A market access program for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour creators and producers.

The Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative offers a professional springboard for underrepresented creators and producers from across Canada.

The initiative has already created opportunities for these talented creators, and since its launch in 2018, has made incremental and sustainable gains towards a more inclusive and representative industry. The program celebrates diversity and inclusion through an intersectional lens with respect and appreciation of differences including, but not limited to: ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, nationality, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, and ability.

Courtesy: Netflix Canada

The goal of the initiative is to jump-start and accelerate individual careers and help projects at all stages move forward by providing a gateway to the global film and television industry through the Banff World Media Festival's (BANFF) renowned conference and marketplace.

Attendance at BANFF will provide participants with unparallelled access to the Canadian and international industry, giving them a platform to pitch their projects, gain insight into the key issues and trends affecting the industry today, and network with senior decision-makers with the power to move their projects and careers forward. Over the long term, the festival aims to foster a legacy of greenlights and international sales for the program participants and the partners who work with them.

The Diversity of Voices Initiative is open to candidates of all genders and abilities who identify as being from one or more racially diverse groups, such as African, Black, Caribbean, East Asian, First Nations, Inuit, Latinx, Métis, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Western Asian. The program has a key intersectional mandate to increase accurate and meaningful disability representation on and off screen throughout the Canadian media landscape. It is also designed to support Canada’s francophone production community.

Learn more about program Eligibility and Submission Guidelines.

ALL SELECTED PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE:

  • A full registration package for the Banff World Media Festival and its full complement of content and networking opportunities.
  • Access to select industry sessions developed specifically for the Diversity of Voices Initiative.
  • Participation in a Fellowships networking and celebration event at the Festival.
  • Access to, and profile within, the Canadian and international media industry.

Select participants will also receive; a one-on-one virtual session with senior industry professionals; a dedicated speed pitching opportunity specifically curated for Diversity of Voices participants, and a travel stipend.

SUPPORTING PARTNERS