TORONTO — WarnerMedia Access Canada announced today a new initiative, WarnerMedia Access Festivals, which is designed “to demystify the festival experience and guide mid-level filmmakers from underrepresented communities in making the most of networking opportunities,” according to a press release.
The program is launching at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which is running from Sept. 9-18. WarnerMedia Access Canada says it aims to partner with film festivals across Canada and the United States.
“WarnerMedia Access Festivals will build relationships with, and support committed filmmakers who are pursuing careers in the industry and are ready to maximize their festival experiences,” reads the press release.
The program “will provide selected participants with an industry accreditation pass as well as an exclusive opportunity to meet with an experienced filmmaker and to discuss practical strategies with a festival programmer,” the release says.
In addition, the program will provide a curated guidebook, The Access Festivals How-To Guide, “filled with valuable networking advice from WarnerMedia executives and other key industry professionals including how to prepare, pitch and follow up on those crucial festival connections.”
“This program is another example of WarnerMedia’s commitment to support and foster relationships with underrepresented voices through our WarnerMedia Access Canada division and is an exciting way to build talent up while expanding who has access to key industry events,” said Karen Horne, senior vice-president of equity and inclusion at WarnerMedia, in the release.
Program participants at TIFF will receive a Pro Pass that provides access to all online screenings, networking opportunities, the Industry Conference, and professional resources. In addition, they “will take part in a special conversation arranged just for them with guest filmmaker Thyrone Tommy, to discuss his own film festival journey, and connect with Ravi Srinivasan, TIFF’s International Programmer, Canada, to discuss the process, strategy, and tips for festival success,” says the release.
“We can’t wait for filmmakers to transform from festival outsiders to insiders through this program,” said Deanna Cadette, executive director of WarnerMedia Access Canada.
“It was designed by our festivals lead Luisa Alvarez Restrepo with the filmmaker perspective at the forefront and with an outlook that’s both local and global. We’re excited to build a community of savvy creators, across Canada and the U.S., who can confidently leverage the festival experience to drive their projects, careers, and the industry forward,” Cadette added.
Other participating film festivals in Canada include Ottawa International Animation Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Reelworld Film Festival, Rendezvous with Madness Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and Fantasia International Film Festival.
WarnerMedia Access Canada says calls for applications will be shared through its social platforms (on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) as well as each festival’s social channels and newsletters. A limited number of spots will be available for each festival.
