Walt Disney has announced the launch of the Onyx Collective at Hulu. The newly launched imprint will encourage and empower Black creators breaking into film, television and short-form content.
“Our industry is immeasurably enriched by the incredible talents of emerging and established creators of color. Launching Onyx Collective allows us to be the best partners to those creators, providing them with the support they need to do their best work,” Walt Disney Television Entertainment Chairman Dana Walden told Shadow & Act.
Onyx Collective will be led by Freefrom President Tara Duncan. Prior to working under the Disney umbrella, Duncan worked at Netflix, AMC and Amazon Studios. She's worked to steer series like Orange Is The New Black and Narcos to success.
“We’re building a home where creators of color are inspired, empowered and have unparalleled access to reach audiences around the world," Duncan said.
“Tara Duncan is a gifted executive with fantastic instincts. With her leading this talented team, we have the opportunity to tell transformative stories that authentically represent our audience and are essential to our success," Walden added.
The first project under the Onyx Collective imprint is Summer of Soul. The Questlove-led documentary will spotlight the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969. It will feature Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and several other legendary artists.
"In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park. The footage was never seen and largely forgotten–until now," Searchlight Pictures said about the film.
Other projects include a series inspired by the 1619 Project and efforts from Ryan Coogler and Natasha Rothwell.
Photo Credit: Getty Images