The power of storytelling.

Founded in 1986, the National Screen Institute is one of Canada’s most established national training organizations for storytellers shaping the screen industry.

Our commitment

We partner with a national network of donors, businesses and community and industry organizations to provide industry-informed training that supports creators across Canada in developing skills to tell unforgettable stories that help shape a better world.

We work to increase access for storytellers from underrepresented and equity-deserving communities, including Black creators and People of Colour, women, 2SLGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities and those in regional and remote areas. By deepening access and strengthening career pathways, we contribute to the talent pipeline that drives Canada’s creative economy.

Working with Indigenous Peoples and our commitment to reconciliation

The institute works on Treaty One Territory and in the homeland of the Red River Métis. As a settler organization, it holds a responsibility to recognize the sovereignty of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and the distinct rights, histories and relationships with the Crown that shape this place. This understanding guides long-term relationship building, cultural safety and training shaped by Indigenous leadership, including Elders, Knowledge Keepers and community advisors.

For more than 20 years, Indigenous-led initiatives at the institute have supported over 900 creators in strengthening their craft, advancing their careers and sharing stories that reflect the depth and diversity of their communities.

The National Screen Institute is committed to ongoing reconciliation work and to using film, television, digital platforms and the art of storytelling as tools for healing, education and transformation. Media can amplify Indigenous voices, surface untold stories and build deeper understanding between communities.

There is a clear awareness of the historical and systemic oppressions that Indigenous communities continue to face and the resilience of those affected by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade who, despite arriving on these lands against their will, have made enduring contributions to our collective cultural heritage.

Through programming and partnerships, the institute works to create inclusive and respectful spaces, honour the diverse histories and identities of all who now call these lands home, and use film, television and digital platforms to support equity, awareness and genuine

A national standard

Founded in Edmonton, Alberta, to address the need for training opportunities beyond major cities, the institute is now headquartered in Winnipeg. For 40 years, we have delivered industry-informed training to more than 2,100 creators, resulting in over 1,900 projects.

We have long championed regional voices and equity-deserving communities. Eighty-one percent (81%) of participants identify as members of underrepresented groups and 47 percent (47%) as women.

Through its alumni, the institute has contributed to acclaimed productions, cementing its role as a driving force for inclusion and innovation in the screen industry.