BIPOC TV & Film and Bell Media Welcome Nine Mid-career Creators from Across Canada to the Unscripted Producers Lab

TORONTO, ON —  Nine Black, Indigenous, and racialized producers have been selected for the sophomore edition of the BIPOC TV & Film Unscripted Producers Lab, presented by Bell Media. “We’re excited to unveil the extraordinary storytellers selected for the second year of the Unscripted Producers Lab, in partnership with Bell Media,” said Kadon Douglas, Executive Director, BIPOC TV & Film. “They offer diverse professional experiences in scripted and unscripted production, both on-camera and behind the scenes. Through this program, we aim to facilitate their creativity and reshape Canadian television’s landscape. By championing inclusivity at the helm of production, we ignite a transformative ripple effect, enriching narratives and fostering authenticity. These producers exemplify the breadth of voices vital to reflecting the true mosaic of Canadian society, ensuring that our screens resonate with the richness of human experience.” The 2024 lab participants are Jason Bailey, Jermaine Bagnall, Kerriann Cardinal, Temo Primrose Gare, Jonah Lee-McNamee, Ryan Lindsay, Tamiko Potts, Matt Rubio, and David Trang. Participant bios can be found here. “Investing in initiatives that promote the development of authentic perspectives is good business,” said Justin Stockman, VP, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. “We are thrilled to once again collaborate with BIPOC TV & Film to welcome the second cohort of talented creators to the Unscripted Producers Lab and support them as they embark on this next stage of their careers.” Announced in 2022, with an inaugural cohort in 2023, the program is designed to enhance the leadership skills and industry acumen of mid-career creators and content producers who have experience working on unscripted series or are in the development phase of an original unscripted or factual series. The lab, which follows the lifecycle of an unscripted series, is developed in collaboration with BIPOC TV & Film and Bell Media’s Director of Strategic Planning Li Yeh and Production Executive Kelsey-Ann Maria. During one week of intensive and interactive workshops, panels, and case study presentations, the participants will deepen their knowledge in producing an unscripted factual, reality, or competition series from pre-development to launch. Speakers and presenters include Nicole Butler (Pier 21), Trevor Boris (CANADA’s DRAG RACE), Joey Case (UNDERGROUND RAILROAD: THE SECRET HISTORY), Kadon Douglas (BIPOC TV & Film), James Farr (Cream Productions), Andrea Griffith (Sphere Media), Manny Groneveldt (ETALK), Jeffrey Hirschfield (Cream Productions), Alexandra Lazarowich (FAST HORSE), Nanci Maclean (MEM), Boman Martinez-Reid (MADE FOR TV WITH BOMAN MARTINEZ-REID), Natalie Metcalfe (The Second City), Chris Perez (MEM), Jennifer Pratt (TOP CHEF CANADA), Justin Stockman (Bell Media), Jade Tynes (BIG BROTHER CANADA), and Li Yeh (Bell Media). Following the lab intensive, industry mentors will support the participants for six months to strengthen their network and activate their career goals. Participants will also join BIPOC TV & Film’s alumni network, receiving additional career development support and access to key stakeholders. Previous lab participants include Vatsala Aron (production manager, Good Soup Productions and Meta4Films Inc.), Sabine Daniel (creator and executive producer, SUNNY’S QUEST), Priyanka Desai, Jonathan Jude (story editor, CANADA’S GOT TALENT seasons 2-4), Derek Kwan, Camille Lawrence (story producer, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA season 10), Oswaldo ‘Ozzy’ Quiroz (production manager, HOLMES FAMILY RESCUE season 2), and Amita Zamaana (senior producer, THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW). As part of the Unscripted Producers Lab, they were mentored by Jennifer Pratt (TOP CHEF CANADA), Sam Dunn (Banger Films), Sean Conolly (Original Content Lab), Ann Shin (Fathom Film), Lauren Grant (Clique Pictures), Tanya Linton (Nikki Ray Media), and Andrea Griffith (Sphere Media).