CANADA MEDIA FUND ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO SUPPORT DISCRIMINATED CREATORS

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has 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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.