Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. We are grateful for this opportunity to discuss our pre-budget submission further.

My name is Lalita Krishna, and I am co-chair of the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for Black and People of Colour Creators, also known as BPOC. I'm here today alongside Sally Lee, CISF's executive director.

As Canada's only national production fund dedicated to supporting creators and producers from Black and people of colour communities, CISF's mandate is to support emerging, mid-level and established filmmakers in the development and production of their screen-based projects.

Support of the Canadian film and television industry is critical for our shared prosperity and success. It is an important driver of economic output and tax revenue for the Government of Canada as well as all of the provinces, territories and countless municipal governments. In 2022-23, the sector generated $12.19 billion in production volume, contributed $14.05 billion to the GDP and created over 239,000 jobs for Canadian creatives working in a wide range of roles.

Despite the substantial contribution that the creative industry makes to Canada's economy, opportunities are not equally distributed within the sector. Many BPOC producers and content creators struggle to secure adequate funding, which represents a missed opportunity for Canada. Black and racialized communities make up over 26% of the population. Talented filmmakers and artists from our communities have the potential to not only enrich our cultural landscape with their unique stories but to also drive further economic growth.

By investing in these sectors, Canada can tap into a wealth of untold narratives that would strengthen both its economy and its social fabric. A prime example is Nisha Pahuja’s To Kill a Tiger, which was nominated for an Oscar this year. It showcases the calibre of talent that exists and the global recognition it can achieve.

These stories deserve to be told. From Edmonton to Saint John, from Toronto to Quebec City, BPOC content creators are telling Canadian stories, but the opportunities to tell these stories are limited, as BPOC filmmakers are often shut out of legacy funds. Even established filmmakers like Nisha find it challenging to secure funding in our current system for their next project, despite their successes and the honour they have brought to our country.