Quebecor Fund scholarship will bring Ontario producers to Banff

With the financial support of the Quebecor Fund, two Ontario-based producers will once again have the opportunity to pursue professional development opportunities through a 21-day residency at the Banff New Media Institute (BNMI) at The Banff Centre. The new scholarship has been specifically created for Aboriginal and visible minority new media producers.

“The Quebecor Fund is proud to support talented professionals to develop their skills and projects further,” says Derek Luis, Executive Director of Independent Production for SUN TV/Quebecor Media Inc. “We know that putting the creative, technical and human resources of The Banff Centre for the Arts in the hands of storytellers, and the added inspirational setting of Banff, is a winning combination.”

The Quebecor Fund Scholarship, under the banner “The Banff New Media Institute & Quebecor Production Fellowship,” will support two Ontario-based producers at a value of up to $5000 each, providing the participants with world-class support, professional development, mentoring, and career guidance and will allow content creators to gain experience and expertise in diverse areas of production and technology.

Application forms for the BNMI scholarships can be found at www.banffcentre.ca/bnmi/awards. Applications will be adjudicated in March 2009 for residencies to take place between April 2009 and December 2009.

The Banff New Media Institute (BNMI) is an internationally respected art and digital research innovation centre. BNMI programs support the production of new creative work, and the engagement of artists, producers, technologists, and researchers with digital culture.

The Quebecor Fund for Professional Development in Film and Television has been established as part of the SUN TV benefits package. The Fund supports innovative initiatives for experienced professionals from under-represented groups as identified by industry studies (CAB, WIFT), and aims to contribute to creating equity in the Canadian television industry.