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Call for applications is open for the 3rd edition of the Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum
Rogers joins as Presenting Partner with Founding Partners Indigenous Screen Office and Canada Media Fund
TORONTO (Tkaronto), February 26, 2024 - The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) announces the return of the Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum (ISS), and welcomes Rogers Communications as a new multi-year presenting partner. The company joins founding partners, the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and the Canada Media Fund (CMF). Applications open today for the third edition of the ISS Pitch Forum, which will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, kicking off the 45th edition of the Banff World Media Festival.
"ISO is pleased to announce our continued support of the ISS Pitch Forum. We are committed to empowering Indigenous storytellers to present their stories at this important global market and to develop meaningful connections within the industry. We are so happy to welcome Rogers Communications to the circle as a presenting partner of the ISS Pitch Forum." Kerry Swanson, CEO of ISO.
"The ISS Pitch Forum is an essential platform for showcasing Indigenous storytellers, ensuring they get the recognition that is long overdue and that their stories stand out within the broader Canadian media landscape. The Pitch Forum has flourished over the last two years thanks to our partnership with the ISO, and we are pleased to welcome Rogers as a presenting partner this year. Their involvement highlights the necessary and growing support for Indigenous projects at home and globally," said Valerie Creighton, President & CEO of the Canada Media Fund.
"We are really excited to expand our partnership with the Banff World Media Festival by supporting the Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum," said Robin Mirsky, Director, Rogers Group of Funds. "We are committed to providing opportunities for Indigenous creators to bring their ideas to the national stage by supporting the ISS in their mission to increase access to the industry and remove barriers to funding."
"We are delighted to welcome Rogers as a new partner alongside our founding partners, the ISO and the CMF in providing a platform to support Indigenous storytellers. The ISS has already contributed to the development and distribution of Indigenous projects presented during the Pitch Forum. We are delighted that with the help of our partners, we can continue to grow the ISS to offer Indigenous creators access to top industry professionals, the ability to forge industry partnerships, and to develop and garner strategic partnerships to further their projects. We also welcome back our ISS Advisory Board and ISS Producer Rachel CrowSpreadingWings to our event production team," said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director of the Banff World Media Festival.
Fifteen (15), Indigenous producers/creators present their projects in a series of mainstage pitch sessions, to a panel of leading industry buyers, and to an audience of industry delegates. Running adjunct to the renowned Banff World Media Festival (BANFF), one of the world's most important gatherings of entertainment industry executives, the ISS seeks to amplify the work of Indigenous creators and producers and their film/TV/web series projects across the Canadian global marketplace.
The half-day event includes pitches in the genres of Documentary/Unscripted, Scripted Drama, and Scripted Comedy. Pitch applicants are adjudicated by an expert jury and drawn from the 'Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative' (a program that brings up to 100 racialized producers to the festival each year), and the 'CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators in association with the ISO', as well as an open call for applications.
Interested candidates are invited to apply by March 7, 2024 at 3 PM ET. Please see eligibility and submission guidelines.
The ISS Pitch Forum participants will receive a full pass to the Banff World Media Festival, a travel stipend, industry mentorships, and customized networking opportunities with top industry professionals. ISS participants will have access to the full complement of structured and unstructured networking, receptions, and curated sessions at the festival. All delegates of BANFF 2024 will have access to the Indigenous Screen Summit and Pitch Forum. There will be no additional cost to attend.