BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX

WINNER OF BEST DIRECTION IN A DOCUMENTARY SERIES

AT THE 2022 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS

PART OF FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM

– Produced by Zaza Production and broadcast on CBC

(Halifax, April 5, 2022) – BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX, part of Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA Series – Produced by Zaza production and broadcast on CBC – has won Best Direction in a Documentary Series at the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards (CSA). The program, presented by NETFLIX in collaboration with National Bank, is also supported by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and many other partners. The Being Black in Halifax 2020 episode (broadcast on CBC in 2021) is available for streaming on CBC GEM.

“This is a tremendous acknowledgment! Congratulations to our gifted emerging Black Haligonian filmmakers who have made history by winning Best Direction in a Documentary Series at the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards for our Being Black in Halifax 2020/2021 (Part of FCF’s Being Black in Canada Series),” Said Fabienne Colas, Executive-Producer of the Series & Founder of the Black Film Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver. “We are grateful to the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television for recognizing that Black stories do matter and that Black filmmakers are talented. It also proves one more time that Black emerging Filmmakers don’t lack talent. They just lack opportunities. And this is exactly what the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program offers. We are so proud to be amplifying more Black voices through this program all over Canada with the support of our Partners.”

The BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX emerging filmmakers addressed the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in their city through film. The participants presented their films as World Premieres in 2021 at the Toronto Black Film Festival, followed by the Halifax Black Film Festival, the Ottawa Black Film Festival, the Calgary Black Film Festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival, and the Vancouver International Black Film Festival. Being Black in Halifax is also supported by Arts Nova Scotia.

Here are the FCF’s Being Black in Canada: Being Black in Halifax CSA winners:

Best Direction in a Documentary Series:

• Lily Nottage: Farrin
• Dena Williams: A Passion Made New
• Kardeisha Provo: North Preston: The Untold Story
• Tyler Simmonds: The Search for Healing

This is the second prize for a BEING BLACK IN CANADA cohort. Last year, the BEING BLACK IN TORONTO filmmakers brought home the award for Best Direction in a Documentary Series at the 2021 CSA.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA represents Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. As part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Initiative, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.   

Get to know the 2021 BEING BLACK IN CANADA cohort here

Watch the FCF’S Being Black in Canada 2020 films online on CBC GEM (Broadcast in 2021)

Montreal • Toronto • Halifax

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 12 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. www.fondationfabiennecolas.org

For press inquiries contact:

Véronique Fecteau : veronique@festwave.com

Part of Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA

PROGRAM – Produced by Zaza Production and Broadcast on CBC

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2022 BEING BLACK IN CANADA IS OPEN UNTIL MARCH 6, 2022

www.BeingBlackInCanada.com

(Halifax, February 16, 2022) – BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX, part of Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA Series – presented by Netflix, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts – is nominated in 2 categories: Best Documentary Program and Best Direction, Documentary Series. BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX, produced by Zaza Production, aired on CBC and is still available for streaming on CBC GEM. The awards will be presented during Canadian Screen Week, April 4-10.

This is the third nomination for a FCF’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA cohort. Last year, the BEING BLACK IN TORONTO filmmakers brought home the award for Best Direction in a Documentary Series at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards.

The BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX emerging filmmakers addressed the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in their city through film. The participants presented their films as a World Premieres in 2022 at the Toronto Black Film, followed by the Halifax Black Film Festival, the Ottawa Black Film Festival, the Calgary Black Film Festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival, and the Vancouver International Black Film Festival.

FCF’s BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX is nominated in the following categories:

Best Documentary Program

CBC, Zaza Production

• Fabienne Colas
• Emile Castonguay

Best Direction, Documentary Series

CBC, Zaza Production

• Lily Nottage: Farrin
• Dena Williams: A Passion Made New
• Kardeisha Provo: North Preston: The Untold Story
• Tyler Simmonds: The Search for Healing

THE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS:

The call for applications for the 2022 FCF’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA program is currently open. The program’s eligibility criteria and application form are available HERE. Candidates have until March 6, 2022 to apply and only those selected will be contacted.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA represents Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. Presented by Netflix in collaboration with the National Bank, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.  

Get to know the 2021 BEING BLACK IN CANADA cohort Here

Watch the FCF’S Being Black in Canada 2020 films online on CBC GEM (Broadcast in 2021)

Montreal • Toronto • Halifax

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 12 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. 

For press inquiries contact:

Talar Adam: Talar@Festwave.com

Veronique Fecteau: Veronique@Festwave.com

The new Festwave Institute furthers the Foundation’s commitment to developing Black talent in the Canadian film and television industry

More information at www.FestwaveInstitute.com

Montreal, February 9, 2022 – Today, the Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF), with the support of the Government of Canada’s Ecosystem Fund, announced the launch of the Festwave Institute, a national, full-spectrum institute to support underserved Black entrepreneurs in the film and television industry through business training and skill building in order to enable them to seize new opportunities in the film and television industry. .

After 17 years of social, cultural, and economic impact across Canada and around the world, welcoming over 2 million festivalgoers, supporting and featuring over 5,000 artists, giving scholarships and awards of excellence to film professionals from Canada and abroad, the Fabienne Colas Foundation has now created a bigger platform to train the next generation of underrepresented film & TV professionals.

The Fabienne Colas Foundation has established itself as a powerhouse in the Canadian film landscape with its extremely successful Black Film Festival movement in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Calgary, Ottawa, and Vancouver. FCF’s award-winning Being Black in Canada incubation program – presented by Netflix in collaboration with the National Bank – has helped emerging Black filmmakers across the country create their first films, tour film festivals and launch their careers in the film and television industry.

The Canadian television and film industry contributes $12.8 billion per year to Canadian GDP and employs over 170,000 people across the country full time. According to Statistics Canada, the majority of the film and television industry’s activity is possible because of entrepreneurship. 52% of Canadian artists and creative industry workers are self-employed, compared to only 12% of all Canadian workers.

Black people are left behind in entrepreneurship initiatives, and the same is true for Black people in the creative industries. Currently, in Canada, only 13% of artists are racialized, compared to 21% of all workers – indicating barriers for Black people to access this career path. This has resulted in Black people being grossly underrepresented in the Canadian film and television industry.

Black Canadian creators do not lack talent. They lack opportunities and support. The support it takes to gain the essential skills to launch a successful business in the film and television industry. The Festwave Institute will work with the industry to complement existing training so we can help create a more inclusive and equitable film and television industry.

QUOTES

“We all want to see a Canada where everybody works together side by side, where everybody gets a fair chance to be mentored and trained, to be seen, heard, promoted and supported as they deserve to be,” says Fabienne Colas, Founder of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Festwave Institute. “The Festwave Institute is a long-held dream that will help bring everybody together to reflect the reality of our diverse Canadian culture on screen and behind the camera. It would not have been possible without the commitment and support of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.” 

“Film is a way to represent reality and enable voices to be heard, and the sector is a major contributor to our economy. The Fabienne Colas Foundation quickly understood this need to provide concrete opportunities to Black entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and creators, especially women and members of the LGBTQ2 community. Inclusion and representation are important in our society and take place through the cultural sector, among other things. That is why we are delighted to support the Foundation through the Ecosystem Fund. Thanks to this program, they will be able to share their artistic visions with the entire world,” stated the Honourable
Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for CED.

“Organizations such at the Fabienne Colas Foundation are pillars in their community, promoting diversity and inclusion across the country. I am delighted the Foundation is part of the Ecosystem Fund under the Black Entrepreneurship Program, and that it will work with other wonderful Canadian organizations to support Black entrepreneurs and aspiring Black business owners,” stated the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development. “They will thus be able to recount their history and develop their businesses across Canada and around the world.”

“I would like to congratulate the Fabienne Colas Foundation for its hard work on behalf of our community members and entrepreneurs in Montreal. I am very proud of the screenplay writers and film directors from Black communities who are leaving their mark on Canada’s cultural front,” stated the Honourable Marc Miller, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie–Le Sud-Ouest–Île-des-Sœurs and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

For more information and to be notified of upcoming programs:

www.FestwaveInstitute.com

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation: 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts, as well as to supporting the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 12 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, and foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since FCF’s inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted millions of festivalgoers in Canada, the U.S., Haiti, and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, New York City, and Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. The Foundation is also the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black filmmakers.

About the Festwave Institute:

The Festwave Institute, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is dedicated to removing the barriers that stand in the way of film and television entrepreneurs and supporting them in building successful, sustainable careers. The Institute will do this by giving Black film professionals and other underrepresented creators the tools, skills, and resources required to be successful and independent within a predominantly White-run industry: tailored workshops, panel discussions, masterclasses, hands-on learning, mentorships, networking opportunities, pitching opportunities, equipment access, business skills, match-up programs – all that the Black professional needs to learn, grow, connect and further a career in film and television, both online and on the ground.

About the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund:

The goal of the Ecosystem Fund is to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and business owners across Canada. It allows not-for-profit, Black-led organizations to develop new services or expand those they already offer such as mentorship, networking, financial planning, and business training for Black entrepreneurs. For more information, https://bit.ly/3ohSQcO

About CED

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)’s mission is to promote the long-term economic development of Quebec’s regions by giving special attention to those where slow economic growth is prevalent or opportunities for productive employment are inadequate.

Media Inquiries:

Talar Adam

Public Relations

Talar@Festwave.com

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR

2022 Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM

Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver

Presented by NETFLIX in Collaboration with National Bank

Deadline: MARCH 6, 2022

www.beingblackincanada.com

(Montreal – January 13, 2022) – The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program – Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers – is thrilled to be back with a call for applications for its 2022 edition. Thanks to the support of Netflix, the National Bank, Telefilm Canada, and Canada Council for the Arts and various local partners, the Program will support 35 new young, promising Black filmmakers in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver.

The program’s eligibility criteria and application form are available HERE. Candidates have until March 6, 2022 to apply and only those selected will be contacted

As part of the BEING BLACK IN CANADA program, emerging filmmakers will address the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in their city through film.  The participants will be guided through the many steps in audiovisual production (screenwriting, directing, editing, post-production, etc.), and will create a documentary short (from 8 to 10 minutes). This process will be carried out under the professional tutelage of industry professionals with professional equipment. Their final work will be screened as a World Premieres in 2023 at the Toronto Black Film Festival, followed by the Halifax Black Film Festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival as well as the Black Film Festivals in Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver.

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA represents Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to emerging Black Filmmakers. As part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Initiative, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society. 

Get to know the 2021 BEING BLACK IN CANADA cohort here

Watch the FCF’S Being Black in Canada 2020 films online on CBC GEM (Broadcast in 2021)

Montreal • Toronto • Halifax

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 12 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. www.fondationfabiennecolas.org

For press inquiries contact:

Talar Adam: press@torontoblackfilm.com

35 Emerging Filmmakers from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, & Vancouver

Taking Part in Canada’s Largest Mentorship Program Entirely Dedicated to Black Filmmakers.

www.BeingBlackInCanada.com

Montreal, December 29, 2021 – The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada Program – presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts – is proud to announce its 35 new participants. In 2021, the program expanded to Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver, joining the 3 immensely successful cities, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax.

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. As part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Initiative, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.

In 2021, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program enabled 35 emerging filmmakers, aged 18 to 30, from the Black communities of Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver to create 35 documentary shorts of approximately 10 minutes each. The 35 young filmmakers were guided through the many steps in audiovisual production (screenwriting, directing, editing, post-production, etc.) and creation of a documentary short. This process was carried out under the tutelage of industry experts with professional equipment and dedicated mentorship.

The Being Black in Canada 2021 cohort will have the opportunity to present their films as a World Premiere at the Toronto Black Film Festival (Feb. 2022), followed by the Halifax Black Film Festival (Feb. 2022), the Montreal International Black Film Festival (Sept. 2022), the Ottawa Black Film Festival (March 2022), the Calgary Black Film Festival (May 2022) and the Vancouver International Black Film Festival (December 2022).

THE 2021 FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM’S PARTICIPANTS

BEING BLACK IN MONTREAL – FRANCOPHONE PROGRAM

Ernest Pierre, Jenny Jean-Baptiste, Maëlle Bonnegrace, Matthieu Pierre-Canel, Nkosi Akins Phanord and Tani Balourd

BEING BLACK IN MONTREAL – ANGLOPHONE PROGRAM

Àdùkẹ́ Babalọlá, Chris Henny-Nyanguila, Hamda Elmi, Mikael Romulus, Roy Kingsley and Yzaih Phénix-Alphonse

BEING BLACK IN TORONTO

CJ Mayers, KhaRå Martin, Marc Samuels, Niya Abdullahi and Rennae Byfield

BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX

Deborah Castrilli, Guyleigh Johnson, Jodell Stundon and Tyus Mcsween

BEING BLACK IN OTTAWA

Bénédicte Bélizaire, Jeanne-Andrée Mazile, Maiakovsky Camille, Mariama Tani and Weris Dualeh

BEING BLACK IN CALGARY

Badria Abubaker, Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker, Ryan Wilkes, Sarah Uwadiae and Shae Kubur

BEING BLACK IN VANCOUVER

Ilhan Abdullahi, Manny Obiajunwa, Omorose Osagie and Zavia Forrest

“We are beyond proud to be fostering massive inclusion in the Canadian Film Industry, by empowering the next generation of Black Filmmakers. We started this program because there is blatant lack of diversity in front and behind the camera in Canada. This impressive slate of emerging filmmakers proves one more time that Black creators don’t lack talent, they lack opportunities. We are thrilled and immensely proud to play a role in launching the careers of talented Canadian emerging Black filmmakers from coast to coast,” – said Fabienne Colas, Founder of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program

THANKS TO OUR LOYAL PARTNERS 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation would like to thank its loyal partners who support the program:

NETFLIX (Presenter), The National Bank (Co-presenter), Canada Economic Development for Quebec Region, Telefilm Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, CBC, Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, la SODEC, Ontario Creates, Ministry of Culture and Status of Women in Alberta, Calgary Arts Development, Calgary Economic Development, Toronto Arts Council, Arts Nova Scotia, Conseil des Arts de Montréal, Zaza Production, Molson Coors, Brian Bronfman Family Foundation, Paul Bronfman Family Foundation, l’Inis, National, Afcoop, Montreal International Black Film Festival, Toronto Black Film Festival, Halifax Black Film Festival, Ottawa Black Film Festival, Calgary Black Film Festival and Vancouver International Black Film Festival.

Watch the FCF’S Being Black in Canada 2020 films online on CBC GEM (Broadcast in 2021)

Montreal • Toronto • Halifax

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation

The Fabienne Colas Foundation is Canada’s largest Black cultural organization. Created in 2005, the FCF is a not-for-profit artistic organization dedicated to promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Cinema, Art and Culture in Canada and abroad. Along with Zaza Production, the Fabienne Colas Foundation is also the creator of 12 Festivals the highly successful including the Montreal Black Film Festival, the hugely popular Toronto Black Film Festival, the Halifax Black Film Festival as well as the several other successful Festivals in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. These initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers. The Foundation is also the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers

Media Inquiries:

Talar Adam, publicist, press@torontoblackfilm.com

BEING BLACK IN TORONTO 

WINNER OF BEST DIRECTION IN A DOCUMENTARY SERIES

AT THE 2021 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS

PART OF FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM

– Produced by Zaza Production and broadcast on CBC

    (Toronto, May 18, 2021) – BEING BLACK IN TORONTO, part of Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA Series – Produced by Zaza production and broadcast on CBC – has won Best Direction in a Documentary Series at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards (CSA). The program, presented by NETFLIX in collaboration with National Bank, is also supported by Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, and the Canada Council for the Arts “This is a tremendous recognition! Congratulations to our gifted emerging Black filmmakers who made history by winning Best Direction in a Documentary Series at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards for our Being Black in Toronto 2019/2020 (Part of FCF’s Being Black in Canada Series),” Said Fabienne Colas, CEO & Founder of the Black Film Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver & The Fabienne Colas Foundation. “We are grateful towards the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television for recognizing that Black stories do matter and that Black filmmakers are talented. It also proves one more time that Black emerging Filmmakers don’t lack talent. They just lack opportunities. And this is exactly what the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program offers. We are so proud to be amplifying more Black voices through this program all over Canada with the support of our Partners.” As part of the FCF’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA program, emerging filmmakers addressed the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in their city through film under mentorship of film professionals including Oya Media Group. The participants presented their films as a World Premiere at the Montreal International Black Film Festival, followed by Toronto Black Film Festival and the Halifax Black Film Festival Here are the FCF’s Being Black in Canada: Being Black in Toronto CSA winners:

• Omolola Ajao: YYZ
• Valerie Amponsah: Joseph, Margaret & I
• Yasmin Evering-Kerr: The Onyx Butterfly
• Sharine Taylor: Tallawah Abroad
• Adrian Wallace: Black Sun
• Yvano Wickham-Edwards: #Black

  BEING BLACK IN TORONTO is available for streaming on CBC GEM. ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA Program – presented by NETFLIX in collaboration with National Bank – represents Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers. As part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Initiative, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.  The Program, presented by Netflix in collaboration with National Bank, is supported by Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, and the Canada Council for the Arts.   Watch the 2019 films online at GEM Toronto,  TeleQuebec.tv, CBC GEM Halifax   About the Fabienne Colas Foundation The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) – Canada’s largest Black cultural organization – is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 11 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 3,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince.    For press inquiries contact: Talar Adam: press@torontoblackfilm.com

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR

2021 Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM

Extended Deadline: APRIL 18, 2021

www.BeingBlackInCanada.com

+

Being Black in Toronto (Part of FCF’s Being Black in Canada series)

Nominated at Canadian Screen Awards: Best Direction in a Documentary Series

(Montreal – April 12, 2021) – The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Program is proud to be back with a call for applications for its 2021 FCF’s Being Black in Canada program – presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank. This year marks the expansion of the program to 3 new Canadian cities! The program will welcome 35 new participants in 6 Canadian from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver.

The selected filmmakers will be guided through the many steps in audiovisual production (screenwriting, directing, editing, post-production, etc.) and creation of a documentary short. This process will be carried out under the tutelage of industry experts with professional equipment and dedicated mentorship

The program’s eligibility criteria and application form are available HERE. Candidates have until April 18, 2021 to apply and only those selected will be contacted.

BEING BLACK IN TORONTO – Part of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada Series, produced by Zaza Production & Broadcast on CBC – is nominated for BEST DIRECTION IN A DOCUMENTARY SERIES at the Canadian Screen Awards (CSA). The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA series aired on CBC as well as Tele-Quebec, and is till available for streaming on TeleQuebec.tv, CBC GEM Toronto, CBC GEM Halifax. The CSA will be taking place May 17- 21, 2021.

As part of the FCF’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA program, emerging filmmakers addressed the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in their city through film. The participants presented their films as a World Premieres in 2020 at the Toronto Black Film, followed by the Halifax Black Film Festival, and the Montreal International Black Film Festival

Here are the 2019/2020 Being Black in Toronto nominees:

• Omolola Ajao: YYZ
• Valerie Amponsah: Joseph, Margaret & I
• Yasmin Evering-Kerr: The Onyx Butterfly
• Sharine Taylor: Tallawah Abroad
• Adrian Wallace: Black Sun
• Yvano Wickham-Edwards: #Black

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA represents Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers. As part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Initiative, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.  

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 11 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 3,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. www.fondationfabiennecolas.org  

For press inquiries contact:

Talar Adam: press@torontoblackfilm.com

BEING BLACK IN TORONTO NOMINATED AT CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS

BEST DIRECTION IN A DOCUMENTARY SERIES

PART OF FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM – Produced by Zaza Production

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2021 BEING BLACK IN CANADA IS OPEN UNTIL APRIL 7, 2021

(Toronto, March 30, 2021) – BEING BLACK IN TORONTO, part of Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA Program – presented by Netflix, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts – is nominated for BEST DIRECTION IN A DOCUMENTARY SERIES at the Canadian Screen Awards (CSA). BEING BLACK IN TORONTO aired on CBC and is still available for streaming on CBC GEM. The CSA will be taking place May 17- 21, 2021.

The BEING BLACK IN TORONTO, emerging filmmakers addressed the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in their city through film. The participants presented their films as a World Premieres in 2020 at the Toronto Black Film, followed by the Halifax Black Film Festival, and the Montreal International Black Film Festival.

Here are the FCF’s Being Black in Canada: Being Black in Toronto CSA nominees:

• Omolola Ajao: YYZ
• Valerie Amponsah: Joseph, Margaret & I
• Yasmin Evering-Kerr: The Onyx Butterfly
• Sharine Taylor: Tallawah Abroad
• Adrian Wallace: Black Sun
• Yvano Wickham-Edwards: #Black

THE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS:

The call for applications for the 2021 BEING BLACK IN CANADA program is currently open. The program’s eligibility criteria and application form are available HERE. Candidates have until April 7, 2021 to apply and only those selected will be contacted.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA represents Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. As part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Initiative, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.  

Watch the 2019 films online at CBC GEM Toronto TeleQuebec.tv, CBC GEM Halifax

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 10 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 3,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince.   

For press inquiries contact:

Talar Adam: press@torontoblackfilm.com

Launch of the Fabienne Colas Foundation Being Black in Canada podcast

We are proud to present The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA Podcast Series, powered by Telefilm Canada.

This 4-episode series will be presented as part of Black History Month, and the first episode is available now by clicking here! 

The first half of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada Podcast features interviews with the young filmmakers from Montreal, Toronto and Halifax who are part of The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada Program. In each exciting episode, young filmmakers will talk about their experiences in the program. How the Being Black in Canada Program has benefited them and what messages they hoped to convey through their film.

The second half feature, the public will be entitled to discussions in-depth conversations with some of the Canadian Film industry’s’ most influential and prestigious Black Creatives discussing their work, their accomplishments, their process and what advice they can give to emerging Black filmmakers. 

The guests of the 4 episodes are: 

• Clement Virgo: Award-winning Filmmaker, Writer and Producer 
• Cory Bowles: Multi-Disciplinary Artist and Filmmaker 
• Carmine Pierre-Dufour: Film Director and Writer
• Fabienne Colas: Actress, Filmmaker, Producer, and Business owner

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada Program, presented by NETFLIX in collaboration with the National Bank  and supported by Telefilm Canada and Canada Media Fund, represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. This important initiative aims to train, mentor and empower the next generation of Black Filmmakers in Cinema and Television.

About The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 9 festivals and programs, particularly Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada, to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 3,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. 

TELEFILM CANADA JOINS NETFLIX, THE NATIONAL BANK AND CANADA MEDIA FUND AS A MAJOR PARTNER OF THE FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM 

We are proud to announce the 20 new participants of the 2020 Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada Program – presented by Netflix, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts.  

The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. As part of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Initiative, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. Founded in 2012, with the first cohort launched in 2014, the Program gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Film professionals while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.  

The 20 new participants will have the opportunity to present their films as a World Premiere at the Toronto Black Film Festival (Feb. 10 – 21, 2021), followed by the Halifax Black Film Festival (Feb. 23 – 28, 2021), and the Montreal International Black Film Festival (Sept. 2021). 

In 2020, the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program enabled 20 emerging filmmakers, aged 18 to 30, from the Black communities of Montreal, Toronto, and Halifax to create 20 documentary shorts of approximately 10 minutes each. The 20 young filmmakers were guided through the many steps in audiovisual production (screenwriting, directing, editing, post-production, etc.) and creation of a documentary short. This process was carried out under the tutelage of industry experts with professional equipment and dedicated mentorship. 

THE 2020 FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM’S PARTICIPANTS 

BEING BLACK IN MONTREAL – FRANCOPHONE PROGRAM 

Aïcha Morin-Baldé, Cassandre Grégoire, Kimberley Ann Surin, Nitsé Mathelier, Tania Doumbe Fines  

BEING BLACK IN MONTREAL – ANGLOPHONE PROGRAM 

Amelya Hempstead, Dee Edouard Williams, Devantie Johnson, Melannie Jonas, Steve Deku 

BEING BLACK IN TORONTO 

Bethlehem Tsegaye, David Peddie, Selina McCallum, Shani McKenzie, Uranranebi Agbeyegbe 

BEING BLACK IN HALIFAX 

Andre Anderson, Kardeisha Provo, K. Taylor, Lily Nottage, Tyler Simmonds  

“This impressive slate of emerging filmmakers proves one more time that Black creators don’t lack talent, they lack opportunities. And this is exactly the reason behind the creation of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program. We are beyond proud to be fostering massive inclusion in the Canadian Film Industry, by empowering the next generation of Black Filmmakers.” Said Fabienne Colas, Founder of the Program.   

We would like to thank all our loyal partners who supported us through these hard times of the Covid19 pandemic and without whom there would be no program this year. 

Over the next two years, the program will also extend its reach to Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver with an aim to support a total of 70 new filmmakers and 55 alumni by 2022. In 2019, The FCF’s Being Black in Canada Program was held in three Canadian cities: Montréal, Toronto & Halifax, in collaboration with the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), the Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) & the Halifax Black Film Festival (HBFF) and were also aired on Television.  

Watch the 2019 films online at TeleQuebec.tv, CBC GEM Toronto, CBC GEM Halifax 

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 9 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 3,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. www.fondationfabiennecolas.org  

For interview inquiries, please contact :  

Véronique Fecteau, publicist : 514-893-0772 veronique@perfecteaucomm.com

TELEFILM CANADA JOINS NETFLIX, THE NATIONAL BANK AND CANADA MEDIA FUND AS A MAJOR PARTNER OF THE FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM 

www.BeingBlackInCanada.com  

Montreal, October 20, 2020 – The Fabienne Colas Foundation is proud to announce Telefilm Canada as a major partner of the Being Black in Canada Program – Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. By offering its strong support, Telefilm Canada joins previously announced major partners Netflix, the National Bank and Canada Media Fund to ensure the sustainability and expansion of this pan-Canadian incubator program.  

As a result of this cross-industry partnership, the 2020 program will expand to include 20 new participants from Montreal, Toronto, and Halifax. Over the next two years, the program will extend its reach to Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver with an aim to support a total of 70 new filmmakers and 55 alumni by 2022.  

Participants from this program will benefit from mentorship and training by established experts across multiple areas of film production including screenwriting, directing, editing and post-production. They will also be provided with the opportunity to create individual documentary shorts that address the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in Canada. 

Created in Montreal in 2012, the Being Black in Canada Program presented its first cohort in 2014. In 2019, the program included 15 Black filmmakers, ages 18 to 30, from Montreal, Toronto, and Halifax. These filmmakers premiered their documentary shorts at the Black Film Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, and Halifax. 

“The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada initiative comes at a moment when support for Black talent is essential for our industry, and this combined partnership across private and public organizations demonstrates a united front in making this a reality,” said Christa Dickenson, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada. “It will give emerging Black filmmakers in Canada insight and exposure to develop and further sustain their careers, helping to break down the barriers that Black creators have disproportionally faced. We are thankful to the Fabienne Colas Foundation for bringing this opportunity to us and look forward to continuing our partnership in support of Black creators and artists.” 

“Black artists represent the most marginalized and underserved group in the Canadian arts community. We are therefore thrilled to be partnering with Telefilm Canada, alongside Netflix, the National Bank of Canada and the Canada Media Fund to expand the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada Program from coast to coast,” said Fabienne Colas, President and CEO of the Fabienne Colas Foundation. This will amplify the voices of emerging Black filmmakers all over Canada at an important time of our history. It marks a concrete step towards greater inclusion of diversity in the Canadian film Industry.” 

The 2019 films from Toronto and Halifax will air on CBC and gem.cbc.ca on November 7, 2020. The ones from Montreal were broadcast on Télé-Québec on July 1st, 2020 and are currently available on telequebec.tv 

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation 

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 9 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 3,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti, and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. www.fondationfabiennecolas.org  

About Telefilm Canada   

Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund accepts private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada  

For interview inquiries, please contact   

Véronique Fecteau  

Publicist 

Fabienne Colas Foundation 

514-893-0772  

veronique@perfecteaucomm.com  

On behalf of Telefilm Canada: 

Joyce Richards 
Advisor, Public Relations – English Market 
Telefilm Canada 
647-475-4903 
joyce.richards@telefilm.ca 

Andréane Leblanc 
Advisor, Public Relations – French Market 
Telefilm Canada 
438-469-1204 
andreane.leblanc@telefilm.ca 

NETFLIX, NATIONAL BANK AND CANADA MEDIA FUND SUPPORTS

EXPANSION OF BEING BLACK IN CANADA

THROUGH NEW CROSS-INDUSTRY AND MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

Montreal, – July 22, 2020 – Today, the Fabienne Colas Foundation announced new support for the Being Black in Canada program from presenting sponsor Netflix, in collaboration with National Bank, and the support of Canada Media Fund.

As a result of this cross-industry partnership, the 2020 program will expand to include 20 new participants from Montreal, Toronto and Halifax. Over the following two years, the program will further expand to include Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver and support a total of 70 new filmmakers and 55 alumni in 2021 and 2022.

Being Black in Canada represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. Program participants benefit from mentorship and training by established experts across multiple areas of film production including screenwriting, directing, editing and post-production. They will also be provided with the opportunity to create individual documentary shorts that address the issue of social integration of people from Black communities in Canada.

In 2019, the program included 15 filmmakers, ages 18 to 30, from the Black communities of Montreal, Toronto and Halifax. All of the filmmakers presented their documentary shorts as world premieres at last year’s Montreal International Black Film Festival as well as an Ontario premiere at Toronto Black Film Festival and the Atlantic Canadian premiere at Halifax Black Film Festival.

Fabienne Colas is available for interviews regarding this new partnership.

Quotes

“Black artists represent the most marginalized and underserved group in the Canadian arts community. We are therefore thrilled to be partnering with Netflix alongside the National Bank of Canada and the Canada Media Fund to expand the Being Black in Canada Program from coast to coast. This will amplify the voices of emerging Black filmmakers all over Canada at an important time of our history. It marks a concrete step towards greater inclusion of diversity in the Canadian Film Industry.”

– Fabienne Colas, President and CEO of the Fabienne Colas Foundation

“Creating more stories that generate empathy and understanding of the Black experience starts with providing more opportunities for Black creators to hone their storytelling craft. Being Black in Canada provides a meaningful platform for the development of young Black artists in Canada and Netflix is proud to support the expansion of this program.”

– Stéphane Cardin, Director of Public Policy, Netflix Canada

“By promoting the inclusion of black filmmakers and supporting the next generation, we can help demonstrate that the future is promising, economically and socially, for the black community and beyond. As a major partner of audiovisual production in Canada, National Bank is proud to work with a number of other organizations to support the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada incubator program.”

– Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank

“The CMF recently made a commitment towards combating systemic racism in Canada’s screen-based sector. Training and mentorship are fundamental for meaningful and lasting change to happen. Supporting the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada initiative is a key step on the road towards representation and racial equity. We’re deeply committed to supporting change that lasts. We look forward to seeing the next generation of Black Canadian storytellers change the narrative and eliminate stereotypes for audiences here in Canada and around the world.” 

– Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, CMF

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 9 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 2,000 artists and attracted close to 1 million festival goers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince.

About Netflix

Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 193 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

About National Bank of Canada

With $317 billion in assets as at April 30, 2020, National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada’s leading integrated financial groups. It has more than 26,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and has been recognized numerous times as a top employer and for its commitment to diversity. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).

About Canada Media Fund

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors.

Media contact:

Talar Adam

Publicist

Fabienne Colas Foundation

514-833-0274

press@MontrealBlackFilm.com

www.BeingBlackInCanada.com

Being Black in Montreal: July 1^st, 2020 on Télé-Québec at 8PM, then on telequebec.tv.

Being Black in Toronto & Being Black in Halifax: September 19, 2020 on CBC & CBC Gem

Montreal, June 25, 2020 – Being Black in Canada, a pan-Canadian initiative from the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Program and produced by Zaza Production, will make its Television debut this year throughout Canada.

To make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada, the Fabienne Colas Foundation created the program which aims to train and empower the next generation of black filmmakers in Cinema and Television. To achieve this, the program has put together several initiatives, among which is the Being Black in Canada series (Montreal, Toronto, Halifax) which aims to give a voice and a platform to creators who would otherwise not be seen or heard. The Foundation promotes equal opportunities for Black filmmakers while fostering Diversity on our screens that are too white for a diverse society.

Being Black in Canada represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black artists. In 2019, the program enabled 15 young filmmakers, aged 18 to 30, to create 15 documentary shorts of approximately 10 minutes each. Filmmakers addressed the issue of social integration of people from black communities in Canada through the powerful medium of film. The 15 promising filmmakers were guided through the many steps in audiovisual production (Researching, Screenwriting, Interviewing, Directing, Editing, Post-production, Promotion, Touring in Festivals etc.) and creation of a documentary. This process was carried out under the professional tutelage of industry professionals with professional equipment and dedicated mentorship.

“Black artists represent the most marginalized and underserved group in the Canadian arts community. We are therefore pleased to collaborate with CBC and Télé-Québec which, by broadcasting on television and on the web the 15 films of the Being Black in Canada series, amplify the voices of our young black filmmakers at an important time of our history. This marks a concrete step towards greater inclusion of diversity on Canadian Television.”- said Fabienne Colas, Executive Producer of the Series and President of the Fabienne Colas Foundation

Created in Montréal in 2014, the series was held in 2019 in three cities in Canada: Montréal, Toronto & Halifax, in collaboration with the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), the Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) & the Halifax Black Film Festival (HBFF).

The 15 films have been presented as world premieres at the Montreal International Black Film Festival in September 2019. The 15 filmmakers also screened their films as Ontario Premieres at the Toronto Black Film Festival and then as Canadian Atlantic Premieres at the Halifax Black Film Festival in February 2020. The film screenings were followed by talks to discuss the socio-economic issues and black realities in cinema and society, particularly their respective provinces and share possible solutions for better inclusion of black youth in the community. The filmmakers met and talked to impactful people in the position to inspire and facilitate change; they learned from top people in the film industry and in our communities.

Being Black in Montreal – Short films presented on Télé-Québec on July 1^st, 2020 – 8PM (EST)

F, directed by Marina Mathieu – 9 mn 39 s I Canada I 2019

Le dilemme de Ma’, directed by Alexa Carrenard – 9 mn 35 s I Canada I 2019

Le Muzungu québécois, directed by Justice Rutikara – 9 mn 55 s I Canada I 2019

Prendre sa lumière, directed by Stella Lemaine – 11 mn 11 s I Canada I 2019

Le repos est un droit (Rest is a right), directed by Sara-Claudia Ligondé – 9 mn 17 s I Canada I 2019

Being Black in Toronto – Short films presented on CBC on September 19, 2020 – 7PM (EST)

The Onyx Butterfly, directed by Yasmin Evering-Kerr – 6 min 16 s I Canada I 2019

Joseph, Margaret & I, directed by Valerie Amponsah – 8 min 06 s I Canada I 2019

Black Sun, directed by Adrian Wallace – 7 min 55 s I Canada I 2019

YYZ, directed by Omolola Ajao – 5 min 30 s I Canada I 2019

Tallawah Abroad, directed by Sharine Taylor – 7min 10 s I Canada I 2019

#Black, directed by Yvano Antonio – 4 min 20 s I Canada I 2019

Being Black in Halifax – short films presented on CBC on September 19, 2020 – 8PM (AST)

Normal, directed by Bradley Bright – 10 min 48 s I Canada I 2019

Journey of Self Love, directed by Latesha Auger – 11 min 34 s I Canada I 2019

Black & Belonging, directed by Francesca Ekwuyasi – 12 min 43 s | Canada | 2019

Youth, Hip Hop Halifax, directed by Harmony Adesola – 9 min 14 s I Canada I 2019

Being Black in Canada, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, was made possible with the collaboration of:

MONTREAL: Montreal Black Film Festival, la SODEC, Quebec Arts Council, Montreal Arts Council, L’Inis. TORONTO: Toronto Black Film Festival, Oya Media, Pathway2industry. HALIFAX: Halifax Black Film Festival, Screen Nova Scotia, Current Studio et AFCOOP.

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts as well as to support the creation, production, promotion and dissemination of cinema, the arts and culture in Canada and elsewhere. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation put together 7 festivals and programs to break barriers, celebrate diversity, foster togetherness, understanding and inclusion. Since its inception in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 2,000 artists and attracted close to 1 million festivalgoers in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation mostly promotes Black culture in Montréal, Toronto, Halifax, New York City et Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. www.fondationfabiennecolas.org

For interview inquiries, please contact

Véronique Fecteau, publicist : 514-893-0772 veronique@perfecteaucomm.com

Help us keep this FREE Mentorship & Creation program going for Black Artists!