Creative BC launches new fund for Indigenous filmmakers and creatives across British Columbia, supported by Rogers Group of Funds

Vancouver, October 19, 2022 – Today, Creative BC launches a new program that will invest $200K into development projects by Indigenous filmmakers across British Columbia. Part of a $1 million multi-year fund supported by Rogers Group of Funds, the Rogers Indigenous Film Fund Program (RIFF Program) is now open for applications from emerging, early, and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers within the province to help Indigenous producers and Indigenous-led production companies through development stage investment. The multi-year fund was initially announced in 2021, and has already provided over $200K in top-up funding to B.C. recipients of the Indigenous Screen Office’s Development Fund.

The new RIFF Program gives companies and creators financing assistance for early development work of a new project, or ‘next phase’ early development work of an existing project. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $20,000 to cover activities such as research and development, community engagement, and scriptwriting. Designed in close consultation with the Indigenous community and industry, RIFF Program guidelines are now published and available on the Creative BC website.

Specific to the RIFF Program, applicants and recipients will have access to online professional development workshops, presentations, and seminars throughout the duration of the RIFF Program and beyond. Coaching and mentorship support will also be available to funding recipients throughout the duration of their projects. This is the first of three programs intended for funding through this investment by the Rogers Group of Funds, to be delivered by Creative BC and offered through 2024.

Creative BC will continue to work with industry and communities to align and enhance RIFF Program supports that can be offered more widely each year, and ultimately serve as permanent online resources for Indigenous filmmakers and creatives.

Learn more about the RIFF Program, eligibility criteria, and deadlines online at www.creativebc.com/RIFF-Program

Media Contact:
Lisa Escudero, Creative BC
media@creativebc.com
604-730-2235

Program Contact:
Lou-ann Neel, Creative BC
lneel@creativebc.com
+1 236-427-4695

Quotes:

Robin Mirsky, Director, Rogers Group of Funds
“Rogers is committed to making a meaningful impact in partnership with Indigenous communities on the collective journey towards reconciliation, including championing Indigenous voices and stories through this new program.  Supported by Rogers Group of Funds, we are helping to remove barriers and empowering Indigenous content creators across British Columbia to create content that needs to be heard, now more than ever.”

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC 
“After extensive community and industry consultation, Creative BC is proud to announce this new program within the Rogers Indigenous Film Fund. This program will help facilitate the growth of Indigenous creators’ careers by providing new access to funding and resources. Audiences have a lot to learn from our Indigenous storytellers, and we look forward to seeing these stories come to life on screen.”

Kerry Swanson, Executive Director, Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)
“ISO commends Creative BC and Rogers for creating this new funding opportunity for Indigenous screen-based storytellers in British Columbia. Indigenous storytellers from B.C. are the highest represented by province in ISO’s last two years of creation and production funding and we welcome the additional support to this strong and growing sector.”

Honourable Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts,?Culture?and Sport
“I am so excited about this new grant program. There is a wealth of Indigenous creative talent in B.C., and I commend Creative BC and the Rogers Group of Funds for proactively supporting their work. The Rogers Indigenous Film Fund is the result of an innovative partnership that will support Indigenous storytellers and filmmakers. I can’t wait to watch their stories on screen”.

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About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent society created and supported by the provincial government to sustain and help grow British Columbia’s creative industries: motion picture, interactive and digital media, music and sound recording, and magazine and book publishing. The organization delivers a wide range of programs and services with a mandate to expand B.C.’s creative economy. These activities include administration of the provincial government’s motion picture tax credit programs, delivery of program funding and export marketing support for the sector, and provincial film commission services. Combined, these activities serve to attract inward investment and market B.C. as a partner and destination of choice for domestic and international content creation. The society acts as an industry catalyst and ambassador to help B.C.’s creative sector reach its economic, social, environmental, and creative potential both at home and globally. Website: www.creativebc.com

About Rogers Group of Funds 
Since 1980, the Rogers Group of Funds has supported Canada’s independent film and television producers with more than $635 million through three different types of funding. Rogers Telefund offers loans to Canadian independent producers; Rogers Documentary Fund, Canada’s premier source of funding for documentary films; and Rogers Cable Network Fund, an equity investor in Canadian programs with a first play on a Canadian cable channel. Three different types of financing. Three different funds.? All from one source – Rogers. For more information, visit rogersgroupoffunds.com