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‘Brown Baby’ cowriters selected for Sundance program
The program provides emerging artists with a space to develop their features.
Nikesh Shukla(L) and Himesh Patel (R) / Nikesh Shukla / Image University of Bath- Himesh Patel / Image Wikipedia
Sundance Institute has selected Nikesh Shukla and Himesh Patel, co-writers of ‘Brown Baby,’ as fellows of this year’s screenwriters lab and intensive programs. The program provides emerging artists with a creative and nurturing space to develop their first and second independent features.
‘Brown Baby’ is a tender, hilarious contemporary comedy-drama about the challenges of raising a mixed-race daughter in today’s polarized world. It revolves around an interracial married couple who thought they had it all figured out learned that there are still plenty of difficult conversations they need to have with each other and with their daughter.
Shukla is a best-selling and award-winning screenwriter and novelist, best known for the film ‘Two Dosas’ and ‘Spider-Man India’ miniseries for Marvel Comics. He is also popularly known for editing the essay collection ‘The Good Immigrant,’ which won the reader’s choice at the Books Are My Bag Awards.
He has been chosen as one of Time magazine’s cultural leaders, Foreign Policy magazine’s 100 Global Thinkers, and the Bookseller’s 100 most influential people in publishing He co-founded the literary journal, Good Journal, and Good Literary Agency. In addition, he is a fellow of the Royal Society Of Literature and a member of the Folio Academy.
Born to Indian parents, Himesh Patel is an Emmy-nominated British actor and writer. Having established himself on UK television from a young age, he broke into the film world with the lead role in 2019’s ‘Yesterday’ and has since been seen in ‘Tenet’, ‘Don’t Look Up,’ and limited series ‘Station Eleven’.
As per the institute, out of over 3,400 submissions, 12 projects were selected for the annual screenwriters lab. During the screenwriters’ lab, that will take place from January 13–17 at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, 16 fellows will develop their scripts under the guidance of experienced creative advisors.
It will be led by Michelle Satter (founding senior director, Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs) and Ilyse McKimmie (deputy director, feature film program), with artistic director Jessie Nelson and a number of creative advisors.
“We are excited to welcome this cohort to our global community of bold, visionary artists, developing stories that are a powerful force for empathy, vital culture-changing conversations, and audience engagement,” said Satter.
“The Screenwriters Lab is just the beginning of our connection to the 16 selected artists. Each artist is provided with year-round customized creative and strategic support throughout the journey of getting their films made,” she added.
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