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Mentorship

The CMPA’s diverse mentorship programs are a launch pad for the next class of Canadian media producers.

For over 25 years, the CMPA’s National Mentorship Program has invested in the next generation of independent producers—and a strong future for our industry—by placing aspiring producers in Canada’s leading production companies.

Successful applicants receive one-on-one training from established producers in everything from development to post, in genres ranging from drama to documentary. Stipends are partially subsidized by the CMPA.

The longstanding success of the mentorship program speaks for itself: more than 85% of NMP alumni continue to work in Canada’s production industry.

The CMPA is committed to eliminating systemic barriers in Canada’s media industry and elevating the voices of underrepresented communities within the domestic production sector. We encourage individuals who self-identify as belonging to an underrepresented group to apply for the opportunities listed below.


Programs

Student Work Placement Program

Learn more

Bob Crowe Mentorship Program for Emerging Indigenous Producers

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Export Development Mentorship Program

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CMPA Mentorship Program for Diverse Producers

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CMPA British Columbia Production Mentorship Program

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CMPA Production Mentorship Program

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Partner with us

If you’d like to be involved in launching the careers of the next generation of media professionals, consider partnering with us to offer a branded mentorship program.

For more about partnership opportunities and benefits, contact Sarolta Csete.


Stay in the loop

To receive an email when a new program is launched, sign up for our notification list below or follow us on Facebook.


FAQs

For mentees

Yes, intern candidates must find a CMPA member company and submit a joint application. Start your research with our member directory. Once you’ve found a company you’d like to approach, send them a resumé and offer to volunteer. After you’ve made a connection and the company has agreed to take you on for the duration of the placement, submit a joint application for one of our programs.

You may also create a public mentee profile that potential mentor companies can browse. Find out more.

Feel free to contact us at 1-800-656-7440 ext. 339 for more assistance.

If you’re a permanent resident or a protected person within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, you’re eligible for our programs.

Please check the individual program information for eligibility criteria, including age.

Yes, if you are eligible, but you cannot participate in more than one program at a time. You can only receive one CMPA grant per fiscal year.

If you’re selected for placement, you’ll be notified by email approximately six to eight weeks after the application deadline. If your application is not successful, you’ll be notified by email within two months after the application deadline.

Yes. The mentor company and the mentee may agree to make deductions at source. (For most programs, we offer the option to take on the mentee on a contract or hire them as an employee.)

You are considered unemployed if you are not being paid for any activities you are performing. If you’re working on a term or contract job that ends before the proposed placement begins and you have no job prospects when you apply, you may also be considered unemployed.

You are considered underemployed if you’re working part-time in your field of expertise or study, or you’re working full-time or part-time in an area not related to your field of expertise or study.

For mentors

You must be a CMPA member to apply to be a mentor.

Please visit our membership page for more information and to apply for CMPA membership.

Please check the individual program information to learn the mentor company’s minimum financial contribution. Mentors can—and are encouraged to—offer a higher contribution than the minimum.

Yes, you must issue a T4 or T4A to your mentee.

You may not apply unmatched.

You can, however, create a posting for a mentorship opportunity, which potential candidates can browse and get in contact with you directly. Find out more.

If you need further assistance to help you find a mentee to co-apply with, contact us at 1-800-656-7440 ext. 339 for more information.