The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) has announced $6.3 million in funding to Indigenous-led productions through the ISO’s Story Fund Program.

Nine feature films, five short films and 14 television series received support through the Production stream of the ISO’s Story Fund Program. In addition, $750,000 – through the organization’s Sector Development program – was allocated to support production costs for the first season of the Red Arrow Media-led, CBC/APTN/Netflix original series, North of North, which was filmed in Iqaluit.

Of the projects funded through the Story Fund Program, nine originated in B.C., four in Quebec, three each in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, two in Nunavut, and one in New Brunswick.

The Story Fund is positioned to support the entire life of an Indigenous-led project, from the full cycle of creation, production and dissemination across all screen-based platforms with a focus on Indigenous storytelling.

Supported projects include: In B.C., ‘styel̓ép (Coming Full Circle), a feature film/documentary from Sek’lep Films; Salvaged, a documentary feature film from Salvaged Productions; Tzinquaw Opera, a documentary from Orca Cove Media; the children’s series Born Warriors by IndigiFilm Media; Coldspotters: Westcoast Most Haunted, a paranormal documentary series from Wapanatahk Media; Reclaim My Skin, a documentary series from RMS (BC) Media; Supernaturals, a fashion-focused documentary series from Fashionable Productions; the animated short Homelands by Bonfree Films; and the drama short Take Care.

In Alberta, projects include Smudge the Blades, a young adult hockey dramedy from Ice Pirates Productions; Under the Arbor, a documentary on Powwow culture from Under the Arbor Films; and Secret History: Lore and Legends, a documentary series exploring Indigenous narratives from Sho Cycle 3.

In Manitoba, there’s Etthén / along the caribou fence, an experimental feature film; Unremembered, a drama short; and Taken Season Five, a documentary series about missing Indigenous persons from Taken Season Five Productions.

In Quebec: Baie James, a documentary on Hydro-Québec’s history from Rezolution Pictures International; Guardians of the Land, a documentary series by Nikan Productions; Nish, a youth series from Kassiwi Média; and the comedy Pitago Stop from Nish Television.

From Ontario: Turtle Island Tap, a documentary on Indigenous rappers from T.I. Rap; the experimental short Everlasting; and the comedy short Red Suede Radical or Rats by Kaniehtiio Horn Batt Entertainment.

Saskatchewan showcases Chums III, a children’s series from Chums 3 Media; Counting Coup (Northland Tales), a prank-based documentary series from NLT1 Productions; and Red River Gold Season 2, a treasure-hunting documentary from Red River Gold Productions.

Nunavut: Kiiq! is a children’s series promoting Inuktitut from Kiiq! 1 Productions, and Qirngaqtuq – Fierce Prayers, a documentary on storytelling from 5984 Nunavut.

From New Brunswick: Until Our Hearts Are on the Ground, a documentary on Indigenous rights from Warrior Life Studios.

Full details for each supported project can be found via the ISO’s website.

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