The National Screen Institute is now accepting applications for NSI Intro to Production – Manitoba Indigenous Youth Edition, an entry-level training program for First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth exploring careers in the film and television industry.

The program, designed for youth aged 18-22 living in Manitoba, provides a culturally grounded first step into the screen industry and serves as a bridge to further training or mentorship.

Delivered by an all-Indigenous team and guided by an Elder, training blends traditional knowledge with technical skills through online workshops and an in-person production lab in Winnipeg. Participants benefit from cultural affirmation, hands-on experience and individualized mentorship from industry professionals.

Participants receive a stipend, travel support, daily lunch and training across departments such as camera, sound, lighting, wardrobe and editing. Industry engagement is built into the curriculum through sessions with unions and guilds, plus a networking event with production companies and union representatives. These connections help participants identify their next steps in training, mentorship or industry exploration.

“This program is a celebration of Indigenous voices and creativity. Our goal is to open doors, build skills and spark new journeys in film and TV,” says program manager Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill. “If you’ve been waiting for your chance to step in, this is it. Apply today!”

Learn more and apply by November 6, 2025 at noon CT.

Up to 10 participants will be selected.

For application support, contact Grace Bruinooge at

grace[dot]bruinooge[at]nsi-canada[dot]ca.

Program structure:

• Phase 1: Online workshops (December 2 – 23, 2025)
  Screenwriting workshops and one-on-one sessions led by Anishininew screenwriter, showrunner and comedian Amber-Sekowan Daniels. Each participant will develop a script; one will be chosen for production in phase 2.
• Phase 2: In-person training in Winnipeg (January 19 – 21, January 26 – 28, February 2 – 3, 2026)
  Eight days of intensive training to produce the selected short film while gaining hands-on experience across crew roles. Food and transportation are provided, with additional travel support for participants from outside Winnipeg. A celebratory screening of the completed film will take place during the week of February 9, 2026.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be aged 18–22 at the start of the program
• Identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Manitoba
• Commit to attending all eight in-person training days and the screening day in Winnipeg

Faculty includes program manager Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill and program coordinator Grace Bruinooge. Amber-Sekowan Daniels will serve as script consultant.

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NSI Intro to Production – Manitoba Indigenous Youth Edition is funded by Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Indigenous Screen Office, Carolyn Sifton Foundation; Strategic Sponsors Neeginan Education Training and Employment Services Inc (NETES), Telefilm Canada; Provincial Partner Manitoba Film & Music; Supporting Sponsor The Winnipeg Foundation; Industry Partner On Screen Manitoba. National Screen Institute Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council, Rogers. More sponsors will be added as confirmed.

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About the National Screen Institute

The National Screen Institute partners 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, 2SLGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and those in regional and remote areas – the institute helps build a more sustainable industry and a workforce ready to meet evolving market demands.

Students and alumni find their voices and places on the global stage, strengthening the creative economy and shaping a better world.

Enquiries

Program enquiries: Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, sarahs[dot]yellowquill[at]nsi-canada[dot]ca

Media enquiries: Abiola Agbayewa, abiola[dot]agbayewa[at]nsi-canada[dot]ca