Paramount+ has partnered with networking organization inkcanada as part of its diversity, equity and inclusion work in Canada.

The #inkdrinks program will see Paramount+ and inkcanada host professional networking events at the Monarch Tavern in Toronto for Canadian screenwriters, beginning Thursday (Feb. 29) and running on the last day of each month until June. Executives at Paramount+ will be in attendance.

The inkcanada organization is led by screenwriter Karen Walton (Ginger Snaps). The networking events are designed to help break down barriers for domestic screenwriters, and were first launched in 2008. They have taken place across Canada, with events previously being held at Digi60 and the Banff World Media Festival, but were put on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there is no criteria to join the event, attendees are not permitted to pitch projects.

“inkcanada has started something truly special,” said Tom Hastings, head of original programming for Paramount+ in Canada, in a statement. “Karen Walton’s grassroots strategy to bring together emerging and established writers in a social setting was the beginning of something unique for the local writers’ community. We are honoured to expand on her successful blueprint and work together to help even more diverse voices break though industry barriers.”

“We are very excited to be coordinating with professional screenwriters in a variety of Canadian cities to return or launch new inkdrinks from coast to coast to coast,” added Walton.

The partnership marks the fifth initiative from Paramount+ in Canada via Paramount Global’s Content for Change initiative. Recent initiatives include the Indigenous Screenwriters Lab with the Indigenous Screen Office and the Pacific Screenwriting Program, and the Indigenous Producers Budgeting Intensive with the Shine Network Institute.

Image courtesy of inkcanada