ADVOCACY & CONFLICT RESOLUTION
BIPOC TV & FILM:
A great community (for advice, sharing resources, etc) and space for networking/finding collaborating with fellow BIPOC screen artists: https://www.bipoctvandfilm.com/
THE BLACK ACADEMY
By LB Acting Studio Alumni Shamier Anderson & Stephan James
https://blackisnow.com
WORKING THE SCENE IN COLOUR
A live reading initiative bringing talented writers and actors of Colour and Indigenous communities together to perform original scenes from completed scripts and works-in-progress. Selected Scenes are read by talented ACTRA actors in front of a live audience. They also hold other events/talks.
To access info on the calls for submissions and be part of the community, BIPOC artists can join the private Facebook group: HERE
DATABASES
(Variety of resources - especially for performers to get seen/ways to be hired)
ACTRA Diversity Database: https://diversity.actraonline.ca/
ReelWorld's Diversity Database: www.accessreelworld.ca
Black Women Film! Database: http://www.blackwomenfilm.ca/directory
BWF! provides mentorship & training in behind the camera; but they are also building a database (of behind and in front of the camera Black people of all genders it seems)
HireBIPOC.com is the definitive and ubiquitous industry-wide roster of Canadian BIPOC creatives and crew working in screen-based industries. HireBIPOC will facilitate and increase BIPOC hiring in Canadian media & entertainment (television, film, digital) - whether Canadian or shot-in-Canada - in roles at all levels, across all areas of the industry, including production (above and below the line), behind the scenes, communications & marketing, and on-air: https://www.hirebipoc.ca/
CALTAC (Canadian Latinx Theatre Artist Coalition) One of their projects is a Canadian-Latinx Theatre artist database with the ability to join on their website
https://caltac.ca/
ACTRA Toronto Diversity and Inclusion Committee (ACTRA members can get on the email list and attend meetings/be part of activities):
https://www.actratoronto.com/performers/my-union/committees/diversity-committee/
To get on email list, ask questions or otherwise, message co-chairs Lisa Michelle Cornelius and Samora Smallwood: torontodiversity@actratoronto.com
THE INDIGENOUS SCREEN OFFICE
Context: Support and develop Indigenous screen storytellers and Indigenous stories on screens. Increase representation of Indigenous peoples throughout the screen industries.
More here: https://iso-bea.ca/
IMPACT
Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (IMPACT) is a national member-based organization serving Canadian producers working in the Canadian and Quebecois media landscape. Our mission is to combat systemic racism by building a more equitable, fair and prosperous entertainment industry for media producers who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour of all genders, sexual identities and disabilities.
More here: https://www.impact-aptcmi.org/
THE BLACK PLEDGE COLLECTIVE:
The Collective’s mission is to create long-term, structural changes in live arts organizations. Its first project, The Black Pledge, is a roadmap, providing an intersectional approach to dismantling anti-Blackness in white-led theatre, opera and dance, institutions.
The full vision is to create an arts service organization for Black Canadian stage and screen artists: www.theblackpledge.ca
The Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA)
A member-driven organization of professional Indigenous performing artists and arts organizations. IPAA serves as a collective voice for its members and for Indigenous performing arts in Canada. IPAA provides leadership, support, representation, advocacy, and practical assistance for the national development of Indigenous performing arts.
Stage/live arts focused: https://ipaa.ca/
TELEFILM:
Telefilm has released a statement on their upcoming changes on their anti-racism resource page. To ensure follow through in advocacy & opportunities:
https://telefilm.ca/en/industry-engagement/diversityandinclusion
Sources/Special Thanks: ACTRA Toronto, SAG AFTRA, LB Acting Studio BIPOC Committee Members: Jajube Mandiela, Nadia George, Michelle Arvizu & Bunz Community