Sony Interactive Entertainment America And Ideas United Announce The Winners Of The PlayStation Emerging Filmmakers Program

SAN MATEO, Calif. and ATLANTA, Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Interactive Entertainment America (SIEA), in collaboration with Ideas United and its creative collective, We Make, today announced the five winning concepts in the PlayStation Emerging Filmmakers Program. This initiative is aimed at harnessing the creativity and talent of budding filmmakers interested in developing the next iconic television show. These top five concepts will be produced as pilot episodes that will be shared with the PlayStation community.

The program began with an invitation for writers and filmmakers in We Make to submit their best concepts for an original television series. Out of hundreds of submissions, 10 concepts were chosen, and their creators pitched their ideas directly to PlayStation executives and industry professionals.

The creators attended a multi-day pitch event in Hollywood where they participated in workshops and enjoyed access to mentors, including luminaries such as Jack McBrayer (30 ROCK, WRECK-IT-RALPH), Marco Ramirez (EP and Showrunner on Marvel's THE DEFENDERS), Justin Spitzer (Creator & EP of SUPERSTORE), Gloria Calderon Kellett (EP & co-showrunner on ONE DAY AT A TIME), and Mark Goffman (former showrunner on BULL, SLEEPY HOLLOW).

"We were thrilled to see the level of artistry and imagination displayed across all of the submissions to the PlayStation Emerging Filmmakers Program," said Eric Lempel, SVP of Marketing, SIEA. "The creators behind each of the winning concepts truly delivered in capturing the power of narrative. We're looking forward to helping them bring their content to life on-screen and presenting it to the PlayStation community."

The top five concepts, which will move into pilot production for release on the PlayStation platform in 2018, are:

1. Breakthrough by Gordon Freas & Amanda Freas
2. Made in Boise by Max Cannon & Brandon Sullivan
3. Orthus by Shira Rosenzweig
4. The Many Lives of Ayn Winchester by Steve Spalding
5. Two Roads by Miranda Sajdak & Vanessa King

The concepts were selected by a judging panel including: Stephen Falk (Creator, EP, & Showrunner of the FXX series YOU'RE THE WORST),  Erica Messer (EP & Showrunner on CRIMINAL MINDS), Patrick Walsh (Creator, EP, & Showrunner of BY THE BOOK premiering in 2018), John Hlavin (EP & Showrunner of SHOOTER and BLOOD DRIVE), Shawn Layden (President, SIEA & Chairman of Worldwide Studios), Eric Lempel (Senior Vice President, Marketing & Head of PlayStation Network), Jennifer Clark (Senior Vice President, Public Relations and Corp Communications, SIEA), and Nancy Kim (Sr. Director, Entertainment Product and Services, SIEA).

"We're proud to work with PlayStation to empower the next generation of filmmakers who have engaging stories to tell," said Michael Seminer, SVP of Ideas United. "Because of this collaboration, these five talented creators can now focus on producing pilot episodes that embody their creative vision."

For more information, please visit: https://www.playstationfilmmakers.com

About Sony Interactive Entertainment
Recognized as a global leader in interactive and digital entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is responsible for the PlayStation^® brand and family of products and services. PlayStation has delivered innovation to the market since the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. The PlayStation family of products and services include PlayStation^®4, PlayStation^®VR, PlayStation^®Vita, PlayStation^®3, PlayStation^®Store, PlayStation^®Plus, PlayStation™Video, PlayStation™Music, PlayStation™Now, PlayStation™Vue, PlayStation^®Original and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from SIE Worldwide Studios. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, SIE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation and has global functions and regional headquarters in California, London and Tokyo.

About Ideas United
Ideas United is a creative agency focused on producing authentic, story-driven content with a purpose. We are a tight-knit network of innovators, influencers, and trendsetters who shape cultural narratives around the globe. We know how to speak directly to a youthful audience because that's who we are. We created Campus MovieFest, the world's largest student film festival, in 2001, and have since empowered over a million students to tell their stories on the big screen. Along the way, we've invited the best emerging creators we've discovered into a community called We Make, and together have partnered with premier brands and nonprofits to develop exceptional content, events, and campaigns. Visit http://www.ideasunited.com to learn more, or http://www.iuwemake.com to join us and make something.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

SOURCE Sony Interactive Entertainment America