2018 netflix-banff diversity of voices initiative post...

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

2018 NETFLIX-BANFF DIVERSITY OF VOICES INITIATIVE

POST-EVENT REPORT

CANADA’S INDIGENOUS

SCREEN OFFICE

Support for the 2018 Diversity of Voices program came from title partner Netflix, as well as Canada Media Fund, Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office and the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC).

In its inaugural year, the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative received a total of 289 applications from Canadian Indigenous, Francophone and women creators, making a clear statement of the importance of having these kind of programs in the industry.

Diversity of Voices brought 88 Francophone, Indigenous and women producers to the 39th Banff World Media Festival where they gained access to bespoke training and networking opportunities with key industry decision makers.

Of the 88 Diversity of Voices participants, 25 were selected to take part in the Diversity of Voices Pitch Program. Those participants were awarded a stipend of $1,500 CAD, were booked into a curated Face-to-Face Meeting Program pitch session and were paired with an industry mentor. Mentors volunteered from across the industry, and included award-winning Game of Thrones director Jeremy Podeswa and Emmy-winning Co-Executive Producer of The Handmaid’s Tale, Sheila Hockin, as well as Jocelyn Hamilton, President of Television for eOne Canada, and Red Arrow Studios International VP, Shirley Bowers.

In 2018, the Banff World Media Festival introduced the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative – a program designed

to support and jump-start the careers of underrepresented emerging and

established talent from across Canada.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly with Diversity of Voices Pitch

Program participants

Jesse Wente, Director, Canada’sIndigenous Screen Office, addressing

attendees at the Diversity of Voices Lunch

Katie Bailey, Editor, Playback and Content Director, Banff World Media Festival

with Mark Montefiore, President and Executive Producer,

New Metric Media

Diversity of Voices sessions kicked off the festival, with a morning of content designed to provide business insight, information and inspiration to program participants. Solange Attwood, EVP Blue Ant International, Mark Montefiore, President and Executive Producer, New Metric Media and Ron Scott, Showrunner, Director and Founder of Prairie Dog Film + Television walked delegates through the building of international partnerships and financing plans, IP brand-building, and the journey of Indigenous-focused drama Blackstone from APTN to trailblazing global sales, Netflix and critical acclaim.

The program was celebrated at an official Diversity of Voices luncheon, mixing participants with supporting partners and Pitch Program mentors. On hand to introduce the program were Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director, Banff World Media Festival, Valerie Creighton, President & CEO, Canada Media Fund, Suzanne Guèvremont, Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), Jesse Wente, Director, Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office and Chris Regina, Director of Global Television, Netflix.

PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK: Results based on responses to a post-event survey of participants (responses = 55)

89% of respondents rated their experience as extremely helpful or helpful.

93% of respondents said they would recommend the Diversity of Voices Initiative to a colleague or friend.

93% of respondents said they would participate in the program again if given the opportunity.

60% of respondents said the program helped advance a specific project closer to commercialization or greenlight.


TESTIMONIALS

Life changing. What I learned and who I met in such a short period of time was amazing.” - Joy Haskell, Writer/Director/Producer

My overall BANFF experience was career changing and I’m excited about what the future has in store for me because of this opportunity. The program advanced my career by unexpectedly securing a writing gig with a company and the project I came with is being reviewed by Bell Media” - Roxann Whitebean, Writer/Director/Producer

If you want to create a show, you must go to BANFF. And to be a Diversity of Voices Recipient is to arrive in Banff as a respected creator. What a way to arrive!” - Anne-Marie Scheffler, Creator/Writer

My work is being considered by several broadcasters and production companies. Ask me in a year and hopefully I can tell you it was a knockout!” - Tee Schneider, Writer/Producer

As an anglophone in Montreal, I don’t have many opportunities to meet new producers and network executives who are based in Toronto or L.A. BANFF gave me more connections in a single week than I’d made in the past two years! Thank-you!” - Lisa Hunter-Epstein, Writer, ACME Screenwriting

I had the most amazing experience. I’ve been telling everyone I know to apply next year when submissions open for DoV. I didn’t realize how much I wanted to write for TV until I was at BANFF and I wouldn’t have been able to have that realization had it not been for the DoV Pitch Program.” - Ana-Marija Stojic, Creator/Comedian

Highly recommended. I think it is an incredible opportunity not only for those looking to have their voices heard but for those looking for new and fresh ideas at the Festival. This initiative has the potential to change the media landscape in the coming years.” - Tanner Zurkoski, Writer/Creative Producer, Canoe Pictures

I find that more broadcasters are willing to meet at BANFF, compared with other U.S. industry events. I booked about 40 meetings, and had a project greenlit while there. Being a part of DOV makes broadcasters even more willing to give you their time.” - Rebecca Campbell, Producer/Director, Catapult Pictures Inc.

[BANFF] is a place where you can sign deals you thought were only accessible to others.” - Ania Jamila, Director

The entire experience felt like a whirlwind that I was grateful to be caught in. I’m still digesting all of the information I absorbed and following up with all the contacts I made. It’s jammed packed with knowledge and a great place to establish myself in the industry.” - Jen Muranetz, Documentary Filmmaker, Estoria Productions

I felt like I stepped off a rollercoaster and couldn’t wait to wobble back in line for another ride!” - Lauren Martin McCraw, Creator/Producer/Director

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PARTICIPANTS

BY CAREER STAGE

Emerging:

73%Established:

27%Women:

53%

BY PROVINCE

Ontario:

44%British

Columbia:

30%Quebec:

15%Alberta:

6%Manitoba:

3%Saskatchewan:

1%Yukon:

1%

PARTICIPANTS BY GROUP

(SELF IDENTIFICATION)

Indigenous:

22%Francophone:

25%Women:

53%BY GENRE OF

PROJECT FOCUS

Fiction/Scripted (Comedy Drama):

55%Factual/

Unscripted:

33%Kids/Family/ Animation:

12%

BY TITLE

Producer:

38%Other:

16%

Writer:

35%Director:

11%


PRESS COVERAGE


SOCIAL MEDIA MENTIONS


MENTORS

Kerry Appleyard, SVP, Temple Street

Chris Bell, VP, Scripted Development,Television, eOne

Shirley Bowers, VP, Sales & Acquisitions, North America, Red Arrow Studios International

Tecca Crosby, Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs, eOne

Brad Danks, CEO, OUTtv

Atar Dekel, Head of Global Original Drama, Keshet

Adam Fratto, SVP, Series, Reel One Entertainment

Melanie Hadley, executive in charge of production, drama, CBC

Jocelyn Hamilton, President, Canada, Television, eOne

Jennifer Harkness, SVP, Sales & Development, Cream Productions Inc.

Justina Hemperek, Head of Acquisitions, Beyond Distribution

Jimmy Humphrey, Head of Acquisitions & Co-Productions, TCB Media Rights

Sheila Hockin, Executive Producer, The Fifth Business

Marc Hustvedt, CEO, Above Average

Brandon Lane, Production Executive, Original Programming, Corus Kids, Corus Entertainment

Teza Lawrence, Executive Producer, Co-Owner, Amaze

Ira Levy, President & Executive Producer, Breakthrough Entertainment

Samantha Morris Mastai, VP Scripted, Lark Productions

Mark Montefiore, President, New Metric Media

Jeff Norton, Founder, Awesome

Laura Notarianni, Senior Director, Temple Street

Jeremy Podeswa, Director, Rebel Films

Sally Riley, Head of Drama, Comedy and Indigenous, ABC Australia

Ron Scott, Executive Producer, Prairie Dog Film + Television

Kerry Swanson, Board Chair, Imaginenative


PARTICIPANTS

Jessica Adams Kristy Assu

Natasha BacklinRamona BarckertKaren BardachBianca Bellange

Alyssa BillerJamie BourqueRoger BoyerTanya Brunel

Megan CameronEmma Campbell

Rebecca CampbellTamarra Canu

Kirsten CarthewJoanne ChowRoisin Clarke

Wendell CollierJoely Collins

Louise DeschampsPaula Devonshire

Katia Café-FébrissyFlorian Francois

Caroline GalipeauTristin Greyeyes

Penny GummersonGeri Hall

Joy HaskellKate HastmannKaren Hawes

Carmen HenriquezJulia Holdway

Lisa Hunter-Epstein

Nyla InnuksukAnia Jamila

Joan JenkinsonMelissa Jim

Erin JohnsonPamela Jones

Anna-Lisa JonesWinnifred Jong

Dominique KellerAli Kellner

Kaleena KiffHuelah LanderJulie LapointeRegan Latimer

Genevieve LavoieLysandre Leduc-Boudreau

Tracy LegaultAmanda Lo

Rennata LopezGordon Loverin

Maureen MarovitchEmilie Martel

Christian MartelBrennan Martin

Lauren Martin McCrawMichelle McLean

C.A. MeyerLaura Milliken

Emilie MoorhouseJen MuranetzKatie NolanLaura Nordin

Brianne Nord-Stewart

Josette D. NormandeauStephanie Ouaknine

Angie -Pepper O’BomsawinJoanne O’Sullivan

Gharrett PaonJudith Pyke

Devjani RahaColin L Riendeau

Nicole SaltzKatherine Sandford

Mariel ScammellJoan Schafer

Anne Marie SchefflerTee Schneider

Hahzinak SchultzErin Ashley Singer

Daniel SiouiTrudy Stewart

Ana-Marija StojicBronwyn Szabo

Jeremy ThibodeauEva Thomas

Susan ThomasMalube Uhindu-Gingala

Amanda VerhagenAmelia Wasserman

Lori WattRoxann Whitebean

Barbara Willis-SweeteRoxann Whitebean

Ryan WilsonCarline ZamaraTanner Zurkoski

2018 netflix-banff diversity of voices initiative post...

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