Telefilm Canada has revealed its 2022-2024 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, which includes new funding targets in its Development and Production programs for Black filmmakers and filmmakers of colour.

The announcement, made on Wednesday (Nov. 23), follows the first phase of Telefilm’s Equity and Representation Action Plan, implemented in July 2020. The new plan vows that in the next 18 months, Telefilm will aim to finance a minimum of 15 projects in the whole Development Program program — spanning both the Prequalified Stream and the General Stream — where at least 50% of the producers are Black, and 15 projects in the program’s General Stream where at least 50% of the writers are Black or persons of colour.

The Development Program will also aim to finance a minimum of 10 projects in the General Stream where at least 50% of the producers are Black or persons of colour, and receive a demand of at least 15 French-language projects submitted to Black and People of Colour stream.

In the Production Program, the goals include financing a minimum of 16 projects “where at least one key creative position (director, screenwriter, producer) is held by people who are Black or persons of colour. If there is more than one person in the role, the position (director, screenwriter, producer) must be held by a majority (50% +) of persons who are Black or persons of colour,” according to the plan listed on Telefilm’s website.

Financing in the Development, Production, Talent to Watch and Theatrical Documentary programs includes $4 million annually for Indigenous projects through the Indigenous Stream, as well as a gender parity target.

The new EDI action plan unveiled during Telefilm’s annual public meeting is in alignment with the 2022-2024 Corporate Plan, according to a news release.

There are four pillars to the new plan: to strengthen Telefilm’s “inclusive culture through greater equity in access to all programs and a representative portfolio”; to expand EDI-informed decision-making based on data and business intelligence; to uplift, amplify and empower “as an ally of choice to the industry”; and to “support a strong sense of belonging at Telefilm” through leadership accountability.

The “strengthen” pillar includes a commitment to financial support for a minimum of 25 festivals that focus on diversity and inclusivity, as well as the development of Official Languages and Accessibility plans. It also vows to begin implementation of the Universal Accessibility Action Plan for People with Disabilities, among other commitments.

Highlights of the “expand” pillar include increasing the level of participation in its self-identification questionnaire across all programs.

The “uplift” pillar includes the development of an Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation plan, amplifying the visibility and capabilities of creators with disabilities and those from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and the adoption of the use of inclusive communications and gender-neutral language in both official languages.

Among the commitments in the “support” pillar is building on the momentum of its original commitment to a minimum 50% representation of new hires and a minimum of 30% representation of new management hires across Telefilm from underrepresented groups by 2023. That includes ensuring 25% representation of all new hires will be Indigenous persons, Black people, and/or people of colour.

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