TORONTO, August 31, 2023 — FAME Week, the premier event for the film, tv and music industries in Africa, has named Canada as the official guest country for 2023, highlighting the opportunities for collaboration between South Africa and Canada. Producers from across Canada, representing a diverse range of genres and platforms, including scripted, factual, animation, theatrical, television, streaming, and interactive digital media will have the opportunity to foster meaningful relationships with local producers, distributors, buyers, and commissioners.

“For independent producers, international collaborations have become increasingly imperative to the success of projects,” said Liz Shorten, Chief Operating Officer, CMPA. “We are thrilled to work alongside the BSO to support these talented Canadian producers as they build new relationships in South Africa and across Africa. Our participation in FAME Week will no doubt lead to exciting new opportunities to forge partnerships and showcase Canada’s entertainment industry and talented creatives on the African continent.”

“I am honoured to present the exceptional delegation of Black Canadian creators attending FAME Week Africa 2023,” said Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director, Black Screen Office. “This collaboration with the CMPA underscores our dedication to fostering a more inclusive media landscape. These talented Black producers will not only contribute to the success of FAME Week, but also enrich the global creative community by sharing their unique perspectives and stories.”

The CMPA has received financial support for the delegation from Global Affairs Canada’s CanExport for Associations program. The BSO has received financial support for the delegation from Telefilm, Creative BC and the Shaw Rocket Fund. The delegations are grateful for the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Trade Commissioner Service in South Africa for facilitating the delegations’ participation at the market and maximizing business development opportunities for Canadian production companies. The support and funding provided reflects the commitment of the Canadian government to promote and strengthen the Canadian production sector and foster international collaborations.

For further information about FAME Week Africa 2023, visit the official website here.

For a list of producer delegates, see below:

The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) delegation includes Lanette Ware-Bushfield (A WWB Production, Inc.), Richard Jean-Baptiste (Attraction), Chibie Louis-Okoye (COLO Studios), Shant Joshi (Fae Pictures), Rama Diallo (Front Street Pictures), Tamara Dawit (Gobez Media Inc.), Sean Ronan (Hammer & Tong Pictures Industries Ltd.), Josette D Normandeau (Ideacom International), Afons Adetuyi (Inner City Films), Moyra Rodger (Magnify Digital), Aden Abebe (Miskeen Media Inc.), Michael Peterson (Peterson Polaris Corp), Harry Cherniak (Plainspeak Pictures), Jay Daniel Beechinor (The JDB Film Company), Ian Nsenga (Visionary Productions Ltd.), and Sabrina Roc (Wojack Productions Inc.). Frédéric Joubaud from Just for Laughs will also be joining the event.

The Black Screen Office (BSO) delegation includes Mariam Barry (IRIS Studios), Kevin J. Fitzgerald (Hip Hop Films), Marie Ka (INARU Films), Eric Mazimpaka (Black Monk Productions), Ambrose A. Okundaye (Dlite Pictures Entertainment Inc.), and Randy Quansah (Kujo’s Kid Zone Inc.)

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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 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

ABOUT BLACK SCREEN OFFICE (BSO)
BSO’s goals are to make Canada’s screen industries’ practices and policies equitable and free of anti-Black racism; to work collaboratively with decision-makers to develop tools and strategies that enable system-level engagement and accountability; and to empower Black Canadians working within the screen industries to thrive and share their stories. For more information, visit https://www.bso-ben.ca/

For more information:

CMPA
Gamiela Fereg
gamiela.fereg@cmpa.ca

Black Screen Office (BSO)
Tagaty Badio
ea@bso-ben.ca