About – Canadian Independent Screen Fund

About the Canadian Independent Screen Fund (CISF) for Black and People of Colour (BPOC) creators.

In 2020, the CISF for BPOC Creators was born out of the former Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund (CIFVF). In 2020, the Board made a historic decision to rebrand the organization, retaining its primary mandate, but positioning the fund to support BPOC filmmakers.

The board and advisory of the CISF is comprised of key leaders from BIPOC TV & Film, Being Black in Halifax, Black Screen Office, Creatives Empowered, Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (IMPACT), the National Screen Institute (NSI), Racial Equity Media Collective(REMC), Reelworld Screen Institute, Vancouver Asian Film Festival and independent producers from across Canada. The Indigenous Screen Office participated in the consultation process and is in full solidarity with the intent and direction of this fund.

The CISF board believes that it is important to create a fund that speaks directly to those it aims to support. Film and media producers know when a program is made for them, and when it resonates with their needs. The various groups who have been on the frontlines of advocacy for change have all come together to join the board and to reimagine this fund because we believe strongly that we need a fund that is independently juried and independently managed.

We combine the history and continuity of the CIFVF with a very strong connection mandate of equity and representation. Our wide community reach ensures not only a larger pool of diverse projects from the regions but also gives us access to a pool of jurors.

History of the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund

The CIFVF was a dynamic, not-for-profit charitable organization that financially supported the development and production of media projects created by Canadian independent producers. It provided a unique funding model that met the needs of filmmakers who were not always served well by institutional models. The CIFVF provided critical, often first-in, funding to small and medium production companies who created employment in their communities, both large and small, and in all provinces and territories.

Between 1991 – 2008, the CIFVF funded over 1,000 projects. Produced from all regions of Canada and in both official languages, Indigenous languages and third languages, many of these projects won awards both in Canada and internationally. It operated with a small, dedicated staff who professionally and efficiently organized 2 annual grant deadlines and provided personal support to client applicants. The CIFVF staff regularly received positive feedback on how encouraging and helpful the organization was in the application process.

The CIFVF had an economic impact:

During its 20-year existence, CIFVF generated up to $20.4 million in production activity each year through its annual contribution of $1.55 million to media production
CIFVF provided critical, often first-in, funding to SME production companies who created employment in their communities, both large and small, and in all provinces
Many of the companies supported were start-ups. CIFVF provided: Production assistance to first-time producers and directors. Also provided business skills to producers for the securing of additional financing
The CIFVF invested in the long-term survival of the industry by providing access to skills and training.
Financial contributions made by the CIFVF to production companies generated 510 jobs annually.
In 2009, the CIFVF was the victim of severe government cuts to the arts and lost its funding along with 3 other arts support agencies supported by Canadian Heritage. The CIFVF Board of Directors made the decision to keep the fund dormant but legally active hoping to reinstate the fund to provide much needed support to independent filmmakers.
In 2020, the Board made a historic decision to rebrand the organization, retaining its primary mandate, but positioning the fund to support BPOC filmmakers.

Board of Directors 2024

The Board Of Directors Of The Canadian Independent Screen Fund For BPOC Creators Are A Strong And Diverse Group Of Talent From Across Canada.

Sobaz Benjamin

Independent, Halifax

Lalita Krishna

Independent, Toronto

Barbara Lee

Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Vancouver

Tony Merzetti

Independent, Fredericton

Julian Carrington

Racial Equity Media Collective, Toronto

Haydn Wazelle

Independent, Vancouver

Advisory Group

Douglas Barrett

Adjunct Professor, Arts, Media & Entertainment MBA, Schulich School of Business

Winnie Luk

Executive Director, Disability Screen Office

Emily Jane Williams

Reelworld Screen Institute, Toronto

Stefan Verna

Black on Black Films, Montreal

Michelle Wong

Business Affairs Consultant Beans and Rice Inc., Calgary

Latest News

Rogers extends support for Black Screen Office storytelling fund administered by CISF

Rogers and the Black Screen Office (BSO) announced today the extension of a first-of-its-kind Canadian fund to support Black and People of Colour storytellers.

Rogers Group of Funds will invest $900,000 over the next three years to continue supporting the Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund, a total investment of $1.65 million since it launched in 2021. The fund is administered by the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (CISF).

“We’re committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities so Black and People of Colour creators have equitable access to funding and other supports to help them tell stories here in Canada and abroad,” said Robin Mirsky, Director, Rogers Group of Funds. “We’re proud to collaborate with the Black Screen Office and CISF to extend this important fund that is making a meaningful impact and amplifying diverse voices.”