THE NETFLIX / CFC GLOBAL PROJECT

“As an emerging creator, it's rare to find support to bring your projects to life, and I'll always be indebted to Netflix and the CFC for helping us cross the finish line of my debut feature film.

This year marked the final year of the 5-year Netflix/CFC Global Project, which comprised three different accelerators that created and advanced opportunities for Canadian creators as they work to showcase their talent and narrative film and TV projects internationally.

All three accelerators support creators who are Black, Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with disabilities and/or women-identifying. Support in each program was creator-driven and tailored to the needs of the project and the participant.

Together with Netflix, we raised the profile, expanded international reach and increased opportunities for a significant number of exciting new diverse Canadian voices and their stories:

148 diverse creators supported

− 25 produced first-time features supported

− 45 original TV pilot and feature scripts supported

− 47 produced proof of concepts, webseries and short films supported

Lots of critical acclaim, international recognition and exciting commercial opportunities for program participants, including:

Something You Said Last Night

Supported through the CFC/Netflix Calling Card Accelerator, the debut feature from writer-director Luis De Filippis, produced by CFC alumni Jessica Adams and Charlie Hidalgo, had its world premiere at TIFF ‘22 and went on to be named one of TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten 2022 and to win TIFF’s Shawn Mendes Changemaker Award.

The film had a strong showing on the festival circuit, where it received rave reviews and won the Sebastiane award at the San Sebastián Film Festival. The film was also shortlisted for the Directors Guild of Canada's 2022 JeanMarc Vallée DGC Discovery Award.

“It’s no wonder Something You Said Last Night won TIFF Next Wave’s Change Maker Award, honoring films that elevate voices and issues of social change. With a young visionary behind the camera, trans cinema is finally in the right hands.” - IndieWire

Islands

Supported through the CFC/Netflix Marketplace Accelerator, Martin Edralin’s directorial debut, Islands, premiered at SXSW and toured internationally, winning eight awards, including the SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Performance, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival’s Special Jury Award for Ensemble Acting and the Audience Choice Award at Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

“A stunning feat of lived-in filmmaking. [...] Filled with the hallmarks of a strong director, it is as emotionally immersive as it is unassuming.” - RogerEbert.com