The Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship is designed to advance Indigenous Canadian talent by focusing on strengthening and developing short-form and web series projects. Up to six selected participants will gain first-hand experience in the world of scripted storytelling through mentorship from filmmakers, broadcasters, and industry leaders. A major focus of the program is on the guidance and support from Indigenous mentors and the opportunity to connect with the other Indigenous fellows.The creative and business immersion experience will take place virtually over five months, beginning prior to the Festival with a 1 day session leading up to participation in the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit. Phase I continues for up to 3 days during the festival (in Whistler) in conjunction with the Whistler Film Festival + Summit; as a market immersion experience offering a curated itinerary that includes a focus on marketing and distribution as well as scheduled market meetings with attending industry and advisors.
The program will continue after the Festival, with three months of project mentorship and a series of online workshop sessions planned through the end of March 2023. Short scripts or one episode of a web series in all genres can be submitted for consideration by August 26, 2022. Filmmakers must be First Nations, Métis or Inuit and hold Canadian citizenship. All rights remain with the filmmaker and WFF has no proprietary interest in any of the projects.
Fellowship recipients receive high-level strategic advice and feedback on their scripts and projects from established content creators, producers and industry professionals with a focus on creative development, marketing and distribution. Scheduled market meetings during the Content Summit are also included.
The Whistler Film Festival’s head office and venues are located within the shared unceded territory of the Skwxwu?7mesh (Squamish) and Lil?wat7úl (Lil’wat) Nations.