Call for Proposals: Witness Series

The Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF), Telefilm Canada, and the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) invite early career Arctic Indigenous filmmakers to apply for the third edition of The Witness Short Film Series, a training program designed to support Arctic Indigenous storytellers through hands-on workshops, mentorships, and production.

This training initiative is open to Indigenous people only from the global Circumpolar Arctic. Eligible applicants may either live in the Arctic or be from a community/nation based in the Circumpolar Arctic (e.g. Canada, Sápmi, Russia, Alaska, Greenland, etc.).

Why apply?

• Participate in workshops covering:
  
  • Documentary Storytelling – Crafting compelling narratives and developing an authentic point of view.
  • Filmmaking – Hands-on training in cinematography, lighting, sound, and smartphone filmmaking techniques.
  • Producing & Production Management – Budgeting, scheduling, contracting, and managing a documentary project.
  • Impact Producing & Audience Engagement – Strategies for maximizing the reach and influence of your film.
  • International Co-Productions in Indigenous Contexts – Exploring global collaboration opportunities for Indigenous filmmakers.
  • Pathways & Protocols for Filmmaking in Indigenous Communities – Ethical storytelling and respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities.
  • Climate Change Witnessing from an Indigenous Perspective – Exploring environmental storytelling through a regional and cultural lens.
• Receive mentorship from experienced Canadian Indigenous filmmakers.
• Collaborate with a returning Witness participant who will serve as your producer.
• Secure a training grant to produce a 3-5 minute short film.

Key Dates

• Application deadline
  Friday March 28^th 2025

How to Apply

Please submit the following:

• A 150-word description of your 3-5 minute short film idea on climate change’s impact on your Indigenous community.
• A 100-word statement on why you want to participate.
• Your CV / resume.
• Bonus Question (Optional): What is one of your favourite films, and why? (2–3 sentences)

Submissions and inquiries:

Amee Le

Arctic Indigenous 
Screenwriting workshop 2024–2025 – Extended application deadline!

Call for Proposals

The Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF) and International Sami Film Institute (ISFI) invite writers with Arctic Indigenous origins to participate in our year-long workshop program.

This workshop program will include monthly sessions with a focus on developing strong storytelling skills and producing extended treatments and first draft scripts. Participants will benefit from the guidance of renowned mentors and guest speakers, including filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, and directors. Sessions will take place mostly online but we will meet also once in Kautokeino, Norway.

The goals are

• to learn how Indigenous storytelling traditions can inspire your script-writing process.
• to understand the basics of film narratives and character development in your own film story
• to provide methods for developing ideas into treatments and scripts

In the end of the workshop the participants will have a strong story, and they will each have an extended treatment and 1^st draft script.

Mentors

The sessions will be led by professionals in the film industry.

Leader of the Course: Liisa Holmberg – Director of the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund

Kate Leys – international script and story editor, England
Bird Runningwater – producer / director from Los Angeles
Amanda Kernell – screenwriter / director, Sápmi
Suvi West – screenwriter / director, Sápmi
Gail Maurice – screenwriter / director, Canada
Nils Gaup – screenwriter / director, Sápmi
Åse Katrin Vuolab – screenwriter / director, Sápmi
Jörgen Hjerdt – screenwriter, Sweden

Key Dates:

• Call ended!
• Workshop Duration: October 2024 – September 2025

Application Process:

Eligibility: Arctic Indigenous writers with some experience and work produced for film, TV, theatre, or audio.

To apply, please submit

• a brief one-page story idea
• a short statement telling us why you’d like to take part in the workshop and what you hope to gain from it
• a sample of your script which has been produced
• CV

Ten participants will be selected by the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund.

For further information, please contact:

Liisa Holmberg

+47 93936 145

Production Support and Funding

The application starts in winter 2025. We will offer grants for

• Scripts
• Development
• Production

More information coming, stay tuned!