Funded by Telefilm, Ontario Creates, the Canada Media Fund, the British Council, the High Commission of Canada in Trinidad and Tobago, JAMPRO, and Hall Webber, the Creators of Colour Incubator (CCI) is a six-week initiative that provides opportunities for mid-career filmmakers to hone their film or series projects in development through mentorship, pitch practice sessions, and industry meetings. The Incubator culminates in The Big Pitch competition, where the incubator filmmakers pitch their projects to an industry audience.

In our 12th year of the incubator, we are focusing on UK–Canada co-productions led by creators of colour and will present five projects to the TIFF virtual audience as well as to an industry jury. The jury will vote on the viability/marketability of the project and the strength of the concept. In the past, winners have taken home cash and in-kind prizes from industry sponsors. This year’s filmmakers include Frida Banks (East is West), Mary Wells (Moya’s Love), Tarique Qayumi (Kabul Kitchen), Nadean Rawlins and Letay Williams (Traytown), and Mariel Brown, Lesley Ann Macfarlane, and Tracy Farrag (1990). Opening remarks by Frances-Anne Solomon, CCI Founder and Executive Director, CaribbeanTales Media Group.