Roku Five Film Fridays deal brings CTWR shorts to streaming
The Roku Channel is streaming select Create the Writers Room films, expanding the reach of its Five Film Fridays showcase.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
The Roku Five Film Fridays partnership is getting a bigger screen: The Roku Channel is now streaming selected films from Create the Writers Room’s showcase series, Variety reported.
The move expands an existing collaboration between the platform and Create the Writers Room, known as CTWR, a creative incubator focused on underrepresented storytellers. According to Variety, the streaming placement gives the filmmakers and performers behind the selected projects exposure through The Roku Channel’s base of 100 million subscribers.
CTWR was founded in 2018 by filmmaker Rickey Castleberry. Variety reported that the organization was created to give filmmakers more places to show their work while offering education, industry knowledge and practical tools aimed at helping them keep creative control and build lasting careers.
What is Five Film Fridays?
Five Film Fridays is CTWR’s quarterly screening program. Each installment features five short films or proof-of-concept projects selected by industry insiders, along with panels and fireside chats about ownership, authorship and the business of entertainment, according to Variety.
Castleberry said in a statement that he created Five Film Fridays as a place for artists to meet, build community and learn the business side of their work. He said the Roku collaboration supports CTWR’s focus on visibility, education, ownership and long-term creative control.
Which CTWR films are streaming on The Roku Channel?
Variety reported that the CTWR titles currently available on The Roku Channel include:
- “Sincerely Brad”
- “Trailer Trash Magic”
- “The Outtakes”
- “The Errand”
- “The Distinguished”
More selections from Five Film Fridays are expected to arrive on the platform, according to Variety.
The June 26 edition of Five Film Fridays included five projects. “See You Soon” was written and directed by Jay Pendarvis Jr. and stars Asante Blackk and Isaiah John. “Halfrican” was created by Vic Mensa, directed by Edgar Esteves, and stars Mensa and Olly Sholotan.
The same lineup also featured “Bubble Pop,” written and directed by Aeryn Michelle Williams and starring Emmy Raver-Lampman, Cailyn Rice and Marc Forgot; “Mirage,” written and directed by Jhanvi Motla and starring Shavya Samala and Abhimanyu Katyal; and “Bukra,” written and directed by Alex Aljouni and starring Lamitta Saloum and Laith Nakli.
When is the next Five Film Fridays?
The next Five Film Fridays event is set for Oct. 16 in Los Angeles, Variety reported. A special edition will also expand the program to New York City.
Submissions are open now and will close Sept. 25. For the first time, CTWR is accepting feature-length films, widening the program beyond its short-film and proof-of-concept roots.
Variety reported that Maya Jackson, director of television development at 1Community, is head of programming for Five Film Fridays. Dwayne Davis has joined the initiative as creative operations manager. Castleberry is represented by Khalid Jordan at M88.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.