Telefilm Canada has unveiled its 18-month corporate plan following the departure of executive director and CEO Christa Dickenson.

The Crown corporation has set three strategic priorities as interim executive director and CEO Francesca Accinelli takes the helm: support a “sustainable and inclusive audiovisual ecosystem”; build its internal expertise and optimize operations; and attract new funding sources.

The 18-month timeframe was set to allow Telefilm to “act swiftly,” according to an introduction from Dickenson in the plan released on Monday (Sept. 12).

“In the coming months, we will be attentive to the needs of companies still affected by the aftermath of the pandemic. We will be there to help the industry deal with inflation and labour shortages, both of which increase costs and make it difficult to organize projects. We will continue to be an ally to the diverse range of Canadian content creators converging in the digital space,” read the letter.

The first priority follows Telefilm’s efforts to increase its support for racialized filmmakers through initiatives such as the Stream for Black and People of Colour in its Development Program, as well as supporting the sustainability of the climate through the Eco-responsibility Action Plan launched earlier this year.

Telefilm has set a number of key deliverables by 2024 under the pillar, including to “design and deliver a new Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation Plan”; deliver “phase II” of its Equity and Representation Action plan; increase representation of underrepresented filmmakers at national and international events; and further support research, awareness-raising and capacity-building of sustainability best practices.

The key deliverables under its internal operations strategic priority include a modernized approach to approvals and financial reporting, and plans to continue to streamline processes with the Canada Media Fund and improve its Dialogue 2.0 system.

Finally, Telefilm has set a number of goals to increase its funding, including making the $50 million increase from the federal government permanent; seeking partnerships with other Crown corporations and industry organizations; and bringing in more private donors for the Talent Fund, including establishing an ambassador strategy for previous recipients.

Telefilm’s total operation cost came to $167.8 million in the 2021-22 fiscal year, with nearly $80 million put toward its Production Program and $7.6 million toward the Development Program. Its 2022-23 budget is set at more than $75 million for the Production Program and $10 million toward the Development Program.

The Crown corporation received more than $150 million from the federal government in 2021-22, with more than $20 million coming in from other revenue sources.

The federal government is currently seeking a new permanent Telefilm executive director and CEO. Dickenson departed her role effective Sept. 9, beginning a new position as president and CEO of CPAC.

Telefilm announced in April 2021 that it was condensing its corporate planning cycle from a few years to a new 18-month model “to plan for a period of continuous disruption, followed by a period of recovery” amid the pandemic.

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