Research

Establishing an evidence base for system reforms and industry tools

BSO Research

The BSO has produced ground-breaking research projects designed to accelerate system change towards equity, inclusion and authentic content creation across Canada’s screen industries. The research projects provide valuable empirical data and new insights into the relationship between Canada’s screen industries and the country’s Black communities who work within the industries and consume their content.

All our reports are available for everyone to read below For a more hands on approach to build your capacity to tackle inequities take a look at our fee-for-service offerings at the BSO Research and Action Centre.

Being Heard: Black Canadians in the Canadian Screen Industries provides evidence-based recommendations for creatives, employers, and the sector to create long-term, sustainable transformation that addresses anti-Black biases and exclusionary practices, and builds toward a stronger, more diverse and equitable sector workforce.

Being Counted reveals the viewing habits and preferences of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour audiences in Canada by exploring survey data that is usually hidden in “general population” of traditional audience surveys.

“The Being Seen directives provide a necessary and practical resource for filmmaking teams to consult. It presents practical, thoughtful considerations in ensuring that representation is accurate and authentic to all the key players in the industry – a critical step towards an inclusive screen-based industry.”

– Telefilm Canada

“Ontario Creates values authentic storytelling and understands the importance of representative voices on screens and behind-the-scenes. Being Seen has become a critical tool in the delivery of our funding programs – from encouraging applicants to respect the report’s guiding principles and best practices, to utilizing the Being Seen tools and insights in our project assessment process. We are a proud supporter of this innovative and vital resource and highly recommend it to all Canadian screen creators.”

– Ontario Creates.

The Being Seen: Directives for creating authentic and inclusive content: report is a consultation on the representation of Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ and People with Disabilities in the screen-based sectors.

The Being Seen: The Black Communities Report provides guidance in creating and commissioning more authentic and representative screen-based content that engages with Black community(ies).

The Being Seen: People of Colour Community Report looks at the perspectives of people who identify as being from the South Asian, East Asian and Southeast Asian, West Asian and Latinx and Brazilian communities.

The Being Seen: 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities Report looks at how these communities currently view their representation onscreen, the consequences of poor representation and what they want to see more of.

The Being Seen: People with Disabilities Report digs into the responses from consultations and interviews that were unique to those who identify as members of the People with Disabilities communities, namely: stereotypes; consequences of poor representation; and what they want to see more of.

The Being Seen: Children’s Media Report looks specifically at the insights of children and youth, their parents, and creators and producers of children’s media who also belong to the target communities.

Shows Committed to Creating Authentic and Inclusive Content

Amours D’occasion

The Porter

Overlord and the Underwoods

The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy

Coroner

Je Voudrais Qu’on M’efface

Being Seen – Knowledge Mobilization

Since launching the Core Themes report at Prime Time in February, the BSO and Being Seen teams have presented ‘Being Seen’ at a number of events in different formats. Please scroll through the list of ‘Being Seen’ activities and where underlined click through to their video recordings.

CMPA’s Prime Time

Launch of Core Themes Report. Open to delegates and free to register.
(February 7, 2022)

Cinesite

Commissioned by Cinesite animation studio in partnership with client Disney and open to BSO’s network.
(March 2, 2022)

Virtual Kidscreen

Available to conference delegates only.
(March 10, 2022)

SXSW

In-person and sponsored by Telefilm Canada and Canada House.
(March 15, 2022)

BIPOC TV and Film (co-hosted with BSO)

Launch of People of Colour Communities report.
(April 12, 2022)

BSO

Launch of Black Communities Report.
(May 10, 2022)

Coalition M.E.D.I.A. (co-hosted with BSO)

Francophone panel.
(June 1, 2022)

Inside Out Festival

In-person launch of 2SLGBTQIA+ Report sponsored by BSO and OutTV.
(June 4, 2022)

Banff Media Festival

In-person event with a focus on kids live action sponsored by Shaw Rocket Fund.
(June 14, 2022)

Shaw Rocket Fund

Five workshops on children’s media.
(August 22 – 26, 2022)

TIFF Panel

In-person event focused on Feature Films.
(September 11, 2022)

Kids Being Seen

On Screen as part of Content Canada Digital Box Set

FIN Strategic Partners

In-person event with a focus on ‘Coroner’ Case Study.
(September 17, 2022)

Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Staff Workshop

Separate English and French workshops.
(October 13, 2022)

Reports can be found at Being Seen but also at Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates