CBC WORKSHOP FOR DIVERSE CREATORS SPAWNS TWO DEVELOPMENT DEALS

The CBC is pleased to announce that its 2016 Development Workshop for Diverse Creators has resulted in two development deals. The recipients are Anar Ali on her pitch RUBY`S TURN, a one-hour serialized character drama and Renuka Jeyapalan for her pitch GIRL IN THE BOYS ROOM, a digital comedy series.

“As Canada’s public broadcaster, it’s in our mandate to ensure that we have a broad diversity of voices,” said Heather Conway, Executive VP of English Services, “and that we provide the kind of opportunities which contribute to the career growth for some of Canada’s most creative minds.”

The second CBC Development Workshop for Diverse Creators was a series of training sessions offered by the CBC, this year, for those with a special interest in scripted content. It was designed to help mid-level creators from diverse backgrounds expand their network, sharpen their professional skills, and bring new perspectives and ideas to the CBC.

The workshops, held at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto (250 Front Street West), attracted over 50 applications from across the country, from creators who identify as part of an aboriginal, disability or visible minority community. Eight participants were selected for the program. Over an intense five days of workshops, participants were connected with CBC decision makers and CBC partners in production, who provided guidance as well as tools and resources to help participants develop their own pitches for original programming.

The pitches were presented at the last day, with all vying to be selected for one CBC development deal, which includes a bible and pilot script. The participant whose project best aligned with the CBC’s programming strategy and mandate was to be selected. The quality of the pitches was such that CBC is very pleased to offer not one but two deals.

 

“I was floored when I heard my project was being put into development,” said Anar Ali. “There were so many good ideas on the table which speaks to how many talented diverse creators there are in this country. I feel privileged to be a part of it and I’m really excited to work on my project with the CBC.”

 

“Being a part of the CBC Development Workshop for Diverse Creators was a game-changing experience,” said Renuka Jeyapalan. “Learning from the program’s mentors, speakers and my fellow participants gave me the tools, guidance and resources to branch out and I’m excited to collaborate with a broadcaster that encourages the addition of new and diverse voices to the Canadian television landscape.”

The other five participants - all of whom had excellent ideas are Seneca Aaron, Katia Cafe Febrissy, Shelly Hong,Gloria Kim and Barbara Mamabolo. They will remain connected with CBC now as a result of this program. CBC also wishes to congratulations to Corey Liu who was offered representation from one of the contributors to the program, Meridian Artists, a premiere literary agency in the Canadian entertainment industry.

For more on the workshops available: http://www.cbc.ca/independentproducers/diversecreators

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. We are Canada’s trusted source of news, information and Canadian entertainment. Deeply rooted in communities all across the country, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight aboriginal languages. We also provide international news and information from a uniquely Canadian perspective.

A space for us all

is CBC/Radio-Canada’s new strategy to modernize the public broadcaster and ensure that it continues to fulfill its mandate for Canadians and for future generations. Through to 2020, it will increase its investment in prime time television programming, and continue to create radio programs of the highest quality, while promoting the development of digital and mobile platforms and content.

 

For more information including series synopses, press releases, hi-res images, video clips and bios, please visit the CBC Media Centre at cbc.ca/mediacentre.

 

For further information, please contact:

Nicola Makoway, publicist, CBC

nicola.makoway@cbc.ca

416-205-7673 (office) 416-526-7626 (mobile)