Professional Development
Advance Your Career with the Institute
The imagineNATIVE Institute offers a number of opportunities aimed at Indigenous filmmakers, musicians, writers, and story editors including our four imagineNATIVE Originals programs.
imagineNATIVE supports and celebrates the diversity, artistry, and sovereignty of Indigenous artists from Indigenous Nations. As such, we identify the Nations/Tribes to which these artists come from and represent. We understand that in rare cases, an Indigenous person may not know their Nation or community due to the impacts of colonial or assimilationist practices. We welcome your submission and ask that you articulate your relationship to your Indigeneity. In the interest of maintaining the integrity of our mandate and mission to support Indigenous artists, imagineNATIVE reserves the right to follow up with applicants regarding eligibility.
Screenwriting Series Lab
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in Canada or the US.
The Indigenous Series Lab is a six-month, multi-phase professional development and training program designed to support Indigenous writers in creating compelling scripted series for television and digital platforms. Structured around a series of residencies, online mentorship periods, festival engagements, and industry showcases, the Lab aims to provide participants with the creative tools, writing discipline, and market exposure needed to advance their projects toward commissioning, production, and international circulation. The program is jointly developed and delivered by imagineNATIVE and the StoryBoard Collective, with valued involvement from the Indigenous Screen Office and support from the Canada Media Fund.
The top 16 applicants will undergo an interview process and will be notified if selected. Please note: Due to capacity, we are unable to provide feedback on applications.
Application Deadline: January 30, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
For any questions please email Bliss at bliss@imagineNATIVE.org.
Indigenous Film Criticism Fellowship
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous and aged 18+; open to applicants worldwide.
Curating Indigenous Circumpolar Cultural Sovereignty at York University, in partnership with the Banff Centre, imagineNATIVE, and the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund, invites applications for the inaugural Indigenous Film Criticism Fellowship. This new program supports emerging Indigenous writers who want to shape the future of criticism in Indigenous screen culture. It responds to the long-standing gap in writing about Indigenous film and recognizes that strong, informed criticism is essential to a thriving Indigenous screen industry.
Participants will strengthen their own critical voices in ways that are informed, respectful and grounded in community. The fellowship explores how to offer honest critique in spaces where relationships can make this work both complex and sensitive. Through hands-on workshops and mentorship with experienced Indigenous writers, programmers and curators, participants will learn how to analyze films that tell meaningful stories, including those created with limited production resources. The program includes access to both tailored and general industry sessions at one of the most established international Indigenous festivals, a dedicated writing retreat, and the opportunity to develop articles for possible publication on a curated Indigenous cinema profile on Letterboxd.
The fellowship also creates space for deep conversation and recognizes the diversity of Indigenous cinema and nations. Mainstream criticism often treats Indigenous films as a single category and this program works to challenge that tendency.
Schedule
The Fellowship takes place through a combination of online and in-person experiences.
Online workshops:
- Three virtual workshops on writing and contextualizing Indigenous cinema, the role of programming and the value of critique, and the ways films are curated and experienced within the community, taking place during the following dates and times:
- March 17, 2026 | Start time: 8:00 AM NZT / 8:00 PM CET / 3:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM MT
- March 24, 2026 | Start time: 8:00 AM NZT / 8:00 PM CET / 3:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM MT
- March 31, 2026 | Start time: 7:00 AM NZT | 8:00 PM CET / 2:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM MT
In-person experiences:
- In-person attendance at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival from June 2-7, 2026
- In-person writing retreat at the Banff Centre from June 8-16, 2026
All travel expenses are covered. Participants will receive a stipend of $1,500 CAD and a writing fee of $500 CAD per article for up to three articles selected for publication.
How to Apply
Submit the following materials:
- Your CV or resume
- A short paragraph about one of your favourite films and why it is meaningful to you
To submit your application or if you have any questions, please contact Amee Le at ameele@imagineNATIVE.org and Maisha Baddoo at maisha@imagineNATIVE.org.
Application Deadline: February 7, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
Screenwriting Shorts Lab
Applications for this opportunity are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in Canada or the US.
The imagineNATIVE Institute’s Screenwriting Shorts Lab is a professional development program for four Indigenous creatives (three Canadian-based artists and one US-based artist) who are interested in writing a short film script. The selected screenwriters will develop an original short script from treatment to final draft, working closely with Indigenous story editors and select imagineNATIVE staff throughout the process. Each participant will receive financial support throughout the Lab, with a stipend at the end of each milestone. The final stage of the intensive involves the creation of materials for a professional pitch deck. The program also provides participants with travel and accommodations to attend the next imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.
Screenwriting Features Lab
Applications for this opportunity are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous and aged 18+; open to applicants worldwide.
The imagineNATIVE Institute’s Screenwriting Features Lab is a one-year professional development program for Indigenous creatives interested in writing a feature film script. The Lab supports four artists (two Canadian-based artists and two international artists). Each participant will receive resources to develop an original feature film script from concept/treatment to final draft under the guidance of creative industry professionals. Screenwriters in the program will receive financial support through the intensive, with a stipend at the completion of key milestones. The Screenwriting Features Lab supports participants, pairing each with an experienced story editor, and includes remote sessions, feedback calls at every stage of writing, curated workshops, and conversations led by industry leaders. The final stage of the intensive involves the creation of materials for a professional pitch deck. The program also provides participants with travel and accommodations to attend the next imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.
Story Editor Mentorship
Applications for this opportunity are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in Canada.
The imagineNATIVE Institute’s Story Editor Mentorship program is designed to provide Indigenous creatives with the skills to edit and provide notes on both long and short form film scripts. Previously presented in partnership with The Harold Greenberg Fund (which closed in 2021), this program has since been reimagined to support two Indigenous creatives in their journey to becoming professional story editors. The selected participants will work closely with an established story editor and will work alongside the cohorts of the Screenwriting Features Lab and the Screenwriting Shorts Lab to gain hands-on experience expanding story and character development.
imagineNATIVE Originals Short Film Commission
Applications for the imagineNATIVE Originals mentorships are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver (Canada).
The imagineNATIVE Originals programs offer four separate opportunities for self-driven Indigenous filmmakers from emerging to mid-level career backgrounds to each create an original short film, commissioned by imagineNATIVE, to premiere at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. These opportunities are presented in partnership with the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), Charles Street Video (CSV) also based in Toronto, the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF), and Capilano University based in Vancouver. Filmmakers are selected based on their film treatments, preliminary budgets, production timeline, and overall application. Filmmakers receive access to free workshops offered by their mentorship’s respective artist-run centre. The short films created will premiere at the next imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival as part of the imagineNATIVE Originals program, which has often played to sold-out audiences. Participants in the imagineNATIVE Originals mentorships are supported with travel and accommodations to attend their screening at the Festival and participate in a short Q&A following the screening.
Applications for this opportunity are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area.
This opportunity is for Indigenous filmmakers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with an original idea for a short film.
imagineNATIVE annually partners with Charles Street Video (CSV) to give a selected participant a minimum of $10,000 and $5,000 of in-kind services to create a short film to premiere at the following imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto.
This opportunity is geared towards an Indigenous creator (emerging or established) who is a deadline-driven self-starter looking to expand their filmmaking experience and familiarity with Charles Street Video (CSV). The selected participant will receive $5,000 of in-kind equipment and hands-on training offered by CSV; using the latest equipment and editing software they can create a 5 to 10 minute short film!
Candidates must commit to attending the CSV training workshops and must live in Toronto or within commuting distance from the city in order to access CSV workshops and equipment; travel subsidy and cost of living are not covered by this mentorship.
Additional Application Materials:
- ½ to 1-page film treatment
- A production schedule to meet the required final deliverables deadlines
- A budget that shows your film can be completed within the scope of the mentorship and delivered to imagineNATIVE on time to be included in the annual imagineNATIVE Originals programming at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Applications for this opportunity are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area.
This opportunity is for Indigenous filmmakers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) with an original idea for a 16mm short film.
Celebrating 20 years of supporting independent Indigenous film, the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is once again partnering with imagineNATIVE to give the selected participant a minimum of $10,000 and in-kind services to create a short film to premiere at the following imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto.
This opportunity is geared towards an Indigenous creator (emerging or established) who is a deadline-driven self-starter looking to expand their filmmaking experience and familiarity with 16mm filmmaking with LIFT. The selected participant will receive a LIFT membership, $750 in-kind worth of LIFT training workshops, and a mentor. Candidates must commit to attending the LIFT training workshops that they register for.
Expand your filmmaking experience and shoot and edit your 5 to 10 minute short film with the guidance of LIFT and imagineNATIVE!
The successful applicant will be provided with:
- A LIFT Production Membership
- Eligibility to enrol in up to $750 worth of LIFT training workshops
- Mentorship from LIFT staff and mentors, pending their availability
- Support, mentorship, and the use of 16mm production equipment from LIFT
Please note: Projects must be realistic in scope and subject matter as they must be completed and transferred as a digital file with closed captioning to imagineNATIVE by the deadline for our theatre venue. Print-quality film stills and a final synopsis will be required on time for publication in the imagineNATIVE catalogue and online.
Candidates must commit to attending the LIFT training workshops and must live in Toronto or within commuting distance from the city in order to access LIFT workshops and equipment; travel subsidy and cost of living are not covered by this mentorship.
Additional Application Materials:
- ½ to 1-page film treatment
- A production schedule to meet the required final deliverables deadlines
- A budget that shows your film can be completed within the scope of the mentorship and delivered to imagineNATIVE on time to be included in the annual imagineNATIVE Originals programming at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Applications for this opportunity are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in or near Vancouver.
This opportunity is for Indigenous filmmakers in Vancouver with an original idea for a short film.
imagineNATIVE annually partners with Capilano University to give the selected participant a minimum of $10,000 and in-kind services to create a short film to premiere at the following imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto.
This opportunity is geared towards an Indigenous creator (emerging or established) who is a deadline-driven self-starter looking to expand their filmmaking experience and familiarity in the industry with Capilano University. The selected participants will receive mentorship from an Indigenous producer and support from Capilano University staff and the imagineNATIVE Institute to create a 5 to 10 minute short film and grow their filmmaking experience.
Please note: Projects must be realistic in scope and subject matter as they must be completed and transferred as a digital file with closed captioning to imagineNATIVE for our theatre venue on time. Print-quality film stills and a final synopsis will be required for publication in the imagineNATIVE catalogue and online.
Candidates must live in the Vancouver area or within commuting distance from the city in order to access Capilano facilities and equipment; travel subsidy and cost of living are not covered by this mentorship.
Additional Application Materials:
- ½ to 1-page film treatment
- A production schedule to meet the required final deliverables deadlines
- A budget that shows your film can be completed within the scope of the mentorship and delivered to imagineNATIVE on time to be included in the annual imagineNATIVE Originals programming at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Applications for this opportunity are currently closed.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Indigenous, aged 18+, and based in or near Calgary.
This opportunity is for Indigenous filmmakers in Calgary with an original idea for a short film.
imagineNATIVE is partnering up with the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF) to give the selected participant a minimum of $10,000 and in-kind services to create a short film to premiere at the following imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto.
This opportunity is geared towards an Indigenous creator (emerging or established) who is a deadline-driven self-starter looking to expand their filmmaking experience and familiarity within the industry with CSIF. The selected participant will receive $5,000 worth of in-kind services in equipment, workshops, and hands-on experience from the CSIF staff. Use the latest equipment and editing software to create a 5 to 10 minute short film!
Please note: Projects must be realistic in scope and subject matter as they must be completed and transferred as a digital file with closed captioning to imagineNATIVE for our theatre venue on time. Print-quality film stills and a final synopsis will be required for publication in the imagineNATIVE catalogue and online.
Candidates must live in the Calgary area or within commuting distance from the city in order to access CSIF facilities and equipment; travel subsidy and cost of living are not covered by this mentorship.
Additional Application Materials:
- ½ to 1-page film treatment
- A production schedule to meet the required final deliverables deadlines
- A budget that shows your film can be completed within the scope of the mentorship and delivered to imagineNATIVE on time to be included in the annual imagineNATIVE Originals programming at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Calling Industry Leaders
Are you an industry professional interested in meeting with Indigenous creatives? Applications to be a Micro Meetings leader are now open!
The 2025 Micro Meetings event is held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (ET) during the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival’s Industry Days (June 4-7, 2025) in Toronto. Micro Meetings will take place in-person on June 4, 2025 at the TIFF Lightbox, Learning Studios A + B with a virtual option on June 10, 2025 during the online Festival for those who are unable to attend in-person.
This full-day event is the world’s only market event of its kind dedicated to Indigenous screen and digital content. This exciting event provides Indigenous creatives valuable face-to-face time with industry decision-makers in various sectors of the screen industry.
Leaders are industry professionals who wish to accept meetings with Indigenous creatives. We are looking for:
- Festival programmers
- Curators
- Buyers
- Funders
- Sales agents
- Distributors
- Professionals working in acquisitions and distribution
- Professionals working in production and development
- Agents and professionals working in representation
We are seeking those roles and more — all are encouraged to apply.
Register for our Micro Meetings international networking event to begin building meaningful relationships through one-on-one meetings with innovative Indigenous creatives in the screen industry!
Indigenous creatives, stay tuned! Calls for Micro Meetings participants (who can book meetings with the industry leaders) will open soon.
Please note all meeting times are scheduled and listed in Eastern Time (ET).