TORONTO — Indigenous Canadian female content creators will soon have a new media platform to showcase their work, with the launch of the Shine Network, announced today.
Founded by award-winning actor, director, writer and producer Jennifer Podemski (pictured), the Shine Network is currently seeking donors and strategic partners to champion its mandate of empowering and celebrating Indigenous female creators and to help build its professional development incubator, says a press release announcing its launch.
The Shine Network website went live today, but the free subscriber-based platform is slated to officially launch with full programming in early 2021. It will provide both an exhibition space for content and a talent incubator with virtual training for those pursuing a career in the Canadian film, television and media industry, adds the release.
In addition to featuring a diverse variety of content made by Indigenous women, special presentations will include curated works by established Indigenous filmmakers, virtual discussion sessions and exclusive online screening events.
The Shine Network’s professional development incubator will provide Indigenous women with access to an array of masterclasses and tutorials created to motive and inspire. All classes will be virtual and custom designed to address the unique challenges Indigenous women face and provide insight and actionable steps to overcoming them. Subscribers who complete all classes and tutorials will be given access to one-on-one sessions with a select group of virtual mentors.
The Shine Network initiative is a direct response to the chronic underrepresentation of Indigenous women on screen and behind the camera in Canada’s media production sector, says the release.
“Being forced to pivot during a pandemic got me thinking about how I can best serve my community and make a positive and lasting impact on the Canadian media landscape,” said Podemski, in the press release. “The Shine Network is my call to action to address the grossly disproportionate realities Indigenous women face when it comes to inclusion, access and funding.”
Podemski is an Anishinaabe/Ashkenazi content creator whose acting credits Cardinal, Hard Rock Medical, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Dance Me Outside and Blackstone). She has produced titles such as Moccasin Flats, The Other Side, Empire of Dirt, Future History and The Indspire Awards. She is the founder and CEO of Redcloud Studios and has been nominated for numerous Canadian Screen Awards and won for best direction, factual in 2020 for her series Future History. In 2018, she was awarded ACTRA Toronto’s Award of Excellence.
