CMF renews Digital Creators Pilot Program, unveils 2023-2024 cohort
Toronto, July 26, 2024 – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today announced the renewal of our Digital Creators Pilot Program (DCPP) for a second year. The program supports the growth trajectory of mid-career Canadian digital content creators making short-form video content exclusively on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
We encourage content creators who have demonstrated some level of success online and wish to focus on content creation for social media as their primary output and who seek to grow their audience base and monetization opportunities over a six-month period to apply for funding.
Potential applicants to the program are encouraged to read the 2024-2025 DCPP Program Guidelines and to contact the CMF Program Administrator with questions as they prepare their applications. The CMF will accept applications starting September 3, 2024.
Introducing the 2023-2024 DCPP cohort
The CMF is delighted to announce the first cohort of digital content creators selected through the inaugural edition of the DCPP.
The successful creators were selected from a total of 71 applications by a jury comprised of peers in the digital creation ecosystem and CMF Program Administrator analysts in March 2024. The total commitment for the 2023-2024 edition of the DCPP is $438,050.
The successful applicants are:
Pancake Manor is made for preschoolers and kindergarten children and features original songs for kids. The series is produced entirely by Billy Reid and Reb Stevenson, two loving parents who own a lot of wigs.
Mary is the founder and creator of Flouring Kitchen and is known for her decadent dessert recipes. With a background in food science and agriculture, Mary loves sharing short baking videos with lots of tips and tricks.
Social media star TALK is eccentric, flashy, and colourful, and he’s crafted a sound equally unique. He launched himself on a rocket with his debut single, “Run Away to Mars,” which catapulted him to #1 on the Spotify Global Viral chart and multi-platinum certification around the world.
Former teacher Douaa Kachache is a rising star on the Quebec comedy scene. Her talent shines on the stage, on social media, on TV, and elsewhere in the media world. She is currently working on a web series project.
With hundreds of millions of views, Wes Barker is one of the most popular comedy magicians working today. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, including Ellen, America’s Got Talent, MTV’s Greatest Party Stories Ever, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us, which he won.
Sabrina, Taha, and Melissa have a lot of questions, but they’re figuring it out—and documenting every step of the way. Through their YouTube channel (1.6 million subscribers), the trio wants to reignite a love of learning in themselves and their audience.
Bruny Surin is one of the best sprinters in the world. A four-time Olympian, he helped his team win gold in the 4×100 m relay at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. In 2008, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2021. Today, he runs his own company and foundation and serves as Team Canada’s Chef de mission for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Lucie Rhéaume is a young entrepreneur and established content creator on social media. She has built an engaged community of over 500,000 followers through captivating projects such as The Bus Project and The Winter Expedition series on YouTube.
Jonas Singh, aka Zulushi, is a Canadian content creator, tech enthusiast, and entertainer from Prince George, BC with a passion for Star Wars, gaming, and VR experiences.
Julie Nolke is an award-winning actor, writer, and filmmaker with a popular YouTube channel (1.1 million subscribers). Known for her viral series Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self (over 65 million views), she also works in film and TV, with recent credits including The Wedding Rule (W Network), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Workin' Moms (CBC), and Run the 'Burbs (CBC).
Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Adrian Sousa operates his soccer-focused YouTube channel, Rabona TV, out of Montréal, QC. He has amassed an international audience of over 280,000 subscribers on the platform.
A trained biologist, Vikie Pedneault is now a serial entrepreneur and communications strategist talking about science and the environment—with a dash of comedy.
Digital creator, producer, and artist, Fred Bastien's 15 years of digital experience have taught him how to ride the web wave. Passionate about the Internet since childhood, he has received awards and accolades for his contributions to our local digital culture, but above all a lot of likes. Involved in his community both in Canada and on the web, he sees his contribution to our industries as both a culmination and a new beginning.
Mae is an actor, voice actor, and content creator from Surrey, BC who's well known for her comedic content on TikTok, where she reaches more than 1.3 million followers.
Munish Raghuwanshi is a chemical engineer turned filmmaker who creates short form videos about the craft of filmmaking in popular films and television shows. He has over 100,000 followers on social media.
Deya Kannesha is a first-generation Tamil Canadian from Mississauga, Ontario who started creating content in 2014 when she craved a creative outlet and more representation. She is proud of the 560,000+ community she has built with whom she shares her life, culture, and love for food, fashion, and beauty.
Steve is a content creator specializing in lifestyle and gastronomy. He is considered one of the most sought-after experts in the industry in Montreal.
Stephen Robinson is a video creator focused on producing content that is both educational and entertaining. His mini docs have attracted over 130 million views, and have been featured on Discovery Channel, CBC Gem, Peacock, and elsewhere.
Active on the Quebec comedy scene since 2007, Eddy King has performed at all the major events and festivals at home, in Europe, and in Africa. Calm, cool, and collected, his sense of humour contrasts with the punchlines he uses to knock out any audience.
Meghan Oak is a Quebec-based singer-songwriter who has captured hearts with her touching voice and authentic lyrics. She first came to prominence on social networks, where she now has over 70,000 followers.
Mane Yousuf is a content creator, singer/songwriter, and director from Calgary, Alberta, with a community of over 2.3 million subscribers. His passion lies in turning ideas into reality, whether it's through a catchy tune, a thought-provoking video, or a compelling story.
Shayla Oulette Stonechild is a proud Red River Métis and Nehiyaw iskwew (Plains Cree woman) from Muscowpetung First Nations. She has dedicated her life to empowering Indigenous youth and women. By sharing her own personal journey and shedding light on the painful reality of suicide within Indigenous communities, she strives to promote life and restore the essence of Nehiyaw values.
Olivia Leclerc is a multi-talented content creator and theatre school graduate who embodies passion, creativity, and determination while creating a significant impact in the world of digital content and humour.
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. Visit our website for more information.
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