Toronto (Tkaronto), June 15, 2026 – The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is pleased to launch its first-ever professional development program dedicated to Indigenous screenwriters, in partnership with Paramount. The ISO x Paramount Rewrite Lab is an advanced script development initiative designed to support four Indigenous writers who have completed the development phase of a project and are ready to undertake an intensive rewrite process.
“The ISO is proud to partner with Paramount on this important initiative for Indigenous screenwriters,” said Melanie Hadley, Vice-President, Industry Partnerships and Growth at the Indigenous Screen Office. “The Rewrite Lab will provide participants with the time, mentorship, and strategic support needed to strengthen their stories, sharpen their craft, and advance projects toward production. By investing in writers at this pivotal stage, we are helping to build a stronger ecosystem of Indigenous-led content for audiences in Canada and around the world.”
“We’re honoured to partner with the Indigenous Screen Office on this initiative and to continue supporting Indigenous creators and storytellers across Canada,” said Katrina Kowalski, SVP, Content, Paramount Canada. “Our hope is that the ISO x Paramount Rewrite Lab will provide writers with meaningful opportunities to strengthen their projects and further develop their stories that reflect the richness and diversity of Indigenous perspectives.”
The program will support participants with completed scripts or strong project outlines through a structured curriculum that includes story editing, mentorship, peer learning, and guidance from experienced industry advisors. The Rewrite Lab is intended to strengthen projects at a critical stage between development and production, helping writers refine their stories and prepare them for the global marketplace.
The ISO x Paramount Rewrite Lab aims to strengthen Indigenous-led screen stories through advanced script development, foster a collaborative cohort experience that encourages creative growth and resilience, provide access to high-level industry expertise and mentorship, and increase project readiness for production and financing opportunities.
Applications for the ISO x Paramount Rewrite Lab will open in July 2026. The program will run from December 2026 through March 20, 2027.
Additional information, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, will be available on the Indigenous Screen Office website on July 14, 2026.
-30-
For more information:
Indigenous Screen Office
Jean-François D. O’Bomsawin
Director of Communications & Francophone Initiatives, ISO
[email protected]
Paramount Streaming (Canada)
Laura Heath Potter
Senior Director of Communications and Publicity
[email protected]
About the Indigenous Screen Office
The Indigenous Screen Office is an independent national advocacy and funding organization supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis creators of screen-based content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster narrative sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and increased Indigenous control and participation in the screen sector. Its work aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and contributes to the advancement of Indigenous languages, storytelling, and creative expression on all platforms.
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‑generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, SHOWTIME®, Paramount+, Pluto TV, Skydance Animation, Film, Television, and Interactive/Games, and the newly established Paramount Sports Entertainment. For more information, please visitwww.paramount.com.