M ontreal community-based production house Never Was Average has launched a professional development initiative aimed at Black creators working in the Quebec film industry.

Des créateurs pas comme les autres (Creators Like No Others) has been launched in collaboration with the Fondation Dynastie — which campaigns for better representation of Black communities in the arts, culture and media sectors — with the support of the Canada Media Fund (CMF).

Under the program, ten participants will receive support in script development, direction and production, as well as an introduction to IP monetization, over the course of nine months. Registration closes on Friday (April 5), with participants to be announced on April 16, according to a news release.

The program kicks off on May 1 with a virtual component, followed by in-person sessions starting May 15. Participants will complete an online training course featuring nine videos hosted by industry experts, including filmmakers Miryam Charles, Khoa Lê, Jorge Camarotti, Mélanie Brière and Daniela Mujica.

The in-person sessions include nine workshops and a two-day creative retreat, as well as mentoring and shadowing opportunities. The end goal of the program is for a participant to submit a project to a funding program for production or development support, said the release.

Des créateurs pas comme les autres was created based on data and feedback from Black creators in the field and from the 2022 Sommet Dynastie, which was focused on discussions and programs related to content by Black creators in Quebec, said the release. The online components will also be accessible to the public.

Never Was Average co-founder Harry Julmice said in a statement that the aim of the program is to go “beyond talent development” and build an “inclusive community of creators and a pipeline of projects.”

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