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Reelworld Black Entrepreneurs Program

The Reelworld Black Entrepreneurs Program is a training initiative for Black casting directors, agents, managers, and producers in Canada. This first of its kind program provides transformational business advisory services, training, paid apprenticeship, capital investment, and networking opportunities.

Over the course of 9 months, the selected participants will commit to 3 months of specified training 2 times a week for 2-3 hours, 3 months of mentorship, and 3 months of working with business consultants. This program also supports participants with incorporating their business, exclusive access to industry markets, and networking opportunities.

Beginning March 2023, the first cohorts of 16 chosen applicants will participate in a series of workshops focused on structuring a company for success with training in the key areas of strategic planning, finance, human resources, marketing and sales.

Reelworld Black Entrepreneurs Program est une série d'ateliers pour les réalisateurs, les agents, les managers et les producteurs noirs au Canada. Ce programme unique offre aux entreprises transformationnelles des services de conseil, de la formation, des apprentissages rémunérés, des investissements en capital et des possibilités de réseautage.

Au cours de 9 mois, les participants sélectionnés s'engageront dans 3 mois de formation spécifique 2 fois par semaine pendant 2 à 3 heures, 3 mois de mentorat et 3 mois de travail avec des consultants en entreprise. Ce programme aide également les participants à intégrer leur entreprise, avoir un accès exclusif aux marchés de l'industrie et trouver des possibilités de réseautage.

À partir de mars 2023, les 16 premières candidats sélectionnés participeront à une série d'ateliers axés sur la structuration d'une entreprise florissante dans les domaines de la planification stratégique, des finances, des ressources humaines, du marketing et des ventes.

All Black Canadians who are looking to build their own businesses as casting directors, agents, managers and producers should apply for this first-of-its-kind program.

Tous les Canadiens noirs qui cherchent à créer leur propre entreprise en tant que réalisateurs, agents, managers et producteurs devraient postuler à ce programme unique.

Why Change Matters / Pourquoi la transformation est importante

The lack of Black representation as gatekeepers in these areas is a grievous gap in the Canadian ecosystem of Entrepreneurs.

"The value of having a good agent and manager who looks like you and knows the challenges you will have to face is immeasurable, and to have casting directors who can view talent through a different lens will be a game changer in our industry." - Tonya Williams, Actress, Producer, and Founder & Executive Director, Reelworld Screen Institute.

Le manque de représentation des personnes noires en tant que gardiens dans ces domaines est une lacune dans l'écosystème canadien des entrepreneurs.

"La valeur d'avoir un bon agent et manager qui vous ressemble et qui connaît les défis auxquels vous devrez faire face est incommensurable, et avoir des réalisateurs de casting qui peuvent voir les talents sous un angle différent changera la donne dans notre industrie." - Tonya Williams, actrice, productrice et fondatrice et directrice exécutive, Reelworld Screen Institute.

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

For sponsorship opportunities contact Pahull Bains at pahull@reelworld.ca

Nous reconnaissons le soutien du gouvernement du Canada par l'agence fédérale de développement économique pour le Sud de l'Ontario.

Pour les opportunités de parrainage, contactez Pahull Bains à l’dresse pahull@reelworld.ca

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ACTRA National
Shaftesbury
Telefilm Canada

We would also like to thank the following Industry Partners for their support:

Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
Afroglobal Television
Black Screen Office
Black Academy
Casting Directors Society of Canada (CDC)
Channel Zero
CMF
CMPA
Freddie Films Inc
Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (IMPACT)
Independent Production Fund (IPF)
Playback
Meridian Artists
Oya Media Group
Talent Agents and Managers Association of Canada (TAMAC)
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Upcoming Reelworld Programs & Events

Meet the DGC Workshop & Q/A

1:00pm l March 28th, 2023

Meet the DGC Workshop & Q/A

Join us for a chat with R.T Thorne (The Porter, Utopia Falls) and Hans Engel (Senior Manager, National Directors Division & Directors Rights Collective of Canada, Directors Guild of Canada) to learn about the Director's Guild of Canada and working as a DGC Director.

#HERFRAMEMATTERS: GOING DIGITAL - Empowering Women through Web Series

1:00pm l March 30th, 2023

#HERFRAMEMATTERS: GOING DIGITAL - Empowering Women through Web Series

Webseries allow creators the ability to control their visions from beginning to end. As a result, it’s become a burgeoning field for racialized and Indigenous women to create authentic stories for their audiences. Join us for a panel with the Creator & Actor of Zarqa, Zarqa Nawaz, Actor on Gay Mean Girls Season 2, Robyn Matuto & 2023 Canadian Screen Award Nominee Connie Wang of Tokens as they speak on their experience developing or working under Black, Indigenous and Women of Colors writers & directors.

Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival

March 23 - 26, 2023

Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival

Reelworld is proud to co-present the screening of Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja's latest documentary, To Kill a Tiger, at the 2023 Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF).

To Kill a Tiger follows Ranjit, a farmer in India, as he takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey is unprecedented.

The film is playing on Friday, March 24, at 7:45pm at the Cineplex Mississauga, and you can get 10% off your tickets using the code 10yearsofmisaff. The director will also be in attendance at the screening. Get your tickets here.

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