Group Effort Initiative Expands Canadian Presence with Dark Slope Partnership

Dark Slope and Group Effort Initiative (Group Effort) today announced the next phase of their ongoing partnership, expanding Group Effort’s presence in Toronto, Canada’s largest film and television hub.  

To help advance Group Effort’s reach in Canada, Dark Slope is spearheading a series of initiatives around The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), providing paid internships for underrepresented groups, and facilitating mentorships and invitations to key networking events.

Yesterday, Dark Slope and Group Effort programmed and hosted a full-day mentorship and training session for up to 40 members of the Canadian entertainment community from underrepresented backgrounds. Led by Dark Slope’s Vikram Verma and Justin Cathcart, the session provided end-to-end training on the virtual production pipeline, culminating in the creation of a short piece of content. Participants were introduced to Toronto-based producers and local non-profit organizations throughout the festival and met with local advocacy groups, leading production companies and broadcasters in the film and television industry. Dark Slope has also subsidized the travel of Group Effort representatives from Los Angeles to help participants build these critical connections for their future careers.

Group Effort Initiative, founded by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, helps underrepresented communities gain the experience and training needed to build lasting careers in the entertainment industry. Canada holds a special place in its history as the site of its very first program, which placed eight trainees on Netflix’s The Adam Project in Vancouver. Since then, Canadian participants have worked on productions in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, and additional Vancouver productions, while Group Effort has expanded to 19 cities worldwide. With Dark Slope’s support, the initiative is establishing a more permanent presence in Toronto and across Canada, strengthening its ability to connect diverse Canadian talent with sustainable careers in film, television and virtual production.

“As Group Effort hits year five, we’ve been continually inspired by the local talent and the work they’ve contributed to in Canada,” said Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, co-founders of Group Effort. “Working with Dark Slope means even more chances for participants to learn, connect, and get hands-on experience in virtual production and VFX - key skills that become more crucial each day in the industry.”

“The Group Effort Initiative team is reshaping the future of entertainment by breaking down barriers and opening doors for voices that need to be heard. At Dark Slope, we are proud to support their mission and help expand their vision in Canada.” Dan Fill, President, Dark Slope.

This initiative builds on the two organizations’ partnership, which formally launched in November 2024. Earlier this year, Dark Slope pledged $100,000 CAD in cash and in-kind support to advance Group Effort’s mission. Supporting Group Effort’s further expansion into Toronto reflects the next phase of their collaboration: ensuring that underrepresented talent gains not only access to skills training, but also sustainable career opportunities in the Canadian screen industry.

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