CBC today announced that Mehernaz Lentin has been appointed senior director of the CBC BREAKING BARRIERS FILM FUND . Reporting to Sally Catto, general manager, programming, CBC, Lentin will build on the foundation laid by interim director Helen du Toit, who was brought on board last fall to help establish the fund while a permanent head was recruited. Launched in November 2016 to offer new opportunities for filmmakers who have historically been at a disadvantage in accessing financing, the Fund has confirmed funding for six films to date including AN AUDIENCE OF CHAIRS (Deanne Foley and Rosemary House), ANGELIQUE’S ISLE (Marie-Helene Cousineau), LEVEL 16 (Danishka Esterhazy), MEDITATION PARK (Mina Shum), which premiered at TIFF 2017; OCTAVIO IS DEAD! (Sook-Yin Lee) and RED SNOW (Marie Clements).

"We thank Helen for agreeing to come in on an interim basis and launch the fund,” said Catto. “Her creative expertise, breadth of relationships and strategic mind were pivotal to setting the fund in motion so beautifully. And now, we are equally excited to welcome Mehrenez. Her superb background in production, excellent relationships, creative strength and passion for features perfectly position us to grow the fund.”

An award-winning independent producer with over 20 years’ experience in the Canadian film and television industry, Lentin began her career at the Canadian Film Centre in 1990, working closely with Filmmakers in Residence, coordinating the Master Lecture Series and developing new programs to highlight the work of Canadian creators. Since then, she has worked with some of Canada’s leading filmmakers, with credits that include: FALL (Terrance Odette), INVISIBLE CITY (Hubert Davis), TOXIC TRESPASS (Barri Cohen) and co-producing three Deepa Mehta features; HEAVEN ON EARTH, THE REPUBLIC OF LOVE and BOLLYWOOD/HOLLYWOOD.

In addition to overseeing the CBC BREAKING BARRIERS FILM FUND, Lentin will handle all film pre-licensing while Jenna Bourdeau, senior director, acquisitions at CBC, will continue to manage all film acquisitions.

CBC BREAKING BARRIERS FILM FUND helps finance English-language feature film projects that are written or directed by Canadian women, Indigenous persons, visible minorities and persons with a disability who have had at least one feature-length film showcased at a recognized film festival. Unlike other funds targeted towards emerging talent, CBC’s fund is geared towards underrepresented Canadian creators. Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis with no formal deadlines. Further information and application guidelines are available at http://www.cbc.ca/breakingbarriers/ .
The Fund complements CBC’s existing and continued commitment to Canadian film, including licensing more than 50 Canadian feature films since 2014.

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CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. We are Canada’s trusted source of news, information and Canadian entertainment. Deeply rooted in communities all across the country, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also provide international news and information from a uniquely Canadian perspective. In 2017, CBC/Radio-Canada will be at the heart of the celebrations and conversations with special 2017-themed multiplatform programming and events across Canada.

For further information, please contact:

Teaghan Hawke, publicist, CBC

teaghan.hawke@cbc.ca

416-205-6863