By Eva Irewole
In memory of Festival programmer Ravi Srinivasan, The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced its exciting partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada for the Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship, a training and development programme that will support Canadian talent who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, and Francophone members of the aforementioned communities.
Running from April to September 2023 and with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the fellowship will empower one individual to build and advance their career in film festival programming, curation, and communication through one-on-one expert mentorship.
“The film industry is an ecosystem, and film programmers play a defining role,“ said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF.
“We are very proud to launch our first curatorial programme in honour of Ravi Srinvivasan, our late Canadian programmer who represented TIFF’s commitment to discover and champion diverse stories on screen. This programming Fellowship focuses on equity and inclusion, taking us one step further in transforming how we see the world by growing the next generation of Canadian curatorial talent.”
The successful applicant will become an integral part of the curatorial process, taking on the role of Programming Associate to one of TIFF’s International Programmers for the duration of the 2023 Festival Programming Cycle.
With a commitment of up to 25 hours a week over the 24 week fellowship, the Fellow will be supported in the development of both their administrative and stakeholder management skills in order to grow a comprehensive toolkit for the future of their career. Compensation of $15,000 over the course of the fellowship will be paid to the successful applicant to support their learning experience. The Fellowship also includes a complimentary one-year TIFF Membership and complimentary Festival accreditation to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
“The continued diversification of roles of influence, like film programmers and curators, is a meaningful area of opportunity for Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada to contribute to impactful change in the Canadian industry,” said WBD Access Canada Executive Director, Melanie Nepinak Hadley. “We are thrilled to be partnered with TIFF on this innovative program.”
Over the course of the programme, the Fellow will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of international professionals and build on their knowledge of the Canadian and international film industries. Upon completion of the Fellowship, the successful applicant will have an extensive understanding of film curation, as well as a demonstrable set of practical skills in the craft of curation with which to advance their career.
Applications for the 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship ran from Monday, February 13 to Monday, March 13. Visit tiff.net/careers for full eligibility.
For more than 20 years, TIFF Industry has delivered tailor-made professional development programmes, which include curated, bespoke opportunities to fast-track the careers and projects of the next generation of filmmakers, writers, directors, and actors.
TIFF Industry provides emerging film industry professionals with critical professional development training throughout the year and during the Festival. Industry meetings and workshops push participants to explore film as a business, and to expand their creative approach.
The 48th Toronto International Film Festival will run from September 7 to 17, 2023.