Inaugural CJF-Narcity News Creator Fellows Announced
TORONTO, Mar 6, 2024 – The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is proud to announce the six inaugural recipients of the CJF-Narcity News Creator Fellowships, offered in partnership with Narcity Media Groups.
The first recipients of the six-week paid fellowships, open to recent graduates of Canadian post-secondary journalism programs, are:
- Jessica Barile, of Montreal, QC;
- Corinne Boyer, of Montreal, QC;
- Rachel Ruth Pabiona Guanlao, of Toronto, ON;
- Brahim Ait Ouzineb, of Ottawa, ON;
- Tharsha Ravichakaravarthy, of Toronto, ON; and
- Amber Sandhu, of Vancouver, BC.
“Video journalism is playing an increasingly key role in how Canadians get their news,” says Susan Harada, jury chair. “That’s why unique opportunities like this fellowship – helping the next generation of video storytellers develop their skills – are crucial for journalism’s future.”
Supported by YouTube Canada and the Google News Initiative, the fellowships represent a unique opportunity to participate in building the future of local news. Fellows will receive comprehensive training and mentorship from Narcity Media’s editors and journalists, focusing on the creation of engaging local news videos for publication on the creator’s social channels as well as on Narcity’s platforms.
“I’m very pleased with the group of applicants for this inaugural fellowship,” says Jackie Vandinther, News Creator Fellowship Manager at Narcity Media Group. “This diverse group of emerging journalists brings a depth of skill sets and life experiences, which I think is vital to becoming a well-rounded journalist and content creator.”
In addition to valuable training on compelling content creation, fellows will receive a $5,500 stipend.
The 2024 fellows will be recognized at the CJF Awards ceremony on June 12 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. For more information, see contact details below or visit the CJF Awards page.
Thank to the generous support of YouTube Canada and the Google News Initiative for their sponsorship of this program.
The CJF-Narcity News Creator Fellowship jury members are:
- Susan Harada (chair) Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University;
- Owen Leitch, Executive Producer Global Brands, Narcity Media Group;
- Jackie Vandinther, News Creator Fellowships Manager, Narcity Media;
- Natalie Turvey, President and Executive Director, CJF; and
- Laurie Bergeron, Associate Director of Content, Narcity Media Groups.
CJF-Narcity News Creator Fellowship
We are excited to introduce the CJF-Narcity News Creator Fellowship, a unique opportunity to participate in building the future of local news in Canada, for recent graduates of Canadian post-secondary journalism programs. This six-week fellowship is designed to provide aspiring news creators with comprehensive training and mentorship from Narcity Media’s editors and journalists, focusing on the creation of engaging local news videos for publication on the creator’s social channels as well as Narcity’s.
Supported by YouTube Canada and the Google News Initiative, the CJF-Narcity News Creator Fellowship is dedicated to nurturing the growth of emerging video storytelling talent. Fellows will also receive valuable training on compelling video content creation from YouTube Canada’s news team.
Fellowship Details:
- Duration: A six consecutive week period determined between May and August 2024
- Stipend: $5,500
- Number of Fellows: Six
- Up to 37.5 hours per week
- Traveling in and out of your placement city will be required
Eligibility:
- Open to Canadian journalism students graduating from post-secondary journalism programs in Spring 2024.
- Fellowship candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Fluency in either English or French.
- Applicants must submit a proposal letter outlining their goals for the fellowship experience.
- Applicants should include their resume, and one sample of their video journalism for the jury’s consideration (see Video Submission Requirements below). If you can include your social media profiles, that helps.
- Applicants must live within one of these metropolitan areas, own a car / license or public transportation pass and be within 45 minutes travel distance to the center of these cities:
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Edmonton
- Calgary
- Vancouver
Award Criteria:
- Creativity: Applicants should demonstrate an innovative and creative approach to news video production, showcasing their ability to generate fresh and engaging content.
- Technical Proficiency: Candidates must exhibit proficiency in video and audio editing, displaying a grasp of technical skills necessary for producing and editing high-quality news videos.
- Equipment: Applicants must own a smartphone in working condition that can record audio and video (front and rear facing) with one of the following models: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel no older than 2021.
- Communication Skills: Applicants must demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to convey information clearly and concisely through video storytelling.
- Journalistic Integrity: Fellows should uphold the standards of journalistic ethics and integrity, presenting well-researched and fact-based news stories that adhere to industry standards.
- Potential for Growth: The selection committee will assess each applicant’s potential for growth and development, looking for individuals who show promise and dedication to advancing their careers in the field of video journalism.
Video Submission Requirements:
- 1x 9:16 (vertical) video that ranges between 60 seconds to 3 minutes
- Video should be POV and include visual cues to help guide the watcher along
- We’re looking for a quick news report style video that gets applicants outside in your cities
- Here are some tips:
- Start with a compelling hook to immediately grab viewer attention.
- Use high-quality visuals, such as footage, images, and graphics, to enhance the narrative and engage viewers.
- Deliver key information (the ‘5 Ws and H’) upfront, using clear, direct language and short, impactful soundbites.
- Maintain a brisk pace with quick cuts and ensure the video is optimized for mobile viewing, including vertical or square formats and readable text.
- Include captions for accessibility and conclude with a strong statement or call to action for further engagement.
- Here is an example of a Narcity story that applicants may find helpful:
We strongly encourage people of colour, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and foreign-born residents to apply.
If you have questions, please contact Natalie Turvey, President and Executive Director of The Canadian Journalism Foundation, at info@cjf-fjc.ca.
DEADLINE: January 26, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET.
