Sundance Native Lab 2025
Last Update: August 12, 2025
Canada
Year-long fellowship supporting emerging Indigenous Canadian filmmakers
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $10,000
Timeline
- Open Date : December 3, 2024
- Closing date : December 23, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Funds Providers
Program status
Closed
Overview
The Sundance Native Lab 2025 offers a $10,000 USD fellowship to one Canada-based Indigenous storyteller for a year-long mentorship program, supporting the development of narrative feature or episodic pilot scripts. The program provides hands-on training, including an in-person lab and monthly virtual check-ins, to advance storytelling and technical skills for emerging filmmakers and creators.
Financing terms and conditions
- A financial contribution of $10,000 USD is provided to the selected fellow as part of the lab.
- All travel, accommodation, and food costs for the in-person portion of the lab are fully covered by the program.
- Accessibility support of up to $500 CAD is available on a case-by-case basis to cover eligible accessibility expenses during the application stage.
Activities funded
- Participation in a year-long fellowship for Indigenous filmmakers or episodic creators to develop narrative feature or episodic pilot projects.
- Engagement in an in-person storytelling and technical skills lab, followed by monthly virtual check-ins.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 9,950
Developing a Métis sci-fi episodic script with cultural accuracy
$ 10,000
Creating a Cree-language short film script for streaming platforms
$ 9,800
Creating a Mohawk youth drama pilot and networking at lab
$ 10,000
Building a Dene virtual reality story pilot with accessibility supports
$ 9,800
Developing an Inuit comedy-drama pilot script with mentorship
$ 9,700
Writing a Mi’kmaq fantasy feature with mentorship and training
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an Indigenous individual (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) residing in Canada and be a citizen or permanent resident.
- The applicant must work in screen-based content, such as TV, film, web, gaming, apps, or XR (VR, AR).
- The applicant or company must have 100% financial and creative control of the project.
- The project must be owned or optioned by the applicant with valid documentation of copyright or authorship.
- The company or individual must not be in a state of bankruptcy under Canadian law and must be in good standing with the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO).
Who is eligible?
- Companies and individuals working in audiovisual content, including television, cinema, the web, video games, mobile applications, and immersive technologies (VR, AR).
Who is not eligible
- Companies or organizations not controlled by Indigenous people (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) residing in Canada.
- Entities that have received funding from other ISO programs for the same project activities or initiatives.
- Businesses or applicants currently in a state of bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).
Eligible expenses
- Travel costs for participation in the in-person lab.
- Accommodation expenses during the in-person lab.
- Food expenses during the in-person lab.
- Accessibility expenses during the application stages (such as support for application writing, video or audio recording, equipment rentals, professional fees, language interpretation/translation fees, and final report submission support, up to $500 CAD).
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada (applicants must be residents of Canada)
How to apply
1
Review guidelines and eligibility
- Read the ISO General Funding Guidelines Policy
- Review the ISO Determining Indigenous Identity Guide
2
Prepare required documents
- Prepare required documentation including eligibility form, applicant information form, and project information form
- Compile narrative feature or episodic pilot script, bio and CV, and optional headshot
- Obtain chain of title, current IP agreement, or statement of authorship
- Gather any voluntary personal data and sign the ISO Declaration
3
Submit application through portal
- Complete your application in the ISO Apply Portal
- Upload all required forms and supporting documents
4
Eligibility review and follow-up
- Wait for the eligibility review by the ISO Program Coordinator and Program Manager
- Respond promptly if requested for additional information or missing documentation
5
Receive funding decision
- Receive notification of funding decision 2-3 months after application deadline
- Follow instructions provided if funding is approved
Additional information
- Applicants may request an extension for the application deadline by submitting their request at least 10 business days in advance.
- A monetary support of up to $500 CAD is available on a case-by-case basis to address accessibility expenses during the application process.
- Recipients are required to provide recognition of ISO support using textual references and the animated bilingual ISO logo in the credit sequence or other appropriate placement.
- Providing false or misleading information, particularly regarding Indigenous identity, may result in contract termination, denial of eligibility, repayment of funds, and possible civil or criminal prosecution.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Sundance Native Lab 2025 Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Sundance Native Lab 2025. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Sundance Native Lab 2025?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Sundance Native Lab 2025?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Sundance Native Lab 2025 a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Sundance Native Lab 2025?
Who is eligible for the Sundance Native Lab 2025 program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Sundance Native Lab 2025?
Where is the Sundance Native Lab 2025 available?
Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Sundance Native Lab 2025 program?
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