Refinery29 is partnering up with TNT the return of Shatterbox Anthology, its women-focused short film series.
According to a press release, Shatterbox “provides a platform for the next cycle of female storytellers to create short films that redefine identity, imagination, and storytelling through the female lens.” This joint effort between Refinery29 and TNT, which was announced at Sundance, aims to bring new audiences to the Shatterbox films. It also follows Turner’s — owner of TNT—investment in Refinery 29.
The release details, “Through this new partnership with TNT, the short films, selected from the industry’s most creative female directors, with creative support from the Sundance Institute’s Women at Sundance program, will deliver the female points of view to new audiences across TV, as well as both brands’ social and digital platforms. Shatterbox Anthology talent will also have the opportunity to potentially work with and develop creative projects for TNT.”
As part of this new partnership, Shatterbox films will screen across all TNT platforms; additional digital and social content will be produced; and on-site industry events will be organized to “drive recognition for female filmmakers.”
The partnership and subsequent return of Shatterbox Anthology appears to be an exciting, welcome opportunity for both Refinery29 and TNT.
“A top priority at TNT is to ensure the talent behind our shows represent the diversity of our audience. We jumped at the opportunity to work with Refinery29 to identify and support female filmmakers so we can grow the ranks of female directors on our shows and raise their profiles across the business,” commented Sarah Aubrey, TNT’s executive VP of original.
Amy Emmerich, Refinery29 CCO, added, “The Shatterbox Anthology is an incredibly meaningful initiative and we are thrilled that TNT is not only acknowledging the importance of investing in female makers, but supporting the evolution of this program. This partnership will allow these filmmakers more opportunities to battle gender bias, build upon their career in the entertainment landscape, and create a platform to tell meaningful stories.”
Directors like Chloë Sevigny (“Kitty”), Kristen Stewart (“Come Swim”), Tiffany Shlain (“The Adaptable Mind”), Meera Menon (“Equity”), Pamela Romanowsky (“The Adderall Diaries”), and Anu Valia (“Lucia, Before and After”) have all produced content for Shatterbox Anthology. As such, the film series has established a reputation of “providing female filmmakers of all ages, levels of recognition, and years of experience, the opportunity to bring their stories and directorial visions to life.”
Shatterbox Anthology films have garnered more than 10 million views across all Refinery29 platforms. These films also tend to be viewed 5.7 times more than other videos available on Refinery29’s website.