Indigenous filmmakers from Australia, Canada and New Zealand will have the opportunity to develop their projects and establish international partnerships through a new initiative launching in 2027.
The program, known as Shared Ground, is a joint initiative between Screen Australia's First Nations Department, Canada's Indigenous Screen Office and the New Zealand Film Commission.
It will bring together Indigenous writers, directors and creative producers from the three countries to share ideas and explore opportunities to collaborate on future film projects.
Participants will take part in three international development labs, with each country hosting a week-long program throughout 2027.
The initiative will focus on building relationships between Indigenous filmmakers while providing opportunities for their stories to reach international audiences.
Screen Australia Head of First Nations Content, Gillian Moody-Ardler, said the program would place Indigenous perspectives and creative leadership at the forefront of international collaboration.
"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," Ms Moody-Ardler said.
"The initiative reflects our shared commitment to creating opportunities for Indigenous storytellers to connect across borders, learn from one another and build lasting partnerships."
The program was developed following discussions between the three organisations in New Zealand in March this year.
Indigenous Screen Office chief executive, Kerry Swanson, said it marked the first time the organisations had joined forces on an initiative of this kind.
"It is the first time our agencies have partnered to foster collaboration between these regions," she said.
Successful applicants will receive access to mentorship, workshops, industry sessions and creative development opportunities while learning more about the film industries in each participating country.
Importantly, filmmakers will retain ownership and control of their stories and projects throughout the program.
Each international lab will also be developed around the cultural practices and protocols of its host country, allowing participants to gain a greater understanding of the different Indigenous cultures involved.
New Zealand Film Commission Head of Funding, Ainsley Gardiner, said relationships would be central to the initiative.
"Māori storytelling is led by a relationship-first practice: the relationship we have with our tūpuna (ancestors), our whenua (lands) and each other," she said.
"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."
The program will begin with orientation sessions and online workshops in January and February 2027.
Participants will then travel to New Zealand for the first international lab in March, followed by further sessions in Australia and Canada on dates yet to be confirmed.
Additional creative and project development activities will take place remotely between the three labs.
Applications are expected to open by mid-October 2026, with successful participants to be announced in January 2027.
Further information about eligibility, application requirements and program dates will be made available through Screen Australia and its international partners.
