The Banff World Media Festival has revamped eligibility requirements for the fourth edition of the Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative, making it open exclusively to racially diverse candidates of all genders.

The initiative, which was launched in 2018, selects 100 emerging and mid-level creatives and producers who gain access to professional development sessions, networking opportunities and access to the festival. Among them, 25 are chosen to take part in the Diversity of Voices Pitch Program, where they’ll work directly with senior industry members and have a chance to pitch their projects.

The 2021 edition, which is open for applications today (Dec. 9), will exclusively welcome candidates from racially diverse groups, including “African, Black, Caribbean, East Asian, First Nations, Inuit, Latinx, Métis, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, South Asian and Western Asian.”

BANFF has also welcomed the Black Screen Office (BSO) as an official partner of Diversity of Voices, joining Netflix, the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC).

Diversity of Voices was first established to serve francophone, Indigenous and women creatives and producers. Moving forward, the initiative will continue to serve those communities with an intersectional focus, stating it will “especially, but not exclusively, seek applications from francophone candidates of colour, Indigenous candidates, and women candidates of colour, as well as candidates of colour of all genders.”

“Real change requires real action. BANFF has the power and platform to reach the global media industry, and a responsibility to act on this influence to address the persistent injustices that Black, Indigenous, and people of colour experience in all corners of the industry,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, executive director of BANFF and publisher of Playback, in a statement. “Diversity of Voices is an important part of our ongoing commitment to support the pursuit of equity and inclusion, and to highlight the long overdue changes in which our industry must invest.”

“The Black Screen Office is pleased to be a part of this important initiative that facilitates access to industry leaders and decision-makers for Black producers and creatives,” said Joan Jenkinson, executive director, Black Screen Office. “The Banff World Media Festival’s Diversity of Voices is a step in the right direction to build solidarity in the fight against anti-Black racism.”

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