Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office, the New Zealand Film Commission and Screen Australia’s First Nations Department have today announced the formation of Shared Ground, a new lab for Indigenous filmmakers designed to strengthen relationships and create new storytelling opportunities within each country.
As outlined by Screen Australia, the program is ‘built on the understanding that meaningful Indigenous collaborations begin with relationships.’
Shared Ground aims to bring together Indigenous writers, directors and creative producers to learn more about their fellow Indigenous creatives and take part in a three-piece ‘immersive’ lab starting in 2027, designed to elevate their skills and encourage international networks.
Tri-nation Indigenous filmmaking lab established – quick links
What to know about the Shared Ground filmmaking lab
‘In March 2026, while in New Zealand, ISO met with Screen Australia and the New Zealand Film Commission to advance discussions towards an Indigenous tri-nation development lab. This represents a significant opportunity for international collaboration and co-production between Indigenous creators,’ Kerry Swanson, CEO of the Indigenous Screen Office says.
‘It is the first time our agencies have partnered to foster collaboration between these regions.’
Shared Ground’s three labs will take place across Australia, Canada and New Zealand, offering successful applicants the chance to learn more about each region’s storytelling opportunities and networks, as well as learning more about the importance of local lands and culture.
‘Māori storytelling is led by a relationship-first practice: the relationship we have with our tūpuna (ancestors), our whenua (lands) and each other. Shared Ground will give our filmmakers the opportunity to share space on each other’s lands, developing meaningful co-productions informed by each other’s cultural frameworks,’ Ainsley Gardiner, Head of Funding, New Zealand Film Commission says.
Gillian Moody-Ardler, Screen Australia Head of First Nations Content, also outlined the importance of the program for meaningful collaboration and providing opportunity to develop more Indigenous-led stories across all three countries involved.
‘Co-designing Shared Ground with the ISO and NZFC represents a new approach to international collaboration, one that places Indigenous relationships, cultural perspectives and creative leadership at its centre,’ Moody-Ardler says.
‘The initiative reflects our shared commitment to creating opportunities for Indigenous storytellers to connect across borders, learn from one another and build lasting partnerships. Together, we’re creating new pathways for stories to travel, reach audiences and have global reach and impact.’
How the Shared Ground program will run
The Shared Ground program will be open to applications from Indigenous writers, writer/directors and creative producers from Canada, New Zealand and Australia who meet the eligibility criteria set out by each local screen organisation.
Applicants must have a feature film project in development, and must be available to attend orientation, virtual workshops and in-person labs throughout 2027. The initial stages will take place from January to February 2027, with the first of three week-long labs taking place in March 2027 in New Zealand.
Applicants should be aware this program is designed to be fairly intensive. In addition to the three week-long courses, there will also be remote creative and project development taking place between labs.
Further details about this program and eligibility for consideration will be detailed in the coming month. Applications are expected to open by mid-October, and those successful will be informed and announced by January 2027.
You can learn more about the program and its intentionality on the Screen Australia website.
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