On June 9th, 2025, at the Banff World Media Festival, the Canadian Screen Industry Statement of Values was announced. These values, aimed to act as principles of a unified vision for the screen sector’s future, has been backed and signed by over 140 of Canadian media organizations committing to implement those values, which includes the Edmonton Short Film Festival! To summarize, the statement includes the following:
- Representation: We commit to bringing accessible, high-quality Canadian and Indigenous stories across all platforms.
- Reflection: We believe that Canadians have the right to see themselves reflected on Canadian screens in both official languages, Indigenous, and other languages.
- Showcase: We recognize our responsibility to share our creative work to the world.
- Reconciliation: We commit to taking meaningful steps towards reconciliation with Indigenous storytellers and audiences.
- Diversity: We believe that diverse backgrounds and identities lead to stronger, more engaging and innovative content.
- Access: We commit to identifying and breaking down systematic barriers so that Canadians have opportunities to work and create.
- Support: We commit to supporting the Canadian creative economy.
- Collaboration: We commit to supporting Canadians to collaborate with global stakeholders and promote these values internationally.
- Sustainability: We commit to help grow the Canadian screen industry while working toward environmental sustainability.
- Accountability: We commit to setting clear goals and timelines for our organization to implement these values.
- Equity: We commit to actively dismantle systemic discrimination within our organization and throughout the screen industry.
Introducing this statement and implementing these values are always positive signs in the industry moving in the right direction. And having major media organizations in the country sign the document, shows great unity in the future. It also provides a bar for everyone to constantly clear, ensuring that these values are always upheld.
It’s important to note that the organizations that sign this document agree to apply these values in ways that suit their own structure. Looking at the list of signatories, there are big name media companies that operate differently compared to non-profits such as ESFF. With different structures and operations, implementing these values in many ways are going to benefit the screen industry in more ways than one. How exactly? Only time will tell. But a good guess could be companies such as Telefilm, CMF, etc. introduce new funding programs to reflect the values they committed to. Maybe a new program to bring in support internationally, or more support for underrepresented communities. Other companies might develop new opportunities for Canadians to create their projects and share their work internationally. It’s too early to say the specific effects these values will have on our industry and how other organizations will implement them. But having important organizations in our sector taking action with these values in mind will help many people and set a strong example for the next generation of filmmakers, producers, and all who are involved in the screen industry.
It’s an exciting time for Canadians to have a hopeful future in the screen industry with the support of so many of the countries biggest media organizations. As time rolls on, the effects of these values will become more apparent and have a bigger impact. The ESFF team are proud to be part of this and can’t wait for the future together.
To learn more about the Canadian Screen Industry Statement of Values, follow this link: https://nsi-canada.ca/canadian-screen-industry-statement-of-values/