STARZ #TakeTheLead

Humanitas has proudly sponsored with STARZ #TakeTheLead since 2022. Under the leadership of STARZ executives Jennifer Minezaki-Washington and Daria Overby with Humanitas Executive Director Michelle Franke, the partnership with Humanitas was further strengthened in 2025 as we announced the second STARZ #TakeTheLead Award winner Taylor Martin at the 2025 Humanitas Prizes Awards Show & Toast, and a sponsorship of the 2025-2026 New Voices Fellowship.

#TakeTheLead is STARZ's commitment to amplifying narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. By taking the lead and remaining fiercely dedicated to inclusion on and off screen, and throughout the company, as well as the commitment to bold, unapologetic stories and characters, STARZ #TakeTheLead hopes to inspire others across the industry.​

Find more information about the STARZ #TakeTheLead initiative on their website.

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment has sponsored Humanitas’s Industry 101 event series since 2022, serving thousands of writers across the globe, and will continue to do so in 2026.

Special thanks to Sony Pictures for their continued support of Humanitas and Industry 101.

Abacus Financial Business Management

Humanitas has proudly partnered with LA-based Abacus Financial, a minority & female-owned boutique business management company since 2024. In 2025, Abacus co-presented a panel called “Finance 101,” dedicated to a number of financial concerns of early-to-mid career writers, and featured Abacus Financial Principal Belva Anakwenze and filmmaker Nik Dodani.

Abacus Financial & Belva Anakwenze have served as a trusted business manager and business management firm to some of the hardest working professionals in the television and film industries for more than a decade.

African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)

On July 30, 2025, Humanitas and AAFCA will partner on an Industry 101 event called “Pivoting 101: Changing Career Paths,” which will feature a panel of speakers who transitioned into film and television from other fields and will discuss their paths along the way.

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) actively reviews and spotlights cinema at-large, with a particular emphasis on film and TV highlighting the Black experience, especially that produced, written and/or directed by persons from the African Diaspora. Members are also engaged in AAFCA’s advocacy work, which includes programming for students interested in film criticism and journalism in addition to general community outreach.

American Cinematheque

In 2025, Humanitas partnered with American Cinematheque to program an in-person panel in support of the book Breaking Into New Hollywood at the 3rd Annual Proof of Concept Festival at the Culver Theater. PROOF is a short film festival in Los Angeles dedicated to showcasing the best in proof-of-concepts.

The American Cinematheque is a member-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization, programming cinema at the Los Feliz 3, Aero Theatre, and Egyptian Theatre. The AC believes that cinema is a communal experience with the power to entertain, enlighten and inspire, building a diverse and engaged film community through immersive film curation, conversation, and presentation. The American Cinematheque bridges the filmmaker to the audience and film history to its future.

Black Boy / Black Girl Writes Media

Humanitas has partnered with Mike Gauyo and his Black Boy Writes media company and Black Boy/Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative since 2022. In 2025, Black Boy Writes Media partnered on the Industry 101 event called “Writing Life 101: Making a Career Plan and Mental Health Tips” and featured B.B.G.W.M.I mentors and staff. Humanitas also partnered with Black Boy Writes for their Just Write for the Holidays event in 2024. Photos from the event can be found here.

Black Boy Writes Media was founded in 2020 by Mike Gauyo, and is a talent incubator, dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices in Hollywood and across the entertainment industry.

Canva

On November 20, 2024, Humanitas and Canva co-produced an Industry 101 event called “Visual Storytelling & Personal Branding” and featured a live demo and Q&A on creating pitch decks and brand kits. In 2025, Canva became a 2025-2026 New Voices Fellowship partner by providing Canva Pro subscriptions to all incoming Fellows.

Canva is a global online visual communications platform on a mission to empower the world to design. Read more about Canva on their website.

CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment)

Humanitas has been proud to partner with CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) since 2022, and twice for the Industry 101 series in 2024.

CAPE is the world's longest-running non-profit organization creating opportunities and driving change for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) success in Hollywood. For over 30 years, CAPE has advanced API representation in film and television by championing people, stories, and culture. We believe stories have the power to change the world, and stories affect the way people think, feel, and act. What we watch on our screens directly impacts how we are treated in real life. Before we can change policy, we must change hearts and minds. Follow @CAPEUSA on Instagram or visit www.capeusa.org. Support tomorrow’s storytellers by donating to CAPE today!

Gold House

In October 2025, Humanitas and Gold House partnered on an Industry 101 event called “Pitching 101: The Windup and the Pitch” and explored pitching, how to present a pitch, and, most crucially, how to prepare for one.

Gold House is a cultural ecosystem that unites, invests in, and champions Asian Pacific leaders to power tomorrow for all.

Good Energy

On April 23, 2025, Humanitas and Good Energy partnered on an Industry 101 event called “Climate Change 101: Writing Our Climate Reality,” highlighting the reality of climate change, and how writers can weave this reality into their stories in ways that are authentic to any storyline and resonant with audiences.

Good Energy supports TV and film creators in telling wildly entertaining stories that honestly reflect the world we live in now—a world that’s in a climate crisis.

Greenberg Glusker

Humanitas has proudly partnered with Greenberg Glusker since 2024, including a follow up event in 2025 focusing on Intellectual Property and more called “Legal 101,” featuring a panel of all Greenberg Glusker staff.

Greenberg Glusker is a full-service law firm in Los Angeles, California with clients that span the globe. For 65 years, the firm has delivered first-tier legal services, rooted in understanding clients' intricate business needs and personal concerns.

The Los Angeles Times

In 2025, under the Industry 101 banner of events, Humanitas partnered with The Los Angeles Times to produce two in-person events in connection with their new book LA Times Presents Breaking Into New Hollywood: A Career Guide to a Changing Industry. The first event took place at the iconic Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles; the second event took place at the Culver Theater as part of American Cinematheque’s annual PROOF Festival. Both events featured the books co-authors Ada Tseng and Jon Healey and two different panels of working filmmakers to discuss various career paths within the entertainment industry across departments, and how films actually get made.

In 2023, The Los Angeles Times was the official media partner of the 2023 Humanitas Prizes.

National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP)

On April 30, 2025, Humanitas and NALIP partnered on an Industry 101 event called “Representatives 101: ‘How do I get a manager?’,” in which we discussed the do’s and don’ts of engaging and working with literary managers.

Now celebrating our 25th anniversary, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) is the premier, leading organization supporting the advancement of Latino Excellence across all creative media platforms. Since our founding in 1999, NALIP membership body has grown to become a thriving, resilient, and supportive community of diverse storytellers – including producers, performers, writers, directors, and industry professionals.

NALIP offers a collection of resources, connections, insights, and events designed to build on members’ success, inspire innovation, and advance Latino and diverse storytelling. Programs like The Diverse Women in Media Forum, NALIP’s Media Summit, and Latino Lens, and our partnerships with leading entertainment companies are strengthening and building on the next generation of Latino talent.

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA)

Humanitas has served as a proud community sponsor of NewFilmmaker LA’s monthly InFocus film festival series since 2022. NFMLA partnered with Humanitas for the Industry 101 event called “After the “Final” Draft: Production, Re-shoots and Post” on March 20, 2024.

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that champions emerging and diverse filmmakers and storytellers from around the world and provides a forum where filmmakers can be recognized for their contributions, have open audience discussions about their work and connect with industry professionals for insight on distribution, production and representation.

Santa Monica College

Santa Monica College (SMC) has served as the exclusive Industry 101 Community Partner since 2022.

Santa Monica College has been considered a top transfer college for 34 years, with transfers to University of California, University of Southern California, and Loyola Marymount University, providing a world-class education with endless possibilities and offers an outstanding and unique educational experience.

Find information on courses, degrees and certificates, admissions and financial aid opportunities, and more on the SMC website.

Script Anatomy

Humanitas was proud to partner with Script Anatomy for the Indutry 101 event called “Screenplay 101: All the Basics” featuring Script Anatomy instructors Jeanie Bergen, Jackie Penn, Phillip Van, and Ross Lazar. In 2025, Script Anatomy became a 2025-2026 New Voices Fellowship partner by providing all incoming Fellows with a bespoke version of their 2-week rewrite challenge.

Learn more about available courses, additional resources, and more on the Scipt Anatomy website.

Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Training Center

In partnership with the Upright Citizens Brigade Training Center, Humanitas proudly presented the first in-person Industry 101 event called “Improv for Screenwriters” and was held at UCB’s brand new training facility in Los Angeles. “Improv for Screenwriters” introduced the basics of improv through exercises framed for screenwriters specifically, and emphasized how improv concepts can help not just with writing scenes, but with pitching and taking meetings as well. UCB instructors have also helped kick off the 2024-25 and 2025-26 LAUSD school years as part of our Writers Room speaker series at Hollywood High School with improv exercises, introducing students to the “yes, and” basics and how that attitude can be applied in a writers room.

Find available online and in-person courses for writing, improv, and more on the UCB website.

UCLA Extension Writers’ Program

Humanitas has proudly partnered with the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program since 2022. Our latest co-production was for the Industry 101 event called “Adaption 101” and featured Humanitas Prize winner Soo Hugh (Pachinko) and UCLA Extension instructor Jacqueline Zambrano.

The Writers’ Program is one of the most prestigious creative writing and screenwriting continuing education programs in the nation. Their open admissions policy and supportive community ensure that all students are inspired and guided to do their best work. Curriculum includes 400 annual writing courses, offered both onsite and online, taught by a diverse corps of 200 published and produced professionals. Certificate programs are also offered, as well as specializations, literary competitions, scholarships, a writing retreat, and one-on-one mentorships and consultations.

Find available courses and other resources on the UCLA Extension website.

Vidiots Foundation

Humanitas is a proud community sponsor of Vidiots Foundation and the Eagle Theater. In 2025, Humanitas hosted a Stuffy Adoption Day on January 28 at Vidiots benefitting fire-impacted kids and our community at large as a part of our ongoing LA Fire Resource efforts. Kids could adopt a free stuffy and stay for a free screening of Robin Hood (1973). Vidiots also offered a free popcorn and drink to each guest. Special thanks to Douglas Toys, Vidiots Foundation, and writer Julia Brownell.

A one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema, Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring human interaction around film through preserving, growing, and providing access to a 70,000-title diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, and showcasing and celebrating the work of emerging, master, and underrepresented artists with year-round unique and affordable film events and vital education programs.

TheWrap

In 2025, Humanitas was a proud community sponsor of the annual Power Women Summit presented by TheWrap. Humanitas has been a community sponsor of TheWrap conferences since 2023.

TheWrap is the leading, authoritative digital news organization covering the business of entertainment and media. Founded by award-winning journalist Sharon Waxman in 2009, TheWrap is the only independently owned Hollywood trade, serving as a reliable and trusted source of breaking news, investigative reporting, expert analysis, exhaustive awards season coverage and in-depth features for over a decade.

The Writers Guild Foundation

Humanitas has proudly partnered with The Writers Guild Foundation since 2022 across programs, including the Industry 101 event series and The Humanitas Prizes. In 2025, The Writers Guild Foundation partnered on the Industry 101 event on TV Writers Rooms, focusing on the roles of Writers PAs, Writers’ Assistants, and Script Coordinators, how they contribute to a well-functioning writers room, how to best prepare for one of these roles, and more.

Since 1966, the Foundation has been the premier Hollywood resource for emerging writers and entertainment lovers.

Along with operating the Shavelson-Webb Library and Archive in Los Angeles (which is open to the public by appointment), the Foundation hosts public events featuring notable TV and film writers as well as community outreach programs connecting writers with underserved communities.

Additional information on The Writers Guild Foundation and their annual programs, events, and a list of resources can be found on their website.

Women In Film (WIF)

Humanitas is a proud community sponsor of Women In Film since 2025. In 2024, Humanitas partnered with Women In Film for the Industry 101 event “Fellowships, Contests, & Awards 101: Stepping Stones Not Silver Bullets” discussing setting budgets, goals, and expectations when applying, and to understand what contests and awards can and can’t do for you, and how to plan accordingly.

WIF advocates for and advances the careers of women working in the screen industries—to achieve parity and transform culture.

Writing Pad

In 2025, Humanitas and Writing Pad partnered on an Industry 101 event called “Outline 101: Outlining Your Pilot” in which screenwriter and Writing Pad instructor Alicia Carroll discussed the prewriting process and ways to get started.

Writing Pad was founded by freelance writers Marilyn Friedman (NY Times #1, NY Times #2, San Francisco Chronicle, Salon) and Jeff Bernstein (NPR’s Unfictional) with the express purpose of providing students access to top a tier MFA level education at a more affordable price. Learn more at writingpad.com.

Humanitas Presents: New Voices Fellowship & College Screenwriting Awards

Humanitas presents two annual screenwriting programs, the New Voices Fellowship and the College Screenwriting Awards.

Thank you to our partners: STARZ #TakeTheLead, The Black List, Canva, Coverfly, Final Draft, Michael Wiese Productions, NewFilmmakers LA, Script Anatomy, and the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

More information on partners and benefits can be found on our programs’s respective webpages.

Humanitas Presents: The Writers Room

The Writers Room, presented by Humanitas since 2023, is a TV writing workshop for high school students. The Writers Room offers students an introduction to TV writing and the opportunity to act as the “staff” of a TV “writers room,” working together to pitch, outline, and draft a teleplay of a pre-existing series. The Writers Room Workshop concludes with a table read in front of an audience.

Thanks to speakers representing the following organizations: Black Boy Writes Media, Echo Lake Entertainment, Film Independent, Final Draft, Nickelodeon Writing Program, The Screenwriting Life, UCLA Extension Writers' Program, Upright Citizens Brigade, Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity (TTIE), Writing Pad, and Young Storytellers.

This project is supported by The Muriel Pollia Foundation. This activity is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and by the Snap Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization.

A list of additional partners can be found on The Writers Room webpage.

Humanitas Presents: Groceries for Writers

In response to the 2023 writers’s strike, Humanitas worked to support writers in our community as they stood for fair pay and protections in the workplace. Recognizing that this action could potentially result in financial hardship for writers and their families, Humanitas began distributing grocery store gift cards to impacted striking writers and support staff.

Many donors and partners stood with Humanitas in solidarity with writers, and the project would not be what it is without their outpouring of support.

Though the WGA strike is over, the Groceries for Writers project remains active and WGA Writers and their support staff are currently eligible.

More information can be found on the Groceries for Writers webpage.