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.