BSO and CMPA Launch New BSO-CMPA Black Producer Accelerator Program

TORONTO, April 2, 2024 — The Black Screen Office (BSO) and Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) today announced the launch of a new Black Producer Accelerator Program focused on increasing representation and supporting the career growth of Black producers in Canada.

The program, made possible with financial support from Entertainment Partners, will see six producers participate in 20-week paid mentorship placements, where they will be paired with established producers at CMPA member companies. Participants will have the opportunity to receive on-the-job training across various aspects of production, including research, development, on-set production, business affairs, marketing, and promotion.

Black candidates who have a demonstrated interest in working in production, and a goal of building a career as a media producer in Canada, are invited to apply. Applicants must co-apply with an experienced CMPA producer with whom the candidate would work alongside throughout the duration of the accelerator program. If a candidate is unable to source a potential mentor company, the CMPA will endeavour to connect them with an eligible producer.

The application deadline is May 3, 2024.

“The Black Producer Accelerator Program, a collaborative effort between the CMPA and the Black Screen Office, is important to us. It’s a tangible manifestation of our dedication to mentorship and opening doors within the Canadian screen industry,” said BSO executive director Joan Jenkinson in a statement. “Our goal is to cultivate meaningful relationships between Black producers and seasoned CMPA producers, providing immersive, on-the-job mentorship. This initiative is about laying down the groundwork for enduring connections and ensuring that emerging Black talent is seen, heard, and given the chance to thrive.”

"We are excited to announce our partnership with the BSO in launching a much-needed program aimed at empowering Black producers in Canada and providing them with the required career acceleration support. We are confident that the first cohort of participants will achieve great accomplishments in the coming years, and we look forward to witnessing their success!" said Reynolds Mastin, President and CEO, CMPA.

“Diverse perspectives are essential for driving innovation and creativity in the entertainment industry, so Entertainment Partners is thrilled to support the Black Producer Accelerator Program and help promote opportunities for diversity within the producer community in Canada. By supporting programs like The Black Producer Accelerator Program EP is investing in a more vibrant and inclusive future for Canadian entertainment,” commented Cheryl Nex, President of Entertainment Partners in Canada.

More information about eligibility and the application process can be found on the program webpage.

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About The CMPA

The Canadian Media Producers Association is the national advocacy organization for independent producers, representing hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production, and distribution of English-language content made for television, cinema, and digital media channels. For 75 years, the CMPA has worked to promote the continued success of the Canadian production sector and to ensure a bright future for the diverse content made by our members for both domestic and international audiences. cmpa.ca

About the Black Screen Office (BSO) 

The Black Screen Office helps build a screen industry free of anti-Black racism, by working with industry decision-makers to change practices and build systems for accountability, directly catalyzing the production of Black-led content and supporting the career advancement of Black professionals. https://bso-ben.ca/ 

About Entertainment Partners

Entertainment Partners has been a trusted production partner to the entertainment industry for over 46 years, helping clients create and produce great shows and movies, choose the best production location, forecast, manage and track expenses, and pay crew and talent. As the global leader in entertainment payroll production finance and production management solutions, EP delivers integrated, cloud-based digital solutions to support every phase of production. EP’s team of experts have decades of experience in the entertainment industry providing rich insights on global and domestic incentives, workers’ compensation, health care, labor issues, and regulatory compliance. EP brings together background casting and digital production technology with the Casting Portal, the leading SaaS-based platform that has transformed the way background actors are found, hired, managed, and paid, and the iconic and legendary Central Casting. www.ep.com 

For more information:

Gamiela Fereg
Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications, CMPA
gamiela.fereg@cmpa.ca

Andy Marshall
Programming Manager, BSO
⁠programming@bso-ben.ca