Telefilm Canada has signed two separate agreements with organizations representing official language minority communities (OLMCs) in the cultural sector.

One is focused on English-speaking OLMCs, signed with the Quebec English-language Production Council (QEPC) and the English-Language Arts Network (ELAN). The other is with the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC).

Telefilm intends to support OLMC projects from development to distribution, according to a news release issued Wednesday (July 30). The respective agreements will see an increase in the share of funding for OLMC projects in development and production, as well as improve the “development and visibility of OLMC creators” and representation of OLMCs in the audiovisual industry. Additionally, the organizations will support research and data-sharing.

ELAN is a non-profit that aims to create opportunities for English-speaking artists and cultural workers of all disciplines in Quebec, while QEPC is focused specifically on promoting English-language film and TV production in the province. Both are based in Montreal.

APFC is based in Bourget, Ont. and was founded in 1999 with a focus on the development of the francophone film, television and digital media industry across the country.

Both agreements were signed on Wednesday in Telefilm’s Montreal office and expire in March 2028, a Telefilm spokesperson told Playback Daily. Attendees included Telefilm’s executive director and CEO Julie Roy (pictured); Francesca Accinelli, SVP, program strategy and industry development; and Anita Damiani, national director, feature films – French market.

The executive directors of each organization, APFC’s Carol Ann Pilon, QEPC’s Kirwan Cox and ELAN’s Miranda Castravelli, also attended the signing.

“The signing of these agreements comes at the right time and is the result of several years of collaborative work,” said Roy in a statement. “They represent real progress for the audiovisual sector and will provide concrete tools to better support OLMC talent and projects.”

Image courtesy of Telefilm Canada