Applications open
Apply by Monday, May 4, 2026 at 5 p.m. Central Time
Apply nowAbout
Access+, presented by EAVE and the National Screen Institute in partnership with the Canada Media Fund, is a tailored, high-impact professional development and mentorship initiative designed for alumni of Access BIPOC Producers and EAVE On Demand Access Program. Applicants must have completed one of these programs to be considered.
Building on the success of Access BIPOC Producers, this intensive training program will equip mid-level Canadian producers who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) with the advanced skills, knowledge and industry access needed to take their companies and projects to the international marketplace.
The program culminates in a strategic delegation to the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Netherlands, positioning participating production companies to showcase their projects, build partnerships and secure international opportunities. It is designed to strengthen Canadian producers’ capacity to operate globally while advancing the export potential of Canadian content and fostering meaningful engagement with international markets.
At a glance
- Applications close: Monday, May 4, 2026 at 5 p.m. Central Time
- Selected participants notified: on or around June 10, 2026
- Phase 1: late September or early October 2026
- Full-time, four day, in–person intensive, Ontario
- Participants receive up to $500 travel allowance, accommodation, daily breakfast, lunch and breaks, and two dinners.
- Phase 2: October 2026 – January 2027
- Part time, virtual mentorship: company and project strategy
- Three x one-hour sessions
- Phase 3: January 26 – February 7, 2027
- In-person delegation to International Film Festival Rotterdam, Netherlands, organized in collaboration with EAVE, IFFR, New Producer’s Academy and National Screen Institute
- Participants receive $1,500 stipend towards travel and accommodation, IFFR-Pro delegate registration, one group dinner
- Participants and group leaders arrive two days in advance for additional preparation
Key information
- Program dates
- Fall 2026 to spring 2027
- Location
- Hybrid format including in-person workshops, online sessions and a delegation to International Film Festival Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Cost
- A limited allowance toward travel and accommodation costs is provided for phases 1 and 3
To be eligible you must:
- Be an alum of Access BIPOC Producers or EAVE On Demand Access Program
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Own a production company
- Have an active slate or project suitable for the international market
- Be available to attend in-person training, virtual mentorship and a delegation to Rotterdam, Netherlands
Program phases
Phase 1
In person, late September or early October 2026, location TBC
A four-day intensive workshop focused on collaboration, strategy refinement and applied learning to include:
- Sales: strategic positioning and market intelligence
- Building inclusive co-productions – best practices based on EAVE Impact think tank report
- Market prep session
- Finance: slate, cashflow
- Legal: deal structures across sales and co-production
- Slate management and company packaging
- Company planning: strategic market partners
Phase 2
Virtual, October 2026 to January 2027
Each participant will receive three x one-hour mentoring sessions to:
- Define individual market goals for their slate
- Shape and refine their company and / or slate for international markets
- Identify potential international broadcasters, distributors and co-production partners
- Develop pitch materials and a tailored export strategy
Phase 3
In-person delegation, Rotterdam, Netherlands, January 26 to February 7, 2027
- Attendance at International Film Festival Rotterdam
- Arrive two days prior to the market for final in-person meetings with international expert(s)
- Daily one-on-one coaching and on-site support
- Attend a curated “Meet the Canadian BIPOC producers” session featured in the festival schedule
- Speed-dating session with European and international BIPOC producers
- Business meetings with potential partners, buyers and collaborators
Following the market, each participant will receive one-on-one follow-up sessions to assess outcomes, refine next steps and support ongoing international deal-making.
Program phases
Our commitment to underrepresented voices
We are committed to training participants from a diverse community of voices including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (2SLGBTQ+), people with disabilities, those from regional and remote areas and various religious groups.
Questions
Please review the FAQs below. If you have any further questions or need support, email Ursula at ursula.lawson@nsi-canada.ca or call 204-956-7800 ext. 2. Disability accommodations are available upon request.
Frequently asked questions
Access+ runs from late September or early October 2026 to late February 2027.
Participants must be available full-time for four days of in-person training, three hours of virtual mentorship scheduled between in-person training, attendance at International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands and follow-up sessions after market attendance.
You must include the following support materials with your application. They should be uploaded as one document. Accepted file types: pdf, doc, zip, docx.
- Resume / CV
- Brief company profile: short overview of your company, including its mandate, focus, key team members and notable past work
- Company slate document (maximum 4 to 5 pages): summary of your company’s current and upcoming projects, including those in development, production, post-production and distribution. This document should highlight the scope, status and strategic direction of the slate.
Phase 1: in person, in Canada – you’ll receive an allowance of up to $500 to put towards travel, accommodation, daily breakfast, lunch and breaks, and two dinners.
Phase 3: market attendance in Rotterdam, Netherlands – you’ll receive a $1,500 stipend towards travel and accommodation, IFFR-Pro delegate registration and one group dinner.
Up to 10 participants will be selected from the Access BIPOC Producers alumni network by program faculty and advisors.
Selected applicants will be contacted by phone during the week of June 15, 2026.
No. This program is focused on company stabilization and slate export. You must have an established company with an active slate.
Program Partners
