The Independent Production Fund (IPF) has announced the participants for the first IPF Pre-Application Training Program for Northern Producers.

The goal of the initiative is to provide northern-based producers with the training and support to be better equipped when applying for development funding.

Participants representing Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut will attend workshops and receive personalized training from industry experts.

The program begins on Sept. 3 and consists of 13 weeks of online training and mentorship to prepare to submit for the IPF Short Form Series Development Program on March 1, 2025.

The selected candidates for the inaugural IPF Pre-Application Training Program for Northern Producers are: Brendan Preston (Datrin), Emily Sheff (Fire Tower) and Kelly Milner (Northern Tails) from Whitehorse, Yukon Territories.

Jeremy Emerson (Elijah and the Rock Creature) and Sadetło Scott (Red Snow) from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Melissa Tillumaluk (The Snow Walker) from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and Simeonie Kisa-Knickelbein (Reclaim and Qauppat) from Iqaluit, Nunavut.

“This initiative is a major step towards building a strong economic foundation in the NWT’s fast growing film sector,” said Caitlin Cleveland, minister of industry, tourism and investment for the Northwest Territories, in a statement. “This program promotes the development of northern content creators and strengthens the overall voice of Canada’s North.”

Photo courtesy of IPF