ISO issues call for letters of interest to lead Indigenous identity consultation process
TORONTO — The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) today announced it has disbursed more than $3.8 million in development funding to Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) creators in response to the Covid-19 crisis and the pressing need for equity in Canada’s screen industry.
The funding was awarded through the ISO’s Indigenous Development Program and Solidarity Fund. More than $2.3 million in project and professional development grants were awarded to BIPOC majority-owned companies and $1.4 million to individuals in the 2020 fiscal year.
The Indigenous Development Program supported 89 projects, with 31 going to companies and 58 to individuals. Funding was awarded in seven provinces with the highest representation in B.C., Ontario and Quebec.
The Solidarity Fund, launched in partnership with the Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC) and BIPOC TV & Film, supported 125 projects, including 32 companies, of which 18 are Black-owned, and 93 individuals, of whom 55 are Black. The fund achieved its goal of reaching Black creators with more than 58 per cent representation in total grants awarded, says the ISO’s press release.
The development programs were launched in September 2020 with an initial allocation of $800,000 from the Canada Media Fund’s Covid Response Fund. The programs soon expanded into a multi-million-dollar fund as multiple partners, including Amazon Prime Video, Creative BC, Impact’s Producers’ Pledge and Inspirit Foundation, added their support through partnership funding. Due to the incredible response from applicants, CMF matched a contribution from Amazon Prime Video, which provided an additional top-up of more than $1.3 million to the programs, says the press release.
“These outcomes are in line with the goals set out in our strategic plan and we look forward to creating more opportunities like this in future,” said Valerie Creighton, president and CEO of the CMF, in the release.
“The overwhelming response to this initiative from both applicants and funders demonstrates the need for development dollars and the exciting opportunities ahead for new screen content by BIPOC creators,” said Kerry Swanson, the ISO’s managing director.
Last week, in partnership with Indigenous broadcaster APTN, the ISO also issued a call for letters of interest from individuals interested in leading the organizations’ Indigenous Identity Consultation Process, a community engagement process regarding Indigenous identity that will inform future policy directions at the ISO.
“Our goal is to have a set of new policies in place before the next anticipated round of ISO funding in Fall 2021 but we understand that this engagement may also inform broader policies and strategies for other groups and organizations. It is a priority for ISO and APTN that a robust, transparent, open and caring process takes place that recognizes the diversity of viewpoints on this complex issue and supports our ongoing policies and practices,” reads the ISO’s call for letters of interest.
The consultation will be a two-phase process, with phase one taking place from March to May 2021, and phase two from June to July 2021.
The ISO says priority will be given to Indigenous applicants and only selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Letters of interest should include the proposed approach to be applied to each phase of the consultation as well as estimated costs. The deadline for submission of letters of interest is February 23, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET.
More details about the Indigenous Identity Consultation Process and what information to include in letters of interest, and how to apply, are available here.
