Native Filmmakers Lab in partnership with Sundance Institute - ISO-BEA

Maximum Funding Amounts

  • $10,000 USD grant

Program Overview

The Indigenous Screen Office and the Sundance Institute are excited to once again invite Indigenous storytellers to apply to be part of the 2024 Sundance Institute’s Native Lab

The Native Lab provides direct support to emerging filmmakers and episodic creators from the U.S.-based Native American, Native Hawaiian, Alaskan Native, and Canada-based Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) communities.

Program Summary

Who Can Apply

Filmmakers and episodic creators

Description

The lab focuses on the specific development of storytellers from Native and Indigenous backgrounds, encompassing feature film and episodic work.

Project Type

Fellowship

Project Stage

Development

Key Dates

Opening Date

Closing Date

Program Summary

This opportunity is available to one (1) Indigenous storyteller based in Canada. 

This is a year-long fellowship starting with a two-week lab, during which Fellows will hone their storytelling and technical skills in a hands-on and supportive environment, including one-on-one feedback sessions with advisors and roundtables. After this there will be check-ins via Zoom once a month.

The two week lab will take place in early May (date TBC). The first week will be virtual and the second week will take place in person in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Travel, accommodation and food costs will be paid for.

The fellow will also receive a $10,000 USD grant as part of the lab.

Submission Process and Notification

An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO Program Manager. Final decisions will be made by the Indigenous Program staff at the Sundance Institute.

Application Requirements

You are required to submit a narrative feature or episodic pilot script.

Program Closure

If applicants wish to access their application, they must contact funding@iso-bea.ca within 10 business days of the program’s closure. The ISO will provide a downloaded copy if requested. Otherwise, all in-progress applications will be deleted 10 business days after the program has been officially closed.

Accessibility Funding

The ISO provides up to $500.00 CAD in additional funding to cover accessibility costs incurred during the stages of applying for funding, completing a project, and writing your final report. Requests for support are encouraged at least two weeks prior to the application due date.

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.

Support may include telephone or video application submission, language interpretation, or support worker assistance. Equipment purchases are not eligible for accessibility support.

General Criteria

All applicants to ISO programs must confirm they have read the General Funding Guidelines prior to submitting an application.

Eligibility Review

An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation will be conducted by the ISO 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 days) to submit anything outstanding.

Ineligible or incomplete applications can be withdrawn at any time in the process. Applicants will be notified by the ISO when the application is withdrawn.

Misrepresentation

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.

Final Reporting

A final report 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 report is submitted and approved.

Final report will be provided.

Recognition of Contribution

Recipients must acknowledge ISO support with textual reference and/or logo in the credit sequence, or appropriate placement in the completed work (where applicable). ISO logos are available for download on the ISO website.

When sharing information about your participation in the proposed activity. Please also tag the ISO on any social media posts related to this funding:

  • Instagram – indigenousscreen
  • Twitter – screen_office
  • Facebook – ISO.BEA

Questions are encouraged at least two weeks prior to submission or the application closing date and may be directed at any time to funding@iso-bea.ca.

Maximum Funding Amounts

  • $10,000 USD grant

How to Apply

Please read and complete the following steps prior to submitting your application.

  1. Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy

  2. Read the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide

  3. You are ready to complete the application in the ISO Apply Portal

Deadline Reminder

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

If you have any accommodation needs or barriers to access including but not limited to:

  • disability need
  • language or translation needs
  • low bandwidth
  • limited internet access
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Recognition of Contribution