The Canadian Academy launches Women in Post program

May 26, 2021

The Canadian Academy continues to foster opportunity with new Women in Post program

Submissions for the Women in Post program and the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women open June 2, 2021

Toronto, May 26, 2021 - The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today that submissions will open on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 for two talent development programs focused on expanding opportunity for women in the Canadian film and television industry: the inaugural edition of the Women in Post program, and the fourth edition of the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women.

Greenlit in March 2021, the Women in Post program will provide higher-level industry access and professional development for emerging to mid-level creatives working in all areas of post production. Six participants will have the opportunity to develop their technical, creative, and leadership skills through strategic learning modules and hands-on mentorship at a post production company; placements are currently located in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, with more to be announced.

The Women in Post program is presented by Netflix, and supported by lead post house partner, Company 3.

“Post production is an area of our industry where women often face barriers to entry and advancement and frankly, that needs to change,” said Beth Janson, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “The Women in Post program is a crucial step towards creating equity in this space, and we are excited to work with Netflix and Company 3 to uncover the next generation of talent.”

“The Women in Post program is addressing a critical need in the industry to provide more opportunities for women to contribute through all stages of the creative process,” said Tiffany Burrell-Lewis, Director, Creative Talent Development at Netflix. “We look forward to seeing more women thrive and succeed in post production as a result of this program.”

“We’re so excited to team up with the Academy and Netflix to create opportunities for women and our teams are delighted to have the opportunity to help these individuals as they carve their career path,” said Lindsay Donavan, VP of Sales at Company 3 Vancouver.

Lindsay’s Company 3 Toronto counterpart Mike Paterson adds, “It is so important to get behind the words about inclusion with action and we’re proud to be involved.”

Embarking on its fourth cohort, the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women is designed to bolster the professional development of Canadian directors by providing hands-on experience through a wide range of activities, including on-set director observer placements with established production companies and high-profile directors. Previous program participants include Alicia K. Harris, Kathleen Hepburn, Tiffany Hsiung, Reem Morsi, and Halima Ouardiri.

The Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women is presented with the generous support of Netflix, Pinewood Toronto Studios, Canada Media Fund, RBC Emerging Artists Project, Company 3, William F. White International Inc., and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Following the closure of submissions on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 for both programs, the Canadian Academy will conduct internal, peer, and juried reviews to determine the participants. The six members of the inaugural cohort of the Canadian Academy Women in Post program, and the eight members of the fourth cohort for the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women, will be announced in September 2021.

Learn more about the Women in Post program and submit your application here.

Learn more about the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women and submit your application here.

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