Left to right: Alice Wang, Alison Almeida, Audrey Chan, Benoit Lamarche, Denneil Annett, Ethan Levy, Iayisha Khan, Janice Ioi, John Cook, Katie Tyson, Kristyn Stilling, Lian Morrison, Lucas Pilleri, Mel Hennigar, Natsach Atanda, Oaklee Dumont, Ruth Lawrence, Shelby Atwood, Venessa Harris

TTORONTO, September 22, 2025 — The Canadian Media Producers Association today announced 19 mentees selected for participation in its 2025/26 slate of mentorship programs. This marks the 30 year anniversary of the CMPA Mentorship Program, which has helped launch the careers of over 2,000 emerging producers across the country.

“Over the past 30 years, CMPA mentees have gone on to run companies, serve on the CMPA Board of Directors, and achieve incredible success, strengthening Canada’s cultural presence on the world stage,” said Reynolds Mastin, President and CEO, CMPA. “This program has thrived thanks to the support of CMPA member companies and our many industry partners, who generously invest in the next generation of producers. I look forward to seeing this upcoming group of rising stars build flourishing careers in this industry.” 

Since its inception, the CMPA Mentorship Program has been dedicated to bringing together emerging and established producers through on-the-job placement programs at CMPA member companies nationwide. Mentees receive hands-on experience in all facets of production, including development, financing, distribution, and post-production. As new technologies, platforms, and global opportunities reshape the Canadian production landscape, the program has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of the industry.

Below is the full list of individuals selected for participation in the CMPA’s 2025/26 slate of mentorship programs:

Bob Crowe Mentorship Program for Emerging Indigenous Producers

• Shelby Atwood with Real World Media Inc. 

CMPA BC Production Mentorship Program

• Benoit Lamarche with Ceroma Films Inc. 
• Kristyn Stilling with Goodbye Productions 
• Lucas Pilleri with Locomotive Media Inc. 
• John Cook with Screen Siren Pictures 

CMPA Mentorship Program for Diverse Producers

• Denneil Annett with Big Soul Productions Inc. 
• Venessa Harris with Conquering Lion Pictures Inc.
• Oaklee Dumont with Devonshire Productions Inc. 
• Janice Ioi with GAPC Entertainment 
• Iayisha Khan with Real People Real Stories Inc.

CMPA Production Mentorship Program

• Katie Tyson with Eagle Vision 
• Audrey Chan with Gorgeous Mistake Productions Inc.
• Natsach Atanda with Peterson Polaris Corp.
• Alice Wang with Snail Mail Media Inc.

Export Development Mentorship Program (funded by Telefilm)

• Alison Almeida with Film Forge 
• Ethan Levy with Intuitive Pictures 
• Mel Hennigar with Picture Plant Limited 

PictureNL Producer Mentorship Program

• Lian Morrison with Ruby Line Productions Inc.
• Ruth Lawrence with Elemental Pictures

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ABOUT THE CMPA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
For 30 years, the CMPA’s National Mentorship Program has invested in the next generation of independent producers—and a strong future for Canada’s industry—by placing aspiring producers in roles at Canada’s leading production companies. Stipends are partially subsidized by the CMPA, industry and government partners. In a commitment to eliminating systemic barriers in Canada’s media industry and elevating new voices and perspectives, since 2020, three-quarters of all CMPA mentorship participants have been selected from Indigenous and equity-deserving groups. cmpa.ca/mentorship

ABOUT THE CMPA
The Canadian Media Producers Association is the national advocacy organization for independent producers, representing hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production, and distribution of English-language content made for television, cinema, and digital media channels. For more than 75 years, the CMPA has worked to promote the continued success of the Canadian production sector and to ensure a bright future for the diverse content made by our members for both domestic and international audiences. cmpa.ca

For more information:

Gamiela Fereg
Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications, CMPA
communications@cmpa.ca