The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> reported Wednesday that Kwedar and Bentley signed a first-look deal with the streaming service to develop and produce feature films through their production company \u2014 Ethos.<\/p>\n Essentially, the deal means that Netflix has the first crack at anything the duo work on. If the company passes, Kwedar and Bentley can then shop the project to other studios.<\/p>\n \u201cIn founding Ethos, our hope was to create a home where independent filmmakers can make bold, enduring work in an environment that is equitable and sustainable for the whole community of artists working on these films,\u201d said Bentley and Kwedar in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to Netflix for their commitment to this vision and for their belief in us as artists and we\u2019re excited for this partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to their own projects, Kwedar and Bentley will also develop films with up-and-coming filmmakers selected from film schools and festivals.<\/p>\n Netflix will fund the development and production of these films and release them, per the Hollywood Reporter. The move aligns the filmmakers and Netflix on a shared focus for discovering new voices in the independent film space, which Kwedar and Bentley know well.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac In case you missed it: <\/p>\n When Ethos launched in 2024, the company made headlines for its model that pays the entire cast and crew the same wage.<\/p>\n In its new Netflix deal, Ethos will continue this model and also allow everyone who works on a project to receive equity from the film.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been fortunate to cross paths with so many gifted filmmakers at festivals and markets, Clint and Greg among them,\u201d said Sean Berney, Netflix\u2019s head of film acquisitions, in a statement. \u201cWhat really stood out to me when working with them, aside from their raw talent, was how genuinely invested we both are in nurturing the next wave of filmmakers and giving them a real chance to make their mark.\u201d<\/p>\n The duo co-write projects together and trade off directing duties.<\/p>\n Kwedar directed their first film, \u201cTranspecos,\u201d in 2016, followed by Bentley helming \u201cJockey\u201d in 2021. Kwedar was back behind the camera for 2024\u2019s \u201cSing Sing,\u201d while Bentley directed \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d last year.<\/p>\n \u201cSing Sing\u201d landed three nominations<\/a> at the 97th Academy Awards, including an adapted screenplay nod for both Kwedar and Bentley. Just a year later at the 98th Academy Awards, \u201cTrain Dreams\u201d racked up four nominations<\/a>, including another adapted screenplay bid.<\/p>\n The duo\u2019s next project, \u201cSaturn Return,\u201d sees Kwedar direct from a script he and Bentley co-wrote. The Chicago-set romance will premiere on Netflix later this year.<\/p>\n Kwedar was born and raised in Fort Worth, and is now based in Austin.<\/p>\n Bentley, a Florida native, has called Texas home for at least a decade.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n![\"NEW](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2265463071-GI.JPG\" "\\"2265463071-GI.JPG\\"")
Greg Kwedar attends the 2026 Writers Guild Awards New York Ceremony at Edison Ballroom on March 08, 2026. Jamie McCarthy Getty Images for Writers Guild of America East North Texas filmmakers find a home at Netflix<\/p>\n![\"LOS](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2261852337-GI.JPG\" "\\"2261852337-GI.JPG\\"")
Clint Bentley poses in the IMDb Portrait Studio at The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium on February 15, 2026, in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre Getty Images for IMDb More on Kwedar and Bentley<\/p>\n
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