The Shine Network Institute and the National Screen Institute (NSI) have launched a cultural competency course for non-Indigenous stakeholders in the screen industry on how to work with Indigenous-led productions, titled PACT (Pledge Activate Cultivate Thrive).

The course is spearheaded by filmmaker Jennifer Podemski, founder and CEO of the Shine Network Institute, and was created with federal funding from the Department for Women and Gender Equality.

PACT is available in both English and French, and details best practices and resources for non-Indigenous industry members to create safe and culturally informed spaces for Indigenous peoples when collaborating on a production.

According to a news release, the course is encouraged for anyone in the screen sector that works with Indigenous peoples or is involved in a production that touches on Indigenous subject matter, including union and guild members, production executives and broadcasters, producers, showrunners and directors. Participants are asked to make a pledge once they’ve completed the course, and will receive a certificate and badge.

“PACT provides an opportunity to create safer spaces for Indigenous peoples,” said Podemski in a statement. “By embracing anti-racism principles and demonstrating humility and respect, you can foster an environment where your team can thrive. Your participation in this course represents a step towards reconciliation, and is a building block to a future that is equitable, inclusive and Indigenous-informed.”

Buffy Sainte-Marie doc nominated for International Emmy

The Canadian documentary Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On has been nominated for an International Emmy in the Arts Programming category.

Directed by Madison Thomas and produced by Winnipeg’s Eagle Vision, Toronto’s White Pine Pictures and Paquin Entertainment, the film explores the life and career of Canadian-American music icon Buffy Sainte-Marie, including her activism and advocacy for Indigenous rights and the environment.

The doc is the sole Canadian project nominated for the 2023 International Emmys, which take place Nov. 20 in New York City.

CRTC gives CBC/Radio-Canada deadline for Indigenous consultations

The CRTC has directed CBC/Radio-Canada to hold consultations with Indigenous communities by March 31, 2024.

The Sept. 20 decision follows an application from the public broadcaster to delay a requirement in its broadcasting licence to hold consultations with Indigenous groups once every two years. In its application, CBC/Radio-Canada argued that postponing consultations to the 2023-24 broadcast year would give it more time to complete its National Indigenous Strategy before launching new consultations, as well as noting “consultation fatigue” it contends is being experienced by Indigenous peoples.

The CRTC denied the request, noting that CBC/Radio-Canada did not provide enough evidence to support the consultation fatigue argument and that delaying consultations could negatively impact Indigenous producers and artists looking to provide feedback to the pubcaster and to establish ties.

Since the 2022-23 broadcast year had already concluded by the time the decision was issued, the CRTC further directed CBC/Radio-Canada to hold consultations by March 31, 2024, and issue a report by June 30, 2024. A spokesperson for CBC/Radio-Canada tells Playback Daily that the pubcaster will comply with the CRTC’s decision.

Montreal-set doc to close RIDM

The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) has selected Karine van Ameringen and Iphigénie Marcoux-Fortier’s November to close out the festival’s 26th edition, which runs from Nov. 15 to 26.

The feature-length documentary is produced by Montreal prodco Les glaneuses, and offers an impressionistic portrait of the streets of Montreal and the people who pass through them as fall gradually transforms into winter. Spira handles distribution for the film, which will have its North American premiere at RIDM on Nov. 25 before its Quebec theatrical release on Dec. 1.

The festival also announced its opening film, Bye Bye Tiberias by French-Palestinian-Algerian director Lina Soualem, which explores intergenerational family ties in the context of exile and displacement. The full lineup for RIDM will be announced on Oct. 25.

Image courtesy of NSI