Netflix is partnering up with Colombian Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science to launch a fund of $500,000 to help 1,500 below-the-line workers in Colombia’s film and TV industry who’ve been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
As with other industries, many workers in the film and TV industry have been hit pretty hard, with job layoffs, suspensions, and furloughed until the foreseeable future. Those impacted have been production workers (drivers, assistants), prop stylists, camera operators, lighting technicians, beauty assistants, and more. Majority of those workers live off of hourly wages and per project contractual work. Netflix has compiled a list of 100 eligible jobs.
Netflix launched similar funds for the film industry in Mexico and Brazil back in April. The streaming service’s hold on the entertainment industries in these Latin American countries has been growing over the last few years, with productions like Siempre Bruja, Casa de las flores, 3% and Distrito Salvaje expanding Netflix’s Spanish and Portuguese-language content.
“The hardest hit workers are the backbone of the entertainment industry. We hope that by joining forces we can support them in these difficult times; Netflix’s commitment to this fund is welcome and we hope that other industry members can join and contribute as well,” Academy president Consuelo Luzardo said, according to Variety.
Funds are not only for those who’ve worked on Netflix productions, either. “The fund’s disbursement must be transparent as we make sure it goes to the right people who need it most,” Luzardo continued to share.
Starting May, those interested must fill out and submit an application form at the Academy’s website. “An evaluation board, comprising Academy members, independent producers association Asocinde and film promotion nonprofit Proimágenes Colombia, will evaluate the applications and determine the eligibility of the recipients within 10 days,” reports Variety. The submission period will continue for two months or until the fund is completely spent.