Telefilm Canada has selected six Indigenous films to support with a $3.3 million investment through the Indigenous funding streams for the Theatrical Documentary Program and the Production Program in both the English and French markets.

Three documentaries were selected for this round of funding, including B.C.’s Indígena (Arc-En-Ciel Films), from writer-director Siku Allooloo. The film will be shot in English, Indigenous (Hiwatahia (Taíno) and Spanish languages.

From Quebec comes the doc, Inuguinq (Terre Innue) an English- and Inuinnaqtun-language film from directing and screenwriting team Olivia Ikey and Kim O’Bomsawin.

Rounding out the documentaries is Ontario’s Land of No Pain (Kannon Films) from writer-director Émilie Martel, filmed in English and Spanish.

Three scripted projects were also awarded funding, including the drama Nika and Madison (Redlight Feature Productions), written by Eva Thomas and Michael McGowan, with Thomas directing. The script is in English and Ojibwa (Anishinaabemowin).

There is also the B.C. English-language drama Seventeen (Your Boy Productions, Experimental Forest Films) from writer-director Justin Ducharme.

And finally, the English and Cree-language Alberta comedy Smudge the Blades (Lightning Mill), from writer-director Cody Lightning and writer Samuel Miller.

Telefilm assessed 18 projects under the Indigenous stream this year, representing close to $12.6 million in funding requests, according to a news release.

An annual commitment of $4 million is earmarked for Indigenous creators, with the remainder amount for this year reserved for Indigenous projects submitted through the Talent to Watch Program and the Development Program.

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