In November 2021, Film Training Manitoba (FTM) announced the launched Canada’s first Summit for Women in Film Trades (SWIFT), which is a ground-breaking initiative to increase the number of women and individuals identifying as women working in Manitoba’s film industry. SWIFT runs June 10, 11 & 12, 2022 and the entire event is sold out with over 32 founding partners.
This first of its kind event in Canada will be the inaugural conference held at RRC Polytechnic’s new Innovation Centre. SWIFT is part of FTM’s multifaceted training and recruitment strategy to have significantly more women entering and advancing in Manitoba’s film trades over the next five years.
“Women play an important role in building Manitoba’s film industry and SWIFT has been created to supercharge our workforce by offering new programming to upscale our Province’s talented women film workers,” said Allison Bile, Film Training Manitoba’s SWIFT Program Manager.
According to FTM labour market information, as of October 2021, less than 30 per cent of Manitobans working in trades positions in the film industry are women and women-identifying individuals. “We’re going to be focusing on letting people know all the different skill sets that film trades encompass,” Manitoba film professional Carrie Wilkins (the Chair of SWIFT). “And how we can support each other as women within the industry.”
All instructors, speakers, and panellists of SWIFT are women. SWIFT will promote and support gender parity and workforce development within Manitoba’s dynamic film industry.
“The Summit for Women in Film Trades 2022 can kickstart other initiatives to ensure that Manitoba’s film industry leaders take the next steps to ensure our province’s diversity is reflected in the labour force and on screen,” said the former Minister of Economic Development and Jobs Jon Reyes. “There is strength in diversity and it will help continue to grow Manitoba’s successful film industry, which has grown to over $250 million in film production per year.”
Day one of SWIFT is exclusively for women and individuals identifying as women who want to enter the film trades in Manitoba. Film Training Manitoba will be providing a full-day course on Set Orientation, Safety Awareness and Respect in the workplace.
Day two and three of SWIFT is for current Manitoba women and individuals identifying as women film professionals. These days are for members and permit holders of the Directors Guild of Canada’s Manitoba District Council, IATSE 856 and the ICG 669. Featured will be workforce development training and panel sessions on career advancement, leading in conflict and health and wellness.
For the full details of SWIFT: www.filmtraining.mb.ca/film-training-manitoba-presents-swift-summit-for-women-in-film-trades/
FTM is a non-for-profit charity of the Province of Manitoba’s sector council program through the Department of Economic Development and Jobs. FTM builds a highly skilled and adaptable film industry workforce to support the activities of Manitoba production companies. FTM collaborates with members of the film and television industry to identify the training needs within the community.