MONTREAL — Telefilm Canada today provided an update regarding data collection efforts related to its funding programs as part of its commitment to an equitable and representative screen-based industry.
Building on the corporate data collection methods implemented during the first phase of the federal government’s Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund, beginning today Telefilm will also collect additional data on the corporate control of applicants and on key creatives (director, writer and producer), says Telefilm’s industry advisory.
With regard to corporate data collection, each applicant company will be able to self-identify as being majority-owned and controlled by individuals who self-identify as one or more of the following:
- Racialized persons
- LGBTQ2+
- Persons with disabilities
- Indigenous persons (First Nations, Inuit or Métis)
- Women
- Members of an official language minority community
The option to self-identify is voluntary and is available through various programs starting August 17.
In terms of data collection on key creative positions, a new option to self-identify as a racialized person and/or a member of an official language minority community will now be expanded across various Telefilm programs. This is in addition to Telefilm’s existing options to identify based on gender as well as identifying as Indigenous.
Production companies submit data relating to key creatives when applying to Telefilm. Starting August 17, this data can now be collected in the following programs (as application periods open): Talent to Watch, Development, and Documentary. It will also be collected in the Production Program for future applications, Telefilm says.
Telefilm will incorporate reporting on data collection in its financing announcements, as well as in its annual report. These are Telefilm’s first steps toward more detailed data collection as it develops in consultation with the industry, working toward launching enhanced data collection options for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, Telefilm says.
