National Screen Institute | ELEVATE | National Screen Institute

Program status:

Applications closed

About

ELEVATE is a business development incubator designed to provide targeted financial, marketing, operational and entrepreneurial resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance the growth and success of BIPOC-owned production companies in Canada.

The program supports BIPOC producers in developing global relationships and facilitating company growth for increased success in the competitive marketplace –locally and globally. The aim is to foster long-term sustainability, economic empowerment and representation within the industry while encouraging greater export of Canadian creative content.

A minimum of four BIPOC producers with production companies will be selected for this 13-month, part-time program and awarded an investment of between $20,000 to $50,000 CDN towards the growth of their production company.

Training will include four x two-day business modules offered by the program’s academic partner, Toronto Metropolitan University. For a fee, these sessions will also be open to industry professionals seeking entrepreneurial development.

At a glance

Applications open: October 19, 2023
Applications close: November 30, 11:59 p.m., Central Time
Selected participants notified: December 15, 2023
Training dates: January 2024 to February 2025

Note: All dates are subject to change.

Program dates: January 2024 to February 2025
Location: Part-time, virtual with the possibility of some in-person events
Cost: Application and tuition fees are covered by our generous partners. Note: industry professionals not participating in the full program may register for the business modules offered by Toronto Metropolitan University. Registration will be available in January 2024.

This training is for your company if:

You are an experienced producer with demonstrated potential for creative and entrepreneurial success OR you are a majority owner in a company that has been in existence for a minimum of three years.
You are seeking capacity building for your company and professional development for your staff – this program provides opportunities for members of staff to participate in business modules.

To be eligible you must:

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada, aged 18 or over, AND
Identify as Black, Indigenous or as a Person of Colour, AND
Have majority ownership (minimum 51%) of a registered production company incorporated and operating in Canada, AND
Have a diverse slate of projects developed for national and international markets, AND
Have delivered at least one season of a series to a broadcaster or streamer, OR
Have completed and exhibited a feature film at a major national or international festival

NOTE: if you have questions about your eligibility, please contact program managers Jessica Gibson or Danielle Audette.

Program components

Access to capital: Each production company selected to participate in the ELEVATE program will receive an investment allowance of $20,000 to $50,000 towards a business challenge or opportunity. This can include staff development and salaries, capital expenses such as equipment costs, office rent or lease or consultant-related costs. We will also facilitate connections with potential investors, financial institutions and funding opportunities to enable BIPOC producers to access the necessary capital for business growth.

An ecosystem of support: Each production company or producer will receive one-on-one strategic advice and be matched with a mentor or coach for up to 15 hours for consulting to tackle a business problem or opportunity. Additionally, producers can choose to work with a mentor, coach or consultant with experience in financial and legal affairs, HR and business management, covered by their investment allowance.

Capacity-building workshops: We will facilitate workshops on key business topics such as financial management, marketing, pitching, negotiating skills, operations and legal compliance tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by BIPOC producers.

Industry networking opportunities: We will coordinate access to relevant industry events, markets and conferences to connect BIPOC producers with key stakeholders, buyers, distributors, funders, financiers and industry influencers.

Phase 1

January to July 2024

January: Ideation (general business skills; SWOT analysis); meet with the program team, including an advisor from Toronto Metropolitan University – the program’s academic partner – to discuss goals and assess needs. A program kick-off event will take place in late January/early February 2024.

March to July: Eight full-day, virtual workshops with guest speakers from industry organizations including funders, broadcasters, studios and experts in business, law and finance (March, April, June, and July 2024). Workshops will be a mix of lecture-style presentation, case studies, guest speakers, and interactive exercises.

Phase 2

September 2024 to February 2025

September: Participants implement strategies and actions developed in phase 1; monthly progress check ins with the program team.

February 2025: Program with a wrap up event (location and dates TBC).

Our commitment to underrepresented voices

The National Screen Institute is 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.

Questions

Please review the FAQ below. Program co-managers Jessica Gibson and Danielle Audette are happy to answer any further questions about the application process or training.