Indigenous film producers from Capilano University program to attend 2022 Cannes Film Festival/Festival de Cannes
News release: CapU FILMBA grads head to Cannes (PDF)
North Vancouver, B.C. May 9, 2022 – Six participants from Capilano University’s Filmmakers in Indigenous Leadership and Management Business Affairs (FILMBA) and Indigenous Digital Accelerator (IDA) programs will attend the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival/Festival de Cannes in France, the world’s most prestigious film gathering, May 17 – 28, 2022.
"It’s important that Indigenous people are not excluded from career building opportunities due to generational poverty or lack of access caused by marginalization,” said Doreen Manuel, director, Bosa Centre for Film & Animation and Inclusive Community Projects at Capilano University. “This sort of opportunity did not exist for me as an emerging Indigenous filmmaker. I become emotional when I think about the generosity of the funders and supporters for this trip and I am grateful to be in a position to facilitate this type of support for Indigenous film producers today."
The Capilano University FILMBA participants attending Cannes Film Festival/Festival de Cannes are:
Eva Thomas – Ojibwe
Kelvin Redvers – Deninu Kųę́
Roger Boyer – Saulteaux/Ojibwe
Ryan Cooper – Ojibwe
Colin Van Loon – Blackfoot
Dan Foreman – Metis
Consistent with FILMBA’s goal of providing exceptional opportunities for participants, Manuel recognized the value of sending a delegation of Indigenous producers to Cannes to experience marketing and distribution at an international level. The delegation of six producers from across Canada were selected from the 20 FILMBA participants with current projects in production. Warner Media and Creative BC have provided the funding to sponsor this career-building opportunity.
With additional support from Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), the Capilano University FILMBA graduates will attend the festival as the ISO/FILMBA delegation. Telefilm Canada will provide the ISO/FILMBA delegation with festival passes and opportunities to participate in numerous business networking opportunities with filmmakers, directors and producers from around the world.
Travelling with the ISO/FILMBA delegation is Kerry Swanson, co-executive director, Indigenous Screen Office, and volunteer mentors Christine Haebler and Trish Dolman from Screen Sirens Pictures.
Developed and created by Manuel, the online FILMBA program launched on May 15, 2021. FILMBA aims to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous film producers in Canada. Through advanced classes and mentorships, FILMBA equips early and mid-career Indigenous film producers with the business management skills to confidently navigate the film industry. With support from IDA partners PacifiCan, Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), TELUS STORYHIVE and TD Ready Commitment, FILMBA is offered as a tuition-free program.
About Capilano University
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university based in North Vancouver, with programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The University offers 94 programs, including bachelor's degrees, in areas as diverse as film, early childhood education and tourism management. Capilano University is named after Sa7plek (Chief Joe Capilano), an important leader of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples. We respectfully acknowledge that our campuses are located on the territories of the LíỈwat, xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam), shíshálh (Sechelt), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and SəỈílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
For more information about the program, please contact FILMBA@capilanou.ca
For media inquiries or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Linda Munro
Senior Communications Officer
Capilano University
t: 604 220 8937
e: lindamunro@capilanou.ca
www.capilanou.ca
Submitted by: Communications