Are you an emerging Indigenous content creator passionate about breaking into the world of film and television? The CBC New Indigenous Voices training program presented by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) can help you achieve that goal. 91% of NSI graduates are working in the industry today.

CBC New Indigenous Voices is a 14-week, full-time, culturally-sensitive training course which provides an introduction to a variety of creative and challenging employment opportunities in film, television and digital media. Minimum wage is paid throughout.

Applications are being accepted until March 20. Read the full guidelines and apply.

Find out more about the course in the video above. Hosted by NSI program manager Kaya Wheeler, program graduates Erica Daniels, Adeline Bird and Andy Lown share their knowledge, tips and advice.

During the course, students:

• get inspired to pursue training and work in film, television and digital media;
• learn skills like story development, directing, producing, production design, casting and more;
• pitch, write, shoot and edit their own short films;
• experience a variety of creative and challenging job options with industry internships;
• meet writers, directors, producers and broadcasters; and
• learn Indigenous history and Anishinaabe spiritual traditions.

Up to nine students are selected by program faculty, in consultation with an elder and industry representatives. Selections are based on a candidate’s suitability and experience relating to the film and television industries and a commitment to fully participate in the course.

CBC New Indigenous Voices is led by associate program manager Kaya Wheeler and Indigenous programs and administrative assistant Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill. NSI’s Indigenous training programs advisor is Lisa Meeches.

CBC Gem began streaming four CBC New Indigenous Voices films in summer 2019 – Dead Bolt, Forgotten, Nappy Hair & Eagle Feather and Star Line.

Short film Forgotten, made through the program in 2017 by Jesse Spence, Alexis Leask and Andrew Lown, has screened at festivals throughout the US and Canada, including LA Skins Fest and Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival in Ottawa.

You Will Go Home, made through the program in 2018 by Rhonda Lucy, Damian Frazee and Cynthia Murdock, has screened at festivals including the 2018 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto.

CBC New Indigenous Voices is funded by Title, Presenting and Tuition Sponsor CBC; Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD) and Telefilm Canada; NSI Indigenous Training Programs Partner Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Supporting Sponsors Corus Entertainment, Super Channel and CBC Gem; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Industry Supporters IATSE Local 856 and imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival; and Service Sponsors William F. White and iSplice Films. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.