TRANSFORMING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
Our Pop Culture + Media work advances institutional equity in entertainment and media and supports authentic Native stories told by Native peoples.
We partner with and educate industry leaders and professionals to combat negative stereotypes and remove barriers for Native creatives. For too long, representation of Native peoples has created harmful narratives that impact Native communities and cultures. We can change that by supporting Native storytellers and training allies to be champions for positive Native representations. We support pathway programs that introduce Native creatives to industry leaders, and support them as they tell their stories.
By having a voice in the entertainment and media industries, we can hold companies accountable and ensure authentic Native stories are told for all audiences to see.
Photo: Reservation Dogs (Shane Brown, FX)
INDUSTRY GUIDE
This guide can serve as a resource for writers, producers, directors, creators, and others in the entertainment industry who seek to develop accurate stories and characters by and about Native peoples in television, film, and other forms of media.
PROGRAMS & PROJECTS
Photo: Basketball or Nothing (Netflix)
ILLUMINATIVE PRODUCERS PROGRAM
In partnership with Netflix, the newly-created IllumiNative Producers Program takes eight early and mid-career Indigenous producers through a year-long training program to help advance their trajectories in the industry.
SUPPORTING INDUSTRY PARTNER PROGRAMS
Netflix Animation Foundation
This four-month mentorship program connects Netflix Animation employee volunteers with early creatives looking to break into the animation industry.
This four-month mentorship program connects Netflix Animation employee volunteers with early creatives looking to break into the animation industry.
Warner Bros. Discovery Access Early Career Bootcamp
Early career professionals participate in a bootcamp to gain a strong understanding of the different facets of the entertainment industry and potential careers. The two-month bootcamp futhers WarnerMedia’s commitment to cultivate the next generation of storytellers and give access to all. Applications are now closed.
Early career professionals participate in a bootcamp to gain a strong understanding of the different facets of the entertainment industry and potential careers. The two-month bootcamp futhers WarnerMedia’s commitment to cultivate the next generation of storytellers and give access to all. Applications are now closed.
Photo: Spirit Rangers (Netflix)
THE INDIGENOUS LIST
Created in partnership with The Black List and Sundance Film Institute’s Indigenous Program, the Indigenous List highlights the top up-and-coming Native film and television screenwriters in the U.S. Their scripts are then pitched to major studios and networks to promote accurate and authentic Native stories and increase representation in the industry. IllumiNative selected eight scripts for the second annual Indigenous List.
INDUSTRY RESOURCES
We have resources for writers, producers, directors, creators, and others in the entertainment industry who are looking to be champions of Native representation. Check out The Time Is Now: The Power of Native Representation in Entertainment: A Guide for Industry Professionals to learn more about developing accurate and authentic stories about Native peoples.
