New digital fund gives voice to B.C. storytellers’ film shorts

Feb. 8, 2019

VANCOUVER – Six B.C.-based filmmakers and digital content producers have received a jump start in their production through support from the Province and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

The CBC + Creative BC Digital Production Fund supports the production of digital content from emerging creators. These fund recipients will have the opportunity to showcase their projects to a national audience on the public broadcaster’s extensive digital platforms, including the CBC Gem streaming service.

“B.C. has a well-earned reputation for excellence in production,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “This partnership with CBC provides increased supports for B.C. film and TV makers and ensures the representation of diverse talent so more producers can get the support they need. Now, more varied stories are told in our province.”

The representation of diverse talent is a central goal of this program. Preference was given to women, Indigenous and visible minority creators, as well as creators with a disability, to bring their unique voices and relevant content forward. The fund aims for at least 50% of successful projects to be driven by women creators. Three of the six recipients this year are women and two identify as Indigenous.

“We are extremely proud of the six filmmakers and creators selected through the CBC + Creative BC Digital Production Fund. Their stellar work will be presented to global and domestic markets online and showcase their place as B.C.’s storytellers,” said Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC. “We are thrilled to support a diversity of talent.”

“These six projects represent the unique perspectives that we set out to find and elevate through the CBC + Creative BC Digital Production Fund,” said Sally Catto, general manager, programming, CBC. “It’s this type of storytelling that inspired us to partner with Creative BC to champion creators in the province, and we can’t wait to share these projects with audiences across the country on CBC Gem.”

Quick Facts:

• Announced in June 2018, Creative BC and CBC each contributed $150,000 to the fund.
• The submission period for applications ran from June 25-October 15, 2018.
• All qualified projects were reviewed by CBC for assessment on a first come, first served basis.
• Funding was limited to genres that qualify for British Columbia’s domestic motion picture tax credits.

Learn More:

For more information on Creative BC, visit: https://www.creativebc.com

For more information on the CBC Gem streaming service, visit: https://watch.cbc.ca/

A backgrounder detailing the recipients follows.

Contacts:

Carla Wormald
Manager
Government Communications & Public Engagement
Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
778 698-8199

Rumnique Nannar
Content & Communications Specialist
Creative BC
604 730-2240

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