News
2023 YUKON SCREEN MEDIA AWARDS
The Yukon has a thriving community of content creators and screen professionals who are developing and broadening a base of technical, creative and business skills. As our professional film and media industry develops, SPYA is finding new ways to take stock, recognize achievement and celebrate excellence.
This year, SPYA is launching its first annual Yukon Screen Media Awards. This is an opportunity to recognize colleagues and collaborators who make a significant contribution to the industry, innovate and advance their craft, and represent Yukon’s new wave of screen media professionals.
We will be presenting two awards:
- VIEWFINDER AWARD – recognizes exceptional talent or innovative approaches that represent the growth and evolution of the Yukon screen industry.
- FOCUS AWARD – recognizes the significant contributions or long-standing participation by a key industry member.
Nominations for both awards are now open. Nominees must be current members of SPYA – please contact us at info@spya.ca if you have questions about membership status.
All SPYA members are welcome to nominate individuals for either award. Submissions are confidential and will be reviewed by an Awards Committee.
The deadline for nominations is October 23, 2023. Please see the attached form for more details.
The winners will be announced at the SPYA Industry Gala scheduled for November 18, 2023.
Yukon Government’s Yukon Film & Sound Incentive Program Annual Report April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022
The Yukon Film & Sound Incentive Program Annual Report for 2021-22 has been unveiled by the Yukon Government of Economic Development. This eagerly awaited report offers a comprehensive overview of the program's impact on the local screen media industry. From its role in boosting local productions and creating employment avenues for Yukon residents to its active contribution in nurturing talent and facilitating training initiatives, the report is a testament to the diverse range of incentives the program provides.
For those keen on exploring the detailed insights and grasping the full extent of these initiatives and their implications, we highly recommend delving into the complete Yukon Film & Sound Incentive Program Annual Report. It offers an in-depth understanding of the program's accomplishments, showcasing how it enriches the local community, nurtures burgeoning talent, and contributes to the economic dynamism of the Yukon region. This report is a clear testament to both the Yukon Government's dedication and the ongoing partnership with the Screen Production Yukon Association in fostering a vibrant and thriving film industry.
https://spya.ca/assets/documents/Roadmap_Press_Release.pdf
https://spya.ca/assets/documents/Roadmap_for_Growth.Yukon_Screen_Industry_.pdf
All members are invited to join the AGM Thursday, May 26th.
We will be transferring into the New Societies Act (along with all other Non Profits) and this will include a fresh set of Bylaws.
Please RSVP info@spya.ca for time and location.
The first-of-its-kind program will offer training, mentorship and market access to producers in both territories.
March 10, 2022 - Screen Production Yukon Association (SPYA), Northwest Territories Professional Media Association (NWTPMA), Yukon Media Development (YMD), and the Northwest Territories Film Commission (NWTFC) today announced the creation of the first Northern Canada Producer Accelerator (NCPA), a joint program between the territories.
The NCPA also has the unique distinction of being the first program of its kind to be jointly supported by six national Canadian broadcasters and funders: APTN, Bell Media, Blue Ant Media, CBC, Corus Entertainment, and Rogers Group of Funds, all of whom are co-sponsors of the first cohort.
Produced by Access Canada, the NCPA will offer training, mentorship, networking, and market access for up to ten (10) content producers in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. In order to ensure it is best positioned to address the unique needs of Canada’s northern producers, the NCPA will work closely with established organizations, professionals and producers in the north to customize the program.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with NWT, Yukon government, CanNor and Content Canada, as well as all the major broadcasters across Canada, to offer a program for northern producers that will stimulate local film and TV production,” said Moira Sauer, Executive Director, SPYA. “Screen media is a rapidly growing and hot corner of our economy, and as we look ahead to support and expand the local industry, NCPA could not be better-timed or placed. We expect to see benefits from this program for years to come."
“The NWTPMA is excited to support and participate in this program, which will help develop producers in the territory,” said Jeremy MacDonald, President, NWTPMA. “This excellent opportunity is possible with the support of the GNWT and Film Commission.”
“APTN is thrilled to support emerging producers in the North by sponsoring the NCPA,” said Adam Garnet Jones, director of TV content and special events at APTN. “We hope this program prepares the next generation of northern Indigenous storytellers to launch on the global stage.”
“The Northern Canada Producer Accelerator is an essential program and we are proud to be among the founding broadcast partners,” said Justin Stockman, Vice President, Content Development and Programming, Bell Media. “Working with our partners in the North to eliminate barriers and building connections, our goal is to help equip northern producers with the training and resources needed to advance their careers in our industry. This joint-program provides a unique opportunity to engage with creatives in underrepresented communities and further strengthen Bell Media’s commitment to increasing representation behind the camera, ultimately creating more opportunities for diverse decision makers to influence our content.”
"There is an endless amount of untapped creative talent across Canada, notably in the Yukon and Northwest territories where there are important stories just waiting to be told to engaged audiences wanting to hear them," said Michael MacMillan, CEO and Co-Founder, Blue Ant Media. "Our partnership with the NCPA is a step in the right direction as we work closely with Access Canada to pave the way for northern Canadian talent as they create and tell their stories."
“As we strive to better represent and reflect more people, places and perspectives from across the country in new ways, we are proud to partner with the industry to support this program that will provide vital training and access to creators and producers in the North and nurture more storytelling from the Yukon and Northwest Territories,” said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President, CBC
“Corus is proud to support the NCPA program given its focused approach to engage with content producers in northern Canada,” said Colin Bohm, EVP, Content and Corporate Strategy, Corus Entertainment. “Offering direct support to creators where access is often a challenge will not only provide increased opportunities to see projects realized but also act as a catalyst to champion a diversity of northern voices in our industry.”
“There are incredible stories to be told by creators north of the 60th parallel,” said Robin Mirsky-Daniels, Director, Rogers Group of Funds. “As we continue to explore ways to support diverse storytelling and ensure Canada’s unique stories are shared with the broadest audiences, investing in the Northern Canada Producer Accelerator program is the newest opportunity to advance that mission.”
“The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to supporting the development of NWT film producers,” says Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Caroline Wawzonek. “This exciting new program will connect our talented producers with the funding support they need to build new skills and collaborations -- a key focus area of the NWT’s film and media sector strategy.”
“The Government of Yukon supports the northern film industry and this programming will help ensure that filmmakers receive the critical training and opportunities needed to make a splash on the national stage.” said Yukon’s Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai. “I want to thank CanNor and all of the partners contributing to this initiative for their commitment to advancing our local content creators.”
“We recognized the need to work with our partners in the Yukon and NWT to create a program to advance more stories from Canada’s north to the screen,” said Joel Fecht, VP of Sales & Business Development at Access Canada. “The unprecedented participation of so many national broadcasters and funders is a testament to their commitment to northern storytellers and their projects.”
The NCPA will take participants through customized courses designed to enhance every aspect of their projects while honing their skills, and will culminate by providing direct market access. Producers will also receive one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals who will provide valuable input and guidance throughout the program.
The first cohort will be selected through an application process. Submissions will be open to all producers with a business registered in the Yukon or the Northwest Territories, and will be based primarily around a specific content project in the development stage. All participants must be committed to fostering inclusion and representation, with special consideration being given to submissions from Indigenous producers. Full application details can be found here: www.northernaccelerator.ca
Partial funding for this program has been generously provided by Northwestel and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).
PLEASE VISIT WWW.NORTHERNACCELERATOR.CA TO APPLY TO THE NCPA.
About Access Canada
Access Canada serves the content industry with a wide variety of custom offerings, including but not limited to: events, training programs, PR, and market access services. Access Canada produces several of Canada’s largest and most renowned B2B industry conferences, as well as many other bespoke Canadian programs and events.
About Screen Production Yukon Association
Screen Production Yukon Association supports, develops and celebrates Yukon’s screen media industry. We advocate on behalf of our members and provide a broad range of professional development opportunities for producers and all above and below-the-line crew members.
About Northwest Territories Professional Media Association
The NWTPMA is a non-profit society representing media professionals in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Our mandate is to create a sustainable media industry that generates economy in the NWT. We do this by cultivating the professional growth of our members and influencing policy.
About Yukon Media Development
Yukon Media Development exists to support a sustainable and competitive film and sound recording industry in the Yukon. Media Development administers a suite of 5 funding programs to support professionals in these fields.
About Northwest Territories Film Commission
Created in 1999, our role is to promote the NWT as a production location for feature films, documentaries, television programs, commercials, as well as still shoots. Our official mandate is to maximize economic opportunities for Northwest Territories residents and businesses participating in the Film and Media Arts Industry, and to promote the NWT as an ultimate production location.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Carrie Habert, Director of Programming, Access Canada at: carrie@accesscanadamedia.com.