The National Screen Institute (NSI) has selected 10 emerging creators for the 20th edition of the CBC New Indigenous Voices program.

The 14-week program provides participants with hands-on training and mentorship from industry experts on the essentials of filmmaking. It culminates with the participants producing and editing a short film and being matched with an internship placement.

Six of the 10 spots are reserved for Manitoba residents. Those participants are Julia Ross, Kane Wood, Kieran Aho, Matthew Shoup, Stacy Flett and Viola Bushie.

The remaining four participants are Ontario’s Jerry Wolf, B.C.’s Amanda Wandler, Alberta’s Spencer Blyan and New Brunswick-based Talon Simon of Elsipogtog First Nation.

The program, which kicked off on May 13 with online training sessions, will see participants take part in workshops and presentations, covering everything from story development and production to sound, lighting and Indigenous history. Participants are paid Manitoba’s minimum wage for the duration of the program.

The training will be led by program advisor and NSI graduate Erica Daniels, advisor Tasha Spillett, program manager Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill and program coordinator Grace Bruinooge.

The program’s alumni include Paul Rabliauskas, Justina Neepin, Leonard Sumner, Sonya Ballantyne, Dinae Robinson, Darcy Waite, Ryan Cooper, Adeline Bird, Kane Kirton and NSI board member Melanie Hadley Nepinak.

Photos courtesy of NSI; pictured (L-R): Amanda Wandler, Jerry Wolf, Julia Ross, Kane Wood, Kieran Aho (top); Matthew Shoup, Spencer Blyan, Stacy Flett, Talon Simon and Viola Bushie (bottom)