DigiBC recognizes that our members are having an array of business challenges during this crisis, ranging from a few issues to very significant business threats. As your trade association, we are working to ensure our industry, as diverse as it is, comes out of this in the most positive way possible. Our weekly updates will have pertinent information on government policies, industry responses, and tips on getting through this challenging time. Please feel free to contact us if there is something you think should be included or if there’s an issue that your business would like help with. We are here for you! Please note, the info from each of our weekly updates gets consolidated into our COVID-19 Member Resources.
Week of June 12, 2020
Government Announcements / Policies / Funding
- BC’s (Careful) Restart Plan (now moving into Phase 3)
- Have symptoms? Getting tested for COVID-19 in British Columbia
Anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19 symptoms can be assessed and get a test. Testing is done through a primary care provider, walk-in clinic, urgent and primary care centre or community collection centre. Additionally, drive-thru testing is available in Vancouver at the St. Vincent’s location (4875 Heather St). Click here to see the full list of collection centres in the province.
Industry-Related News
- Hollywood North: Animation sector working hard during pandemic – June 11
- Riot Games will invest 10 million in minority-owned game studios – June 5
- Are video games the future of live music? – June 10
- Games industry donates to Black Lives Matter and more to support US protests
- Congratulations to Atomic Cartoons and the entire team of Molly Of Denali for winning the Peabody Award in the Children’s and Youth Category. Often compared to the Pulitzer prize for literature, the winners represent compelling and empowering stories told across broadcast and digital media.
- Applications are open for the Irving K Barber BC Scholarship Society’s Women in Technology & Indigenous Women in Technology Scholarships. They are giving out 15 awards valued at $10K each, with two being dedicated to women of Indigenous ancestry. Deadline to apply is July 6. Click here to learn more.
- DigiBC has arranged for our network to receive a 20% discount off the current pricing for the Venture Summit Virtual | Connect. The conference is dedicated to showcasing VCs, corporate VCs and angel investors committed to funding venture backed, emerging and early-stage companies. Click here for more info.
Signal Boosting / #GiveBack / How Can I Help?
Many folks are looking to deepen their understanding and commitment to anti-racism within our institutions, studios and selves. Here are some of the recommendations our members have shared with us. If you have others, let us know and we’ll share them in next week’s update! (team@digibc.org)
- DigiBC’s BIPOC Resources, Communities & Events List
- Trevor Noah: George Floyd and the Dominos of Racial Injustice
- Raceforward.org: What is Systemic Racism: 8-Part Video Series
- Center for Talent Innovation: Being Black in Corporate America
- Medium: Maintaining Professionalism in the Age of Black Death is…a Lot
- U.S. Businesses Must Take Meaningful Action Against Racism
- How you can be an ally to the Black Lives Matter Movement
- White Fragility: Why it’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
- Refinery 29: Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay — Chances Are They’re Not
Upcoming Virtual Events of Interest
- June 13: Black Girl Gamers Online Summit
- June 17: BC Virtual Science Fair Celebration
- June 23: NGPX: New Game + Expo
- June 25: WIMDI x WIGeh – How to Own Your Expertise & Start Speaking at Events
- August 4-6: Venture Summit Virtual Global | Connect
- August 4-6: Game Developers Conference Summer | Online
- August 25-29: Gamescom Online
- September 19: Game Devs of Colour Expo (accepting speaker & game submissions)
- October 27-30: XDS 2020 | Adapt