20 Projects from Emerging and Equity-Seeking Filmmakers Receive $200K in Funding for Early-stage Development

Vancouver, B.C. (September 5, 2025) – Today, Creative BC announces $200,000 in funding provided to 20 projects led by emerging and equity-seeking filmmakers in British Columbia.

The Equity and Emerging Development Program (the Program) was designed to address systemic barriers in the motion picture industry, enabling new and diverse voices to develop original intellectual property. By offering financial support without requiring prior commitments from broadcasters or investors, the program reduces entry barriers and makes it possible for emerging or equity seeking talent to focus on creativity and innovation.

Through the Program, grants of up to $10,000 support early-stage development activities such as research, concept creation, and scriptwriting. Applications were reviewed by Creative BC and a panel of industry professionals reflecting both the province’s key demographics and the systemically excluded groups the Program aims to support. Evaluation criteria included originality and innovation, feasibility for advancing to production, and potential impact in engaging and reaching audiences.

Acknowledging that there have been systemic barriers to access, and that supporting new and diverse talent is crucial to a vibrant and thriving motion picture industry, 100% of the funding is distributed to individuals who are either an emerging filmmaker or self-identify in one or more of the following systemically excluded groups: Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, Women, Non-binary, or people with disabilities. This program embodies Creative BC’s actions for equity and inclusion in program delivery.

The following is a list of successful B.C. recipients, each awarded $10,000 to create domestically owned and controlled creative content:

1. Project: NOOPIMING -THE CURE FOR WHITE LADIES
   Mashkawaji, a frozen being speaks from the isolation of grief, sharing stories of ancestors, animals and humans healing together and alone.
   Company: Spotted Fawn Productions Inc.
   Key Creative Team: Amanda Strong, Nina Werewka
   Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
2. Project: HIT NANNY
   An elite hitwoman meets her match when she takes cover as a live-in nanny for a mischievous 8-year-old girl while pursuing her dreams – but things are never as easy as they may seem.
   Company: Mowa Productions Inc.
   Key Creative Team: Alex Soldatov, Margaryta Soldatova
   Type/Location: Feature Film, Langley
3. Project: CODE NORTH
   In the unforgiving landscape of Northern Canada, a team of dedicated nurses battle extreme conditions, scarce resources, and systemic inequities—all while navigating the personal dramas, secrets, and sacrifices that come with life on the edge of Canada.
   Company/Key Creative: Devi Singh
   Type/Location: Television Series, Vancouver
4. Project: PRECIOUS YELLOW METALS
   A Taiwanese immigrant in Vancouver, working in anti-money laundering, seeks ways to launder gold nuggets she vomits out of her mouth.
   Company/Key Creative: Athena Han
   Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
5. Project: EASTBOUND
   A 16-year-old hides his rough east side life while juggling his studies at a posh west side arts school, balancing two worlds in one city.
   Company/Key Creative Team: Ricky He, Crystal Lau, Curtis Lum
   Type/Location: Television Series, Vancouver
6. Project: SLUGFEST
   Two 40-year-old women disobey their strict Asian parents, unleash their killer Muay Thai skills, and take slug psychedelics to find freedom.
   Company/Key Creative: Kim Albright
   Type/Location: Feature Film, North Vancouver
7. Project: TO THE NORTH
   When her husband goes missing, an isolated homesteader facing starvation finds an alluring stranger passed out in the tundra. The search for her partner gets troubled by guilt, desire, and a growing fear that her new lover might be her husband’s killer.
   Company/Key Creative: Jean Parsons
   Type/Location: Feature Film, Pender Island
8. Project: WAH LAU
   A timid architectural designer is forced to move back in with her Chinese mother as an adult.
   Company: Halocline Pictures
   Key Creative Team: Tanya Jade, King Louie Palomo, Mimi Dejene
   Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
9. Project: WRESTLING WITH CULTURE
   The untold stories of three Canadian Punjabi wrestlers who, despite facing racial stereotyping, became icons in professional wrestling, illuminating Punjabi culture and resilience in the face of prejudice.
   Company: Viva Mantra Films Inc.
   Key Creative Team: Baljit Sangra
   Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
10. Project: WHITE MEAT
    After the heir to a wealthy hog farming family destroys her life, a young animal welfare activist summons an ancient, vengeful deity upon him— in the form of a beautiful young woman.
    Company/Key Creative: Stephanie Izsak
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
11. Project: CHASING CHRISTMAS
    Two rez kids sneak away to the city to bring home their estranged brother and fall into a wild adventure-all while teaching everyone the true meaning of Christmas.
    Company: Grinning Indian Productions Inc.
    Key Creative Team: Darrell Dennis, Katya Gardner
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Campbell River
12. Project: THE ENSEMBLE
    After her mom’s death, a jaded producer joins her neurodivergent brother’s scrappy theatre troupe, finding family, purpose, and connection.
    Company: Strange Company Productions
    Key Creative Team: Lucy McNulty, Jamie King
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
13. Project: THE FLOOD: WAVES OF RESISTANCE
    A Gazan drone strike survivor navigates his new life in Canada, amid an unfolding genocide and a surge of Palestine solidarity activism.
    Company/Key Creative: Leen Issa
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
14. Project: THE GOOD LIFE
    Samantha, a vibrant Haitian-Canadian teen, is navigating high school dramas on and off the soccer field, family ties, and friendships in the ’90s.
    Company: Johanne Michel
    Key Creative Team: Johanne Michel, Anthony Metchie
    Type/Location: Television Series, Surrey
15. Project: K-MAMAS
    A Korean-Canadian trio in their 70s drive across British Columbia to enter a line dancing competition.
    Company: Little Bangster Productions Inc.
    Key Creative Team: Andrea Bang, Diana Bang
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
16. Project: APRÈS-MOI, NOTHING…
    Queer artist Chloé embarks on a journey to find her creative voice by delving into the work of her mentor Oraf, now in his twilight years.
    Company: Chloé Raunet and Lantern Films
    Key Creative Team: Jessica Hallenbeck, Chloé Raunet
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
17. Project: DUET
    Across the invisible pathways between Central and North America, migratory birds sing songs of survival, connection, and change.
    Company: Norita Films Inc.
    Key Creative Team: Milena Salazar
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
18. Project: A WILLOW IN THE WOODS
    Cree Métis teenager Willow is taken on her first moose hunt in the northern Alberta Boreal Forest and learns invaluable lessons along the way while re-wilding from the city and gaining imperative traditional knowledge.
    Company/Key Creative: Jaysen Cardinal Villeneuve
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
19. Project: LA MARCHE DES OMBRES
    Rescued after years as a hostage, Maria tries to rebuild her life, helped by her daughter. But faced with her trauma, she drifts toward a fragile reality, risking it all.
    Company: Studio Marginal Films Inc.
    Key Creative Team: Yael Carnet, Laura Carnet
    Type/Location: Feature Film, Vancouver
20. Project: WILD BUS ADVENTURE
    The Wild Bus is on the move! From swamps to snowcaps, each stop is a hands-on mission to explore, film, and protect North America’s wildlife.
    Company: Wild Bus Films Ltd.
    Key Creative Team: Carina Thomas, Louisa Gilbert
    Type/Location: Television Series, Campbell River

View a list of the recipients by program online here.

The Equity and Emerging Development Program is supported by the Province of British Columbia’s historic announcement made on April 19, 2023 of $15.9 million investment, over three-years, into B.C.’s domestic motion productions, workforce and creators through 2027. This program is also a part of Creative BC’s Reel Focus BC suite of support for B.C.’s domestic motion picture industry.

For more information on the Creative BC Equity and Emerging Development Program visit: www.creativebc.com/funding-programs/domestic-motion-picture-programs/equity-emerging-development/

Quotes:
Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
“Storytelling is the heartbeat of every filmmaker’s passion and commitment to excellence. Through Creative BC, our government is proud to support programs that break down barriers, spark innovation, and strengthen British Columbia’s reputation as a global leader in creativity, equity, and inclusion. I am especially proud that this program opens doors for emerging talent to be able to share their lived experience.”

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
“Creative BC is proud to support the third round of this program, enabling 20 projects from emerging and equity-seeking filmmakers to bring their original stories to life. This investment creates pathways for underrepresented voices, ensuring British Columbia’s creative industry reflects the full richness of its communities. We look forward to seeing these projects take shape and connect with audiences.”

Yael Carnet, Studio Marginal Films Inc., Program Recipient
“Getting funding development as a first-time feature film producer, alongside a first-time feature film director, is an extremely challenging journey that can feel discouraging. Creative BC’s support is a true catalyst. It motivates us to keep going and gives us the means to make our project more competitive and market-ready. As a French-language film, this support is even more vital, as opportunities are rarer and it helps strengthen the presence of francophone voices in BC”

MEDIA CONTACT
Creative BC
Lisa Escudero
media@creativebc.com
+1 604-730-2235

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About Creative BC
Creative BC is an independent non-profit society created and supported by the Province 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 society 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