Toronto (Tkaronto), January 15, 2025 – The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is proud to announce the selection of four Indigenous producers to attend Prime Time 2025. Prime Time, organized by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), is an annual conference where global leaders and Canadian decision-makers in the audiovisual sector and media policy gather in Ottawa for three days of workshops, networking opportunities, and one-on-one meetings.
ISO is partnering with the CMPA to support this delegation at the 30th edition of Prime Time.
“ISO is pleased to support the participation of a delegation of producers at Prime Time 2025,” said Kerry Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of ISO. “This partnership with CMPA represents an invaluable opportunity for Indigenous storytellers to forge new collaborations and explore global markets.”
The four ISO delegates attending Prime Time are Alexander Lasheras (Soler Pictures Inc.), Heather Hatch (Heather Hatch Productions Inc.), Steve Sxwithul’txw (Kwassen Productions Inc.), and Wendell Collier (Up On Bust Productions Inc.). The delegation will be led by Kerry Sugiyama, ISO’s Senior Manager of International Market Development.
“The energy and enthusiasm we see each year from participants in the Prime Time official delegation program is energizing, and spreads throughout the entire conference,” said Andrew Addison, Senior Vice-President, Strategic Communications & Member Services, CMPA. “We’re thrilled to again welcome a delegation from the Indigenous Screen Office, and excited about the passion and creativity this impressive cohort of Indigenous creators will bring to the 30th edition of Prime Time.”
ISO’s delegation will attend networking events and workshops, including an one-hour virtual training session by the CMPA to obtain details and insight into the conference, a private ‘delegation only’ pitching workshop and a private “Coffee With…” session, an opportunity to sit down as a group with an executive for an informal Q&A during the conference.
At this year’s Prime Time conference, ISO is also co-sponsoring a main stage event and a reception to celebrate APTN and Eagle Vision’s 25th Anniversary. The 30th edition of Prime Time is from January 29 to 31, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario.
Delegate Bios
Alexander Lasheras – Soler Pictures Inc.
Alexander Lasheras, Red River Métis, is a filmmaker dedicated to crafting bold, genre-blending stories that push the boundaries of Indigenous storytelling. His award-winning work, which includes psychological horror and sci-fi thrillers among other genres, has been showcased at numerous festivals and earned support from leading organizations such as APTN, CBC, CMF, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the National Film Board. Alexander looks forward to attending Prime Time in Ottawa, where he will have the opportunity to build connections, explore potential collaborations, and contribute to Canada’s dynamic media industry.
Heather Hatch – Heather Hatch Productions Inc.
Heather Hatch is an award-winning and seasoned First Nations writer, director and producer, having worked in diverse styles including long-form documentary, docu-series, children’s television, and narrative script. Her work has been featured on CBC, CBC Kids, ATPN, Cottage Life, and TVO. Capturing people’s stories, with warmth and sincerity along with a keen eye for meaningful visuals, Heather creates layered stories that incorporate parts of the artist, the land, legends and beyond.
Steve Sxwithul’txw – Kwassen Productions Inc.
Steve Sxwithul’txw is an award winning Producer from the Penelakut Tribe located just off Vancouver Island, Canada. He was raised in the Cowichan Valley by his mother along with his five siblings. Steve is currently senior producer of Kwassen Productions / OCM Productions Inc.
Sxwithul’txw is in post on his 2nd season of his TV series debuting on APTN and CHEK called “Ocean Warriors ~ Mission Ready” which focuses on a team of volunteer First Nations mariners who react to calls for boaters in distress along BC’s vast coastline.
Steve has produced and directed a previous series called “Tribal Police Files” in 2020 for 3 seasons which follows police officers working on reserve which is seen on APTN. Steve has completed several short films including “Shaping Our Future” which is in post which highlights inmates carving a 40 ft totem pole out of a Victoria jail, another short film called “Finding the Balance” about four First Nations who are working to protect their territorial waters off southern Vancouver Island. In 2018, Steve directed his first short film called “Leave it on the Water” which highlights Indigenous youth working to train and fundraise to get the world’s largest outrigger canoe race in Hawaii. In 2014, Steve created the documentary series “Warrior Games” which was seen on APTN and CHEK on Vancouver Island. Steve hosted this multi–Leo Award winning series which highlights Indigenous sports across North America where he is taught by Indigenous youth and guided by the elders.
Wendell Collier – Up On Bust Productions Inc.
Wendell G. Collier, is an award nominated Producer and Director with more than 15 years experience in broadcast television and digital media landscape. In television, Wendell has been a Key Creative and/or Series Director on primetime documentary shows for Discovery Canada, History Channel, CBC, CBC Gem, Food Network, and HGTV among others.
A member of Miawpukek First Nation (NL), Wendell G. Collier is passionate about storytelling and highlighting Canadian issues that affect Indigenous Peoples. His recently completed documentary series Mi’kma’ki is now playing on CBC’s GEM platform and paints a picture of the modern Indigenous Experience in Newfoundland and Labrador. Mi’kma’ki was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Documentary Series. Wendell also served as an Executive Producer and Series Director for the initial season for the new documentary series “East Harbour Heroes” for Discovery Canada, in partnership with Attraction Media.
An industry veteran, as a Documentary Series Director/DOP, Commercial Producer & Commercial Director/DOP and Producer, for over 15 years Wendell brings a wealth of knowledge and creative solutions to any project.
Currently, Wendell is working on multiple projects both inside the documentary and dramatic genres and continuing to act as a mentor for emerging Indigenous screen creatives.
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For more information or to book an interview:
Jean-François D. O’Bomsawin
Director of Communications and Francophone Initiatives, ISO
jfobomsawin@iso-bea.ca
About Indigenous Screen Office
The Indigenous Screen Office is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector.
About the CMPA
The Canadian Media Producers Association is the national advocacy organization for independent producers, representing hundreds of companies engaged in the development, production, and distribution of English-language content made for television, cinema, and digital media channels. For more than 75 years, the CMPA has worked to promote the continued success of the Canadian production sector and to ensure a bright future for the diverse content made by our members for both domestic and international audiences.
About Prime Time
For 30 years, the CMPA’s Prime Time conference has been the pre-eminent meeting place for leaders in media production, broadcasting, television, and feature film in Canada.