slated for June, and Reinaldo Marcus Green’s “King Richard” from Warner Bros., to premiere in November.
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