Digi60 Filmmakers’ Summer Accelerator

August 26-30, 2024

Digital Arts Resource Centre / Arts Court Theatre & Studio (2 Daly Ave., Ottawa, ON)

In celebration of our 20th Anniversary, Digi60 is excited to announce that we will be hosting the Digi60 Filmmakers’ Summer Accelerator, a week-long workshop series dedicated to the skills-building of Ottawa’s emerging filmmakers.

Short Description

The Digi60 Filmmakers’ Summer Accelerator, a week-long workshop series, takes place the week of August 26th 2024, welcoming emerging filmmakers under 30 who are looking to accelerate and amplify their skills, knowledge, and network in Directing, Producing, Acting, or Screenwriting. This accelerator will prioritize equity-denied communities from the Ottawa-Gatineau area.

Digi60 defines traditionally equity-denied communities as Indigenous (including First Nations, Inuit and Métis), BPOC including refugees and newcomers, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Women+ (including trans and gender non-conforming), Persons with a Disiability, and Francophone.

Day-Time Programming

The Digi60 FIlmmakers’ Summer Accelerator is a new program taking place the week of August 26-30, 2024. It’s a week of intensive workshops with four key streams: directing, producing, acting, and screenwriting. This program welcomes and prioritizes participation from emerging filmmakers who are under 30 years of age, and by the end of the week they will have gained key skills, networked with industry professionals, and consolidated a foundation for their filmmaking career. This program was made possible with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and in partnership with the Digital Arts Resource Centre, Ottawa Film Office and the CMPA.

Details:

  • Workshop sessions will take place at Digital Arts Resource Centre, in Arts Court - 2 Daly Ave, from 10am to 5pm

  • Each stream will have guest speakers, presentations and workshopping that will be designed for emerging filmmakers to make the next step in their filmmaking - no matter what stream they select. This will include speaking to funders, mentors, directors and producers who can help guide you on your filmmaking journey, whatever stream you choose;

  • Participants from traditionally equity-denied communities between 18 and 30 years of age will be prioritized;

  • There are 12 seats available in each stream; 10 seats in each stream are reserved for equity-denied participants under 30;

  • A waitlist will be available for those who are above 30 years of age or do not identify as one of the equity-denied priority groups;

  • Participants will not need to bring any tools or materials, unless they wish to bring a notebook or laptop to take notes;

  • Coffee, snacks and lunch will be included;

  • Workshops and presentations will be made primarily in English, but some content will be presented in other languages including French with English subtitles.

  • This program is committed to the UN Global Compact 50-30 challenge. 

To Register:

  • Registration opens May 15, 2024;

  • Select one of four streams: Directing, Producing, Screenwriting, and Acting;

  • Complete the Digi60 Summer Accelerator application form;

  • Upon acceptance, registered attendees pay a $100 non-refundable registration fee to secure their spot;

  • If you are facing a financial barrier to participation, please indicate such on the registration form or reach out to Digi60 at info@digi60.org. 

Please note that Digi60 will prioritize traditionally equity-denied communities first. Participation and acceptance into the Summer Accelerator is not guaranteed.

Programming for both daytime and evening programs will be revealed in the lead up to the Summer Accelerator.

full PROGRAMMING LINEUPS FOR ALL STREAMS WILL BE RELEASED BY JULY 15, 2024

Optional Evening Programming

Evening programming will be free to registered participants of the Accelerator but will also be open to the general public for a small admission fee. Members of DARC are welcome to attend evening programming for free. Evening programming includes:

  • Panel discussions which includes topics like accessing funding for first-time feature filmmakers, pitching projects to funders and broadcasters, case studies with produced creatives.

  • Film screening and filmmaker chats with filmmakers funded through Telefilm Talent to Watch and Canada Council for the Arts.

  • An industry mixer for emerging filmmakers to meet industry professionals

  • A wrap party to celebrate Ottawa’s film community.