Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Toronto (Tkaronto), Ont. — The CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators in association with the ISO is returning for a third year. This program will create a unique opportunity for up to three emerging creators with projects still in the pre-development phase to work closely with CBC and APTN executives to help move their projects into development and ultimately into the production phase. Applications open Thursday, June 6 and close on Wednesday, July 10.  

“The ISO is pleased to be announcing this program for the third year in a row. By connecting emerging producers to television executives, we aim to increase the number of meaningful stories that reach the audiences of CBC, APTN and beyond,” said Kerry Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Screen Office. 

The Early Stage Scripted Development Program in partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada and APTN will contribute to the work of their Memorandum of Understanding, which works to increase awareness and connect Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through the creation of Indigenous content and storytelling. 

“For Indigenous creators and storytellers, the return of the CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program signifies a special opportunity to share their work on a broader scale. By shepherding new projects from pre-development to production, we’re amplifying Indigenous voices and narratives for viewers across Canada,” remarked Adam Garnet Jones, APTN’s director of TV content and special events. 

Application guidelines can be found on the ISO’s website. Funding will be distributed based on project needs, to a maximum of $30,000. An initial review for eligibility will be conducted by the ISO Program Manager. The deadline to apply to the CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program for Indigenous Creators is Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 5pm PST.  

“We are honoured to once again collaborate with our partners at the ISO and APTN on this important program, which continues to provide Indigenous creators with support and connections to help them bring their stories to life on screen,” said Lea Marin, Director of Development, Drama, CBC.  

The Early Stage Scripted Development Program will run from August 2024 to the end of March 2025 and will provide custom-tailored training and support in areas such as:  

• Development of bible, character/story arcs, and scripts; 
• Building broadcaster relationships; 
• Industry standards and practices re: development; 
• Building a team; 
• Pitching the project; 
• Budgeting; 
• Broadcast requirements. 

Questions are encouraged prior to submission or the application closing date and may be directed at any time to [email protected].  

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For more information or to book an interview: 

Jean-François D. O’Bomsawin
Director of Communications and Francophone Initiatives, ISO
[email protected]

About APTN 

APTN launched in 1999 as the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world. Since then, the network has become a global leader in programming that celebrates the rich diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island and beyond. A respected non-profit and charitable broadcaster, APTN shares authentic stories in English, French and a variety of Indigenous languages with over nine million Canadian households. APTN proudly features over 80% Canadian content and inspires audiences via multiple platforms, including its Indigenous-focused streaming service, APTN lumi. 

About CBC/Radio-Canada 

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world. 

About Indigenous Screen Office 

The Indigenous Screen Office is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector.