CFC Media Lab and OYA Black Arts Coalition Team Up On New Accelerator for Black Creators / Producers in Immersive Media

Toronto, November 24, 2021 – The Canadian Film Centre’s Media Lab (CFC Media Lab) and OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC)have teamed up to deliver a new accelerator to increase the capacity of Black content creators and/or producers working in the immersive media space.

Scale Up Immersive is a three-month immersive accelerator lab that will provide 10 founders of Black-owned content creation companies per year – for a total of 30 founders over three years – with industry expert consultations, targeted and intensive workshops and case studies, hands-on mentorship and networking opportunities, as well as a rapid prototyping component that includes access to state-of-the-art immersive media production facilities and technologies.

“This partnership with OBAC was born from identifying the need to diversify the talent pool in the immersive media industry,” shared Nataly De Monte, Director, CFC Media Lab. “The same patterns of exclusion have been revealed in this space as in other industries, and as more storytellers and content creators expand their canvases into the metaverse, we want Black voices, perspectives and lived experiences to be included in this next era of digital content innovation.”

The first cohort launches on February 2, 2022 and runs until the end of April. Throughout the program, participants will gain a better understanding of the immersive media industry and landscape, business and financial structuring, workflow and integration into storytelling, and will leave the program with a working prototype in virtual reality, augmented reality or mixed/extended reality (VR/AR/XR).

“At OBAC, we are excited to partner with CFC Media Lab to facilitate barrier-free learnings about digital innovation,” said Alison Duke, Co-founder, OYA Black Arts Coalition and OYA Media Group. “In a space where Facebook, Microsoft and Unity are weighing into the metaverse in a big way, it is mutually important and beneficial to prioritize and equip Black-owned production companies in the sector.”

“Scale Up is all about inclusion. There are VERY few of us in immersive media – this program is providing tools and knowledge to change that,” added Adrian Rashad Driscoll, Program Design Co-Lead and Facilitator. “At the end you leave with something you’ve actually created, that’s going to motivate you to do more.”

Applications for the program are now open and close on December 23, 2021.

For more information and to apply to Scale Up Immersive, visit https://www.oyablackarts.org/scale-up/immersive.

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About CFC Media Lab
The Canadian Film Centre Media Lab (CFC Media Lab) is an internationally recognized leader in the development of transformational technologies, businesses and entrepreneurs. The CFC Media Lab is a unique production think tank, training institute and business accelerator that supports hundreds of emerging digital content creators, practitioners, entrepreneurs and companies. Our programs and initiatives provide visionary leadership and extensive expertise in strategy, product, business, finance, and ethics needed by Canadians involved in the digital revolution.

cfccreates.com | @cfcmedialab

About OYA Black Arts Coalition (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

Media Relations

Cory Angeletti-Szasz
Director, Marketing & Communications, CFC
647.273.2795
cangeletti@cfccreates.com

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