Thank you for your continued support,
They say that when you build something truly meaningful, people will take notice. This has certainly been our experience. Since launching CCF2026 we’ve seen a plethora of interest in the Cross Continental Forum, so much so that our inbox is overflowing with requests for more time.
We hear you! We are extending the CCF application deadline to May 5th. If you have been hesitating about applying, now is the time. You can apply now at http://decolonisingcoproduction.com/apply/.
Building Beyond Moments
But as we pause to give you this extra time, I want to be very clear about what you are applying for. In a landscape where “new” ideas often look familiar, it is important to distinguish between a moment and a movement.
It’s Not New. It’s a Legacy.
For decades at CaribbeanTales, we have been laying the bricks for this ecosystem – creating a space where Black and Global Majority storytelling, industry access, and economic power converge. Over the past 25 years, CTMG has trained more than 500 filmmakers through a diverse range of programs, demonstrating a proven track record in capacity building and industry development.
As the global industry shifts, we are ready for it, because we pioneered it.
For us, this has always been the work.
What Does CCF Stand For ?
CCF is …. Industry-Aligned (The Pipeline)
We understood from day one that talent without a market is talent undervalued. We didn’t just create a stage; we built a pipeline. Today, CCF is deeply embedded within key international industry ecosystems, such as the Durban FilmMart and TIFF Industry, and has engaged with global trade frameworks such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Trade Centre and Telefilm Canada.
We’ve moved beyond “being seen” to “being positioned.” We don’t just help you tell a story; we help you navigate the negotiation table.
CCF is … Authentic Storytelling (The Soul)
Authenticity isn’t a marketing slogan for us; it’s a responsibility. Our work is grounded in stories that represent our own lived experiences, and set their own terms rather than fitting into a box. There is a profound difference between talking about authenticity and doing the rigorous work it takes to protect a creator’s vision.
CCF is … Black and Global Majority-Owned Businesses (The Power)
Representation is a start, but ownership is the goal. We work across the entire value chain, development, production, marketing, and distribution. Sustainability requires control and continuity. We aren’t here to help you build a project; we are here to help you build a company and a career.
We aren’t interested in creating “moments.” We are interested in delivering results that last. So, to the creators and producers who have been asking for more time: Take it. Use these extra days to ensure your vision is as sharp as the tools we’ve built to support it.
The deadline is now May 5th. We’ve spent decades building the path. Now, it’s your turn to walk it.
2026 Program Highlights
- Hybrid Format
4 weeks of Virtual sessions.
Two in-person gatherings, in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, and in Toronto, in collaboration with the TIFF Market.
- Industry Panels and Matchmaking
Curated sessions with international broadcasters, streamers, and investors.
Targeted matchmaking to connect Black producers with strategic global partners.
- Creative and Business Labs
Case studies and practical labs on international co-productions, financing, and distribution strategies.
Focus on building equitable, sustainable, decolonial production and business models.
- Pitch and Networking Events
Designed to showcase projects from Black and Global Majority producers.
Structured environments for forming long-term partnerships and co-production deals.
- Co-production Seed Funding
Presented in partnership with leading screen industry organizations and cultural agencies from Africa, the Caribbean, and Canada.
Applications are now open at http://decolonisingcoproduction.com/apply/.
The Cross Continental Forum (CCF) is a global market access platform connecting producers across Africa, the Caribbean, and their wide diasporas. Through information sharing, networking, and business-to-business matchmaking, CCF fosters sustainable partnerships and co-production models for equitable storytelling.
CCF 2026 will feature four weeks of online sessions and two in-person forums connecting producers, funders, and stakeholders to catalyze co-productions and expand market access for Black and Global Majority producers.
Supported by a network of government, private, and international partners, CCF 2026 continues to build bridges across regions, empowering Black producers and creative entrepreneurs to lead in the global media landscape.
For more information and to apply before May 5, 2026, visit:
👉 www.decolonisingcoproduction.com/apply/
Funders and Partners
CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG) is a multifaceted media organization dedicated to producing, marketing, and distributing African and Caribbean diaspora stories to global audiences. Founded by award-winning filmmaker and Academy member Frances-Anne Solomon, CTMG encompasses CaribbeanTales Inc., a registered Canadian charity; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean; the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival; Caribbeantales-TV, a VOD streaming platform; and CaribbeanTales Media Group Productions, its production arm. Through its Creators of Colour Training hub and related incubator programs, CTMG delivers year-round development and co-production training for BIPOC filmmakers, supporting over 80 producers from around the world with mentorship, pitching, and market access opportunities. Its initiatives, including the Cross Continental Forum, are designed to build sustainable co-production ecosystems across Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, and the wider Global South, advancing equitable partnerships and story sovereignty for BIPOC creators.
About UMEDA
The uMgungundlovu Economic Development Agency (UMEDA) is the official economic development agency for the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. UMEDA works to stimulate regional investment, support industry development and promote sustainable economic growth across key sectors, including the creative and digital industries, positioning the Pietermaritzburg Midlands as a gateway for international collaboration and innovation.
FedDev Canada
This project is funded by Creative Export Canada, part of the Creative Export Strategy that provides visibility and funding to help Canadian creative works achieve financial success abroad.
The City of Toronto
CCF2026 is funded by Creative Industries Funding from the City of Toronto, that supports organizations building skills for jobs in film, TV, music, and creative tech.
About Pambili Media
Pambili Media is a South African film and television production company with a distinguished history of record breaking African stories for global audiences. Led by award winning filmmaker Mandla Dube and partners Sydney Masina and US based Steven Adams, the company is also known for connecting African creators with international partners and expanding opportunities for co-production and global distribution.
Telefilm Canada
CCF2026 is funded by Telefilm Canada, a federal cultural agency funded by the Government of Canada, dedicated to the development and promotion of the Canadian audiovisual industry.
Connect with Us
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Media Contact:
Tedecia Bromfield
Communications Manager, Cross Continental Forum 2026
Email: press@decolonisingcoproduction.com
Whatsapp +1 (876) 503-2968
