ISO launches over $1.1 million in development funding for Indigenous and racialized screen creators
Press Release
TORONTO — The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is pleased to announce its latest round of funding, which will be delivered through two distinct programs serving both Indigenous creators and providing solidarity support for creators who are Black andPeople of Colour.
The Indigenous Development Grants Program will provide funding for project and professional development for both Indigenous individuals and majority Indigenous-owned companies.
The Solidarity Fund will provide development grants for racialized screen creators, including both individuals and companies, with a priority on reaching Black creators. This program has been developed in partnership with the Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC) and BIPOC TV & Film.
Funding for the programs comes from the Canada Media Fund’s allocation of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport and the Producer Pledge Fund, which was created to support BIPOC creators during COVID and is the first initiative started by supporters and members of the Independent Media Producers Association of Creative Talent (IMPACT).
An additional contribution to the Solidarity Fund has been made by the Inspirit Foundation.
“ISO is committed to ensuring that Indigenous creators can continue to work in the screen sector during this difficult time,” said Jesse Wente, Executive Director. “We also want to demonstrate our solidarity to racialized creators at this time by using the resources we have built to create a meaningful and collaborative initiative.”
“The Solidarity Fund is an example of why Indigenous leadership is vital to the future of the media sector,” said Amar Wala, on behalf of REMC. “The fact that the ISO is using its own resources to open doors for other racialized communities is incredible. This fund signals a new era of BIPOC communities coming together to move the industry towards equity. REMC looks forward to this and many future collaborations with the ISO.”
“A beautiful collaboration is unfolding between ISO, REMC and BIPOC TV & Film,” said Nathalie Younglai on behalf of BIPOC TV & Film. “We are proud to be partners on the Solidarity Fund and are grateful to all of the organizations and producers who have contributed. These funds will encourage BIPOC producers and creators to persevere in a system that needs to start investing in BIPOC voices in a more meaningful way.”
The ISO and its partners would like to thank the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Inspirit Foundation and IMPACT for the funding contributions that have made these programs possible.
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