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Storytellers create a culturally equitable world.
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Storytellers create a culturally equitable world.
We believe in the transformative power of stories to connect, challenge and inspire. Through mentorship, immersive workshops and business labs, we develop creativity and entrepreneurship, providing storytellers with the skills and tools to thrive, innovate and succeed.
Founded in 1986, the National Screen Institute is Canada’s most established national training organization for storytellers across a spectrum of disciplines – from writers, directors and producers to digital creators.
We partner with a visionary network of donors, businesses, and private and public organizations to provide industry-informed training in screen-based media, equipping creators across Canada with the skills to tell unforgettable stories.
By prioritizing storytellers from equity-deserving communities – including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), women, LGBTQ2S+, people with disabilities, and those in regional and remote areas – we help build a more sustainable industry and a workforce ready to meet evolving market demands.
Our students and alumni find their voices and places on the global stage, strengthening the creative economy and shaping a better world.
Founded in Edmonton, Alberta, to address the need for screen-based training beyond Canada’s major cities, the institute is now headquartered in Winnipeg. For nearly 40 years, we have delivered market-driven training to over 1,800 creators, resulting in more than 1,900 projects.
The institute has long championed regional voices and equity-deserving communities. Eighty-one percent (81%) of participants identify as members of underrepresented groups, 47% as women, and over 850 Indigenous creators have been trained through Indigenous-led initiatives in the past 20 years.
Through its alumni, the institute has contributed to acclaimed productions, cementing its role as a driving force for inclusion and innovation in the screen industry.
The following values guide the work we do.
TikTok Accelerator graduate Isabelle Chapadeau – Iqaluit, NU
As a settler organization, the National Screen Institute is committed to ongoing reconciliation work and to using film, television, digital platforms and the art of storytelling as powerful tools for healing, education and transformation. We recognize the role that media can play in amplifying Indigenous voices, sharing untold stories and fostering understanding between communities.
We are also mindful of the historical and systemic oppressions that Indigenous communities continue to face and acknowledge the resilience of those affected by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade who, despite arriving on these lands against their will, have made enduring contributions to our collective cultural heritage.
We commit to creating an inclusive and respectful space through our programming and partnerships, honouring the diverse histories and identities of all who now call these lands home, and leveraging film, television and digital platforms as media to support equity, awareness and genuine reconciliation.