The Banff World Media Festival (BANFF), in partnership with the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and the Canada Media Fund (CMF), has named the 15 participants for the 2023 Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum.

Now in its second year, the pitch forum provides First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators and producers the opportunity to present their original projects to a panel of “leading media industry buyers and delegates.”

The event kicks off the Indigenous Screen Summit on June 11, which runs in tandem with BANFF, and is presented by CMF. This year’s pitch forum has been expanded to include unscripted and documentary projects.

Of the 15 participants, five will present scripted drama projects, including Toronto-based Anishinaabe filmmaker Victoria Anderson-Gardner; Cree filmmaker Tasha Hubbard of the Peepeekisis First Nation; Jessica Matten, who is of Red River Métis-Cree descent; Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers of the Kainai First Nation; and Neegan Trudel of the Huron-Wendat nation.

The five scripted comedy participants are Ojibwe and Anishinaabe filmmaker Sage Daniels of the Long Plains First Nation; Mary Galloway of Cowichan and mixed settler descent; Judy Iseke of the Métis Nation of Alberta; Inuit filmmaker Megan McNeill; and Mohawk/Tuscarora filmmaker Janet “January” Marie Rogers of the Six Nations of the Grand River.

Finally, the five unscripted and documentary participants are Saxon de Cocq of the Métis Nation of Alberta; Cowichan filmmaker Harold Joe; Iqaluit-based Inuit creator Nadia Mike; Kahstoserakwathe Paulette Moore for the Six Nations of the Grand River; and Cree Métis filmmaker Tanner Zurkoski.

Advisory board members for the Indigenous Screen Summit Pitch Forum are Elder Vincent Yellow Old Woman (pictured), Eagle Vision founder and executive producer Lisa Meeches, APTN’s director of TV content and special events Adam Garnet Jones, ISO’s director, funding programs Kristy Assu, and CMF’s VP, growth and inclusion Marcia Douglas.

BANFF runs from June 11 to 14.