Netflix & IllumiNative Team for Producers Program

Netflix and IllumiNative have partnered for the year-long IllumiNative Producers Program, which will support a cohort of seven early- and mid-career Indigenous producers.

Throughout the program, the producers will develop a current project, attend monthly workshops and have access to network-building opportunities with their cohort, as well as mentors and leaders in the industry. They will also receive a $25,000 grant to support their work.

The IllumiNative Producers Program is set to begin in April 2022 with a digital intensive where the Indigenous producers will attend an introductory session with Netflix executives, as well as roundtable discussions with Indigenous creatives in the industry. Following the intensive, the fellows will attend monthly virtual training sessions focused on different themes such as project development, financing, distribution and marketing, all featuring various guest speakers.

This partnership is part of Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, an effort to create more behind-the-camera opportunities for underrepresented communities.

“We’re so excited to announce our partnership with Netflix in launching the IllumiNative Producers Program to ensure Indigenous creatives are empowered and uplifted in an authentic and powerful way,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and executive director of IllumiNative. “It is our hope to equip Indigenous creatives with resources and tools to advance their careers in the entertainment industry. The Producers Program is a direct and crucial investment in Indigenous producers and our community. By supporting the next generation of Native producers, we can increase Native representation and support authentic stories that showcase the talent and skill of Native storytellers.”

“IllumiNative does tremendous work advocating for Indigenous representation in the entertainment industry,” said says Stephanie Shih, manager of external affairs at Netflix. “Together we want to create more opportunities behind the camera that can bring authentic portrayals of communities that are underrepresented on screen. We are honored to partner with them on a program that will help create more opportunities for Indigenous decision-makers in the industry.”