New Talent Fund for Diverse Film & TV Voices

New Talent Fund Launches to Finance Diverse Voices in Film & TV

The inaugural $50 million initiative backs underrepresented creators to address the funding gap in Hollywood.

Los Angeles, Calif. – Nov. 19, 2025 — A new investment vehicle, the New Talent Fund, has officially launched today to provide dedicated financing for emerging filmmakers and television creators from historically underrepresented backgrounds — including people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities.

The Fund is designed to plug a longstanding gap in the entertainment industry: while demand for diverse storytelling grows, systematic barriers continue to block creators from securing capital. According to recent data from UCLA’s Hollywood Diversity Report, actors of color made up only 25.2 percent of lead roles in the top theatrical films of 2024, down from previous years — despite representing 44.3 percent of the U.S. population. Meanwhile, streaming content has shown more promise, with directors of color accounting for 31.0 percent of streaming films, compared to 22.9 percent in theatrical releases.

In founding the Fund, the organization’s board points to strong market signals and cultural momentum. Studies show that investing in diversity is not just a moral imperative — it’s a business one. For example, reports suggest that films with diverse casts can outperform average box office returns by nearly 28 percent. Moreover, funding programs like those from Adobe — which recently committed an additional $5 million to its own Film & TV Fund in 2025 — highlight the growing recognition of the value of underrepresented storytellers.

“We founded the New Talent Fund to change the narrative — not just on screen, but at the financing table,” said Aisha Graham, CEO of the New Talent Fund. “There is incredible, untapped potential in communities too often sidelined. By giving creators the capital, mentorship, and industry access they deserve, we believe we can help build richer, more authentic storytelling — and unlock real economic return.”

The Fund will operate on a hybrid model, combining equity investments, grants, and low-interest debt, providing flexibility tailored to different types of projects, from feature films to episodic TV. A first slate of recipients is expected to be announced in mid-2026, with an emphasis on debut directors and writers who have struggled to break into traditional funding pipelines.

Initial backers of the New Talent Fund include family offices, mission-driven impact investors, and entertainment industry veterans. The Fund is also partnering with existing organizations with a track record in inclusion, such as the Sundance Institute and the Latinx House, to provide recipients with mentorship, distribution support, and networking opportunities.

Research undergirding the Fund’s thesis underscores how critical such support is. According to the 2025 Sundance Institute Documentary Fund grantees list, 45 percent of supported first-time directors in their program are from outside the U.S., and 45 percent are first-time feature makers. At the same time, industry-wide statistics still reflect steep disparities: a 2025 equity-and-inclusion report found that only 8 percent of speaking characters in major studio films were people of color.

Beyond financial backing, the New Talent Fund also plans to engage in long-term capacity building. Recipients will be offered professional development in areas such as production, marketing, and post-production, with in-kind support and access to tools and technology.

The Fund’s governance structure includes a diverse advisory board: veteran producers, financiers, and inclusion advocates will help review applications and guide decision-making — ensuring that funding decisions reflect the mission of equitable representation.

About the New Talent Fund

The New Talent Fund is an LA-based investment and grant platform dedicated to financing underrepresented voices in film and television. With a commitment to artistic excellence and financial sustainability, the Fund supports creators historically excluded from traditional entertainment capital — offering a combination of grants, equity, and low-cost loans, plus mentorship, industry partnerships, and capacity-building resources.

Media Contact