ISO Funding

Access funding directly through the Indigenous Screen Office.

ISO Funding2023-04-13T15:04:58-04:00
Image credit: Vanessa Mayberry Photography. Film: “Ruthless Souls”

The ISO is committed to ensuring Indigenous stories on screens are in the control of First Nations, Inuit and Métis storytellers, who have been historically excluded from the sector for more than a century.

Our priority is to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis storytellers from across Canada including representation from diverse regions, women, 2SLGBQTIA+, emerging creators, and Indigenous language groups. Our approach is relational; we want to hear from applicants about who they are, where they come from and where they are going so that we can enter a relationship with them built on honesty and trust. Read our General Funding Guidelines before applying for funding at the ISO.

ISO funding opportunities are available through two key streams: the ISO Story Fund and Sector Development.

ISO Funding Programs

ISO funding opportunities are available through two key streams

ISO STORY FUND

The Story Fund is the core funding program of the ISO, supporting the full cycle of creation, production and dissemination across all screen-based platforms with a focus on Indigenous storytelling and narrative sovereignty.

Story Fund

Development

Supporting Indigenous individuals, companies and communities develop their scripts, research project ideas and content, develop existing IP into screen-ready projects, and undertake protocols and community-based work as part of the development phase.

Production

Supporting the production and creation phase. Production funding are available not just to film and television productions, but also to digital, interactive and emerging technology projects.

Finishing Fund/Marketing Promotion Distribution

ISO offers support and top-up funding for production, post-production, marketing and distribution and digital enhancements for projects that have been funded by ISO, CMF, Telefilm or Canada Council.

Image credit : Riley Smith, “Wildhood”

SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

ISO is committed to supporting a robust Indigenous screen sector, creating opportunities not just for key creatives but for the workforce of professionals that supports screen-based creation.

Sector Development Funding

Sector Development

ISO will partner with companies, non-profit organizations, and communities to create opportunities with the potential for impact across the sector, that will benefit multiple individuals, and will build capacity for Indigenous screen-based creators and workforces.

Netflix Apprenticeship and Cultural Mentorship Grants

ISO has partnered with Netflix to provide funding to support training, professional development and culturally specific approaches for Indigenous on-screen content creators.

Image credit: Jeff Barnaby. Film: “Blood Quantum” (2019)

ISO Funding Programs

ISO is committed to supporting a robust Indigenous screen sector.

Funding Policies

All applicants are expected to read ISO’s General Funding Policies before starting an application for funding.

Application Assistance

If you require assistance in your funding application, please email our Funding Team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ISO connect me with industry professionals?2021-07-22T23:52:17-04:00

If you are looking for people like a gaming designer, actor, publicist, writer, cameraperson, lighting and sound technicians, the ISO may be able to help. We are working with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) on creating an ever-evolving Indigenous Professionals Database where industry professionals can sign in, post their contact info, CV and headshots. This will be the go-to place for Indigenous screen professionals and for anyone wanting to connect with us.

We would be happy to consider posting opportunities for Indigenous screen-based creators and professionals, such as audition notices, employment ads, and launch or release information of your projects.

 

Does ISO provide funding for storytellers?2021-07-22T23:51:51-04:00

The ISO advocates for increased and further access to funding for Indigenous screen storytellers and provides information on where to access funding form private and publics sectors. We also provide direct funding opportunities through our partnerships. Please see link to access information: https://archive.iso-bea.ca/resources/

What does the ISO do?2021-07-22T23:50:09-04:00

The ISO serves and advocates on behalf of the Indigenous screen industry, its producers, creators and storytellers. It is our mission to foster Indigenous narrative sovereignty on screen, meaning that the content produced is owned and controlled by Indigenous creators. The ISO supports all levels of talent development through advocacy, training and funding initiatives. We connect Indigenous creators to opportunities, networks and information while educating the broader screen sector about Indigenous contexts as they relate to screen-based funding and creation.

What is the ISO?2021-07-22T23:49:43-04:00

It is a critical time in Canada where Indigenous knowledge and storytelling is more important than ever. This is why the Indigenous Screen Office is vital to the future of Indigenous storytelling in this country.

The ISO is the result of many years of advocacy from Indigenous industry professionals who knew that an organization that supports Indigenous storytellers was needed and would be a welcome addition to the media landscape in this country.

A Canada Media Fund (CMF) report published in 2016 specifically called for the creation of an Indigenous Screen Office that would enhance, support and promote Indigenous stories through Canadian screens which include film, television, apps and gaming. ISO was created to make space for greater Indigenous content within the broader Canadian media sector.

The ISO was first announced by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, at the Banff World Media Festival in June 2017. The founding funders are APTN, CBC, CMF, CMPA, and Telefilm Canada, with in-kind support from the NFB.

The ISO is well on the way to implementing the long-term strategy of supporting and advocating on behalf of Indigenous filmmakers, storytellers and producers.

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