We are all storytellers. For tens of thousands of years, humans have communicated through visual stories that weave together individuals and generations, showing us our common ground. Without them, individual identities and communal histories disappear. That is why whose stories get told—and how—matters.

Despite Canada’s rich diversity, Black and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, People of Colour and People with Disabilities are severely underrepresented across Canada’s $9 billion* film, television and digital media industries. This is no coincidence, but the inevitable outcome of systemic racism and discrimination in Canada’s screen industries that have gone unacknowledged by those with the power to dismantle them.

Since 2020, much has been said about improving equity, diversity and inclusion, but this requires sustained commitment, systemic change, and accountability. The Black Screen Office has taken a leadership role to support that change and ensure practices and policies are equitable and free of anti-Black racism. With our first activation tool, Being Seen: Directives for Creating Authentic and Inclusive Content, we have produced a practical tool for decision-makers to recognize their blind spots, remove systemic gaps and create truly authentic, inclusive content.

More than 400 industry professionals participants, children and their parents who are Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, People with Disabilities, informed Being Seen’s directives. I greatly appreciate and am humbled by their honesty and vulnerability, which crystallize the importance of seeing oneself on screen and behind the scenes. These directives offer a clear call to action to decolonize Canada’s screen industries and reflect all Canadians, not just a privileged few.

I am also grateful to our funders and supporters who made Being Seen possible. Together, we have created the first of many tools to achieve equity. Our Black Screen Office team looks forward to continued collaborations with industry partners to fulfill Being Seen’s promise as the industry-standard tool for creating authentic and inclusive content.

Being seen are powerful words that hold meaning beyond the obvious. In its most authentic interpretation, it affirms our intrinsic value. It means we get to take up space with agency and that our wants and needs are not marginalized. It means we get to tell our stories, from our point of view with support and esteem. It is no accident that the Black Screen Office has chosen in its inaugural year to spearhead this ground-breaking Report, Being Seen: Directives for Creating Authentic and Inclusive Content

Black people want their stories told. They want authentic representation, and they want to have a strong hand in the telling. We are not unique in this great human need. It transcends race, culture, sexual orientation, religion, and location. But until recently there have been few opportunities for Black, People of Colour LGBTQ2+ and People with Disabilities to tell their authentic stories in the Canadian landscape.

'Being Seen: Directives for Authentic and Inclusive Content' is a consultation on the representation of Black, People of Colour, LGBTQ2+ and People with Disabilities in the screen-based sectors. But what makes it so important is that the input of over 400 participants from diverse communities is distilled down into a report that offers up targeted directives! Directives that recognize that we are in this industry together and it’s only by working in collaboration that we will make real and necessary change. Being Seen is how the Black Screen Office starts the conversation on authentic representation and we are excited to work with you to remake our Canadian Screen Industry to one that we can all thrive.