Netflix & IllumiNative Team for Producers Program

Netflix is teaming with the racial and social justice organization IllumiNative to launch the IllumiNative 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. Each will receive a $25,000 stipend and attend monthly workshops and networking events to develop a project. The program is part of Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, a five-year, $100 million investment in internal initiatives and outside organizations to create more behind-the-camera opportunities in television and film for people from historically excluded backgrounds.

Throughout the program, the producers will develop a current project, attend monthly workshops and have access to network-building opportunities with Netflix executives, roundtable talks with Indigenous industry creatives, studio meetings and workshops with writers, directors, producers and casting agents. 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.

“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.”

Applications are open now to early and mid-career Indigenous producers who are attached to at least one current project with rights to the intellectual property they are seeking to adapt. The deadline is Feb. 21.