A B.C. government-supported nonprofit society has taken another big step in helping filmmakers from underrepresented communities succeed in the film industry. On Friday (September 5), Creative BC announced $200,000 in funding to 20 projects led by emerging and equity-seeking B.C. filmmakers.
The Equity and Emerging Development Program grants up to $10,000 to support early-stage development activities. This can help cover costs of research, concept creation, and screenwriting.
“Acknowledging that there have been systemic barriers to access, and that supporting new and diverse talent is crucial to a vibrant and thriving motion picture industry,” Creative BC stated in a news release. “100% of the funding is distributed to individuals who are either an emerging filmmaker or self-identify in one or more of the following systemically excluded groups: Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, Women, Non-binary, or people with disabilities. This program embodies Creative BC’s actions for equity and inclusion in program delivery.”
This isn’t the only effort to support inclusion in the film industry. Back in 2021, Creative BC and the provincial government collaborated on a Creative Pathways website to demystify how to work in films and become a member of a union. Then in 2023, the B.C. government announced $42 million in new funding to support people in a variety of creative industries. This included $900,000 for programs focusing on skill development, recruiting people from underrepresented groups into the motion picture industry, and supporting environmentally friendly practices.
Below is a list of each of the recent B.C. recipients of $10,000 to create domestically owned and controlled creative content:
- Project: NOOPIMING -THE CURE FOR WHITE LADIES
Mashkawaji, a frozen being speaks from the isolation of grief, sharing stories of ancestors, animals and humans healing together and alone.
Company: Spotted Fawn Productions Inc.
Key Creative Team: Amanda Strong, Nina Werewka
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: HIT NANNY
An elite hitwoman meets her match when she takes cover as a live-in nanny for a mischievous 8-year-old girl while pursuing her dreams – but things are never as easy as they may seem.
Company: Mowa Productions Inc.
Key Creative Team: Alex Soldatov, Margaryta Soldatova
Type/Location: Feature Film, Langley - Project: CODE NORTH
In the unforgiving landscape of Northern Canada, a team of dedicated nurses battle extreme conditions, scarce resources, and systemic inequities—all while navigating the personal dramas, secrets, and sacrifices that come with life on the edge of Canada.
Company/Key Creative: Devi Singh
Type/Location: Television Series, Vancouver - Project: PRECIOUS YELLOW METALS
A Taiwanese immigrant in Vancouver, working in anti-money laundering, seeks ways to launder gold nuggets she vomits out of her mouth.
Company/Key Creative: Athena Han
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: EASTBOUND
A 16-year-old hides his rough east side life while juggling his studies at a posh west side arts school, balancing two worlds in one city.
Company/Key Creative Team: Ricky He, Crystal Lau, Curtis Lum
Type/Location: Television Series, Vancouver - Project: SLUGFEST
Two 40-year-old women disobey their strict Asian parents, unleash their killer Muay Thai skills and take slug psychedelics to find freedom.
Company/Key Creative: Kim Albright
Type/Location: Feature Film, North Vancouver - Project: TO THE NORTH
When her husband goes missing, an isolated homesteader facing starvation finds an alluring stranger passed out in the tundra. The search for her partner gets troubled by guilt, desire and a growing fear that her new lover might be her husband’s killer.
Company/Key Creative: Jean Parsons
Type/Location: Feature Film, Pender Island - Project: WAH LAU
A timid architectural designer is forced to move back in with her Chinese mother as an adult.
Company: Halocine Pictures
Key Creative Team: Tanya Jade, King Louie Palomo, Mimi Dejene
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: WRESTLING WITH CULTURE
The untold stories of three Canadian Punjabi wrestlers who, despite facing racial stereotyping, became icons in professional wrestling, illuminating Punjabi culture and resilience in the face of prejudice.
Company: Viva Mantra Films Inc.
Key Creative Team: Baljit Sangra
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: WHITE MEAT
After the heir to a wealthy hog farming family destroys her life, a young animal welfare activist summons an ancient, vengeful deity upon him— in the form of a beautiful young woman.
Company/Key Creative: Stephanie Izsak
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: CHASING CHRISTMAS
Two rez kids sneak away to the city to bring home their estranged brother and fall into a wild adventure-all while teaching everyone the true meaning of Christmas.
Company: Grinning Indian Productions Inc.
Key Creative Team: Darrell Dennis, Katya Gardner
Type/Location: Feature Film, Campbell River - Project: THE ENSEMBLE
After her mom’s death, a jaded producer joins her neurodivergent brother’s scrappy theatre troupe, finding family, purpose, and connection.
Company: Strange Company Productions
Key Creative Team: Lucy McNulty, Jamie King
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: THE FLOOD: WAVES OF RESISTANCE
A Gazan drone strike survivor navigates his new life in Canada, amid an unfolding genocide and a surge of Palestine solidarity activism.
Company/Key Creative: Leen Issa
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: THE GOOD LIFE
Follow Samantha, a vibrant Haitian-Canadian teen, navigating high school dramas on and off the soccer field, family ties, and friendships in the ’90s.
Company: Johanne Michel
Key Creative Team: Johanne Michel, Anthony Metchie
Type/Location: Television Series, Surrey - Project: K-MAMAS
A Korean-Canadian trio in their 70s drive across British Columbia to enter a line dancing competition.
Company: Little Bangster Productions Inc.
Key Creative Team: Andrea Bang, Diana Bang
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: APRÈS-MOI, NOTHING…
Queer artist Chloé embarks on a journey to find her creative voice by delving into the work of her mentor Oraf, now in his twilight years.
Company: Chloé Raunet and Lantern Films
Key Creative Team: Jessica Hallenbeck, Chloé Raunet
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: DUET
Across the invisible pathways between Central and North America, migratory birds sing songs of survival, connection, and change.
Company: Norita Films Inc.
Key Creative Team: Milena Salazar
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: A WILLOW IN THE WOODS
Cree Métis teenager Willow is taken on her first moose hunt in the northern Alberta Boreal Forest and learns invaluable lessons along the way while re-wilding from the city and gaining imperative traditional knowledge.
Company/Key Creative: Jaysen Cardinal Villeneuve
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: LA MARCHE DES OMBRES
Rescued after years as a hostage, Maria tries to rebuild her life, helped by her daughter. But faced with her trauma, she drifts toward a fragile reality, risking it all.
Company: Studio Marginal Films Inc.
Key Creative Team: Yael Carnet, Laura Carnet
Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver - Project: Wild Bus Adventure
The Wild Bus is on the move! From swamps to snowcaps, each stop is a hands-on mission to explore, film, and protect North America’s wildlife.
Company: Wild Bus Films Ltd.
Key Creative Team: Carina Thomas, Louisa Gilbert
Type/Location: Television Series, Campbell River
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