“We’re extremely proud that, together with the industry, we’re moving to quickly and concretely foster gender parity in Canadian cinema,” said Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Canada’s Executive Director. “Our goal is to level the playing field for Canadian female talent, and we encourage creators to submit projects directed and/or written by women. This can only benefit the industry as whole; increased competition can lead to better quality projects that connect with audiences whose tastes and interests are changing along with the cultural landscape.”
Brabant added: “I want to make it clear that this is just a first step. We will now take the same measured, consultative approach to ensuring our feature film portfolio also better reflects cultural diversity and Indigenous communities. We have already begun work with Indigenous creators, and are taking steps to address the challenges faced by creators from culturally diverse communities. Sustainable long-term solutions are key, not interim initiatives.”
Telefilm’s five-pronged action plan to achieve gender parity is as follows:
In September, Telefilm created a pan-industry working group to identify areas where collective efforts should be placed in priority. Based on this consultation, for 2024, Telefilm’s first goal will be to favour projects directed or written by women, while continuing to support the works of Indigenous creators and members of communities representing Canada’s cultural diversity.
Telefilm would like to thank the members of the working group on their dedication to establishing a clear target and defined measures towards gender parity in feature film production financing.
Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) (also representing CUES (Canadian Unions for Equality Onscreen))
Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM)
Association des réalisateurs et réalisatrices du Québec (ARRQ)
Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)
Directors Guild of Canada (DGC)
Réalisatrices Équitables
Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinema (SARTEC)
Union des Artistes (UDA)
Writers Guild of Canada (WGC)
Women in View
Women in Film + Television Vancouver
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