New hires will also enjoy flexible benefits courtesy of the streaming giant
Netflix will be tapping on seven up-and-coming Canadian writers from underrepresented groups to produce content for the streaming giant. These writers will undergo a three-month development programme – called the Advancing Voices: Netflix Canada Creator Programme – which will start in July in Toronto, The Canadian Press reported.
Bela Bajaria, Head of Global TV of Netflix, said that these writers will be granted paid mentorship and consultation sessions to develop their pitch and material for a series. In addition, they get to enjoy flexible and remote hours, as well as receive compensation that is considered above-average rates in the industry.
"We want to support more new and untold stories, and the training provided through this initiative will give up-and-coming local writers an invaluable opportunity to work with our content team to build their experience developing stories for global audiences," said Bajaria in a media release.
Confirmed participants of the development programme include:
- Bita Joudaki
- Jabbari Weekes
- Tichaona Tapambwa
- James Sanders
- Rama Rau
- Jeff Barnaby
- Adam Hussein
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Weekes and Tapambwa, who were the co-creators of CBC Gem's "Next Stop," said they joined the initiative because they wanted to "continue growing our craft."
"We want to tell more Black stories, more queer stories, more stories within our community. We feel to really get into the depth and the emotional range that we want, we need to continue navigating and exploring," they said.
The Advancing Voices: Netflix Canada Creator Programme is under a bigger $100-million investment of Netflix to offer young, diverse creators a shot behind the camera.
After the fund's announcement in 2021, it has supported a director’s programme for women in partnership with the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, as well as the imagineNative Institute's Calling Card programme to support Indigenous writers. It has also expanded a mentorship programme in Vancouver by the group Women in Animation.
