The first edition of Netflix and Film Companion’s TakeTen initiative, a workshop and competition to discover and support emerging Indian creators from diverse backgrounds, provided a platform for ten new filmmakers to shine. This year, the companies are teaming up once more to discover and nurture the talent of five new series creators.

The new batch of storytellers will have the opportunity to attend workshops led by some of the industry’s best creative talent, create a funded pilot for a series with a grant of Rs.12 lakhs each, and be featured on Netflix India’s YouTube channel, the streaming platform said in a press release.

Shortlisted participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the writing, directing, and production processes from award-winning talent such as Prashant Nair, Raj Nidimoru, Gazal Dhaliwal, Varun Grover, Utsab Nath, Tanuj Chopra, Sanyukta Kaza, Pranav Thakkar, and Sidharth Meer.

Monika Shergill, VP, of Content, Netflix India, said, “Building on the success of the previous edition of Take Ten, we are excited to bring the initiative back with a unique opportunity for series creators to unveil their storytelling mastery.”

“TakeTen is dedicated to not only fostering diverse talent but also empowering the chosen participants to find their distinct voices. We cannot be more thrilled to provide a platform for the next generation of creators and look forward to seeing their compelling stories unfold,” Shergill added.

Anupama Chopra, film critic, author, and Film Companion editor, said, “I’m thrilled that TakeTen is back. In this second edition, we are venturing into a new domain – series creation. It’s an exciting time for long-form storytelling and I can’t wait to see what our selected creators make”

“TakeTen enables creators from diverse backgrounds to find their voice. I hope the program continues to grow and support creators from underrepresented communities in seeing their dreams become a reality,” Chopra added.

TakeTen is supported by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, which has committed $100 million per year for the next five years to preparing underrepresented communities for success in the television and film industries through programs all over the world.

Since its inception in 2021, the fund has enabled over 200 Asian-Pacific filmmakers to create and tell their stories through a variety of Netflix-supported film programs, camps, and film and television workshops.

Inclusion in front of the camera follows inclusion behind the camera. TakeTen aims to foster a creative industry by providing opportunities for the next generation of storytellers to share their voices and perspectives through their stories.