News
New Documentary Explores the Experiences of Black Canadian Filmmakers
When intergenerational conversations happen between Black Canadian established and emerging filmmakers what results are pearls of wisdom about the film industry, the gatekeepers, challenges, strategies and victories.
These moments are captured in “Reel Black: Our Film Stories,” produced by OYA Media Group’s award-winning creative team, in which emerging Black filmmakers Christian Anderson and Ajahnis Charley learn what it takes to fulfill their filmmaking dreams through the insight of legendary filmmaker Claire Prieto-Fuller and seasoned filmmakers Karen King, Christene Browne, Karen Chapman, and Kelly Fyffe-Marshall.
Outstanding Black stories are Canadian stories. To think that such a simple truth can hold so much weight.
In 2022, it still continues to be a topic of discussion even while we’re slowly starting to see some progress.
There’s still so much work to be done and this is where Oya Media Group comes in.
Its award-winning creative team produced an exceptional short doc Reel Black: Our Film Stories premiering on CBC Gem on Friday, July 8.
Now Streaming: Reel Black Shows Why It’s Time for a New Pie
The short documentary Reel Black ends with a simple but large question: what is the future of Canadian film? The answers range from emerging filmmakers like Christian Anderson saying that she thinks the future of Canadian film is “gonna be radical as hell.” A director like Karen Chapman, meanwhile, is direct. “I see people getting paid,” she says.
Alumni Spotlight: Alison Duke (MFA ’20)
A visionary, pioneer, and mentor, Alison Duke (MFA '20) is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker and a Black queer-woman who uses her craft to produce distinctive entertainment content, and most importantly to talk about social issues and ways to overcome them. Alison co-founded OYA Media Group in 2018 to continue producing unconventional content and support other emerging filmmakers. She has worked on some ground-breaking documentaries, feature films, and short films – all to give a voice to underrepresented communities.
Posted on 30 June 2022
A second life: Welcome to the metaverse, the next frontier in filmmaking
Participants in the OYA Scale-Up Initiative work on an immersive media project. The program is a partnership between OYA Black Arts and CFC Media Lab and is funded by the Federal Development Agency of Southern Ontario. (David Peddie/OYA Black Arts Coalition)
New Heritage Minutes video shines light on history of slavery in Ontario
The latest Heritage Minute highlights Canada's history of slavery and the path that led to its eventual demise — a story that "needed to be told," according the head of the organization behind the series.
Inaugural Black woman directed Canadian Heritage Moment
Alison and Ngardy founded OYA Media Group to bring an authentic perspective to media through socially relevant, life-changing stories that amplify Black experiences. Their documentary Mr. Jane & Finch, which they co-produced and Ngardy directed, premiered on CBC Docs POV in 2019 and won two Canadian Screen Awards.
Producing Authentically Black Stories with Oya Media Group
Alison and Ngardy founded OYA Media Group to bring an authentic perspective to media through socially relevant, life-changing stories that amplify Black experiences. Their documentary Mr. Jane & Finch, which they co-produced and Ngardy directed, premiered on CBC Docs POV in 2019 and won two Canadian Screen Awards.
Ngardy Conteh George, producer of the Chloe Cooley Heritage Minute on Good Morning Hamilton
Check out the link to hear Ngardy on Good Morning Hamilton
OYA Media Group support Black creatives and entrepreneurs in Canada’s entertainment sector
By The Caribbean Camera Inc. on November 19, 2021
OYA Media Group announces the launch of its sister not-for-profit arm, OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC), which will introduce the OYA Scale Up Initiative, an intensive entrepreneurship program designed to support 150 Black-owned businesses based in the Southern Ontario region over the course of three (3) years.
City of Toronto and partners announce expansion of screen industry workforce development training programs for diverse youth
September 13, 20201
Today, Mayor John Tory and program partners announced the expansion of screen industry education and training programs for under-represented communities, targeting participants who are Black, Indigenous and people of colour. These programs aim to increase and diversify the industry’s workforce, to respond to expanding infrastructure needs and market demand for global storytelling.
Sheridan Screen Industries and Research Training Centre partners with OYA Media and the City of Toronto to offer Virtual Production training to under-represented communities
Dec 2, 2021
Sheridan’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) has teamed up with OYA Media Emerging Filmmakers Program and the City of Toronto's xoTO Screen Industry Pathways to provide industry-leading virtual production training workshops to young filmmakers who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Colour. The workshops begin on December 2, 2021.
Playback’s 10 to Watch 2021: Malachi Ellis
By Sadaf Ahsan
Playback is pleased to introduce the fifth of our 10 to Watch recipients, presented by CBC. The 2021 cohort were selected from 150 submissions and represent a wide array of talent as producers, writers, directors, executives and agents. Stay tuned as we reveal all 10 during November and December.
Corus Entertainment, OYA Media Group team to launch unscripted internship program
By Andrew Jeffrey
Canadian media company Corus Entertainment is teaming with Toronto-headquartered OYA Media Group and its Emerging Filmmakers program to launch the Corus Unscripted Internship Program, the media company announced on Monday (Nov. 22).
Oya Media Group celebrated for entrepreneurship, paying it forward
BY ZEENYA SHAH
The founders focus on lifting up other Black-owned businesses while looking for partners to grow their own award-winning prodco.
Corus Entertainment and OYA Emerging Filmmakers Launch Corus Unscripted Internship Program
TORONTO, Nov. 22, 2021 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment has teamed up with OYA Emerging Filmmakers to launch the Corus Unscripted Internship Program, a newly-created training, networking and mentorship opportunity for Black emerging filmmakers who have completed post-secondary education and are interested in pursuing a television career in the lifestyle and factual genres.
Hot Docs Deal Maker Selects 36 Projects to Pitch to More Than 90 Decision Makers
Written By Leo Barraclough
Hot Docs, one of the world’s top documentary feature film festivals, has selected 36 projects from 18 countries to take part in Hot Docs Deal Maker, a curated one-on-one pitch meeting program for producers seeking financing from the international marketplace.
Projects from Tasha Hubbard, OyaMedia Group among Hot DocsDeal Maker selectionsTwo Intuitive Pictures projects were also tapped alongsideIn the Wake from Lantern Films and Experimental ForestFilms.
Written By Lauren Malyk
Projects from Tasha Hubbard, Oya Media Group and Intuitive Picturesare set to participate in Hot Docs one-on-one pitch meeting program forproducers seeking international marketplace nancing – Hot Docs Deal Maker.
Being Black In Toronto’s Canadian Screen Awards Win!
Written By Ivan D. Ossa
Update!!
The Being Black in Toronto directors - Omolola Ajao, Valerie Amponsah, Yasmine Evering - Kerr, Sharine Taylor, Adrian Wallance won for Best Direction, Documentary Series at the Canadian Screen Awards!!
We know police can’t solve the root causes of Toronto gun violence. Wha’t stopping us from doing what can?
Article courtesy of TheStar.com
Fifteen years ago this month, and three months after the execution-style murder of a young Black man I’d met and who had vowed to turn his life around, Winston LaRose was where you’d find him most days, tucked in the office of the Jane-Finch Concerned Citizens Organization in Yorkgate Mall…
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RT @Yazbegrams: I was in the CSA zoom room when the speech was made and my jaw dropped. I was the only Black person in the room. I’… https://t.co/31D9Ldrdxu -
RT @BLKScreenOffice: BSO Shares: Great News! @OYAmediagroup debuts the Chloe Cooley Heritage Minute, produced in partnership with Histor… https://t.co/f1mLHpouqA
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RT @BLKScreenOffice: GREAT NEWS!!!!! We Are Currently Seeking Black Producers for Cannes Festival!!! BSO, with support from… https://t.co/DBuLknBRLg
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RT @therealgoldelox: Congrats to Lu Asfaha @defarmedia and @FonnaTasha, the cast and crew! https://t.co/p3Xy1FAoxt
