Eligibility

 Who can apply to the program?

Participants must be: Black-Identified

• Aged 18-26

• Graduated from a post-secondary institution

• Located in the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area)

We do accept a limited number of participants who are enrolled in their last few years of school with a strong portfolio.

Applications are now open

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Background

How does our program address anti-black racism?

High unemployment rates for Black youth with equivalent educational levels as their peers, leads to a lack of work training and experiences in a rapidly advancing technological industry. This in turn reduces opportunities for employment in the film and television industry.

The recently released Focus on Features report notes that while women have made slight advances in key creative industry roles, racialized communities have not shared in the same level of progress. Increasing racial diversity in the film and television industry is important in order to allow the widest range of Canadian audiences to feel included and represented by the content they see on screen.

Most programs of diversity focus on Women or BIPOC whereas this program focuses on Black Youth.

How does the Emerging Filmmakers Program do skills-building and networking?

Select participants will also be invited to exclusive training circles with partners and industry mixers. Our partners enthusiastically reach out to our list of alumni and current participants for job opportunities as they arise. Workshops are taught by renowned filmmakers, directors, writers. Many participants continue to be mentored by industry professionals.

What are the other bonuses of participating in the program?

We provide pay for memberships to film organizations, unions and guilds. 

We provide food and transportation support at all workshops and events.

We are a trauma-informed and empathetic staff and are always willing to accommodate for our participants’ life circumstances.

How long has OYA Emerging Filmmakers been running for?

OYA Emerging Filmmakers began in 2018 and will host its next cohort from 2022-2023.

Who is the program funded by?

We are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Black Youth Action Plan. OYA Emerging Filmmakers falls under the ‘Industry-Led Career Initiative’ subsection. 

Who initiated the program? 

OYA Emerging Filmmakers is the brainchild of Alison Duke, renowned Black Canadian filmmaker. The programme is specifically funded under the Black Youth Action Plan. BYP2I first existed as a programme under Alison's production company, Goldelox Productions, in 2020 the program shifted to OYA Media Group.

Alison was awarded the 2020 WIFT-T (Women in Film and Television Toronto) Crystal Award for Mentorship for her decades long commitment to mentoring diverse talent in the industry and for creating the Emerging Filmmakers programme.

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 Applications

What is the application process?

Applications for 2022 will open in April 2022. 

Selected applications will be contacted for two rounds of interviews at the end of June.

Successful applicants will be notified in the middle of July.

Submissions are now open for Year 5 ( August, 2022 - March 2023)

How long is the commitment?

Programming takes place from August - March each year. The number of workshops per month varies each year.

Where does the program take place?

Most workshops take place out of our office in Leslieville, Toronto. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, some of our workshops are being held online. We abide by the province of Ontario COVID-19 mandates and film industry guidelines for all activities.

When do workshops take place?

Most workshops tend to take place between 6-9pm on weekdays, or during the daytime on weekends.

How much does it cost?

The program is free for all participants.

How to apply?

Submissions are now open for Year 5 (August 2022 - March 2023)

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Supporting The Program

How can I support the program?

• Be an official partner

• Provide paid internships and placement opportunities

• Provide networking opportunities or tours

• Provide donations to the program

• Workshop/facilitator/mentor

• We are always looking for mentors for our participants or to lead a workshop.

For more info contact our program director

Who are the current partners?

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