ViacomCBS Has Partnered With Idris Elba, Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance & More For Inclusivity Program for New Directors

ViacomCBS has come together with some of Hollywood’s biggest names to give diverse filmmakers a larger platform.

On Wednesday, ViacomCBS’s Entertainment & Youth (E&Y) Group announced the First Time Directors program, which falls under E&Y, recently launched an original movie and limited series division. The program will collaborate with Angela Bassett and her husband actor Courtney B. Vance, Idris Elba, Salma Hayek, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria along with their respective production companies.

The deal will create 50 made-for-TV films for MTV, Paramount Network, and Comedy Central; all brought to you by creators of color and women directors.

“We are thrilled to partner with these icons of entertainment to cultivate first-time BIPOC and first-time women directors,” said E&Y’s president of content and chief creative officer Nina L. Diaz in a statement. “Together, we will give rise to multi-cultural narratives and voices that resonate with audiences around the world.”