Barack and Michelle Obama’s production deal with Netflix has garnered legs with veteran filmmaker Priya Swaminathan, its first hire since the announcement of their plans in MaY 2018.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Swaminathan’s role hasn’t been determined but her experience lends possibilities towards projects about social justice. The filmmaker has worked on a variety of projects such as Very Young Girls, a 2007 Showtime documentary on teenagers coerced into prostitution.
Swaminathan has pushed for more inclusion in filmmaking as an industry advisor for the Sundance Institute’s FilmTwo Initiative, as well as a member of the Time’s Up collective.
In addition to her experience with Johnny Knoxville’s Dickhouse Productions, she’s also the former director of development at Annapurna Pictures, the production-finance company responsible for a variety of films like HER, Spring Breakers, Detroit and most recently, Sorry To Bother You featuring Lakieth Stanfield.
The Obamas Netflix deal was announced in May. With minor details, it’s believed the deal would include scripted and unscripted series, features, docu-series, and documentary films.
“One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” the former president said in a statement about the venture.
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