The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television has announced six creators for its inaugural program designed to address barriers for women and non-binary creatives in the post-production industry.

The Women in Post program, launched with Netflix in March, will deliver eight months of mentoring and training to emerging or mid-level creators – three from Ontario, two more in B.C. and one in Saskatchewan – to support advancement in their area of expertise in the male-dominated industry.

The Ontario participants are: Daniela Pinto (post production audio); Set Shuter (post production supervision); and Penelope Walcott (post production audio). Pinto most recently worked on the video game Triversal and Amazon Prime miniseries Into the Rising Sun. Shuter has worked on over 100 films, TV shows and commercials as a DIT and colourist including Trailer Park Boys, Toxic Beauty and Strays. Walcott recently completed work on the short film Talk focused on Black mental health.

B.C. participants are: Brittany Lewis (editing/VFX editing) and Ariana Saadat (VFX supervision). Lewis is a second assistant editor/runner working in Vancouver whose most recent project is the upcoming animated feature The Addams Family 2. Saadat has worked a variety of roles from rotoscope artist to compositor.

From Regina is Elian Mikkola (editing). The Finnish-born filmmaker and editor, who also works in Montreal, premiered their latest film at the Hong Kong International Film Festival this year. They recently worked with directors Mattias Graham (Gas Can), Mike Rollo (Farewell Transmission) and Kyath Battie (A Tapestry of Light and Land).

A jury of industry professionals, led by the Canadian Academy’s director of talent development Nafisa Murji, selected the participants. They will take part in strategic learning modules led by industry experts and receive hands-on mentorship at a post production company in Canada that aligns with their area of expertise to develop technical, creative and leadership skills.

Program participants will also receive a $2,500 honorarium, a free one-year voting membership to the Canadian Academy and invitations to attend Canadian Screen Week 2022 and the Canadian Cinema Editors’ EditCon 2022.

“We are honoured to welcome these talented professionals into the Canadian Academy family,” said Beth Janson, CEO of the Canadian Academy in a statement. “We are confident that this program will provide meaningful career advancement and opportunities for them, and are grateful to our partners for understanding the importance and power of having a diversity of voices and perspectives contributing in all aspects of our industry.”

Women in Post is supported by lead post house partner, Company 3, and supporting partners, Rocket Science VFX and Urban Prairie Post.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Ariana Saadat, Brittany Lewis, Daniel Pinto, Set Shuter, Penelope Walcott and Elian Mikkola.