NEWS & UPDATES
BANFF WORLD MEDIA FESTIVAL WELCOMES THE 2024 COHORT OF NETFLIX-BANFF DIVERSITY OF VOICES PARTICIPANTS
100 Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour creators/producers from across Canada join the 7th edition of this renowned market access program.
The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF), in partnership with Netflix and with the support of the Black Screen Office (BSO), the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), and Reelworld Screen Institute, is pleased to announce the 2024 Diversity of Voices (DOV) participants who will be attending the 45th edition of the Festival on June 9-12, 2024, at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Launched in 2018, Diversity of Voices, (DOV), is now in its seventh year and has provided nearly 600 opportunities for under-represented professionals to gain access to top industry professionals, forge industry partnerships, and to develop and garner strategic partnerships to further their projects. All DOV participants receive an all access pass to the Banff World Media Festival and customized industry sessions. Twenty-five qualifying participants from the 2024 cohort, are selected as Diversity of Voices Pitch participants, and will receive additional one-on-one meeting opportunities, and a travel stipend.
“Diversity of Voices has provided invaluable connections and opportunities to hundreds of creatives from across Canada over the last seven years,” says Stéphane Cardin, Director of Public Policy for Netflix in Canada. “A huge congratulations to all of the talented individuals selected for this year’s program as they embark on this next step in their careers.”
“We are thrilled to present the incredibly talented 2024 DOV participants and to showcase their projects to an international audience of industry professionals. This vital program continues to generate opportunities for underrepresented creators and producers by providing a major platform for the development, financing and distribution of their projects. We thank our program partners for sharing our commitment to strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion in our industry,” says Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival.
"The Black Screen Office celebrates the Diversity of Voices initiative's role in elevating diverse Canadian talent. This partnership with the Banff World Media Festival underscores our commitment to an inclusive industry where every voice has the power to inspire change. Congratulations to the participants—you are the architects of a more equitable and dynamic screen industry." Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director, Black Screen Office.
“The Indigenous Screen Office is happy to continue its ongoing partnership with Diversity of Voices. It is a unique opportunity for Indigenous storytellers to pitch their projects, initiate conversations and develop new business relationships," says Kerry Swanson, CEO of the Indigenous Screen Office. "The ISO recognizes the important commitment of the Banff World Media Festival to supporting all voices."
"We are excited to be one of the partners of this wonderful program. Diversity of Voices gives access to many equity deserving communities who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to attend such a prestigious market. This year we were proud to see that 29 of the 100 recipients are Reelworld Alumni and we are happy to be supporting them financially and with additional support to attend the Banff World Media Festival which is a must not miss event for serious industry professionals," says Tonya Williams Founder & Executive Director, Reelworld Screen Institute.
SEE ALL 2024 PARTICIPANTS HERE
Read their bios, get in touch, and meet them at BANFF this June!