TORONTO, November 21, 2016 – Women in Film & Television – Toronto (WIFT-T) is pleased to announce Maya Annik Bedward as the recipient of the 2016 CBC Business of Broadcasting Mentorship. The comprehensive five-day mentorship provides insights into production, branding, acquisition, strategy, research and scheduling, from a broadcaster perspective.
“WIFT-T is delighted to continue to offer this mentorship opportunity in collaboration with CBC to support the next generation of professional women working in the industry,” said Heather Webb, WIFT-T Executive director. “The CBC Business of Broadcasting Mentorship is unique in our portfolio as it is geared specifically to television and will provide Maya with valuable exposure to exceptional key creatives and business teams from Canada’s public broadcaster.”
Through comprehensive one-on-one sessions with expert staff, Maya will learn how CBC operates behind-the-scenes, what motivates decisions behind programming, and understand how various departments interconnect by using a CBC show as a case study.
“We know that there is still so much work to be done to improve gender equity in all areas of our industry, which is why CBC is proud to collaborate with WIFT-T to foster and empower the next generation of women in film and television,” said Michelle Daly, Senior Director, Comedy, CBC. “We look forward to a great week at CBC with Maya.”
“I would like to thank WIFT-T and the CBC for providing me with this incredible mentorship opportunity to learn from some of Canada’s top leaders in broadcast television,” said Maya. “This is an exciting time for scripted content and I look forward to discovering how new technologies, platforms and business models are expanding the possibilities for meaningful storytelling in this country.”
ABOUT MAYA ANNIK BEDWARD
Maya Annik Bedward is a Jamaican-Québécoise filmmaker based in Toronto. She holds an MA in International Communications (University of Leeds) and a BA in Political Science and Cinema studies (University of Toronto). After living in Brazil and the UK, Maya returned to Toronto where she worked on several community-engaged media projects. She also worked on the CBC mini-series The Book of Negroes (Conquering Lion Pictures). Her award-winning short The Foreigner (Audience Choice and Best of Showcase, WIFT-T Showcase 2016) was released last spring under Third Culture Media, a production company she launched with support from the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. Maya is currently in development on a documentary about slavery, resistance and the living dead.
About WIFT
Founded in 1984, WIFT-T is a member-based organisation of women and men working in scree-based media that support the development and advancement of women in the industry. Tel. 416-322-3430; https://www.wift.com/