Project Greenlight is turning on the cameras again.
The filmmaking competition/docuseries is returning as an eight-episode HBO Max series, with Insecure co-creator and star Issa Rae taking over as a mentor to aspiring auteurs. The new season, which will feature a group of female filmmakers, will be the show’s fifth; it last aired in 2015 on HBO.
Miramax Television, which has produced the series throughout its life, is also behind the new iteration. Rae’s company Hoorae also produces.
“At HBO Max, we are committed to providing a platform for diverse, up-and-coming talent. Issa is uniquely skilled in this space, and we are thrilled to be partnering with her and Miramax as a promising group of filmmakers is inspired and challenged with their biggest opportunity yet,” said Jennifer O’Connell, executive vp nonfiction and live-action family at HBO Max.
As with past seasons, the show will follow the winning filmmaker through the production process. The finished movie will debut on HBO Max.
“By relaunching the iconic Project Greenlight with the brilliant Issa Rae and HBO Max, we continue our efforts to mine the Miramax library and create exciting, groundbreaking new content as well as forge opportunities for a new generation of innovative voices to be heard,” said Marc Helwig, head of worldwide television for Miramax.
Previous seasons of Project Greenlight featured Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and their producing partners, Sean Bailey and Chris Moore, leading the aspiring filmmakers through a crash course in moviemaking. The most recent season sparked controversy over a conversation between producer Effie Brown and Damon about diversity behind the camera, where Damon was roundly criticized for “whitesplaining” the issue. The actor later apologized for his comments.
Rae and Hoorae’s Montrel McKay executive produce Project Greenlight with Jonathan Berry and Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment; Hoorae’s Sara Rastogi is a co-EP. Miramax TV’s senior vp development Amanda Klein is overseeing the project.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
