Whistler Film Festival Announces 2024 Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship Participants from Across Canada
The Whistler Film Festival (WFF), held annually in British Columbia, has announced the seven Indigenous filmmakers chosen for the 12th edition of the Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship (IFF) for 2024. The fellowship is designed to support and nurture Indigenous Canadian filmmakers as they develop their scripted projects. This year’s edition of the program is centered on the creation of short-form web series, highlighting the growing prominence of web-based content in the film and television industry.
The IFF is one of 13 talent development programs offered by the Whistler Film Festival to support the creative and business skills of over 70 Canadian artists annually. Writers, directors, producers, and documentary filmmakers are provided immersive learning experiences to help them advance their craft.
The 2024 fellowship saw a highly competitive selection process, resulting in a diverse group of participants whose projects span genres such as supernatural horror, dystopian sci-fi, and drama-comedy. This year’s participants include two filmmakers from British Columbia, two from Ontario, and one each from Yukon, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Their selected web series projects are set to explore a wide range of themes and narrative styles, from personal drama to speculative fiction.
Participants will benefit from one-on-one mentorship with experienced Indigenous filmmakers, as well as access to industry decision-makers, broadcasters, and networking opportunities with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous creators.
The selected projects and their filmmakers are as follows:
- Bree Island (BC) – ÂNISKÊ, supernatural horror/comedy
A young woman must save her grandmother from doom while confronting supernatural forces, drawing on traditional Cree stories. - Whitney Horne (YT) – DIGITAL SPIRITS, near-future dystopian sci-fi
A Tlingit coder discovers that her AI avatar has gained sentience, leading her into a world where ancient Raven wisdom and modern technology intertwine. - Blaine York (MB) – AGATHA AND HER GHOSTS, drama/comedy
A 21-year-old woman with necromancy powers navigates adulthood and self-love with the help of a protective ghost. - Michael Nichol (BC) – KNIFE LIFE, drama
A young Indigenous teen faces difficult choices after accidentally stabbing someone, forcing him to reconsider his future. - Moniquea Marion (SK) – CHRISTMASTOWN, comedy
A canceled Hollywood director finds herself in a small town making Hallmark-style movies with an eccentric crew. - Tim Reidel (ON) – ANCESTRAL BEASTS, horror/thriller
A woman battling personal demons discovers a literal one living in her home, threatening her and her loved ones. - Ryan Cunningham (ON) – TRADITIONAL TRANSPLANTATION, drama
A grandson’s offer to donate a kidney to his grandmother clashes with her traditional beliefs, sparking a family dilemma.
Camille Beaudoin, CEO of Mosaic Entertainment and mentor for the IFF, expressed excitement about this year’s participants: "The level of talent in this year’s cohort is remarkable. These filmmakers represent the bright future of Indigenous screen content across Turtle Island." She emphasized the importance of fostering such talents, stating, "Sparks like these cannot go unattended."
Barbara Hager, an award-winning Indigenous filmmaker and mentor for the program, echoed this sentiment. "For over 20 years, I’ve mentored Indigenous filmmakers, helping them develop stories that resist mainstream cinematic conventions. This is a crucial form of de-colonization and empowerment."
The Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship has a strong track record, with past participants producing critically acclaimed projects like Indian Road Trip by Allan Hopkins, Portraits from a Fire by Trevor Mack, and Shadow of the Rougarou by Jordan Waunch.
This year's fellowship is supported by organizations such as Creative BC, APTN, and the Bell Fund, alongside industry partners like Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada and Eagle Vision. The program continues to be a crucial platform for emerging Indigenous filmmakers, fostering new voices in Canadian and global cinema.