4TH WORLD MEDIA LAB

Still from Fruits of Labor by Emily Cohen Ibañez, 2020 4th World Fellow

SUPPORTING CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR INDIGENOUS STORYTELLERS

The 4th World Media Lab is a year-long fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers, providing opportunities to develop filmmaking skills and networks through festival participation, hands-on training, masterclasses, workshopping projects in development, pitch activities, and meetings with funders and other industry decision-makers. Fellowship activities take place at three film festivals:

The program is a collaborative partnership between the festivals and Indigenous Showcase. The Points North Institute in Camden provides a vast network of peer and industry mentors and resources at CIFF, including access to the Points North Forum and opportunities for one-on-one connections with future collaborators and funders. At Big Sky, fellows will attend the DocShop filmmaker’s forum, Indigenous filmmaker screenings and events, and a private seminar with leaders in the Indigenous filmmaking community and the film industry at large. The Seattle experience offers industry master classes, hands-on training and global networking in the SIFF urban festival atmosphere.

2024 Mentors:

Tracy Rector – Filmmaker

Lisa Jackson – Filmmaker, WILFRED BUCK, CIFF 2024

Stina Hamlin – Post- Production Supervisor

SUPPORTING CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR INDIGENOUS STORYTELLERS

The 4th World Media Lab is a year-long fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers, providing opportunities to develop filmmaking skills and networks through festival participation, hands-on training, masterclasses, workshopping projects in development, pitch activities, and meetings with funders and other industry decision-makers. Fellowship activities take place at three film festivals:

The program is a collaborative partnership between the festivals and Indigenous Showcase The Points North Institute in Camden provides a vast network of peer and industry mentors and resources at CIFF, including access to the Points North Forum and opportunities for one-on-one connections with future collaborators and funders. At Big Sky, fellows will attend the DocShop filmmaker’s forum, Indigenous filmmaker screenings and events, and a private seminar with leaders in the Indigenous filmmaking community and the film industry at large. The Seattle experience, in partnership with Indigenous Showcase, offers industry master classes, hands-on training and global networking in the SIFF urban festival atmosphere.

The selected fellows will receive a $10,000 artist development grant from the Nia Tero Foundation and the following benefits for each festival visit:

  • Round trip travel and accommodations (or travel stipend to cover costs)\
  • Meal per diem (cash stipend to cover meals and incidentals)
  • All Access Festival Pass

“Sample statement about how much the participant loved this program. The program was rewarding and gave the participant a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone should support this program.”

Fellow 1, Grantee of American Stories

“Sample statement about how much the participant loved this program. The program was rewarding and gave the participant a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone should support this program. Sample statement about how much the participant loved this program. The program was rewarding and gave the participant a once in a lifetime experience. Everyone should support this program.”

Fellow 2, Grantee of American Stories

HOW TO APPLY

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible to apply are Indigenous peoples residing in North America including Native American, Alaska Natives, Kanaka Maoli, First Nations, Métis and Inuit of Canada, and those of Indigenous heritage from south of the US border and of Pasifika heritage living in North America. Each filmmaker will have at least two years’ experience in professional filmmaking. Applicants should have an active work-in-progress or finished film they are prepared to pitch, workshop or market with mentors and industry.

It is the goal of 4th World Media Lab to focus on emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers with lived Indigenous experience. It is our intention to save this space for persons who have done the work of learning about and being in community with their Indigenous family and peers, with the goal of connecting to one’s unique lived experience, reflecting on how it has been shaped by the knowledge, joy, challenges, and history of one’s elders and ancestors. As such, we will ask all who apply to this lab to share more about their journey toward connecting with their ancestors, with a goal of nurturing authentic, accountable storytelling and bringing forward stories rooted in lived Indigenous realities. Wherever you are on your personal journey toward embracing your Indigenous self, your ancestors, and your future, we look forward to meeting you.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN

DEADLINE  Thursday, November 30, 2023 

APPLY NOW

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Requested application materials include:

  • Professional bio
  • List and description of past projects
  • Description and examples of one current film project
  • Work sample links or upload
  • Artist statement addressing why you are interested in participating in the 4th World Media Lab fellowship
  • Statement describing your connection to Indigenous identity, culture and or tribal affiliation

HOW TO APPLY

ELIGIBILITY

CONTENT   We’re looking for documentary filmmakers working on stories that are tapping into narratives or themes that explore “American Stories” in a myriad of ways. (The stories don’t need to be developed or filmed entirely in the US) 

LENGTH   Feature films with an intended runtime of 70 minutes or more

STAGE   Films in production and post-production

MAKEUP OF TEAM   We’re looking to support directors and producers from communities and backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in documentary film

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

2024 FELLOWS

Land Warriors
Black and Native on the Prairies
Native Sisters
Yakumama
First Foods
How to Be a Daughter

MENTORS

ALUMNI

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Presenting Partner