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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.
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.
Independent, Halifax
BIPOC TV & Film, Toronto
Black Screen Office, Toronto
Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (IMPACT), Montreal
Independent, Toronto
Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Vancouver
National Screen Institute, Winnipeg
Independent, Fredericton
Independent, Halifax
Creatives Empowered (CE), Alberta
Independent, Montreal
Independent, Montreal
Racial Equity Media Collective, Toronto
Independent, Vancouver
Coalition M.É.D.I.A, Montreal
Black on Black Films, Montreal
Reelworld Screen Institute, Toronto
Business Affairs Consultant Beans and Rice Inc., Calgary
The Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC creators is pleased to announce approval as a Certified Independent Production Fund (CIPF) by the CRTC. The BPOC-led fund is now eligible to receive contributions from broadcast distribution undertakings towards building a sustainable fund to support Canadian programming content. As the only CIPF with a mandate focusing on supporting Black and people of colour creators, CISF and joins a long-standing list of CIPFs responsible for ensuring that a portion of the profits that broadcasters make by operating in Canada are invested back into supporting homegrown talent.
AND INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS FROM ACROSS CANADA.