The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), the CBC, and APTN announced a third year of the Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators.
The program will create a unique opportunity for up to three creators with projects still in the pre-development phase to work with CBC and APTN executives to help move their projects into development and ultimately into the production phase. Applications open on June 6 and close on July 10.
“The ISO is pleased to be announcing this program for the third year in a row. By connecting emerging producers to television executives, we aim to increase the number of meaningful stories that reach the audiences of CBC, APTN and beyond,” said Indigenous Screen Office CEO Kerry Swanson in a June release.
The program will contribute to the work of their Memorandum of Understanding, which works to increase awareness and connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through the creation of Indigenous content and storytelling.
“For Indigenous creators and storytellers, the return of the CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program signifies a special opportunity to share their work on a broader scale. By shepherding new projects from pre-development to production, we’re amplifying Indigenous voices and narratives for viewers across Canada,” said APTN Director of TV Content and Special Events Adam Garnet Jones.
The Early Stage Scripted Development Program will run from August 2024 to the end of March 2025 and will provide custom-tailored training and support in areas such as:
– Development of character/story arcs, and scripts.
– Building broadcaster relationships.
– Industry standards and practices re: development.
– Building a team.
– Pitching the project.
– Budgeting.
– Broadcast requirements.
Application guidelines can be found on the ISO’s website. Funding will be distributed based on project needs, to a maximum of $30,000. An initial review for eligibility will be conducted by the ISO Program Manager. The deadline to apply to the program is July 10.
“We are honoured to once again collaborate with our partners at the ISO and APTN on this important program, which continues to provide Indigenous creators with support and connections to help them bring their stories to life on screen,” said CBC Director of Development and Drama Lea Marin.
The ISO is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector.
