How much funding can be received?

The Indigenous Program supports the growth of Indigenous audiovisual production, emphasizing the sovereignty and narrative rights of Indigenous producers in Canada. The program offers maximum funding of up to 60% of eligible project expenses, with maximum contributions of $750,000 for dramas and animations and $550,000 for documentaries and other genres.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides a combination of financial participation options to support eligible projects, with a focus on maintaining a balance of fund allocations between different project types and objectives.

The first investment from CMF in an eligible project is provided as a license fee top-up covering up to 40% of the project's eligible expenses.
Any additional funding exceeding the 40% limit is given as an equity investment.
The cumulative CMF contribution must not exceed 60% of the eligible expenses of a project, inclusive of license fee top-up and equity combined.
CMF deems any equity investment request under $100,000 as insufficient for capital investment, automatically converting such requests into a license fee top-up.
The maximum contribution amounts are $750,000 for dramas and animations, and $550,000 for documentaries, variety, performing arts, and children's and youth programming.

grant_single_labels|projects

The CMF — Indigenous Program supports projects that aim to enhance the production and development of audiovisual content by Indigenous producers. Eligible projects are crafted to uphold Indigenous sovereignty in storytelling and include various aspects of creative production.

Productions developed and controlled by Indigenous producers with a focus on creative, artistic, and administrative aspects.
Projects that emphasize the use of Indigenous languages in at least 20% of their dialogues or narration, if feasible, to promote cultural representation.
Series projects that, if in their second season or beyond, submit previous episodes for continuation under the program.
Content creation initiatives actively involving Inuit, Métis, or First Nations screenwriters or directors.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the ownership and control of the applicant company, as well as the cultural composition of its leadership.

The applicant must meet eligibility criteria outlined in section 3.1 of the main Guide to Directives (production).
At least 51% of the ownership rights of the applicant company and the project's copyright must be held by an Inuit, Métis, or First Nations producer(s).
If the applicant company is not 100% owned by Indigenous producers, no single Indigenous owner can own less than 15% of the company and project copyright.
The Indigenous owner must exercise full control over the creative, administrative, artistic, technical, and financial aspects of the eligible project.
The Indigenous owner must have actively participated in the development of the eligible project and retain a financial interest proportional to their ownership in the project.
The project must not be considered eligible if the decision-making power and final control over the company and project do not reside with an Indigenous owner.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants for the Indigenous Program must be audiovisual production companies that are majority-owned and controlled by Inuit, Métis, or First Nations producers. At least 51% of the applicant company's rights and the project's copyrights must be held by Indigenous producers. Additionally, control over creative, administrative, artistic, technical, and financial aspects of the project must be retained by an Indigenous owner.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant does not specifically list ineligible companies or industries. Without explicit restrictions outlined, any guess would be speculative.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers expenses directly associated with the involvement of Indigenous apprentices and certain other specified costs.

Attribution of one or more apprentice positions to members of Indigenous communities in Canada.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is specifically targeted towards companies established in the northern regions of Canada, as outlined in the eligibility criteria. This focus ensures the inclusion and support of indigenous communities within these geographic areas.

Nunavut
Nunavik
Yukon
Northwest Territories

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Market Interest: 15 points
Market Engagement: 5 points
Potential Audience: 10 points
Team: 24 points
Background and Experience of Production and Creative Teams: 18 points
Quality and Positioning of Applicant and Teams relative to the Project: 2 points
Parity: 2 points
Diversity: 2 points
Community and Sustainability: 4 points
Community Engagement Plan: 2 points
Sustainability Plan: 2 points
Creative Elements: 47 points
Originality and Creativity: 37 points
Innovation in Format and Production Value: 10 points
Program Objectives: 10 points
Proportion of Indigenous Language in Original Production: 5 points
Level of Creative, Financial, Ownership, and Distribution Control by Indigenous Peoples: 5 points

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Preliminary Registration
Create an account on the CMF's online application portal.
Register your organization with the required details, ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Prepare Application
Review the Indigenous Program guidelines thoroughly to understand project and applicant eligibility.
Prepare a detailed project proposal highlighting the narrative, creative team, market interest, and community engagement aspects.
Compile necessary supporting documents such as detailed budgets, financing plans, and letters of intent from broadcasters or distributors.
Ensure the involvement and compliance with control and ownership criteria by Indigenous creators.
Draft a narrative sovereignty and community engagement statement to accompany your application.
Step 3: Submit Application
Log into the CMF's online portal to fill out the application form.
Upload all required documents, ensuring each file meets the application's format and content guidelines.
Verify all information for accuracy and completeness prior to submission.
Submit the application before the closing date on May 2, 2024.
Step 4: Confirmation of Submission
Receive a confirmation email from CMF indicating your application has been successfully submitted.
Save the submission confirmation for future reference.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here is additional relevant information for this grant:

Applicants should ensure that the organizational narrative sovereignty and rights to self-narrate are central to their proposals.
For second or subsequent seasons of series, applicants must submit a rough cut or final version of at least one episode from the previous season.
A maximum of 25% of the program's funds will be allocated to internally produced projects or those affiliated with a broadcaster.
Canadian distributors may qualify as eligible broadcasters in a pilot project for applicants based in Canada's North, enhancing local engagement.
The maximum duration for all broadcast windows, including exclusive and non-exclusive periods, is six years.
The CMF may waive broadcast or accessibility requirements for pilot shows if mutually agreed by both the broadcaster and the applicant.

Apply to this program

Supporting Indigenous Creative Narratives

The Indigenous Program is dedicated to empowering Indigenous audiovisual productions in Canada by providing essential funding and resources. It facilitates growth and supports the unique storytelling sovereignty of Inuit, Métis, and First Nations filmmakers.

In-Depth Exploration of the Indigenous Program and Its Benefits

The Indigenous Program is a crucial initiative under the Canada Media Fund (CMF) designed to bolster Indigenous-owned production companies and their projects. This program acknowledges the paramount importance of narrative sovereignty, allowing Inuit, Métis, and First Nations producers to tell their stories with authenticity and cultural richness. By providing this specialized funding, CMF aims to support projects that embody Indigenous perspectives and narratives, thereby enriching the Canadian audiovisual landscape with diverse and often underrepresented voices.

Eligible projects are evaluated through a selection process that prioritizes originality, the engagement with Indigenous communities, and the use of Indigenous languages. To uphold the cultural integrity of the projects, the program mandates that a significant portion of the dialogue be in a language indigenous to Canada. This requirement not only fosters the preservation of Indigenous languages but also ensures that the stories resonate with indigenous cultural contexts and audiences.

Recipients of the Indigenous Program can receive financial support that covers up to 60% of their project's eligible expenditure, reinforcing the project’s economic viability and enabling producers to allocate higher quality resources towards their audiovisual works. The program offers a blend of funding mechanisms like broadcast license top-ups and equity investments, making it adaptable to the intricate financing needs of Indigenous productions. This flexibility allows producers to optimize their production scope while maintaining creative control and autonomy.

The funding from the Indigenous Program is not just financial; it also opens doors for Indigenous producers to access industry networks and technical assistance, providing them the tools necessary for sustainable production development. It encourages collaborations with broadcasters and distributors who appreciate the value of Indigenous narratives, thus offering a broader platform for showcasing their works to wider audiences both domestically and internationally.

Moreover, the program’s commitment to accessibility ensures that even producers with disabilities can effectively participate in the grant process, with resources and support tailored to meet their needs. This inclusion underscores CMF’s broader commitment to diversity and representation within Canada's media landscape.

This initiative is vital for nurturing a more inclusive media environment where Indigenous voices have the opportunity to thrive creatively and commercially. By fostering such environments, the CMF Indigenous Program is not only preserving cultural heritage but is also contributing to Canada's cultural diversity and societal cohesion through storytelling that resonates with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences across the nation.