NEWS & UPDATES
BANFF WORLD MEDIA FESTIVAL WELCOMES THE NEW COHORT OF DIVERSITY OF VOICES (DOV) PARTICIPANTS
100 Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour creators/producers from across Canada join the 6th edition of the renowned market access program.
The Banff World Media Festival, in partnership with Netflix, and with the support of the Black Screen Office (BSO), the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), and la Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), is pleased to announce the 2023 Diversity of Voices participants who will be attending the 44th edition of the Festival on June 11-14, 2023, at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
DOV has already provided up to 500 opportunities for underrepresented professionals by giving high-level industry access to form industry partnerships, develop, pitch, fund, and distribute their projects. The 2023 edition will provide creators and producers of film, television, and digital media content from across Canada with full registration to the Banff World Media Festival and customized industry sessions. Twenty-five (25) participants will also take part in the Diversity of Voices - Pitch Program, which will provide them with one-on-one industry mentorships and additional networking opportunities with senior executives and buyers.
“Diversity of Voices has been a hugely successful program that has resulted in development deals, funding, and distribution opportunities for some of Canada’s most talented producers and creators, said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival, adding: “The true measure of our success is hearing from participants that this initiative has been essential to accelerating their projects and careers. We’re thrilled to be able to help move the needle toward a richer and more inclusive industry alongside our incredible partners.”
“Witnessing the professional growth of so many Diversity of Voices participants over the years is a testament to the strength of this program and the opportunities it provides,” said Stéphane Cardin, Director of Public Policy for Netflix in Canada. “We can’t wait to see how this year’s cohort contributes to Canada’s vibrant creative industry.”
“The Black Screen Office is thrilled for the selected participants. Diversity of Voices 2023 is shaping up to be the best year ever with curated networking and pitching opportunities, and a stellar line up of international television professionals with up to the minute global intel. We are also pleased to be partnering with Banff, Netflix, Indigenous Screen Office and SODEC,” says Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director of the Black Screen Office.
“Diversity of Voices 2023 provides an amazing opportunity to develop business relationships and connect with media industry leaders from around the world at Banff. The Indigenous Screen Office is a proud partner again this year and we look forward to welcoming Indigenous participants as they present their projects to the global market”, says Kerry Swanson, CEO of the Indigenous Screen Office.
“SODEC is pleased to be amongst the partners supporting Diversity of Voices 2023, an event which will undoubtedly contribute to furthering the careers of talented film professionals from Québec stemming from various ethnocultural backgrounds. Congratulations to the 2023 participants! We are looking forward to discovering their projects: they will enrich Québec’s and Canada’s cinema with their unique voices and vision,” says Louise Lantagne, CEO at SODEC.
SEE ALL 2023 PARTICIPANTS
Read their bios and get in touch here + meet them at BANFF this June!