The Black Screen Office (BSO) has selected 15 participants for the fourth year of the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund.
The initiative offers financial support and mentorship to Black and racialized writers to assist them and their projects with navigating the industry. It was launched by the BSO in 2021 in collaboration with the Rogers Group of Funds and the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for Black and People of Colour Creators (CISF) and has supported 45 French and English-language projects to date.
This year’s cohort includes four filmmakers with documentary projects: Toronto-based Weiye Su (Transparenthood); Montreal-based Azra Rashid (MAiD in Canada); Calgary-based Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker (Finding My Way Back to You); and Montreal writer Mylène Augustin (Lettres à ma mère).
The other 11 participants are developing scripted series, including Toronto writers Kanja Chen (Black Enough); Alexander Nunez (The Morenos); Aden Abebe (virgins!); Taf Diallo (Area Boys); Elyne Quan (To Die For); Alice Wang (Lakeside FC); Renuka Singh (Brokers); and Berend McKenzie (The Munts [make a movie]).
Rounding out the scripted participants are Mississauga, Ont.’s Jagjiwan Sohal (Runners); Chilean-born, Montreal-based Anneke Munita Ihle (Chez ma mère); and Vancouver-based Tally Yong Knoll (The Helper).
The Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund begins with a three-day retreat near Toronto — led by Glenn Cockburn of Meridian Artists, Al Magee of Magee TV and co-founder of OYA Media Group Alison Duke — to assist with the writers’ understanding of TV writing and the business of the industry. In the months following the retreat, the participants will receive one-on-one mentorship with guidance on issues such as refining their drafts and improving their pitches.
The mentorship stage of the development fund is supported by TD Ready Commitment, Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada, the DOC Institute and the RBC Foundation.
In January, the BSO announced that Rogers would be extending its support for the program, investing $900,000 over three years and bringing the total amount of financial support to $1.65 million.
“With the increased backing from Rogers Group of Funds and our committed partners, we continue to build a stronger, more equitable industry where the voices of Black and People of Colour creators are not just heard but celebrated,” said BSO CEO Joan Jenkinson in a statement.
Image courtesy of the BSO; pictured (L-R): (Top) Aden Abebe, Anneke Munita Ihle, Alice Wang, Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker and Weiye Su (Middle) Azra Rashid, Alexander Nunez, Elyne Quan, Renuka Singh and Jagjiwan Sohal (Bottom) Berend McKenzie, Taf Diallo, Tally Yong Knoll, Mylène Augustin and Kanja Chen