Former NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman and 30WEST CEO Micah Green announce the launch of SHOOQ, a platform for Jewish storytellers.
On September 12, 2026, a new platform named SHOOQ was officially launched to support Jewish filmmakers in connecting with investors and philanthropists. This initiative, led by notable figures including Ben Silverman, the former co-chairman of NBC, and Micah Green, the CEO of 30WEST, aims to streamline funding opportunities for projects within the Jewish community.
The launch was reported by The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting the platform's primary goal—to pool resources for Jewish storytellers rather than compete for limited funding.
SHOOQ has garnered support from a host of influential industry figures. Alongside Silverman and Green, the platform has backing from Tanya Cohen, co-CEO of Made by Us; actress Emmanuelle Chriqui; and producer Anthony Bregman of Keshet International. The initiative is also co-founded by producers Ari Pinchot and Jonathan Rubenstein, who are known for their work on the "Roast of Anti-Semitism" comedy show in Los Angeles.
This broad coalition aims to address the financial challenges that Jewish filmmakers currently face, especially given the rising anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment that have impacted their ability to secure production funding.
In a statement, Ari Pinchot noted that great storytelling has a significant cultural impact. He emphasized that many Jewish creators have found it increasingly difficult to secure funding for their projects, despite interest from investors and philanthropists in supporting meaningful media. According to Pinchot, SHOOQ intends to fill the gap by providing a trusted avenue for both storytellers and financiers to collaborate efficiently.
Pinchot stated, "Many investors and philanthropists have been eager to support meaningful media but lacked both a trusted way to curate projects and an efficient mechanism to finance them. SHOOQ is the solution."
The necessity of a platform like SHOOQ becomes particularly relevant in light of statements made by Jonathan Rubenstein. He expressed concerns about the substantial funding directed towards narratives that misrepresent Jewish history and vilify the Jewish community and Israel.
Rubenstein claimed, "We can’t afford to keep competing with one another for the same limited resources. We need to come together to give our best storytellers the support they need to get impactful projects made that reach audiences around the world." Thus, SHOOQ is viewed as a crucial resource that could enable filmmakers to overcome systemic barriers and create compelling narratives.
The establishment of SHOOQ reflects a growing need for collaborative spaces in the arts, particularly for historically marginalized communities. With a focus on producing films, television shows, podcasts, and social media content, the platform aims to accelerate financing and support for projects that resonate with Jewish audiences and beyond.
As the initiative continues to evolve, the potential impact on Jewish storytelling and filmmaking could be substantial if it successfully connects more creators with the necessary financial backing.
SHOOQ represents a significant step towards fostering Jewish narratives in the entertainment industry by addressing funding challenges that have historically plagued this community. The platform's innovative approach could set a precedent for similar initiatives aimed at uniting storytellers and investors across various backgrounds. As it develops, SHOOQ may play a pivotal role in enriching the cultural landscape by facilitating the production of diverse and meaningful content.
For further details, readers can view the full article on The Hollywood Reporter.
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