APFC, Netflix, Telefilm Canada & CMF Align for New Program

The Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC) and Netflix have partnered with Telefilm Canada and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) to launch the first-ever Professional Development Program in Film and Television for francophone producers and creators in minority communities across Canada.

This internship program will enable French-speaking Canadian scriptwriters, directors and producers to receive support for the development of original works representative of the country’s diversity in their regions. It will also ensure the transfer of knowledge to other creators in these regions. For the implementation of this project, the APFC will have the support of numerous academic partners, Canadian francophone cultural organizations and the audiovisual sector.

Scheduled to run from 2019 to 2022 in the Atlantic, Ontario and Western Canada regions, the program will see francophone creators develop their projects through three components: feature film scriptwriting and development, accelerator program for the development of series with international potential and the support program (master classes, boot camps and microprograms).

Netflix and Telefilm Canada have committed to invest $150,000 in the first year of the program, while the Canada Media Fund will allocate $50,000. Both funding agencies intend to commit for the full three years of the program.

APFC Executive Director Carol Ann Pilon said she is “eager to get this historic project off the ground for the benefit of our film and television creators.”

Valerie Creighton, president and CEO of Canada Media Fund, added: “The Canada Media Fund supports creators from across the country, from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds. We’re delighted to further invest through this partnership in the development of French-language content by creators in linguistic minority situations.”