Being Black In Canada
February 2, 2021 2025-09-02 20:38Being Black In Canada
Being Black In Canada
Being Black in Canada represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers. This important initiative, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth and Diversity Program, aims to train, mentor and empower the next generation of Black Filmmakers in Cinema and Television.
Mission & Goals
Being Black in Canada was created to make up for the blatant lack of diversity and the lack of Black People in front and behind the camera in Canada. It gives a voice and a platform to creators who would not otherwise be seen or heard. The Foundation actively promotes equal opportunities for Black Filmmakers while fostering Diversity on our screens that unfortunately showcase content that is too white for a truly diverse society.
In 2021, Being Black in Canada allowed 35 underserved emerging Black Filmmakers in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver to create their first short documentaries. The program provides FREE training, mentorship, professional equipment, editing studios, professional crews to assist them from beginning to the end of their filmmaking process. Then, we will premiere their films at the Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver Black Film Festivals, as well as elsewhere.

History
Launched in Montréal in 2014, the program expanded in 2019 to Toronto and Halifax, in collaboration with the Montreal, Toronto, and Halifax Black Film Festivals. That year, 15 emerging Black filmmakers (aged 18–30) from the three cities created 10-minute documentaries exploring Black community integration in Canada. They received full mentorship and professional resources throughout all stages of production.
The films premiered at the Montreal International Black Film Festival (Sept 2019), followed by screenings at the Toronto and Halifax Black Film Festivals (Feb 2020), with post-screening discussions on Black realities and inclusion. Later, the films aired on CBC, Télé-Québec, and TFO.
In 2021, with support from Netflix, National Bank, Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and others, the program expanded to Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver. It now supports 35 new Black artists annually, with their films showcased across major Black Film Festivals and on television.
2014 – Program Launch
2019 – First Expansion
2020 – National Broadcast
2021 – National Rollout
Discover More About the Program!
Want to dive deeper into the stories, films, and impact behind Being Black in Canada?
Visit our website to explore full details, filmmaker journeys, and upcoming events.