FAQ

How do I become a BYP2I participant?

Click here!

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Background 

How long has BYP2I been running for?

• BYP2I began in 2018 and will host its last cohort from 2020-2021.

Who is the program funded by?

• We are funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Black Youth Action Plan.

• BYP2I falls under the ‘Industry-Led Career Initiative’ subsection.

Who initiated the program? 

• BYP2I is the brainchild of Alison Duke, renowned Black Canadian filmmaker. The programme is specifically funded under the Black Youth Action Plan. BYP2I exists as a programme of Alison's production company, Goldelox Productions. 

• Alison was recently awarded the WIFT-T (Women in Film and Television Toronto) Crystal Award for Mentorship for her contribution via the Pathways programme.

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Prospective Participants

Who can apply to the program?

• Participants must be:

  • Black-Identified

  • Aged 18-26

  • Graduated from a post-secondary institution

  • Located in the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area)

• We do accept a limited number of participants who are enrolled in their last few years of school.

What is the application process?

• Applications open February 1st and close March 29th.

• Selected applications will be contacted for two rounds of interviews in the beginning of April.

• Successful applicants will be notified at the beginning of May.

How many youth are accepted per cohort?

• We take up to 20 participants per year.

How long is the commitment?

• Programming takes place from May 2020 - March 2021. The number of workshops per month varies.

Logistics 

Where does the program take place?

• Most workshops take place out of our office in Leslieville, Toronto.

When do workshops take place?

• Most workshops tend to take place between 6-9pm on weekdays, or during the daytime on weekends.

How much does it cost?

• The program is free for all participants.

Programming 

What is this year’s focus?

• We will be producing a season of a web miniseries as a team.

What is this year’s schedule?

• This year, our schedule is the following:

  • May - Aug: Program orientation and workshops

  • Sep - Dec: Pre-production and shooting

  • Jan - Apr: Post-production

• The detailed schedule will be released to participants after they are selected.

How does BYP2I do skills-building and networking?

• Select participants will also be invited to exclusive industry mixers and will be offered job opportunities as they come.

• Workshops are taught by renowned filmmakers, directors, writers, etc.

What did past cohorts focus on?

• Class of 2019: Digital Archiving

• Class of 2020: Production

What are the other bonuses of participating in the program?

• We provide monthly travel passes for all participants.

• We provide food at all workshops and events.

• We are a trauma-informed and empathetic staff and are always willing to accomodate for our participants’ life circumstances.

How do you support youth after they graduate from the program?

• Alumni are welcome to workshops that take place after they graduate.

• After graduation, we offer membership to a union (NABET, Director’s Guild, Writers Guild etc) or media art centre (Charles Street Video, Trinity Square Video, or LIFT - Liaison of Independent Filmmakers Toronto) of the graduate’s choice.