Participants announced for third year of Access BIPOC Producers!

press release

EAVE and the National Screen Institute in partnership with Canada Media Fund (CMF) are excited to announce the 20 producers selected for Access BIPOC Producers – a training and mentorship program designed to support BIPOC producers in Canada as they scale their businesses and develop projects for international markets. 

Congratulations to the participants: 

• Alexander Glua (Vancouver, BC) 
• Alice Teufack (Winnipeg, MB) 
• Amanda Pileggi (Toronto, ON) 
• Ana P. Castillo (Winnipeg, MB) 
• Camille Beaudoin (Port Moody, BC) 
• Erica Daniels (Winnipeg, MB) 
• Fabiola Caraza (Saskatoon, SK) 
• Georgina López (Toronto, ON) 
• James Yi (Toronto, ON) 
• Javiera Quintana (Toronto, ON) 
• Joe Balass (Montreal, QC) 
• Kristina Wong (Toronto, ON) 
• Leon Lee (Vancouver, BC) 
• Priyanka Desai (North Vancouver, BC) 
• Rolla Tahir (York, ON) 
• Samantha Pineda Sierra (Vancouver, BC) 
• Taghreed Saadeh (Edmonton, AB) 
• Tanya Hoshi (Mississauga, ON) 
• Temilola Adebayo (Courtice, ON) 
• Yiqian Zhang (Toronto, ON) 

Read the participants’ bios here. 

This third edition builds on past successes, fostering a path to career and entrepreneurial sustainability for participants and their production companies. Designed to build strong business networks, boost company growth and drive the financing and co-production of intellectual property, this program has consistently delivered on its goals.

“Investing in BIPOC storytellers is essential to Canada’s cultural tapestry. By amplifying these diverse voices, we showcase the multifaceted stories that define Canada, and that resonate at home and around the world,” said Mathieu Chantelois, EVP of Marketing and Public Affairs, CMF. “We’re grateful to the National Screen Institute and EAVE for partnering on this initiative and to the world-class experts who will work with this year’s participants. This program provides crucial opportunities for these creators to grow their projects and businesses, strengthening the industry as a whole.”

This year’s participants have begun work and will meet for their first one-week intensive, in-person workshop in Winnipeg at the end of March.

Through hands-on individual and group assignments, participants will strengthen their leadership and entrepreneurial skills while studying with national and international experts in script consultancy, finance, marketing, sales, interprovincial co-productions and entertainment law.

Renowned industry experts involved in the third edition of Access BIPOC Producers include Diana Elbaum (Beluga Tree); Head of Studies Tamara Dawit (Gobez Media); Jacques Akchoti, Mmabatho Kau (Raindrop Media); Ayman El Amir; Titus Kreyenberg (Unafilm); Karen Harnish (Film Forge); Hédi Zardi (Atlas Workshops); Kelly Wilhelm (OCAD University); and Doug Murray (Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP).

The program curriculum is developed using EAVE’s methodology, tailor-made for delivery in Canada. Recent EAVE graduates have seen a 182% increase in co-production projects after participation. 

“Access BIPOC Producers provides senior-level professional development for producers who want to expand their international business network,” said National Screen Institute executive director Christine Kleckner. “Our partnership with EAVE and CMF has been essential in driving these efforts forward, as we work together to ensure that producers can lead with agency and independence to advance an inclusive and equitable culture in the screen sector.”  

Alumni from the first two editions of Access BIPOC Producers have gone on to produce award-winning films, screen their projects at festivals in Canada and abroad and develop co-productions with fellow alumni. They have credited the program with providing the tools and knowledge required to make their production companies more financially and creatively robust, plan film slates and create lasting connections with peers and more experienced industry colleagues. 

“This program helped me move from [going] project to project to project to developing a slate, which is the beginning of really considering my business and my career with the same level of focus that I do per project,” said alum Sarah Kapoor. 

“We understand each other in a way that other people don’t. We have challenges – we’re children of immigrants. We’ve come here in different ways,” said alum Michelle Mama. “Some of us have accents, [for] some of us English isn’t our first language and there’s a well of empathy, there’s something communal here, that’s holy and special.” 

The program is managed by the National Screen Institute’s Ursula Lawson and Oyinkansola Bolaji-Idowu. 

Congratulations again to the 20 producers selected for the third edition of Access BIPOC Producers! We look forward to supporting your career development and celebrating your achievements for years to come.

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Access BIPOC Producers is presented by EAVE and the National Screen Institute, in partnership with the Canada Media Fund (CMF); Patron Telefilm Canada; Program Partner Department of Canadian Heritage; Host Partner Manitoba Film & Music; Strategic Sponsor Bell Media; Industry Partner Bell Fund; Provincial Partner Ontario Creates; Industry Supporter On Screen Manitoba. National Screen Institute Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council. More sponsors to be confirmed. 

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About EAVE, European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs 

EAVE is Europe’s leading training, development and networking organization for producers. In addition to their flagship program, the renowned European Producers Workshop, they are involved in a variety of programs in Europe, Asia, Latin America, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Founded in 1988, EAVE’s objectives are to provide professional training opportunities and to bring producers from different regions of the world together with the aim of facilitating co-production relationships. EAVE’s unique international network comprises over 2,600 producers and key decision-makers. 

About the Canada Media Fund 

Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors. 

About the National Screen Institute  

Propelled by a visionary network of donors, private and public organizations, board members and staff, the National Screen Institute supports creators from across Canada to tell unforgettable stories. Through industry-informed training and mentoring in film, television and digital media, students and alumni find their voice and place on the global stage, inspiring us to shape a better world. 

We are committed to training participants from a diverse community of voices including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those outside large urban centres, those from regional and remote areas and various religious groups. 

Page published 7 February 2025. Updated 27 February 2025.