Montreal, January 25, 2024 – In response to a pressing need within the industry, which laments the scarcity of Black voice actors in Quebec, the Festwave Institute, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is launching a free dubbing training program dedicated to Afro-descendant actors who are members of the Union des artistes (UDA).

“The National Association of Professional Dubbers (ANDP) brings together 12 dubbing companies in Canada, employing over 800 individuals in highly specialized positions, including approximately 500 actors.” (Source: https://andp.ca/) The vast majority of these dubbers are white, despite the diverse profiles of the characters they voice. Only a handful of these dubbers are Black. According to Manuel Tadros, “it’s the same four or five Black actors who manage to work in this field.” As a result, Black American actors are more frequently dubbed by white actors.

The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) works tirelessly to assist young Black filmmakers, actors, producers in entering the audio-visual world, professionalizing themselves, and propelling their careers. Through the FCF’s program ‘Being Black in Canada,’ around thirty young Black filmmakers across Canada annually realize their first short film. To date, over 100 films have been produced. This program continues, and we are pleased to announce that we are now taking a new step. We are adding to our training offerings a series of customized workshops that will address specific needs clearly identified by the industry. The dubbing program will be the first in this series.

For this inaugural dubbing training cohort, it is a free 16-hour training spread over 8 weeks in March and April 2024, with 3 groups of 4 participants, under the direction of Manuel Tadros. Registrations are open until February 16, 2024. Information and registration: www.FestwaveInstitute.com

“I am so proud that Manuel Tadros, a master in the world of dubbing and a member of the Board of Directors of the Fabienne Colas Foundation, has agreed to provide this training. This dubbing program holds significant importance for the Festwave Institute and will have an extraordinary impact on the film industry in Quebec.” – Fabienne Colas, President-Founder of the Festwave Institute and the Fabienne Colas Foundation

The highlights of the dubbing workshop include personalized instruction, a bold dive into the art of dubbing, mastery of instant script reading and voice synchronization, as well as a fervent focus on career development in the fiery world of dubbing and cinema.

This training is made possible through a grant from the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Fund for Black entrepreneurs and business owners from the Government of Canada through Economic Development Canada (DEC)

About the instructor: Manuel Tadros

Of Egyptian origin, Manuel Tadros arrived in Quebec with his family in 1966 at the age of ten. He is a songwriter, singer, host, dubbing director (for both dialogues and songs), and actor, Manuel is highly active in television and film. In January and February 2024, he is on stage in Chimerica at Duceppe and also collaborates on the cultural magazine La vie est un carnaval on TV5 Québec Canada and TV5MONDE. He has been involved in dubbing since 1988 and has adapted and directed over 250 films and TV series, not to mention the hundreds of projects in which he has lent his voice as an actor. He has also composed multiple songs, including for artists like Roch Voisine, Julie Masse, Cirque du Soleil (for Alegria), and adapted songs for musicals like Chicago and Annie. Manuel is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Fabienne Colas Foundation.