Winnipeg – Manitoba Film & Music (MFM) is partnering with the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) to introduce the Manitoba Indigenous Short Film Fund, a new funding initiative that will award three Manitoba filmmaking teams up to $20,000 each to produce a short film.
The Manitoba Indigenous Short Film Fund aims to amplify the unique voices of Indigenous storytellers and creative prairie-based talent, contributing to the professional development of emerging and mid-career writers, directors, and producers.
“We are thrilled to have the support of the ISO to provide this new stream of film funding,” says Lynne Skromeda, CEO & Film Commissioner at Manitoba Film & Music. “This is an important opportunity for emerging and mid-career Indigenous storytellers, and we’re excited to see the projects that are created through this program.”
Filmmaking teams from across Manitoba are encouraged to apply to MFM with a script and creative package for a 3 to 15 minute short film to be completed by summer 2027. The program welcomes live-action and animated short films, including documentaries, scripted narratives, and experimental projects. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to have their short films stream on APTN+, made possible through a broadcast partnership with APTN.
“The Indigenous Screen Office is proud to support the launch of the Manitoba Indigenous Short Film Fund, creating new opportunities for Indigenous filmmakers in Manitoba to share their stories with audiences nationwide. Supporting the growth and advancement of Indigenous talent in the audiovisual sector remains central to ISO’s mandate.” says Melanie Nepinak Hadley, Vice-President, Industry, Partnerships and Growth, Indigenous Screen Office.
Read the full Program Guidelines.
MFM will accept applications for the 2026 pilot program though their online portal from June 8 to July 20. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by the end of September.
About Manitoba Film & Music (MFM)
Manitoba Film & Music is a film commission office, an administrator of the Manitoba Film and Video Production Tax Credit, and a funder of film and music projects. Our targeted funding programs offer support to the local film and music industries to help finance creative content, new intellectual property, and live performance, enriching the lives of those who live here and beyond our borders.
About the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)
The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO champions Indigenous screen-based storytellers and narrative sovereignty in Canada through our funding and advocacy work.
We support Indigenous companies, communities, and individuals to share their diverse stories and perspectives across all screen platforms.
Contacts:
Media Inquiries
Jaclyn Obie
Director, Marketing & Communications
jaclyn@mbfilmmusic.ca | 204-272-9567
Program Inquiries
Isabella Harrison
Film Programs & Tax Credit Administrator
filmapplications@mbfilmmusic.ca | 204-272-6136