Info and registration here

Montreal, February 5, 2025 – While the presence of Black artists and communicators on screen has grown remarkably in recent years, there is still much progress to be made at the decision-making level, particularly in production.

In response to this reality, the Festwave Institute of the Fabienne Colas Foundation and the Quebec Media Production Association (AQPM) are proud to launch a pilot program of paid internships in media production aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion within the audiovisual industry.

This initiative offers two aspiring producers or production managers from Black communities the opportunity to complete a four-month, full-time paid internship at an AQPM member production company working in film or television. Participants will have the chance to explore the many facets of the producer’s role, from pre-production to post-production, while collaborating with seasoned industry professionals.

This program is funded by the Festwave Institute of the Fabienne Colas Foundation with the support of Canada Economic Development (CED).

Quote from Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the FFC

“Times are changing, and we see that actors and actresses from Black communities are increasingly present on our screens. It’s time they are also behind the camera. This internship program will create opportunities that would not have existed otherwise. I could not have imagined a better partner than the AQPM to make it happen.”

Quote from Hélène Messier, President and CEO of AQPM

“AQPM is pleased to help make Quebec’s audiovisual industry more inclusive by building bridges between established professionals and emerging producers from Black communities. We hope that this first partnership with the Fabienne Colas Foundation and the Festwave Institute will spark long careers and fruitful collaborations.”

The call for applications and participant selection will take place between February 5 and 14, 2025; the internships will run for 16 weeks between February 24 and June 13, 2025. The selection criteria and registration form are available on this page of the AQPM website:

About the Fabienne Colas Foundation (FFC):

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FFC) is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to building bridges and advancing education through the arts, as well as supporting the creation, production, promotion, and distribution of film, arts, and culture in Canada and beyond. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation has established 12 festivals and programs that break down barriers, celebrate diversity, and promote conviviality, understanding, and inclusion. Since its creation in 2005, its initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported more than 5,000 artists and attracted millions of festival-goers in Canada, the United States, Haiti, and Brazil. The Foundation mainly promotes Black culture in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, New York City, and Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); and Quebec culture in Port-au-Prince. The Foundation also created the FFC’s Being Black in Canada program, the largest Canadian incubator dedicated to Black filmmakers.

About the Quebec Media Production Association (AQPM):

The Quebec Media Production Association (AQPM) brings together, represents, and advises more than 150 Quebec independent production companies in film, television, and web — the vast majority of Quebec companies producing or co-producing for all screens, in French, English, or Indigenous languages.

About the Festwave Institute:

The Festwave Institute, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, aims to eliminate barriers faced by film and television professionals and help them build successful and sustainable careers. The Institute will achieve this by providing Black film entrepreneurs and other underrepresented creators with the tools, skills, and resources they need to succeed and be independent in an industry largely led by white professionals: tailored workshops, roundtables, masterclasses, hands-on learning, mentoring, networking opportunities, pitching opportunities, access to equipment, business skills, matchmaking programs — everything Black professionals need to learn, grow, connect, and advance their careers in film and television, both online and on the ground.

About the Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Fund in Canada:

The Fund’s goal is to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada. It enables Black-led non-profit organizations to develop new services or expand those they already provide, such as mentoring, networking, financial planning, and business training for Black entrepreneurs. Visit this page for more information

About CED:

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) promotes the long-term economic development of Quebec regions, with particular attention to those with slow economic growth or insufficient productive employment opportunities. For more information, visit: CED | About CED (canada.ca)

For more information, contact:

• Wylem Decaille (AQPM): wdecaille@aqpm.ca
• Christine Ebrahim (FFC): christine@festwave.com