New Study Released on Aboriginal Screen-Based Production
The Aboriginal Screen-based Production Sector in Review: Trends, Success Stories and the Way Forward
(Toronto, June 6, 2013) – A new study released today on the Aboriginal screen-based production sector paints a portrait of a dynamic and vibrant industry sector. Producers in the sector typically employ Aboriginal Peoples, combine the roles of producer, writer and director and create original productions in Aboriginal languages.
The report prepared by Maria De Rosa, President of Communications MDR, and her Associate, Marilyn Burgess, examined the state of Aboriginal television, interactive and feature film production in Canada and measured production activity over the five-year period 2007-2008 to 2011-2012. In that period, the sector created over 3,300 full-time jobs, generating almost $173 million in production activity.
The study recommends the development of an audiovisual policy for Aboriginal screen-based production, new incentives to increase access by Aboriginal producers to Canadian broadcasters, increased funding for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), greater funding of feature film production, new measures to increase digital media production capacity, international co-production and skills development. The report also points to the need for further research on the distribution and sales of Aboriginal productions.
The report was supported by Aboriginal People’s Television Network, the Canada Media Fund, the National Film Board, the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the National Screen Institute.
“As a key partner in the development of Aboriginal screen-based media, APTN is pleased to be associated with so many talented producers whose excellent productions tell our stories to the world,” said Jean La Rose, CEO of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. “We look forward to future discussions with our industry partners to ensure the continued success and growth of our industry sector.”
President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, Valerie Creighton, commented that, “the report provides solid evidence of the benefits to Canadians of the Canada Media Fund’s support to Aboriginal production over the years, which has helped to create jobs and provided access to a wide variety of compelling programs and interactive productions in Aboriginal languages.”
To access this study, please click here.
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. Please visit www.cmf-fmc.ca.
The CMF’s Canadaonscreen.ca is a website designed to showcase and celebrate Canadian creative talent and content destined for all types of screens, from television productions to games, Web content and software and applications.
About APTN
September 1, 2012, marked the 13-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite, telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. The network launched its high definition channel, APTN HD, in the spring of 2008. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please visit the website at www.aptn.ca
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For more information, please contact:
Canada Media Fund
Pierre Campeau
Communications Manager
Canada Media Fund
416-554-2768
[email protected]
APTN
Jacqueline Jubinville
Communications Manager
APTN
204-947-9331 ext. 491
[email protected]
