BANFF – Netflix has been named as the title partner of the Banff Diversity of Voices Initiative, a new training and development program for underrepresented emerging Canadian creators.
With a focus on Indigenous, Francophone and female industry professionals, participants receive full registration to the festival, a curated professional development curriculum plus access to networking opportunities with senior creative and executive leaders. In addition, a sub-group of 25 program applicants take part in the Diversity of Voices Pitch Program where they receive personalized advice from industry mentors and take pitch meetings with international buyers plus receive a stipend to defray travel costs. The full list of Diversity of Voices 2018 participants can be found here.
A Netflix spokesperson said that the partnership agreement is part of the streaming giant’s commitment to support industry development opportunities in Canada, and is part of the $25 million development fund announced last September.
“Netflix’s new commitment to the Diversity of Voices Initiative is a pledge of confidence in Banff’s ability to mentor, train and develop emerging creators in Canada,” said Chris Regina, Netflix’s director of global television, in Sunday’s announcement.
The Divesity of Voices Initiative was launched with the support of Netflix as well as the Canada Media Fund – Fonds des médias du Canada (CMF/FMC), the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), and Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office.
“It’s imperative to address the fact that there are systemic gender and cultural barriers that exist within the media industry,” added Banff World Media Festival executive director Jenn Kuzmyk. “Netflix’s meaningful commitment to turn this program into a multi-year initiative, coupled with the support of our partners will ensure that hundreds of participants gain the industry access, information and relationships they need to navigate the global content market and ultimately get their projects produced as a direct result.”
The 39th annual Banff World Media Festival will run through June 13 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, AB.
