Program Overview
The Indigenous Screen Office and the Directors Guild of Canada have partnered to create a talent directory for mid-level to established Indigenous directors. The ISO and DGC have a shared desire to drive inclusion and parity and advance career development and training in the role of scripted television Directors, while increasing the likelihood of Directors’ future success on the job.
Inspired by a mandate for inclusion and diversity, as well as a sustained drive for excellence, this Fellowship focuses on creating an opportunity for an Indigenous Director who is looking to transition to television directing.
This is a program that is meant to strengthen and accelerate the careers of mid-level to established Indigenous creators working in the industry. It is designed for Directors with an accumulation of experience directing in formats including shorts, web series or features, or an opportunity for experienced television Directors to move from one genre to another, or from shorter episodes to half hours or hour long episodes – to gain foothold experiences in a different form than they might now be working in.
This Fellowship creates an opportunity for the Director Fellow to actively observe on a DGC signatory episodic production and to work with a network of expert collaborators and a veteran television Director. The Director Fellow will be provided access and be engaged in meaningful collaboration through inclusion in all aspects of pre-production, production, and where possible, post-production and the Director’s Cut, creating an invaluable experience for the Director Fellow.
Program Summary
Who Can Apply
For mid-level to established Indigenous directors.
Description
This program is internally assessed and is designed to connect the Director Fellow with a Director Mentor and a Production. Applications will be reviewed as fellowship positions become available.
Key Dates
Opening Date
Closing Date
Accepting submissions on a rolling basis.
Submissions must be completed in the ISO portal: iso-bea.smapply.io. This fellowship is designed to connect the Director Fellow with a Director Mentor and with a Production that meets the ISO’s requirements regarding protocols and cultural competency. The ISO will contact candidates with fellowship opportunities once a production has been identified.
Note: There is no guarantee of placements and the amount of opportunities will depend on funding and available productions.
The spirit and intent of ISO funding is to support Indigenous creators by providing funding and access to opportunities that aim to advance individuals in their chosen field.
For the purposes of ISO programs, “Indigenous” is defined as status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada. All applicants must be residents of Canada.
Please consult the Building Trust and Accountability: Report on Eligibility in the Indigenous Screen Sector which informs the ISO in regards to Indigenous identity, relationality, and access to funding programs.
Eligible Individuals:
- Are a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person residing in Canada and who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada who has resided in Canada for at least eight months over the last one-year period;
- Have previously directed episodic television or have commensurate experience directing in formats including short films, web series or feature films.
- Do not need to be a DGC member
Director Fellow will receive a weekly fee for the duration of the placement. Any travel and accommodation required will be paid for by the ISO (to be determined prior to placement).
*Note the average length of placement is approximately 6 weeks; however, there is no minimum or maximum guaranteed length of placement. Notwithstanding personal emergencies or production related limitations, the Director Fellow will share the same hours as the Shooting Director Mentor on set, in prep, meetings, shoot days, etc. for the duration of their placement.
- Director reel or example of work;
- Applicant CV and bio
- Artist statement
- Letter of recommendation (optional)
- Details of previous observer placements (if applicable)
The ISO will review all submissions to ensure eligibility. Internal assessment will take place once a DGC production has been identified. Best efforts will be made to secure placements that build on participants’ experience and skillset. Beyond that, there will be opportunities to participate in virtual or live workshops hosted by the DGC to gain more knowledge, experience and to build community with peers from across the country.
Priority will be given to directors located in the same region as the identified production.
The ISO provides up to $500.00 CAD in additional funding to cover accessibility costs incurred during the stages of applying for a grant, completing a project, and writing your final report.
If you have barriers to access including but not limited to language, internet or physical barriers, please contact the ISO to discuss accommodations and support at funding@iso-bea.ca.
All applicants to ISO programs must confirm they have read the General Funding Guidelines prior to submitting a grant.
An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Strategic Initiatives Program Manager. The ISO program manager will reach out if any of this information is needed and applicants will be given a short period (maximum 10 business days) to submit anything outstanding.
*Ineligible or incomplete submissions can be withdrawn at any time in the process. Applicants will be notified by the ISO when the submission is withdrawn.
If at any time, an Applicant, as required by the Criteria or as requested by the ISO, provides false information or omits or misrepresents material information in connection with an application, including with respect to Indigenous identity, such provision of false information, omission or misrepresentation will be considered an event of default and the ISO may exercise the following contractual rights:
- termination of any contracts, including any remedies thereunder;
- denial of eligibility for existing and future funding;
- repayment of any funds already advanced; and
- civil and potential criminal prosecution, in the case of fraud.
These measures may be imposed not only on the Applicant but also on related, associated and affiliated companies and individuals that are parties to the application. Any Applicant receiving approval for funding will be required to sign a legally enforceable agreement, which includes provisions concerning misrepresentations, defaults, and related matters.
A survey (to be provided) will be required within three months following the completion of the fellowship. Applicants with overdue final reports will not be
eligible for Indigenous Screen Office funding until the survey is submitted.
- What does mid-career mean?
- Mid-career generally means several credits in one or several roles, and a substantial history of successfully creating projects, accepting funding, and collaborating with other creatives.