The Roku Channel expands CTWR Five Film Fridays lineup
The Roku Channel expands its partnership with Create the Writers Room by streaming select titles from the incubator’s Five Film Fridays series. The move gives underrepresented filmmakers access to Roku’s 100 million subscribers, with more CTWR shorts set to debut and a feature-film submission window now open.
Key Takeaways
- Select Five Film Fridays titles are now streaming on the Roku Channel for its 100 million subscribers.
- Create the Writers Room, founded in 2018 by Rickey Castleberry, backs underrepresented storytellers with exhibition and career tools.
- Titles online include “Sincerely Brad,” “Trailer Trash Magic,” “The Outtakes,” “The Errand,” and “The Distinguished.”
- The next Five Film Fridays is set for Oct. 16 in Los Angeles, with a special New York edition; submissions close Sept. 25.
- For the first time, CTWR is accepting feature-length films for the series.
According to Variety, Create the Writers Room is expanding its ongoing partnership with the Roku Channel. Select Five Film Fridays films are streaming there, putting curated shorts and proof-of-concepts in front of a mass audience while keeping CTWR’s focus on ownership and long-term creative control.
For more Streaming & TV Alerts coverage, BlasterPost tracks how platforms open doors for indie talent.
What is streaming on the Roku Channel right now?
CTWR titles currently available include “Sincerely Brad,” “Trailer Trash Magic,” “The Outtakes,” “The Errand,” and “The Distinguished.” Variety reports additional Five Film Fridays programming is slated to debut on the platform.
The June 26 edition of the series featured “See You Soon,” written and directed by Jay Pendarvis Jr. and starring Asante Blackk and Isaiah John; “Halfrican,” created by Vic Mensa, directed by Edgar Esteves, and starring Mensa and Olly Sholotan; and “Bubble Pop,” from writer-director Aeryn Michelle Williams, starring Emmy Raver-Lampman, Cailyn Rice, and Marc Forgot.
That same slate also included “Mirage,” written and directed by Jhanvi Motla and starring Shavya Samala and Abhimanyu Katyal, plus “Bukra,” written and directed by Alex Aljouni and starring Lamitta Saloum and Laith Nakli.
Why does this partnership matter for filmmakers?
Create the Writers Room launched in 2018 under Castleberry with a mission to give filmmakers exhibition opportunities plus education and industry insight so they can keep creative control and build sustainable careers. Five Film Fridays is its bespoke screening series: each quarter, industry insiders handpick five standout short films or proof-of-concepts to showcase.
The initiative also runs intimate panels and fireside chats on ownership, authorship, and navigating today’s entertainment business. “I was inspired to create Five Film Fridays as an outlet for creatives to network, build community, and truly understand the business behind their art,” Castleberry said in a statement. “Our collaboration with Roku reinforces our commitment to not only visibility — but education, ownership, and long-term creative control.”
When is the next Five Film Fridays event?
The next installment lands Oct. 16 in Los Angeles, with a special edition expanding to New York City. Submissions are open through Sept. 25, and CTWR is accepting feature-length films for the first time.
Maya Jackson, director of television development at 1Community, serves as head of programming for Five Film Fridays. Dwayne Davis joins as creative operations manager. Castleberry is represented by Khalid Jordan at M88.