Walt Disney Television has announced the launch of two new initiatives to begin later this year: the Executive Incubator Program and the Studios Intern Program.

These new pilot programs will join other well-established programs designed to create opportunities for individuals with diverse and varied perspectives including women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, military veterans, people with disabilities and others aspiring to hold network executive roles and behind-the-camera positions across the Walt Disney Television studios.

The Executive Incubator Program aims to create a pipeline of next-generation network executives through a two-year rotational program. The apprentice-style pilot program will operate across ABC Entertainment and Freeform. Outreach for candidates will include organizations and nonprofits who advocate for inclusion across a wide range of communities. Individuals selected for the program will gain experience in all aspects of network business, including development, current, casting and marketing with the goal of job placement within the company. The first cohort is expected to join the program in October. Interested applicants can now apply here.

The Walt Disney Television Studios Intern Program will offer a career path for talent from underrepresented backgrounds behind the camera. Qualified candidates will be sourced from nonprofits including Academy Gold, Ghetto Film School, Los Angeles City College, Manifest Works and Evolve Entertainment Fund. Participants will develop their skills with the studios’ production, post production, writing and casting teams, and come away from the program with real job experience and a network that will help them take their first steps to an entertainment industry career. The initiative is scheduled to begin in time for the 2019 fall season.

The new initiatives join long-running programs that have made Walt Disney Television an industry leader in championing inclusion and diversity, including ABC Discovers, a series of landmark initiatives created by ABC Talent and Casting that identify, develop and mentor talent from around the world; the Disney|ABC Writing Program; Disney|ABC Directing Program; Women’s Production Program and National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) TV Writers Program.

Earlier this year Disney also established the Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator Program, also designed to attract and support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. The deadline to apply for this particular program is TODAY at noon PT.

Do you think Disney is doing enough in this area? What other opportunities would you like to see for those from underrepresented communities? Drop us a comment below!

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