Advance your career in the Film Industry with OBAC Career Leap
What is Career Leap
Career Leap is an innovative program that provides work placement opportunities for Black filmmakers and crew (ages 18-34, residing in the GTHA) to pursue union eligibility requirements and advance their careers.
This program also matches successful participants with industry mentors to enhance their workplace training by offering veteran insight, refining soft skills, and expanding their professional networks.
Gain work experience and hours towards union eligibility through placements on professional productions with our innovative program!
A unique opportunity for
Black Film Crew Members
Our program is specifically designed to provide opportunities for young Black filmmakers and crew to gain experience and satisfy union eligibility requirements to advance their careers. We understand the challenges that Black Filmmakers and Crew Members face in the industry, and we aim to bridge the gap by providing tailored support.
Workplace training
with veteran insight
We match successful participants with industry mentors who provide professional guidance with veteran insight, assist in refining soft skills, and expand professional networks. Our program offers a holistic approach towards career advancement by ensuring that participants have access to the right resources and guidance.
Become a part of a
supportive community
At OYA Career Leap, we offer more than just job placements. We create a supportive community where participants can connect, learn from each other, and build lasting relationships. Our program fosters an environment of collaboration, openness, and growth.
Your career leap awaits you
If you're ready to take your career in the film industry to the next level, join OYA Career Leap today! Our program is designed to help you achieve success by providing tailored support, mentorship, work placements on high production sets - all aimed at helping you strengthen your skills and fulfill union eligibility requirements to advance your career.
If you're ready to take your filmmaking career to the next level
take a LEAP in your career
Our program is designed to help you achieve success by providing tailored support, mentorship and work placements on high production sets - all aimed at helping you advance your career.
Barriers of Joining a Union
Many of us are familiar with the challenge of needing industry experience to secure high-level job opportunities, yet not being able to access them because of said “lack of experience”. This hinders Black crew members in particular who aspire to join a union. Although they may be qualified in both skill and talent, their underrepresentation in the industry makes them fall short of eligibility criteria that privilege the experiences and professional networks of non-Black creatives.
This entry barrier impacts Black crew members’ ability to advance their careers with unionized positions,and also maintains a scarcity of Black (and BIPOC) crew representation on high-level productions. Reports of Black creatives realizing they are the “only one in the room”––particularly outside entry-level positions, and on major productions––are common, creating environments where they encounter unconscious bias and/or microaggressions:
One in ten (9%) [union members] experience racism or microaggressions themselves on a weekly basis, three in ten (30%) experience it every few months, and two in ten (22%) at least once a year.
Directors Guild of Canada, BIPOC Member Survey (2020)
OBAC’s Career Leaps aims to change this pattern, not only by creating opportunities for more Black crew members to join unions, but also by equipping industry mentors and work placement supervisors with anti-Black racist training to ensure safe spaces for Black crew at all levels in the industry.
BENEFITS OF A UNION
High professional set standards & more exposure through union database
Standardized rates of service, with contract protection, premium pay, and fringe benefits
Health & Welfare and
Retirement plans
What the program offers
Subsidize union fees\kit fees
Workshop fees
Monthly Mentorship sessions to supplement training
JOB PLACEMENTS
Access paid work placements on a variety of productions. Gain valuable, relevant work experience on sets and build your hours toward minimum union application requirements.
SubsidizeD Union Application fees
Gain support in overcoming financial barriers towards union applications; access support in meeting requirements, including training and certification costs such as First Aid, WHIMS, Working at Heights, application processing and union entry fees.
Film Industry Mentorship & Career Guidance
Be paired with an industry mentor for regular meetings and insight on your work placements; refine set etiquette and networking skills; receive guidance on your union application process.
For Production Companies
IS YOUR PRODUCTION COMPANY LOOKING FOR TALENTED CREW MEMBERS FOR YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS?
Join us in shaping an inclusive future in film by partnering with OYA Career Leap to empower Talented Black Youth in the industry
Why Partner with Us?
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Access to paid placements for crew positions: $25/hour for 10 hours a day
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Access a vetted pool of passionate and skilled Black filmmakers
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Tailored fit to ensure alignment with your company's needs
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Enhance your brand by showing commitment to diversity
Our Program Partners
program SPONSORS
Career Leap Program – Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be Black and between 18–34 years old
- Reside in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)
- Be an emerging or mid-level filmmaker or crew member looking to fulfill union eligibility requirements
- Have, or be eligible to receive, a CAVCO Personnel Number (CPN)
What is a CAVCO Number?
A CAVCO Personnel Number (CPN) is a unique number issued by the Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO).
It is used to:
- Track eligible individuals working in Canadian film and television productions
- Verify Canadian residency for tax credit purposes
Anyone working on a certified production must have a CAVCO number.
You can apply for a CPN online through the CAVCO website at no cost.
What does the program offer?
- Paid work placements on professional productions (up to 400 hours, subject to industry conditions)
- Mentorship with experienced industry professionals (monthly sessions)
- Financial support for union and kit fees (up to 50%)
- Anti-Black racism training for mentors and placement supervisors to ensure safe, inclusive work environments
- Access to a community of peers and career development resources
What barriers do Black crew members face when trying to join a union?
Many Black filmmakers and crew encounter:
- Limited access to high-level productions
- Underrepresentation in unionized roles
- Barriers due to lack of “industry experience” and professional networks
- Racism, unconscious bias, and microaggressions on set
Career Leap is designed to directly address and dismantle these barriers.
Have additional questions?
Contact us or follow us on Instagram at @oyablackarts for the latest updates.
