Indigenous Filmmakers at TIFF: Eight Films Backed by ISO and Federal Funding

At the Toronto International Film Festival this year, eight First Nations films backed in part by the Indigenous Film Office (ISO) and federal and industry financiers are premiering.

Titles named in coverage include Cody Lightning’s Smudge The Blades, Marie Clements’ How We Stand, Alexandra Lazarowich’s Turtle Island RAP and Nyla Innuksuk’s In the Heart of the South. TIFF runs through Sept. 20, 2024 (organizer dates).

ISO CEO Kerri Swanson told The Hollywood Reporter the office helped finance the eight filmmakers and described growing momentum in diversity and success among Indigenous filmmakers. Canadian minister of identity and culture Marc Miller said at an ISO‑hosted TIFF event that federal financing has helped increase budgets and support reconciliation by enabling Indigenous people to tell stories in their voices and languages.

Filmmaker Gail Maurice, whose second feature Bloodlines premiered at TIFF last year, said ISO backed her from the start of her career and that she likely would not have made her debut feature Rosie without its support. Maurice also urged industry funders and distributors to recognise distinct First Nations cultural backgrounds across Canada.

Swanson pointed to expanded collaborations with U.S. partners and cited the series Reservation Dogs, created by Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo, as an example of cross‑border Indigenous work ISO has advocated for to reflect shared histories across Turtle Island.