What’s New at BSO?

 

On June 3, Minister Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, announced a new federal investment of $600 million annually to support Canada's audio and audiovisual sectors.

 

The announcement follows the CRTC's May 2026 decision to increase the contribution requirements for foreign streaming services and large Canadian broadcasters. The federal government has positioned this investment as a way to strengthen support for Canadian content while helping ensure continued affordability for consumers.

 

According to the government, the funding is intended to support key priorities across the cultural sector, including French-language productions, Indigenous storytelling, local news, services of exceptional importance such as APTN, and content reflecting Canada's diversity.

 

Many details remain unclear, including how the funding will be allocated, which programs or organizations will administer it, eligibility criteria, and how support for equity-deserving communities will be implemented in practice. These details are expected to be developed through consultations with the sector.

 

BSO will be monitoring developments closely and participating in discussions where appropriate to help ensure Black Canadian creators, producers, and businesses are meaningfully considered as the funding framework takes shape.

 

 

 

TIFF: The Market is the official content market of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), bringing together producers, distributors, broadcasters, streamers, sales agents, financiers, exhibitors, and industry leaders from around the world. As a central hub for deal-making, project development, financing, acquisition, and distribution, the Market provides opportunities to connect with key decision-makers shaping the global screen industry.

 

Over the course of the event, delegates will have access to industry sessions, networking opportunities, curated meetings, market events, and professional development activities designed to support project advancement and long-term business growth.

 

 

Dates: September 10-16, 2026

Location: Toronto, Canada

 

 

 

- Accreditation to TIFF: The Market 2026

- Access to BSO delegation activities and networking opportunities

- Pre-market preparation sessions and orientation to support business development goals

- Guidance on maximizing meetings and market opportunities

- Travel and accommodation support for eligible participants

- Selected participants may be eligible for travel and accommodation support, subject to available funding.

 

 

Note: Each TIFF Market delegate will be responsible for booking travel.

 

 

 

The Black Screen Office (BSO) and CMPA are accepting applications for the Black Producer Accelerator Program—a paid, 20-week mentorship opportunity for Black Canadian producers.

 

Participants will gain hands-on industry experience, build professional networks, and receive a minimum of $20,000 for their placement.

 

 

 

 

 

Real change in the Canadian screen industry requires informed, accountable leadership.

 

That’s why registration is now open for the next edition of our highly impactful Anti-Black Racism Training, Disrupting Anti-Black Racism: Foundational Training for non-Black Industry Leaders and Mentors.

 

Designed specifically for non-Black executives, producers, supervisors, mentors, managers, and decision-makers, this two-part virtual workshop challenges participants to move beyond intention and toward meaningful action.

 

Led by labour relations specialist Natasha Tony, the training explores how anti-Black racism operates within workplace culture, leadership structures, hiring practices, mentorship, gatekeeping, and organizational systems across the screen industry.

 

Organizations across the industry — including broadcasters, unions, festivals, funders, and production companies — have already participated in this transformative experience.

 

October 6 & November 4, 2026 on Zoom

Spots are limited and early registration is strongly encouraged.

 

 

 

 

This year's Canadian Screen Awards was a landmark moment for Black Canadian talent and the wins speak for themselves.

 

Director R.T. Thorne made history with 40 Acres, his post-apocalyptic thriller that dominated the film categories, taking home nine awards across the week — including Achievement in Direction and the John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award. Writer Glenn Taylor earned Best Adapted Screenplay for the same film, and Angelica Lisk-Hann won for Stunt Coordination — a historic milestone. Angelica is the first Black female stunt coordinator in Canada and one of only a handful in the world. Her win is not just a personal achievement; it's a door opened for everyone who comes after her.

 

Alexander Nunez took home Best Lead Performance in a Web Series or Program for his work in Settle Down.

 

Cashmere Downey won Best Direction in the documentary series category, and Alison Duke was recognized for Best Documentary Program for Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story.

 

Asha Soetan won Best Lead Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series for her role in Odd Squad.

 

Afua Baah of CityNews Toronto took home the award for Best Local Reporter.

 

Maxine Bailey was honoured with the Changemaker Award — a fitting recognition of her decades of work in the industry.
 

 

The Hollywood Reporter Canadian Women of Power List 

 

The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Canada 2026 brought the industry's most powerful voices together on May 28 at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto — and BSO had reason to celebrate right alongside them.

 

Our CEO and Co-Founder, Joan Jenkinson, was recognized on The Hollywood Reporter Canadian Women of Power List — honouring the most influential women shaping Canada's screen industry. Joan's inclusion is a testament to her work turning industry promises about inclusion into actual access, and a reminder that the BSO's voice belongs in every room where decisions are made.

 

The evening also saw six remarkable women receive Tribute Awards:

Andrea Martin took home the Icon Award, Malin Akerman was honoured with the Impact Award, and Lilly Singh received the Equity in Entertainment Award — a recognition that hits close to home for everything BSO stands for. Rachel Reid was celebrated as the Changemaker Award honouree, while filmmakers Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril shared the Breakthrough Award, bringing their groundbreaking work to the national stage.

 

To every woman honoured this year — congratulations. The work continues.
 

 

Director Maya Annik Bedward's documentary Black Zombie — which made its world premiere at SXSW 2026 — has been acquired by Kino Lorber for U.S. theatrical release this fall, followed by digital, educational, and home video distribution.

 

The film digs beneath the surface of horror cinema to reclaim the zombie's true origins. Long before flesh-eating monsters populated Hollywood blockbusters, the zombie was a living metaphor for enslavement — a symbol of stolen agency rooted in Haitian spiritual tradition. Black Zombie traces how that figure was distorted, sensationalized, and stripped of its cultural meaning, while recentring the Black voices, histories, and belief systems that gave it life. 

 

The film features cultural historians, artists, and genre figures including Tom Savini and Slash, and revisits touchstones like White Zombie, Night of the Living Dead, and The Serpent and the Rainbow through a new lens.

 

Austin Chronicle called it "an act of reclamation," and RogerEbert.com praised it as "fascinatingly unpacking the origins of one of the most popular horror genres of all time."

 

Black Zombie is produced by Bedward, Hannah Donegan, and Kate Fraser, and executive produced by Jennifer Holness, Michael Paszt, Andrew Thomas Hunt, James Fler, and Slash.
 

 

 

 

Aisha Evelyna's debut feature film, SEAHORSE, will make its European premiere at the 2026 Raindance Film Festival in London, UK. The film previously received support through BSO's 2023 Berlinale Delegation and continues to build momentum following its world premiere in the Narrative Feature Competition at SXSW earlier this year.

 

Written, directed by, and starring Evelyna, SEAHORSE follows Nola, a young Black Canadian woman navigating her recovery after a mental health crisis when the unexpected return of her estranged father forces her to confront the past. The film stars Joseph Marcell, Ruth Goodwin, and Brett Donahue, and is produced by Natalie Remplakowski of Citrine Productions.

 

We are excited to see Aisha and the SEAHORSE team continue to connect with audiences around the world and wish them continued success as the film's festival journey continues.
 

 

 

Looking for your next binge-watch? Grimelle is an award-winning dramatic comedy that follows Alizée (Arielle Mailloux), a mixed-race journalist of Haitian and Québécois heritage, as she navigates her career, relationships, and sense of identity alongside her roommates Esther (Cindy Charles) and Jenny (Kipola Wakilongo).

 

Created by Simone Béatrice Gravel, directed by Marilyn Cooke, and produced by Anaëlle Béglet of Productions Spécimen Inc., the eight-episode series explores friendship, self-discovery, and the realities of finding your place in a world that often feels two steps behind.

 

Grimelle has already earned international recognition, winning three awards at the 2026 Baltimore Next Media Web Fest, including Best Comedy Series or Film, Best Comedy Series or Short Film Director for Marilyn Cooke, and Best Actress in a Dramedy or Comedy for Arielle Mailloux.

 

Audiences can also follow the series on Instagram at @la_noire_de_service for additional content and behind-the-scenes updates.

 

Beginning June 25, all episodes will be available to stream for free on ICI Tou.tv, making it the perfect opportunity to discover this acclaimed series.  

 

Watch here: https://ici.tou.tv/grimelle
 

 

 

For more information: Black Screen Office | info@bso-ben.ca