imagineNative Professional Development Opportunities
- Screenwriting Series Lab. Closes January 30, 2026. The Indigenous Series Lab is a six-month, multi-phase professional development and training program designed to support Indigenous writers in creating compelling scripted series for television and digital platforms. Structured around a series of residencies, online mentorship periods, festival engagements, and industry showcases, the Lab aims to provide participants with the creative tools, writing discipline, and market exposure needed to advance their projects toward commissioning, production, and international circulation. The program is jointly developed and delivered by imagineNATIVE and the StoryBoard Collective, with valued involvement from the Indigenous Screen Office and support from the Canada Media Fund.
- Indigenous Film Criticism Fellowship. Closes February 7, 2026. This new program supports emerging Indigenous writers who want to shape the future of criticism in Indigenous screen culture. It responds to the long-standing gap in writing about Indigenous film and recognizes that strong, informed criticism is essential to a thriving Indigenous screen industry.
Join the iNdigital Youth Collective. Application closes February 9, 2026. The iNdigital Youth Collective is returning with an eight-week program offering Indigenous youth, aged 12-24, hands-on training in digital creation! Guided by two mentors and an imagineNATIVE facilitator, participants learn the core principles of game design, interactive storytelling, user experience, and digital production. The program includes practical instruction in using game engines and related software, along with access to equipment, artist talks, and a dedicated workspace. By the end of the program, each participant will develop and present a small-scale video game or interactive project, which will be presented at the 2026 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival and displayed within the iNdigital Space + Arcade. The curriculum emphasizes culturally grounded approaches and supports the expression of Indigenous knowledge systems through immersive digital media.
Canadian Conservation Institute- Applications for Services.
- Archaeological conservation treatment — Pre- and post-excavation. Closes February 17, 2026.
- Archaeological conservation field services. Closes February 17, 2026.
- Facility Advisory Services (Facility Assessment Service and Capital Project Advisory Service). Closes March 1, 2026.
W’ SENĆOŦEN¸ISTW program, New Cohort starting in Fall 2026. Applications close February 17, 2026. *Focus on building new SENĆOŦEN speakers. *Full-time program (Monday-Friday) Offered at the W̱SÁNEĆ College. *Begins September 2026. *W̱¸SENĆOŦEN¸ISTW̱ is a laddering program, that begins with a one-year certificate and leads into a Bachelor of Arts degree in Indigenous Language Proficiency through UVic. *Pre-requisites: English 12. *A partnership between Indigenous Education in the Faculty of Education at UVic and the W’SÁNEĆ School Board. *The program focuses on learning SENĆOŦEN and preparing students for further academic paths: ** Year 1 Certificate in Indigenous Language Proficiency, ** Year 2 Diploma in Indigenous Language Revitalization, ** Year 3 & 4 Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Language Proficiency in SENĆOŦEN. For more information, contact: Tye Swallow: tswallow@wsanecschoolboard.ca or Colleen Juricic: iedlpa@uvic.ca
Long Story Short is Kickstarter’s annual open call for short films. Every March, filmmakers from around the world are invited to bring their unique visions to life by launching their projects on the platform. Launch your short film in March with Kickstarter’s Long Story Short and get featured in a curated collection promoted all month long. Fill out the application form to get started.
Outdoor Learning School: Indigenous Language Learning Offerings.
- Southern Michif: January 5 – February 9, 2026.
- Anishinaabemowin: January 6 – March 3, 2026
- Kanyen’keha (Mohawk): January 6 – February 24, 2026
- Nêhiyawêwin (Plains Cree): January 14 – March 4, 2026
- Skarù·ręʔ (Tuscarora): January 21 – March 11, 2026
- Mi’kmaw: January 21 – March 4, 2026
- Ktunaxa: February 23 – May 11, 2026
