CMF and National Screen Institute partner on first-of-its kind training initiative for BIPOC producers
Toronto, November 1, 2021 – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has partnered with the National Screen Institute to offer a high-impact training and entrepreneurship opportunity to Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) producers.
Through this partnership, qualified producers in Canada will have access to the European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) intensive training EAVE On Demand Access Program. Developed according to their methodology and tailor-made for delivery in Canada, the program focuses on building stable and strong production companies owned by BIPOC creators, along with the development of their intellectual property for national and international financing and distribution. The program builds skills in enhanced revenue streams, distribution, export, and coproduction with an aim to facilitate professional cross-border relationships. Recent graduates have seen a 182% increase in coproduction projects after participation.
Through world-class training and coaching, the EAVE On Demand Access Program will provide producers with tools and resources to move their projects, companies, and careers forward. Valued at close to C$30,000 per participant, the program is open to producers currently in development on a project with a writer and producers without a project who are developing their companies and/or careers. Upon completing the program, the 33 selected producers will be equipped for success in the highly competitive international market.
“This is a unique opportunity for outstanding Indigenous, Black and People of Colour producers to take their companies and content to the next level,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “The CMF’s Equity and Inclusion Strategy is designed to remove barriers in the industry and support talented creators to bring their stories to screens around the world. This initiative will help do exactly that.”
“Powerful partnerships can create change and the EAVE on Demand Access Program is a perfect example of national and international industry partners joining together to meet and fulfil a need for BIPOC producers in every region of Canada,” said National Screen Institute CEO, Joy Loewen. “We are grateful for the CMF’s leadership support of this program which will empower BIPOC producers in Canada to become distinct storytelling voices in the global marketplace.”
Interested producers are invited to apply for the EAVE On Demand Access Program by November 22 at 5 p.m., ET on the National Screen Institute’s website. Click here to find out more about the program.
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors. Please visit cmf-fmc.ca.
About the National Screen Institute
Propelled by a visionary network of donors, private and public organizations, the National Screen Institute supports creators from across Canada to tell unforgettable stories. Through industry-informed training and mentoring in film, television and digital media, students and alumni find their voice and place on the global stage, inspiring us to shape a better world.
The National Screen Institute is committed to training participants from a diverse community of voices including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women-identifying, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those outside large urban centres, those from regional and remote areas and various religious groups.
EAVE
EAVE, European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs, is Europe’s leading training, development, and networking organisation for producers. In addition to their flagship programme, the renowned European Producers Workshop, they are involved in a variety of programmes in Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. Founded in 1988, EAVE’s objectives are to provide professional training opportunities and to bring producers from different regions of the world together with the aim of facilitating co-production relationships. EAVE’s unique international network comprises over 2,300 producers and key decision-makers.
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For press inquiries, please contact:
André Ferreira
Senior Communications Manager
Canada Media Fund
aferreira@cmf-fmc.ca
(416) 554-2768
Liz Hover
Communications Director
National Screen Institute
liz.hover@nsi-canada.ca
