Netflix hones partnerships to develop indigenous Canadian content
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Michelle Clancy
| 13 June 2019

Netflix is partnering with imagineNATIVE, The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and Wapikoni Mobile to develop the next generation of indigenous creators across Canada.

These programmes range from screenwriting intensives to apprenticeship programmes, joining the 11 existing partnership programs Netflix has funded to nurture the next generation of Canadian creators from underrepresented communities.

“Indigenous communities in Canada are rich with unique stories, and organisations like imagineNATIVE, The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and Wapikoni Mobile are vital to ensuring these voices are heard,” said Stéphane Cardin, director of Public Policy, Netflix Canada. “Netflix is proud to help launch these three programmes, which will reach Indigenous communities across the country.”

Over the next three-and-a-half years, imagineNATIVE will undertake or expand six distinct programmes aimed at Indigenous screenwriters, directors and producers through its Institute department. The ISO-Netflix Production Mentorship and Apprenticeship Programme meanwhile will provide second-phase support for indigenous projects that may have received development support through other programmes; it includes two streams, Key Creative Apprenticeships and Cultural Mentorships for directors, producers, screenwriters and showrunners. And mentoring and coaching are at the heart of the unique Wapikoni Mobile development experience, and increased accessibility of tools, spaces and trainers are offered through the mobility of its studios.

“ISO spent the last year in consultations with Indigenous creators and this fund responds to their expressed need for new funding opportunities that will advance work and career opportunities, as well as allow them to follow protocols and practices that are central to indigenous ways of working,” says Jesse Wente, director of the ISO.