Creative BC opens second round of funding for Indigenous filmmakers and creatives across British Columbia, supported by Rogers Group of Funds

Today, Creative BC launches the second round of the Rogers Indigenous Film Fund (RIFF) Program that will invest $200K into early development projects by Indigenous filmmakers across British Columbia. Part of a $1 million multi-year fund supported by Rogers Group of Funds, the RIFF Program is now open for applications from emerging, early, and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers within the province to help Indigenous producers and Indigenous-led production companies through development stage investment.  

The RIFF Program gives companies and creators funding assistance for early development work of a new project, or ‘next phase’ early development work of an existing project. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $20,000 to cover activities such as research and development, community engagement, and scriptwriting. Designed in close consultation with the Indigenous community and industry, RIFF Program guidelines are now published and available on the Creative BC website.  

This is the second of three programs intended for funding through this investment by the Rogers Group of Funds, to be delivered by Creative BC and offered through 2024. To date, the Rogers Indigenous Film Fund has already provided over $400K in grant delivery including top-up funding to B.C. recipients of the Indigenous Screen Office’s Development Fund, and $200K in funding for Indigenous filmmakers and creatives through the first intake in 2022. 

The RIFF Program is part of the Reel Focus BC suite of programs delivered by Creative BC, and is designed to advance First Nations, Métis, and Inuit domestic motion picture activity and the creation of Indigenous-owned intellectual property. The program was created to complement other funding supports and timelines that encourage and enable Indigenous filmmakers and creatives to produce content from concept to full production with the support of Creative BC and other funding agencies. Access a full list of funding programs available to filmmakers and creatives here on the RIFF Resources hub. 

Learn more about the RIFF Program, eligibility criteria, and deadlines online at www.creativebc.com/RIFF-Program 

Program Contact:
Lou-ann Neel, Creative BC
lneel@creativebc.com
+1 236-427-4695