FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is pleased to release its 2024–25 Annual Report, highlighting key activities and accomplishments from the past year, alongside its new 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, which sets the direction for the next three years.
Annual Report
The 2024-25 Annual Report outlines the completion of ISO’s last strategic plan, and highlights key indicators including gender parity in funding; support for Indigenous languages and French productions, and support for Indigenous storytellers in rural communities and on-reserve. ISO implemented the first year of Canadian Heritage’s permanent funding of $13 million annually, a turning point in the organization’s ability to grow and sustain long-term impact. In April 2025, ISO was named administrator of the Indigenous Program of the Canada Media Fund, further cementing its leadership in the Canadian audiovisual sector.
The ISO also welcomed Melanie Nepinak Hadley as its new Vice-President of Industry, Partnerships and Growth, a key leadership appointment that will deepen and diversify the organization’s national and international relationships.
“The lSO has achieved critical growth milestones over the last year that will serve the Indigenous screen community at a challenging time of change for the broader screen industry,” said Kerry Swanson, CEO of the Indigenous Screen Office. “We’ve forged opportunities that enabled the sector to grow in every region of the country, and secured funding to fulfill our mission. From the record-breaking 11 CSA Awards won by Little Bird, to the premieres of seven Indigenous-led ISO-funded productions at TIFF, and our support of the hit series North of North, ISO has played a vital role in a ground-breaking year for Indigenous storytelling.”
In 2024–25, ISO supported 222 recipients across ten provinces and territories, disbursing $11.9 million through its funding programs and initiatives.
“We’re seeing a year-over-year increase in the number of applicants,” said Kristy Assu, Director of Funding Programs. “The strength and quality of these projects continue to demonstrate a clear need for robust, sustained funding to ensure we create opportunities for both established and emerging talent.”
As mandated by the CRTC through the Online Streaming Act, base contributions to the ISO from online streamers are also expected to be announced following the August 31st deadline. This new funding source marks a pivotal step toward ensuring that Indigenous storytelling becomes a permanent pillar of Canada’s broadcasting and screen industries.
“The new mandated contributions from streaming platforms are cause for celebration across an industry that’s only beginning its journey towards reconciliation,” added Swanson.
New Strategic Plan
The three year Strategic Plan outlines the next chapter for the Indigenous Screen Office in empowering Indigenous storytellers and fostering a vibrant Indigenous screen sector. The plan is grounded in four key strategic priorities. First, to amplify Indigenous innovation and ingenuity in storytelling. Second, to sustain and grow funding, strengthen organizational capacity, and expand programs that support Indigenous creators across the country. Third, to create opportunities that are rooted in diverse Indigenous worldviews and communities. And fourth, to harness allyship and partnerships that support success in both global and mainstream markets.
The ISO developed this Strategic Plan with the guidance of Daxgedim Haanak’ Consulting, who supported each step of the process to ensure the integration of insights from Indigenous creators, staff, board members, and partners. Over the past year, these contributions helped shape the plan’s priorities and objectives. For more information, please consult the ISO 2024–25 Annual Report and 3-Year Strategic Plan.
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For more information or to book an interview please contact:
Jean-François D. O’Bomsawin
Director of Communications and Francophone Initiatives
[email protected]
About the Indigenous Screen Office
The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) 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.