Join Us in Shaping South Asian Screen Representation

SASO National Screen Sector Survey

Understanding and Strengthening South Asian Representation in the Canadian Screen Sector

This survey is part of a national research initiative led by the South Asian Screen Office of Canada (SASO) — the first coordinated, evidence-based study of South Asian Canadian representation in Canada’s screen sector. Your responses will contribute to the first national dataset on South Asian Canadian screen professionals.

The survey takes approximately 25–30 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and confidential. Nothing will be attributed to you by name. You may skip any question you are not comfortable answering.

1. Who You Are — Demographics (Layer 1)

1.5 Do you identify as a person with a disability? *YesNoPrefer not to say

1.6 If yes, which of the following disabilities do you identify with? (Select all that apply)NeurodiverseA Sensory Impairment (Vision or Hearing)A Mobility ImpairmentA Learning Disability (E.g., ADHD, Dyslexia)A Mental Health DisorderPrefer Not to SayOther (Please Specify Below)

1.9 What is your current work authorization status in Canada? *Canadian citizen (eligible to work in Canada)Permanent resident (eligible to work in Canada)Work permit holderStudy permit holder with authorization to workNot currently authorized to work in CanadaPrefer Not To SayOther (Please Specify Below)

1.10 What city do you primarily work in? (Write below) *

1.13 What is your primary department or area of work? (Select one) *DevelopmentProductionPost-ProductionSales and DistributionCommunications, Marketing, or Social MediaAdministration and OperationsEducation and TrainingFunding and Industry SupportOther (Please specify below)

1.17 Which best describes your typical production environment? (Select one) *Mainstream Canadian production (broadcaster / streamer / studio / institutional funding)Co-production (institutionally funded / mixed financing)Independent non–South Asian-led productionsSouth Asian-led productions (diaspora/community-led)Self-funded / personal / community-based projectsOther (Please specify below)

1.20 Are you the lead of your department in your current role or on most recent project? *YesNoSometimes / It dependsNot applicable

1.21 Do you consider yourself a key decision-maker in your current role or on most recent project? *YesNoSometimes / It dependsNot applicable

1.23 Do you have the authority to hire personnel in your current role or on most recent project? *YesNoSometimesNot applicable

1.24 Does the person you report to most directly in your current role or on most recent project identify as South Asian Canadian? *YesNoNot SureI do not report to anyone — I am the lead or self-employed

1.25 Have you ever served on a funding jury, advisory panel, or board in Canada's screen sector? *Yes — onceYes — multiple timesNo — I was never asked or consideredNo — I did not feel these roles were accessible to meNot applicable

1.26 Do you feel South Asian Canadian screen professionals have meaningful influence over commissioning, programming, and funding decisions in Canada? *Not at allRarelySometimesOftenVery oftenUnsure

1.34 Do you currently work in other sectors outside of screen sector to sustain your career in screen sector? *Yes — regularlyYes — sometimesNoNo longer, but I did previously

2. On Screen & Behind the Camera — Representation (Layer 2)

2.2 Thinking about Canadian film, television, and streaming productions you have watched, worked on, or are familiar with over the past 12 months, how frequently have you observed South Asian characters in lead or co-lead roles? *0%1–10%11–25%26–50%More than 50%Unsure

2.3 Thinking about Canadian film, television, and streaming productions you have watched, worked on, or are familiar with over the past 12 months, how frequently have you observed South Asian characters in supporting roles? *0%1–10%11–25%26–50%More than 50%Unsure

2.4 In your mainstream or institutional productions experience, what proportion of key creative leadership were South Asian? *(Producer, Director, Writer, DP, Showrunner, HODs)NeverVery rarelyOccasionallyFrequentlyOftenNot sureNot applicable

2.5 Thinking about the Canadian film, television, and streaming productions you have worked on in the past 12–24 months, approximately what proportion of the behind-the-camera workforce (crew + creative + production roles) would you estimate were South Asian? *0%1–10%11–25%26–50%More than 50%Unsure

23. Thinking about South Asian characters in Canadian film, television, and streaming productions you have watched, worked on, or are familiar with over the past 12 months, would you describe their portrayal culturally authentic and nuanced? *Strongly AgreeAgreeNeither Agree nor DisagreeDisagreeStrongly DisagreeUnsure

23. In your mainstream or institutional productions experience, how often are South Asian stories told without meaningful South Asian creative leadership? *NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlwaysNot applicable

24. In the past 3 years, has any of your screen content been selected or screened at major film festivals in Canada? *E.g. TIFF, VIFF, Hot Docs, Etc.YesNoNot sureNot applicable

24. How would you describe the representation of South Asian screen content at major film festivals in Canada? *E.g. TIFF, VIFF, Hot Docs, Etc.Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

2. Language Representation (Layer 2)

In the past 3 years, in which language(s) has the screen content you worked on primarily been produced? (Select all that apply)EnglishFrenchSouth Asian language(s)English + French (bilingual)English + South Asian language(s)French + South Asian language(s)Multilingual (3 or more languages)Other (please specify below)

How important is it for screen content to use language(s) that best reflect the characters, culture, and story being told, including the use of South Asian languages within English or French-language productions where relevant?Very importantImportantSomewhat importantNot very importantNot important at allNot sure / no experience

In your experience, how often are language choices (including South Asian languages) limited by funding, commissioning, or market expectations?Very oftenOftenSometimesRarelyNeverNot sure / no experience

Overall, which statement best describes how language is treated in screen productions in Canada?Full creative freedom is generally supportedLanguage use is mostly creative-led but influenced by industry expectationsLanguage use is often shaped by funding, commissioning, or market considerationsLanguage use is strongly constrained by institutional or market requirementsNot sure

How would you describe your level of interest in working with South Asian-language screen content in your current role or practice? *Very strong interestStrong interestModerate interestLimited interestNo interestNot sure

In your experience, how would you describe the potential of South Asian screen content from Canada within Canada? *Very strong potentialStrong potentialModerate potentialLimited potentialNo potentialNot sure

In your experience, how would you describe the export potential of South Asian screen content from Canada in South Asian and international markets? *Very strong potentialStrong potentialModerate potentialLimited potentialNo potentialNot sure

2. Funding — Representation (Layer 2)

In the past 3 years, which of the following best describes your experience with applying for screen sector funding or grants in Canada? *I have applied 1 timeI have applied 2–3 timesI have applied 4–6 timesI have applied 7–10 timesI have applied more than 10 timesI have not applied for fundingNot applicable to my role or practice

If you have applied for screen sector funding in Canada in the past 3 years, how would you describe your success in securing funding? *Very high success rateHigh success rateModerate success rateLow success rateVery low success rateNo successNot sure

What types of funding or financial support have you accessed in the past 3 years? (Select all that apply)Development funding (writing, development, early-stage support)Production funding (shooting, post-production)Distribution / marketing / audience development supportFestival / travel / market participation fundingTraining / talent development fundingNo funding receivedNot applicable

In your experience, how often have you received funding more than once from the same organization or funding program? *Frequently (multiple repeat awards)Occasionally (more than once)Rarely (once only)Never (only applied or never received funding)Not sure / not applicable

2. Leadership — Representation (Layer 2)

In the past 3 years, have you participated in any of the following screen-sector decision-making roles? (Select all that apply)Commissioning / content development (broadcasters, streamers, platforms)Programming / curation (film festivals, broadcasters, platforms, markets)Funding jury or grant decision-making panel (allocates or approves funding)Program selection or evaluation panel (labs, residencies, competitions, talent programs)Advisory role (policy, strategy, programming, or industry development)Governance / board member (organizational or institutional decision-making)No participationOther (please specify below)

How would you describe South Asian representation in screen-sector decision-making roles overall?Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

How would you describe South Asian representation in the following areas? *Screen funding agencies / national screen agencies (funding decisions and program governance)Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

How would you describe South Asian representation in the following areas? *Broadcasters (commissioning and programming decisions)Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

How would you describe South Asian representation in the following areas? *Streaming platforms (commissioning and content development)Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

How would you describe South Asian representation in the following areas? *Industry guilds, unions, or professional associations (leadership and governance)Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

How would you describe South Asian representation in the following areas? *Film festivals (programming and selection)Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

How would you describe South Asian representation in the following areas? *Distributors and exhibitors (sales, rights, distribution, and theatrical programming)Strong representationModerate representationLimited representationVery limited representationNot present at allNot sure / no experience

2. On Screen & Behind the Camera — Representation (Layer 2)

Where did you gain your production experience and/or complete your training? (select all that apply)In CanadaI do not have production or training experiencePrefer not to sayOther (please specify below)

Approximately how long did it take between your first screen-industry project and your second paid screen-industry project? *Less than 6 months6–12 months1–2 yearsMore than 2 yearsI have not secured a second paid project

Approximately how long did it take between your first professional screen-industry credit and your first leadership role? *Examples: producer, director, writer, department head, executive, showrunnerLess than 2 years2–5 years6–10 yearsMore than 10 yearsI have not held a leadership role

In the last five years, how often have you been rehired by the same employer, production company, broadcaster, streamer, festival, or institution? *NeverOnceOccasionallyFrequentlyMost of my work comes from repeat hiring

Which career transition has been the most difficult for you? (Select one) *Entering the industrySecuring a second projectBuilding a sustainable careerMoving into leadershipMoving into mainstream productionsAccessing institutional opportunitiesAccessing fundingMaintaining long-term employmentOther (please specify below)

Have you experienced a point in your career where advancement stalled despite continued participation in the industry? *YesNoUnsure

c. To what extent have your memberships in professional organizations, unions, associations, or networks contributed to your career advancement?Significant positive impactSome positive impactLittle impactNo impactNegative impactNot applicable

In your experience, how accessible are mainstream Canadian screen-industry networks to South Asian professionals? *Very accessibleSomewhat accessibleNeither accessible nor inaccessibleVery inaccessibleUnsure

Compared to five years ago, how would you describe your current career position? *YesNoNot sure

Compared to five years ago, how would you describe your current career position? *Significantly behind where I hoped to beSomewhat behind where I hoped to beAbout where I expected to beAhead of where I expected to beSignificantly ahead of where I expected to be

Do you believe South Asian professionals have equitable access to career advancement opportunities in the Canadian screen industry? *YesNoUnsure

Are you also currently working in nonscreen/ media sectors? *YesNoSometimes

What kind(s) of formal training/ development have you participated in? (Select all that apply)I am ONLY self-taught (I have never participated in any formal development)Film/Television/Media program(s) at an educational institution (university or college)Workshops or other programs offered by sector institutionsWorkshops or other programs offered through festival(s)Workshops or other programs offered by non-profit organizations in the sectorOther (please specify below)

To what extent do you agree or disagree that existing industry data collection and reporting practices adequately capture the experiences, contributions, and representation of South Asian screen professionals? *Strongly agreeAgreeSomewhat agreeNeither agree nor disagreeSomewhat disagreeDisagreeStrongly disagreeNot sure / no experience

To what extent do you agree or disagree that South Asian creators would benefit from greater visibility and recognition as a distinct community within Canada’s screen industry? *Strongly agreeAgreeSomewhat agreeNeither agree nor disagreeSomewhat disagreeDisagreeStrongly disagreeNot sure / no experience

To what extent do you agree that dedicated South Asian-led screen sector organizations in Canada, whose primary mandate is to support South Asian creators and screen storytelling, are necessary and an important part of a healthy and inclusive screen sector ecosystem? *Strongly agreeAgreeSomewhat agreeNeither agree nor disagreeSomewhat disagreeDisagreeStrongly disagreeNot sure / no experience

2. Your Voice (All Layers)

What strategies have been most helpful in allowing you to remain working in Canada's screen sector? Open response

What is the single most important structural change that would improve South Asian Canadian representation in Canada's screen sector? Open response

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience as a South Asian Canadian screen professional that was not captured in this survey? Open response