The CMPA’s mentorship program has been leaving the future in good hands for three decades
If you’re an independent producer working in Canada today, chances are pretty darn good that you’ve come through the CMPA’s National Mentorship Program. For 30 years, the program has acted as a springboard for aspiring media producers through its varied mentorship opportunities, and today celebrates nearly 2,000 alumni who have participated in the program. It’s no wonder the program sets the standard for industry training initiatives: it’s unquestionably effective.
We zoom in on several program alumni from over the years, who share what they appreciate about their experience. The mentorship program may not be able to take all of the credit for their success, but “stepping stone” is credit enough for us.
Jigar ThakkarMentor company: Accent Aigu Entertainment (2025)
“The mentorship has pushed me forward to realize my potential. After the mentorship, I was offered a position as an associate producer for the show Heated Rivalry, which will take Canadian screens by storm when it releases on Crave.”
Meg RobinsonMentor company: Eagle Vision (2024)
“Attending the CMPA Prime Time event as a mentee was a really big deal for me. I learned so much about pitching, networking, distribution, and the industry in Canada as a whole. That was a pivotal moment in my career where I saw the step between where I was as an indie producer, and where I fit into the—sometimes mysterious—business landscape of Canadian film.”
Temesghen NaizghiMentor company: First Generation Media Inc. (2023)
“Each day brought new tasks and new questions. Seeing the work that other mentees were doing was motivating, and I had the chance to meet some incredible people in the industry. I am currently working in business affairs at First Generation.”
Emilija DavidovicMentor company: Devonshire Productions Inc. (2016)
“I was Canadian Film Centre’s supervising producer for two years, blending creative mentorship with production, and I helped a number of emerging producers get into their CMPA mentorship programs. It’s an honour to be able to give back!”
Marc Tetreault (CMPA board member)Mentor company: Emotion Pictures Inc. (2010)
“I own my own production company, Shut Up & Colour, and have successfully produced 10 feature films and four seasons of one-hour television for both CBC and Bell.”
Induk LeeMentor company: Shut Up & Colour (2025)
“I worked across multiple projects at various phases from development to post-production, experienced international markets, and met and worked with industry professionals across Canada and around the world. I got a clearer sense of what my next steps could be, both as a producer and as a creative.”
Nancy ShawMentor company: Optic Nerve Films (2012)
“I now work for the Northwest Territories Film Commission, administering funding programs and helping guest productions find their way in this incredible part of the country.”
Susanne RitzauMentor company: Strada Films (2011)
“While I am passionate about storytelling, it quickly became clear how crucial financing, budgeting, and navigating contracts are to getting a project off the ground—and keeping it on track. That insight shaped my career path. I am now the director of business affairs at McGillivray Entertainment.”
Meron GaudetMentor company: Markham Street Films (2017)
“I learned the importance of the development stage prior to bringing a project out to market. I am now a development producer at Big Time Decent, previously a development manager at Muse Entertainment.”
Priyanka DesaiMentor company: Lark Productions (2019)
“My mentorship made me dream big. I was a new immigrant at the time, and the dream of owning and running my own company was very distant. But this mentorship gave me the vision to create my own company based on the values I strongly believe in. I now run a production company, Real People Real Stories Inc., producing stories that impact and entertain.”
Luc TrottierMentor company: Club Red Productions (2023)
“The program gave me the tools I need to produce on my own and expand my network to make the work I want to create. Now I run a production company called Human Moves Media Inc. between PEI and Toronto, and I am currently producing two series.”
Having run the CMPA’s mentorship program for over 20 years, Sarolta Csete knows a thing or two about the importance of fit
Sarolta Csete is director of mentorship and international development at the CMPA. She’s managed the CMPA National Mentorship Program since her first day on the job, more than 20 years ago. According to her, the success of the program rests on matching both the skill sets and the personalities of the participating producers.
One of Csete’s favourite things about her job is watching the career trajectory of mentees: “It’s always inspiring to see people start from something like producer’s assistant to being on the CMPA board. And it’s a proud moment when you recognize names of people who’ve come through the program in Playback or during awards season.”
Of course, before mentees can go on to win awards, they first need to find their mentor match. Mentors and mentees apply to the program together, and Csete is adamant that mentees should never settle.
“It needs to be a good fit, because if you don’t like the person you’re working with, six months can be very long,” she says. Goals should be aligned, and there should be a clear outline of what each party hopes to accomplish during the mentorship.
“Do your research and find a company that creates the kind of content you’re passionate about,” she urges. “Find the producers you look up to and persuade them that you’re worth taking a chance on.” To that end, prospective mentees might mention the benefit of adding an employee who’s eager to succeed: “For small companies with maybe one or two employees, adding another person can really make a huge difference in terms of the capacity of that company and what they are able to accomplish.”
And who knows: the mentorship may just stretch into a decades-long working relationship—something else that Csete knows a lot about.
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