10 to Watch ★

The Netflix-BANFF Diversity of Voices Initiative offers a professional springboard for underrepresented creators and producers from across Canada.

The initiative has already created more than 500 opportunities for these talented creators, and since its launch in 2018, has made incremental and sustainable gains towards a more inclusive and representative industry. The program celebrates diversity and inclusion through an intersectional lens with respect and appreciation of differences including, but not limited to: ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, nationality, sexual orientation, age, religion, education, and ability.

Courtesy: Netflix Canada

The goal of the initiative is to jump-start and accelerate individual careers and help projects at all stages move forward by providing a gateway to the global film and television industry through the Banff World Media Festival's (BANFF) renowned conference and marketplace.

Attendance at BANFF will provide participants with unparallelled access to the Canadian and international industry, giving them a platform to pitch their projects, gain insight into the key issues and trends affecting the industry today, and network with senior decision-makers with the power to move their projects and careers forward. Over the long term, the festival aims to foster a legacy of greenlights and international sales for the program participants and the partners who work with them.

The Diversity of Voices Initiative is open to candidates of all genders and abilities who identify as being from one or more racially diverse groups, such as African, Black, Caribbean, East Asian, First Nations, Inuit, Latinx, Métis, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and Western Asian. The program has a key intersectional mandate to increase accurate and meaningful disability representation on and off screen throughout the Canadian media landscape. It is also designed to support Canada’s francophone production community, with up to 25% of program spots reserved for francophone participants.

Learn more about program Eligibility and Submission Guidelines.

Playback’s 10 to Watch is an annual showcase of Canada’s emerging, behind-the-scenes screen industry talent. Previous 10 to Watch cohorts have featured rising stars in the domestic film and television sector, including writers, directors, producers, executives, agents, and more.

Candidates are selected by Playback’s editorial team, based on third-party or self-nominations submitted via our annual 10 to Watch call-out on our website and in our daily newsletter. Learn more about eligibility and submission requirements.

Submissions are now closed for our 2024 cohort, which will be announced online in September.

TESTIMONIALS

“ So much of this industry is getting people who you do not know to trust you, and give you a shot to direct or write on a project that they have been working on for years. It’s not an easy feat. Being selected as one of Playback’s 10 to Watch gave the gatekeepers a solid stamp of approval to trust me and give me that break.”

– Samantha MacAdam, director, CTV’s Shelved

“ Being named 10 to Watch was a huge honor, and really helped get my name out in the world. A lot of people reached out to myself or my agent regarding it, and both visibility and the support of peers, alongside the introductions it led to have been invaluable in continuing to develop my writing career. It’s been a wonderful superlative, and something I feel strongly about living up to.”

– Abdul Malik, screenwriter (Queen Tut, Peace by Chocolate) and director of development at Fae Pictures

“ Being named one of Playback’s 10 to Watch 2022 was an incredible honour. This industry can feel like you’re creating into a void, unsure what the impact of your work is in the world. This recognition was a reminder that someone had been paying attention. It’s allowed me to make meaningful connections with other 10 to Watch alumni, and producers/industry professionals because it gave my name some weight in places it previously didn’t.”

– J Stevens, director, Sort Of, Stories From My Gay Grandparents

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

TESTIMONIALS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

Submissions are now closed.