Netflix and WIA expand the ACE program across Canada

Netflix Canada and Women in Animation Vancouver (WIA) today announced the expansion of WIA Vancouver's Animation Career EXCELERator Program (ACE). Netflix co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos included the news in his keynote address at today's virtual Banff World Media Festival, where he also shared that the company will act as the Premiere Partner of the 2022-2024 program.

The goal of the ACE program is to promote women and those who identify as women in key creative roles in animation by providing mid-level career professionals with targeted and targeted mentoring, support and training. Through the program, participants are given the opportunity to develop, create and own original intellectual property.

The new grant will see the current ACE program expand to applicants across Canada and allow for additional key creative roles to be included in the program offering. Currently six roles are covered in the program including writer, producer, director, art director, animation director and composer. The initiative is open to all women, or those who identify as female or non-binary, with a special focus on attracting creators from BIPOC or under-represented groups.

This collaboration with Netflix is ​​part of the recently announced Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, in which Netflix will invest $ 100 million over the next five years in a combination of outside organizations with a solid track record of building underrepresented communities for TV success. and film industries, as well as tailored Netflix programs that will help us identify, train and provide job placements for emerging talent globally.

“The Canadian animation industry is second to none. This partnership will help ensure that the animation industry continues to thrive and includes the experiences of Canadian women from diverse backgrounds, ”said Sarandos.

“WIA's mission is to promote diversity and gender equity in the animation industry, with the goal of 50/50 by 2025. We are thrilled that Netflix has recognized the value of the ACE program and the impact it has had on the animation industry here in BC. We are thrilled that this new partnership not only allows us to continue the program, but expands it to reach women across the country, "said Rose-Ann Tisserand, WIA Vancouver Board Member and Founder / Co-Executive Producer. of the ACE program.

Currently in its second term, the ACE program has proven extremely effective as all women in the first cohort have become leaders in animation studies across the country.

“ACE has been an extraordinary experience for my professional and personal growth. The program allowed me to gain confidence, skills and connections that would otherwise have taken me years. Working as the Art Director of the short film helped me affirm my career goals, this role was exactly what I wanted to do. As a result of participating in the ACE program, I have been promoted several times and am currently supervisor of the design department for a series at Atomic Cartoons. This year I am also thrilled to be the mentor for the ACE program. I can't wait for the world to see what this year's talented team is preparing, "said Maisha Moore, a participant at ACE 2019.

Nominations will open at the Spark Animation Festival 2021 for the next iteration of the program and all shortlisted candidates will be announced in March 2022 on International Women's Day. WIA Vancouver's ACE program would like to thank the current sponsors for making the ACE program possible. Current sponsors include Creative BC, Telefilm, Toonboom, Autodesk Foundation, Canadian Media Producers Association - BC Producer's Branch, Boughton Law, National Film Board, Producer Essentials, Spark CG Society, Pender PR and The Research House Clearance Services.