BURNABY– Knowledge Network announces a multi-year commitment to partner with Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC) documentary filmmakers. This new initiative is aligned with the Canada Media Fund (CMF) Pilot Program for Racialized Communities and Indigenous Program. Over the next three years, Knowledge Network will work with six IBPOC production companies to commission six original documentaries, either feature-length, one-hours or half-hours.

“Knowledge Network is trusted by British Columbians to provide a broad range of high quality educational programming, both local and international, that reflects their constantly evolving interests and concerns,” said Rudy Buttignol, President & CEO, Knowledge Network Corporation. “To ensure the inclusion of diverse Indigenous and racialized voices and perspectives on our public service, we are creating additional new opportunities for independent Indigenous and racialized producers.”

On June 1st, Knowledge Network announced a Request for Development Proposals on arts, culture, history and social issues documentaries from British Columbia’s IBPOC documentary producers. Two proposals will be selected each year in September for development funding with the goal of moving projects into production for the following funding year cycle. The funding will be in the form of a development license as well as funding from Knowledge Network’s CMF Development Envelope. Projects will be reviewed and selected by Knowledge Network’s Patrice Ramsay, Producer, Independent Productions, and Ravi Singh, Executive Producer & Director of Streaming.

“We look forward to developing our relationships with Indigenous and racialized producers,” said Ravi Singh, Executive Producer & Director of Streaming, Knowledge Network Corporation. “Through partnership, we will generate new stories and viewpoints that will be shared with audiences across multiple Knowledge Network platforms.”

About Knowledge Network:

British Columbia’s Knowledge Network is a viewer-supported public broadcaster exploring the world through its commercial-free television and streaming services. Knowledge Network works in partnership with independent producers in British Columbia and Canada to develop and commission children’s and documentary programs that educate, inform and inspire. For more information, visit www.knowledge.ca