FUNDING

RESO will be working collaboratively with the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for funding opportunities for racialized filmmakers.

The Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators (“CISF”) is a new national funding program dedicated to supporting emerging, mid-level and established content creators from BPOC (Black and People of Color) communities, for the development and production of their screen-based projects.

Formally known as the Canadian Independent Screen Fund, a registered charity established in 1981 (274666-2 Canada Inc.), the CISF was relaunched in 2020 to create more equity within the screen-based industry.

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The Interlink Group, along with a consortium comprised of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, the Racial Equity Screen Office, and Muslims in Media, and the Canada Media Fund, announced the signing of an Expression of Interest to explore the creation of the Canada Global Media Tech Fund on August 11, 2026.

This marks the first step toward developing what is envisioned as a potential public-private investment fund for building globally competitive Canadian media and technology companies and accelerating the creation and commercialization of intellectual property capable of reaching audiences worldwide.

This fund would represent a new model for international collaboration in the media and technology sectors that would complement Canada’s screen-sector ecosystem, creating new pathways for investment, co-production, technology development, content creation, and international distribution across a range of sectors, including film, television, digital media, gaming, creator economy ventures, artificial intelligence, virtual production, and emerging content technologies.

The venture would also establish Canada as a strategic gateway between North America, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Asia-Pacific, and other high-growth markets.

Quotes

"Canada has developed a robust and evolving framework for content creation and production that blends regulatory support, industry innovation, and a growing creator economy, making it a notable model globally. This fund will transition Canada from a model to a partner, exporting the financial media architecture that empowers sovereign-level media investors to protect their cultural sovereignty while driving mutual economic growth through resilient, global co-production networks."

- Shezad Rokerya, Chairman, Interlink Group

"The future of media will be built through international collaboration. The Canada Global Media Tech Fund is an opportunity to connect creative talent, investment capital, technology innovation and market access across continents while positioning Canada as a trusted partner in the development of globally relevant intellectual property."

- Barbara Lee, Founder, Vancouver Asian Film Festival and Racial Equity Screen Office

"The Canada Global Media Tech Fund represents an opportunity to build a truly global value chain for media and technology - from development and production to commercialization and international distribution. By aligning public resources, private investment and strategic international partnerships, we can create a platform capable of generating economic and cultural returns across multiple markets."

- Ali Elashram, Founding Director, Muslims in Media

“We are excited to explore the creation of this potential new fund. Innovation is essential to strengthening the industry’s resilience and sustainability, alongside diversification through bold and imaginative funding models. This work is directly in line with key objectives in the CMF’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, namely to open pathways to global markets and expand opportunities for content driven by market demand.”

- Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund