Banijay re-opens women-focused formats initiative

Banijay has officially begun the second iteration of its women-focused accelerator initiative Banijay Launch, Broadcast can reveal. 

The programme, which launched in Mipcom 2023, is designed to support women creators to devise unscripted formats with the aim of creating the next global hit. 

The portal for the second round is now open and coincides with Banijay Launch winning the ‘Behind the Scenes Impact Award’ at the Diversify TV Awards at Mipcom today.

Banijay Launch received over 500 global applications in the inaugural round and will eventually see three to five finalists mentored by a local creative to develop their formats, with the aim of nurturing them to screen.  

After the mentorship ends, the finalists will do a live pitch presentation in front of a judging panel. The winners are then given additional guidance and support as they take their ideas out to buyers. 

The initiative’s Diversify award comes months after the Geena Davis Institute’s landmark Behind the Scenes: Women’s Representation in Unscripted Television study, commissioned by Banijay Entertainment, found women are three times less likely to be in top-level decision-making roles in reality TV, across major markets like the US, UK, France and Brazil. 

Banijay Launch leads Sharon Levy, chief exec of Endemol Shine North America, and James Townley, chief content officer, development, Banijay Entertainment said: “It’s very difficult to nurture and navigate an idea to screen for even the most experienced creators, let alone women creators who don’t have ‘connections’ to a prodco or group.  

“The recent study we conducted with the Geena Davis Institute really reinforced the gender imbalance in unscripted creation, and with Banijay Launch we hope to open the door to women whose ideas may not otherwise be heard and facilitate positive change for these creators while supercharging our pipeline, and the industry’s at-large.  

“The market and creative economy relies on great ideas, and we don’t want to leave any behind… particularly from women.”   

The portal for applications to Banijay Launch can be found here: https://www.banijaylaunch.com.