Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)

The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) was announced in 2017 after many years of advocacy by Indigenous filmmakers and industry professionals calling for an organization dedicated to elevating Indigenous stories on screen. Its creation stemmed from a unique collaboration among major Canadian audiovisual institutions united in their commitment to supporting the voices and visions of Indigenous peoples in the industry. As an independent Indigenous-led body, the ISO’s mission is to promote and support the narrative sovereignty of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples by increasing their representation and participation at every stage of screen content production. It operates both as a funding agency and as an advocate, providing direct support to projects while championing the presence of Indigenous creators within the screen sector.

In just a few years, the ISO has grown into a key institution offering a full range of funding programs for all stages of content creation, from early development to post-production, promotion, and distribution. Its initiatives are organized into two main streams: supporting content creation and fostering sector development through training, mentorship, community initiatives, and strategic partnerships. The ISO funds work in a variety of formats – film, television, digital media, podcasts, interactive projects – and ensures that its support reaches the full diversity of the Indigenous creative landscape, including emerging voices, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, and Indigenous-language communities.

As a third-party administrator of public funding programs for Indigenous content, the ISO manages significant annual budgets, further solidifying its central role in developing initiatives tailored to the needs of Indigenous creators and production companies. This strategic position enables it to design and implement policies and processes that strengthen the vitality and diversity of Indigenous storytelling. Through its work, the ISO is helping build a more inclusive media industry and amplify Indigenous stories – told by Indigenous voices – to audiences in Canada and around the world.