4th World Media Lab
Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship
The 4th World Media Lab is a year-long fellowship for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers, providing opportunities to develop filmmaking skills and networks through festival participation, hands-on training, masterclasses, workshopping projects in development, pitch activities, and meetings with funders and other industry decision-makers.
4th World is a concept that was shared by a Coast Salish elder.
It is the story about a time when the environment and the earth are suffering, and Indigenous storytelling functions as the medicine to create healing. The 4th World Media Lab experience has been designed to uplift Indigenous voices and perspectives through artist fellowship, immersion in industry events and Indigenous project development as we collectively envision a future more whole.
A Unique Year-Long Fellowship Program
4th World Media Lab is a collaborative partnership between festivals, funders, and film industry partners to mentor, train, and sustain Indigenous filmmakers and their careers. Fellowship activities take place at three international film festivals.
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
Missoula, Montana
At Big Sky, fellows attend the DocShop filmmaker’s forum, Indigenous filmmaker screenings and events, and a private seminar with leaders in the Indigenous filmmaking community and the film industry at large.
Seattle International Film Festival
Seattle, Washington
The Seattle experience offers industry master classes, hands-on training and global networking with international Indigenous filmmakers in the SIFF urban festival atmosphere.
Camden International Film Festival
Camden, Maine
The Points North Institute in Camden provides a vast network of peer and industry mentors and resources at CIFF, including opportunities for one-on-one connections with future collaborators and funders.