Cohort 3 of accelerator from OYA Black Arts Coalition and the CFC will support 10 Black creators / producers in immersive media
Toronto, August, 1, 2023 – OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) and the Canadian Film Centre (CFC), in partnership with Dark Slope, are calling on founders of Black-owned content creation companies to apply for Cohort 3 of OBAC Scale Up Immersive, an immersive accelerator for aspiring Black creatives and production companies interested in developing spatial content, including virtual and augmented reality story experiences. Applications for Cohort 3 open on Tuesday, August 1st and the deadline to apply is Thursday, August 31st.
Participants will benefit from intensive programming led by global industry experts, hands-on mentorship, networking opportunities, and a group rapid prototyping component that will allow cohort teams to build a working prototype with resources valued at up to $50,000. Dark Slope’s state-of-the-art production facilities and virtual production team will also support team prototype development.
“The third year of OBAC Scale Up Immersive Program is poised to have a profound impact on the Canadian VR/AR/XR landscape,” shared Ngardy Conteh George, Co-Founder of OYA Black Arts Coalition. “By nurturing the capacity for more Black Canadian creatives to join the larger Immersive Media production pipeline, we are actively amplifying diverse voices and reshaping the industry. Building upon the talent and experiences of the alumni from our first and second cohorts, we eagerly embrace the opportunity to empower a third cohort, fostering innovation and driving the future of immersive media forward.”
“With each new cohort, OYA Scale Up Immersive continues to empower Black creators and producers and fuel our industry with much-needed diverse voices, stories and new immersive narrative forms,” shared maxine bailey, Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre. “We’re grateful to be part of a partnership that is building up community and capacity for Black content creators and producers in immersive media – and we can’t wait to see the successful outcomes of cohort 3.”
OBAC Scale Up Immersive is funded by the Government of Canada through the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
“OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) and Canadian Film Centre (CFC) are pushing boundaries to advance the participation of Black creators and artists in the digital media industry. Our government is committed and is pleased to support OBAC, CFC and other organizations as they work to support Black entrepreneurs to reach their full potential. We look forward to seeing the next cohort of participants for this program,” said theHonourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
For more information and to apply, visit https://www.oyablackarts.org/scale-up/immersive.
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About OBAC
OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Black artists, creators and entrepreneurs within Canada’s entertainment sector. This is made possible by equipping and empowering Black creatives with the skills, support and resources necessary to succeed. OBAC addresses systemic inequalities by providing sustainable solutions including mentorship, networking, programs, unique initiatives, and industry training by providing safe space for experimentation.
oyablackarts.org | @oyablackarts
About the CFC
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is a charitable cultural organization that drives the future of Canadian storytelling. Our intensive, hands-on programs in film, television, and entertainment technologies empower, shape and advance opportunities for Canadian creators and entrepreneurs working in screen-based industries.
https://cfccreates.com/ | @cfccreates
About Dark Slope
Dark Slope is an entertainment company with a singular focus to make the impossible – possible. With advanced motion capture and virtual production technologies, Dark Slope develops genre defining television programs and unforgettable immersive games for original IP, co-productions and clients. Dark Slope is recognized as a Realscreen Trailblazer for their impact on the scripted and unscripted industries (2023), and as a North America Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ (2022) and Canadian Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ (2022)
https://darkslope.com/ | @darkslopexr
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Relations
Andréa Grau
Touchwood PR
andrea@touchwoodpr.com
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
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