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.

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