HireBIPOC grows, with more Vancouver groups joining effort to boost representation in front of and behind the camera
Creative BC, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Women in Film and Television Vancouver sign on to the landmark national initiative for Canada’s screen-based industries
Nathalie Younglai, founder of BIPOC TV & FILM, says eliminating systemic racism requires a group effort. Photo courtesy Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
HireBIPOC IS A new initiative to increase representation of BIPOC creatives and crew members working in screen-based industries all over Canada.
The effort to augment hiring of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in TV, film, and digital sectors applies to projects that are Canadian or shot in Canada. It now has more than 3,500 members since launching in early October—making it one of the largest rosters of its kind.
Among the local organizations that recently signed on are Creative BC, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Women in Film and Television Vancouver. They join existing members such as Canadian Film Centre, Hot Docs, and National Screen Institute.
The HireBIPOC job categories range from roles behind the scenes to those on air and everywhere in between: writer, director, set decorator, wardrobe, production assistant, hair and makeup, accountant, on-air promotions, development executive, publicist, camera operator, post supervisor, social media manager, VFX/graphic designer, production executive, and more.
HireBIPOC is operated by BIPOC TV & FILM, a volunteer-run advocacy group founded nearly a decade ago and was formed by BIPOC TV & FILM and Bell Media in consultation with BIPOC members and support of community groups across the country.
“Making systemic change is a group effort that needs to happen at all levels of the industry. We are encouraged by the commitment to HireBIPOC and we look forward to working with the growing list of industry and community partners to evolve hiring practices, training and increase job opportunities for members of the BIPOC community,” Nathalie Younglai, BIPOC TV & FILM founder, said in a release.
HireBIPOC’s website, in French and English, was designed and developed by the Bell Media Digital Team under the direction of Judy Lung on behalf of BIPOC TV & FILM.
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