Closed
Source verified September 5, 2026
Production program
Indigenous screen production support
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Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Overview
The Production program supports Indigenous screen-based creators producing TV and web series, short films, and feature-length films, with funding up to $500,000 for Indigenous-owned production companies. Eligible costs include production expenses, hiring key creatives and crew, and accessibility, translation, and community engagement support.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Production of TV and web series.
- Production of short films and feature-length films.
Documents Needed
- Eligibility Form, Applicant Information Form, and Project Information Form.
- Project Proposal, Production Schedule, Training Plan if applicable, and Budget and Financial Structure.
- Letters of Support, Key Creative agreements if applicable, and Creative Materials.
- Script or Shooting Script, Bios and CVs, and Chain of Title and IP Agreement.
- Community Engagement Plan if applicable, Sustainability Questionnaire for BC applicants only, Required Data, and ISO Declaration.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Indigenous individuals and sole proprietors.
- Indigenous-owned production companies.
- First Nation, Inuit or Métis collectives and community groups.
- First Nation, Inuit or Métis Band Office or Registered community or Settlement.
Who is not eligible
- Applicants who are owners of a company not in good standing with ISO may not apply as owners of a separate company.
- Applicants with official complaints made against them to ISO or its funding partners, or who are not in good standing with other Canadian funding organizations.
- Immediate family members of Board Directors or Board President/Chair, and employees of program partners for the related funding program.
- Applicants currently reconnecting to their Indigenous community and proposing a project about reconnecting.
- Applicant companies with a history of withholding payment from cast and crew associated with any production.
Eligible expenses
- Production-phase costs for screen-based content, including equipment rentals, studio rentals, production office, and on-set costs and fees.
- Hiring of key creatives, cast, crew, technical expertise, publicists, cultural advisors or knowledge carriers, community liaisons, or specialized talent.
- Accessibility costs during production and post-production, translation and language support, and community engagement fees or honorariums for consultants, advisors, facilitators, mentors, or knowledge keepers.
- Trainee and mentorship positions during production, production of promotional materials such as trailers, some equipment purchases, and sustainability costs during production.
- Costs related to a previously produced pilot where a series is produced from that pilot.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Retakes or pick-ups.
- Development or production costs that have already been incurred or paid.
- Cash prizes and awards.
- Activities carried out to satisfy post-secondary course requirements of an educational institution, activities proposed by someone under the age of majority, activities illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada, and activities carried out by organizations that have not paid fees or royalties to artists according to sector standards.
- Talk shows, live sports events, game shows that include a monetary prize, reality television, music videos, advertising, and activities and phases of a project that have been previously funded by ISO.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- Relationality, Context and Accountability (/25): cultural authority and accountability, lived or community connections, Indigenous ways of knowing, and articulated protocols and engagement plans.
- Storytelling and Creative Approach (/25): compelling narrative, creativity, coherence, ethical consideration, respect, and intentionality.
- Creative Vision and Innovation (/10): new forms or perspectives, distinctiveness, and timeliness.
- Feasibility and Execution (/25): experience, skills, leadership, budget alignment, realistic timeline, and project readiness.
- Impact, Reach and Contribution (/15): contribution to Indigenous cultural life, career trajectory, audience reach, industry or international relevance, and job creation.
How to apply
- Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy.
- Read the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide.
- Read the Production program guidelines on this page.
- Complete the Production Program application checklist.
- Complete the application in the ISO Apply Portal.
Processing and Agreement
- An initial review for eligibility and missing documentation is conducted by the ISO Program Coordinator and Program Manager.
- If additional information is needed, ISO staff will contact the applicant and the applicant will have up to 10 days to submit outstanding documents.
- The program is assessed through a peer review process made up of Indigenous individuals representing different nations, industry practices, and regions of Canada, and ISO makes final funding decisions based on peer assessment recommendations.
- Successful applicants receive a contribution agreement to review, sign, and return, and an electronic funds authorization form must be completed; payment is processed within one month after all necessary documentation is submitted.
- A final report is required within three months of project completion and must be approved by ISO.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Production program Program
What is the Production program?
The Production program supports Indigenous screen-based creators producing TV and web series, short films, and feature-length films, with funding up to $500,000 for Indigenous-owned production companies. Eligible costs include production expenses, hiring key creatives and crew, and accessibility, translation, and community engagement support.
How much funding can be received?
Production program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Production program program?
To be eligible for the Production program program, you must:
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada and in good standing with ISO.
The project must be under Indigenous financial and creative control.
Applicants must meet the program’s copyright ownership rules.
What expenses are eligible under Production program?
Production of TV and web series.
Production of short films and feature-length films.
Who can I contact for more information about the Production program?
You can contact Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) by email at funding@iso-bea.ca or by phone at (705) 933-4538.
Where is the Production program available?
The Production program program is available across Canada.
Is the Production program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Production program is a Grant and Funding