Spindle Films Foundation shines a spotlight on gender-diverse Canadian filmmakers with launch of inaugural mentorship program
- New Calgary-based nonprofit organization is now accepting applications at: spindlefilms.ca/mentorship-program -
- Founded by J Stevens, one of the first openly non-binary filmmakers in the Director’s Guild of Canada -
CALGARY (August 29, 2023) — Spindle Films Foundation, a new nonprofit organization supporting transgender, non-binary, two-spirit and gender-diverse Canadian filmmakers, today announced an annual mentorship program for emerging talent. Seeking to make the film and television industry more equitable and diverse by giving voice to underrepresented filmmakers, the inaugural six-month mentorship program begins in winter 2024. Applications are now open at spindlefilms.ca/mentorship-program until Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.
“For years, individuals have been working to dismantle the systemic barriers faced by trans, non-binary, two-spirit, and gender-diverse filmmakers, pushing for an equitable representation and fair treatment on set. Spindle Films Foundation aims to bring together this community and amplify these underrepresented voices to accelerate change within the industry,” said J Stevens, Founder, Spindle Films Foundation. “The mentorship program will equip emerging filmmakers with industry insights and connections; in other words, it’s about the gender-diverse community helping each other to overcome the systemic barriers to career advancement. I know firsthand how isolating it feels to be misgendered on set. Spindle Films Foundation aims to educate and introduce new policies that will make the wider industry more equitable.”
Taking place in Banff, AB, the mentorship program welcomes emerging Canadian transgender, non-binary, two-spirit and gender-diverse filmmakers who are 18 years old or older. In its inaugural year, the program is tailored to individuals with a specific focus in screenwriting and/or directing. Emerging talent are paired with industry leaders from across Canada for professional development and networking.
Community is at the core of the foundation’s vision. To help foster community, the mentorship program kicks-off with an in-person intensive, where mentees will develop skills and confidence by engaging with industry professionals, participating in educational workshops and attending networking events. The mentorship continues with monthly check-ins, job shadowing and relationship building to secure placements on film and TV sets.
In addition to the mentorship program, Spindle Films Foundation is working to dismantle existing systemic barriers with a vision of equitable representation of gender-diverse filmmakers at decision-making tables and explicit, actionable policies and practices on-set. The foundation crystallizes the existing community of gender diverse artists in the shared goal of receiving consistent access to an equitable portion of the work.
Spindle Films Foundation is generously funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, with support from Skipping Stone Foundation, the Directors Guild of Canada, William F. White, Scriptation, and Shot Deck.
Full program details, including this year’s roster of industry mentors, will be announced in the coming months. For updates and more information about the program and how to apply, visit: spindlefilms.ca/about-foundation.
Social Media
Instagram: @spindlefilmsfoundation
About Spindle Films Foundation
Founded in 2023, Spindle Films Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports transgender, non-binary, two-spirit and gender-diverse Canadian filmmakers. The organization works to make the TV and film industry more equitable and diverse by dismantling systemic barriers, and supports emerging filmmakers through an annual mentorship program.
For interview opportunities and additional information, please contact:
Steph Perron, BAE Communications
steph@baecommunications.ca