ISO Funding Programs

Indigenous Screen Office

This funding program looks to support the development and creation of engaging and compelling podcasts by Indigenous screen-based and audio storytellers. Applicants can access this program to research and develop their project, as well as produce, market and distribute a complete podcast.

Indigenous Screen Office

Indigenous storytellers have always been at the forefront of new technologies and ways of creating media. This program provides funding support to Indigenous screen-based creators for the development and production of Interactive and/or Immersive projects. Applicants to this program may undertake project work in the production of high-calibre video​​game design, AR/VR/MR works, apps, and immersive and/or interactive projects that include audio or audiovisual content.

Indigenous Screen Office

The Finishing Fund program provides support to Indigenous-owned screen-based companies in the post-production stage of shorts, feature films, web and television series.

ISO / Netflix

ISO has partnered with Netflix to provide funding to support training, professional development and culturally specific approaches for Indigenous on-screen content creators and Indigenous-owned production companies. There are two funding streams available:

1. Production Apprenticeships: The intent of this funding is to support new opportunities for hands-on training and career progression for Indigenous creatives through all stages of production, or in a production studio.l. The apprentice(s) should have a record of production experience and demonstrate that this opportunity, with the support of the proposed mentor(s), will support their skills building and career development.

2. Cultural Mentorships: This opportunity was created for Indigenous producers, directors and writers to be able to engage in cultural mentorship, community engagement, cultural learning, and protocols work during the pre-development, development, and production phases of their projects. This may include working with Elders, language speakers, knowledge keepers and/or community members to develop their project idea or to support their personal growth and development in their career as a screen-based storyteller. Indigenous owned production companies may apply for this funding to bring cultural mentor(s) on set for cultural learning, knowledge sharing, and to implement cultural and traditional practices related to the completion of a production.

The ISO is offering Travel Funding to support Indigenous screen-based creatives for activities that require travel including festival and market attendance, conferences, community engagement, training opportunities, and artistic screen-based collaboration across Canada and internationally.

This funding support is open to Indigenous Companies, and Individuals.

Indigenous Screen Office

This program provides support to Indigenous-owned screen-based companies for Marketing, Promotion and Distribution of shorts, feature films, television and web series.

Eligible applicants must have previously secured production funding through either: Canada Media Fund’s peer-assessed Indigenous Program, Telefilm’s peer-assessed Indigenous Initiatives program, a government Indigenous-specific arts grant, or the ISO.

Indigenous Screen Office

The Sector Development program is designed to support a wide array of initiatives and projects that aim to strengthen and grow the Indigenous screen sector. Workshops, labs, incubators, research projects, community based programs, and funding for organizations whose mandate is to develop the Indigenous screen sector should consider applying to this program. The ISO has partnered with educational institutions, non-profit youth programs, Indigenous-owned production companies, broadcasters, film festivals, art centres, and other organizations to support their activities and mission. This funding can be leveraged to build capacity within an organization, or to support the delivery of a program, workshop, conference or lab.