VIS Social Impact, the new studio division of ViacomCBS International Studios dedicated to the development of ground-breaking social impact-driven content, has opened applications for its Writers’ Room, Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices. Led by actor, writer and director Thishiwe Ziqubu, the room will champion for the voices of diverse creators and create content focused on underrepresented communities throughout Africa. The writers’ room will include a strong presence of participants from LGBTQIA+ communities.
“For decades, ViacomCBS has been at the forefront of telling stories that matter. Now, with the launch of VIS Social Impact and our new Writers’ Room, we will offer a global, ground-breaking, socially impactful platform to showcase under-represented talent from around the world,” said Georgia Arnold, Head of VIS Social Impact and Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility at ViacomCBS Networks International.
Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices Writers’ Room will run weekly for four months between January and April 2022 and will create scripted content that drives social change in global issues such as equity, global health, and climate change. Applicants with an interest or lived experience in these issues are encouraged to apply.
‘This writers’ room will provide an exciting and important platform for creative collaboration between powerful minds and voices who are often marginalised. We will create compelling, entertaining and meaningful dramatic content that comes from our authentic truths and lived experiences, particularly those of us whose gender identities and gender expressions have often meant being side-lined and placed at a disadvantage as a contributor to positive social impact,’ said Thishiwe Ziqubu, Lead Writer and Director of the Writers Room, ‘Beyond the Binary, Fluid Voices’.
As part of the ViacomCBS’ commitment to inclusion and diversity, applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds will be prioritised. The creative voices of genderqueer, gender non-binary, gender non-conforming, genderfluid and transgender creatives will be prioritised. Criteria consideration includes experienced, beginner, aspiring and non-writers’, with classification of these categories clearly defined on the application platform.
“African led partnerships are at the core of creating content and stories that speak to an authentic African perspective, a commitment that ViacomCBS Networks Africa strives for across various expeditions. We are proud to see this initiative come to fruition as it encourages broader industry collaboration and presents enhanced models that showcase African creativity on par with other international markets. We welcome partnerships that deliver impact across the continent as we continue to energise a Reimagined African narrative”, concluded Monde Twala, SVP and GM & BET Peer Lead at ViacomCBS Networks Africa.
VIS Social Impact is a division of Viacom International Studios (VIS) and is part of Content for Change a ViacomCBS initiative that aims to counteract bias on and off-screen through the company’s culture, content creation ecosystem, and ultimately the content it creates.
For more information on applications and requirements for VIS Social Impact: Writer’s Room: ‘Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices,’ visit: https://www.viacominternationalstudios.com/vis-social-impact.
BEYOND THE BINARY: FLUID VOICES – YouTube
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VIS SOCIAL IMPACT
VIS Social Impact is a division of Viacom International Studios (VIS) and is part of Content for Change a ViacomCBS initiative that aims to counteract bias on and off-screen through the company’s culture, content creation ecosystem, and ultimately the content it creates.
For more information on applications and requirements for VIS Social Impact: Writer’s Room: ‘Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices,’ visit: https://www.viacominternationalstudios.com/vis-social-impact.
VIACOMCBS NETWORKS AFRICA
Multimedia entertainment powerhouse ViacomCBS Networks Africa offers the most comprehensive international broadcast portfolio on the African continent, reaching more than 100 million viewers across 43 countries. ViacomCBS Networks Africa currently comprises TV channels and consumer websites, as well as multiple mobile and social media sites. The company’s African business interests include content production and distribution; spot sales, 360-degree sponsorships, events, mobile, digital and consumer products.
For Chinedu Okafor, its all about making an impact with words, creating a profound impression on the audience with the intended narrative.
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