Canada Media Fund announces measures to support racialized creators
Toronto, November 5, 2020 - The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today announced additional measures to support screen-based creators, organizations and businesses from racialized communities. The CMF is pleased to announce it has doubled funding to the COVID Emergency Relief Funds to Black and People of Colour, to $8M from the previously announced $4M.
Following extensive consultation with Black and People of Colour (BPOC) in the industry, the CMF is releasing criteria to access COVID-19 Emergency Relief Funds for companies Owned by Black People and People of Colour. Click here to access the criteria. Click here to apply before December 17, 2020.
It is also announcing the Black People and People of Colour Sector Development Support for industry initiatives that are not eligible for funding from other CMF Programs. Click here to access the guiding principles. Apply before November 27, 2020.
Initiatives eligible for BPOC Sector Development Support will demonstrate a significant benefit to multiple racialized creators, producers, and companies within Canada’s audiovisual production ecosystem.
Through the CMF’s consultation with racialized stakeholders beginning in summer 2020, the CMF identified several organizations dedicated to supporting BPOC-led companies and racialized creators working in Canada’s screen-based industries.
The CMF's investment will support these organizations' growth and stabilization as they continue to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 and respond to barriers related to the systemic racism that affects the BPOC creators whom they support. The four organizations supported in this initial round include, the Black Screen Office, BIPOC TV & FILM, Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC), and Reelworld Screen Institute.
“We recognize many historically marginalized communities within the industry are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis and were not eligible for other CMF emergency relief funds,” said Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF. “We have consulted with industry leaders and partners from these communities to determine how these funds can be best used to support BPOC creators affected by COVID-19. We’re continuing to build new relationships and partnerships with racialized groups, which will last well beyond the current crisis and help inform the CMF’s policy and program directions in the future. Support to these organizations will help our industry become more inclusive and representative of all the talent Canada has to offer.”
These initiatives are in addition to previously announced measures to support Indigenous, Official Language Minority, regional, and other under-represented groups.
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.
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