Committees and
Board of Directors
There are many ways for members to work more closely with the CMPA—from participating in strategic committees to sitting on the Board of Directors.
Committees
The CMPA’s committees are your opportunity to shape the direction of the association and, in turn, the industry.
Member expertise and feedback is key to our success, as it reflects the business realities faced by independent production companies on a daily basis. In this shifting media landscape, it’s more important than ever that members help us identify risks and opportunities, and provide input on the issues we present to government.
The CMPA is guided by a number of committees dedicated to the different branches of our strategy. Members of these committees participate in calls and discussions to set the agenda for the CMPA’s initiatives.
The CMPA strives to enable access for the full diversity of producers and creators across Canada, including different experience levels, sizes and scales of companies, genres and formats of production, and especially Indigenous and equity-deserving communities (including but not limited to Black and People of Colour; persons from the broad spectrum of sexes, gender expressions and sexual orientations; and persons with disabilities).
Are you an emerging producer or industry veteran eager to make your voice heard?
There are many opportunities available to suit your interests. To find out more about these committees or to participate, please contact the CMPA representative listed for each.
Standing committees
Guides the CMPA’s direction on any matter related to industrial relations, including negotiation strategy, legislation that affects our sector, and our agreements with the various unions and guilds.
CMPA representative
Sean Porter
Lead Negotiator and Senior Director, National Industrial Relations and Counsel
Creates opportunities to enhance international market opportunities and partnerships for Canadian film, television and digital media producers. Its mandate includes but is not limited to matters related to international trade agreements, the negotiation and administration of audiovisual co-production treaties, the CMPA’s international strategy and international trade missions.
CMPA representative
Sarolta Csete
Director, Mentorship and International Development
Promotes, advises upon and assists with maximizing the value of the fundamental interests of members’ copyright holdings through domestic and international advocacy and administrative activities.
CMPA representative
Alain Strati
Senior Vice-President, Industry, Policy and General Counsel
This committee provides direction to the CMPA to create professional development and mentorship opportunities for members, with a focus on skills, training and networking. The committee ensures opportunities meet the broad needs of producers who are focused on feature film, TV and digital media projects, across all career stages. This committee also determines how the CMPA can best provide demonstrable value for membership through outreach, services and benefits that motivate member engagement.
CMPA representative
Andrew Addison
Vice-President, Communications, Marketing & Membership
Oversees the CMPA’s work related to all CRTC proceedings and activities to ensure that the broadcasting regulatory environment, licensing decisions and policy framework effectively address the needs and reflect the interests of CMPA members.
CMPA representative
Alain Strati
Senior Vice-President, Industry, Policy and General Counsel
The REDIAC makes recommendations to increase and support membership from companies owned and controlled by persons identifying from Indigenous and equity-deserving communities. The REDIAC also identifies opportunities to work with other industry stakeholders, including funders, buyers, unions and guilds, supporting the CMPA’s work to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in the broader media production sector. Canadian independent producers must play an important role. The committee will work towards meaningful change and break down systemic barriers to increase equity, diversity and inclusion, which will benefit Canada’s screen-based industries.
CMPA representative
Liz Shorten
Chief Operating Officer
The Sustainability and Climate Action Committee makes recommendations with respect to the CMPA’s internal and external efforts to further the Canadian film and television sector’s collective journey toward decarbonization.
CMPA representative
Tracey Friesen
Managing VP, CMPA-BC
Sectoral committees
The committee provides strategic direction and support on key policy issues backing the content industry value chain as it relates to feature film development, production, distribution, exhibition, and export, and works to ensure that Canada’s feature film ecosystem effectively responds to the needs of the CMPA’s Feature Film members.
CMPA representative
Lisa Broadfoot
Vice-President, Industry and Business Affairs
The Television Committee advises and identifies opportunities and issues relating to the advancement and promotion of the independent television, short form, and digital media sector in Canada and internationally. The committee addresses the concerns of all genres and formats of programming related to broadcast and digital platforms, and considers input from other CMPA committees and working groups, including but not limited to Documentary and Kids and Animation production.
CMPA representative
Lisa Broadfoot
Vice-President, Industry and Business Affairs
Working Groups
The working group advises the Feature Film and Television committees on issues related to the financing and production of documentary film and television in Canada.
CMPA representative
Tracey Friesen
Managing VP, CMPA-BC
The working group advises the Restructuring, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Committee (REDIAC) on matters relevant to Indigenous producers.
CMPA representative
Liz Shorten
Chief Operating Officer
The working group advises the Feature Film and Television committees and the CMPA Board and staff on opportunities and issues relating to the advancement and promotion of the independent kids and animation sector in Canada and internationally. Provides input for all types of content and platforms related to kids and animation, as kids is an audience and kids and animated content stretches across multiple platforms and genres.
CMPA representative
Lisa Broadfoot
Vice-President, Industry and Business Affairs
Contact
Board of Directors
The CMPA’s Board of Directors represents producers working in all genres, in every region of the country.
Directors serve a two-year term. We strive for a board of talented and dedicated directors with a mix of expertise, experience, skills and backgrounds. Further, we are an inclusive organization that is committed to achieving gender balance and greater diversity, including on our Board of Directors.