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Creative Fellowships

Supporting Indigenous artists, writers, and filmmakers

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Nia Tero offers a suite of Creative Fellowship opportunities for Indigenous makers across disciplines to further their practice, be in community, build skills, and network - all with the goal of uplifting and amplifying Indigenous creatives.

This includes all forms of storytelling, inclusive of filmmaking, journalism, advanced media production, and art.

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“The Storytelling Fellowship reaffirms that Indigenous Peoples can make their own movies and tell their own stories!”

David Hernández Palmar (Wayuu)

4th World Media Lab

The 4th World Media Lab provides Indigenous creators a progressive immersion into film learning and film exploration ranging from storytelling basics and pitching, to presentation and marketing at SIFF, to distribution and industry networking.

A man, Justyn ah Chong, uses camera to film a women pouring water over plants in traditional dress
Film May 29, 2020

4th World Media Lab Fellow - Justyn Ah Chong

A highlight of Kanaka Maoli filmmaker Justyn Ah Chong in respect to his creative process as he celebrates and honors his Hawaiian community through storytelling.

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NATIVe Stand

The NATIVe Stand Fellows Programme is an international professional-development opportunity for Indigenous producers to attend the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin with 1-2 market-ready feature film projects. The NATIVe Fellows Programme is a rare fellowship/lab opportunity exclusive to Indigenous feature film producers or producing directors to have their project(s) promoted through the NATIVe Indigenous Cinema Stand and to participate in a curated programme for the producer to make the most of their time at the EFM.

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PNW Art

Nia Tero’s Pacific Northwest Art Fellowship brings together creatives working in many visual disciplines, from diverse international Indigenous affiliations, across stages of their artistic development. Nia Tero is proud to provide Indigenous artists working in the Northwest of North America this opportunity for professional and personal support as part of their growing network of fellows that spans the globe.

Animated girl looks at floating pink flowers
Film August 7, 2021

Pacific Northwest Art Fellowship - Sizzle Reel

The Nia Tero Pacific Northwest Art Fellowship uplifts the work and personal stories of the remarkable Indigenous artists who live and work in the vibrant arts scenes surrounding Nia Tero's backyard.

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Pasifika Journalism

The Pasifika Journalism Fellowship supports Native and Indigenous-led news reporting in the Pacific Islands. The Fellowship supports Indigenous journalists as individuals or pairs on stories in the Pacific that cover critical topic areas surrounding Indigenous guardianship – Indigenous Peoples' sovereign, collective care for thriving homelands and waters. Issues can span topics of Environment, Identity, Oceans, Sustainability, and Culture, though we preference stories or issues that are directly tied to Pacific Islanders’ vision to sustain the thriving island and ocean places they are a part of. Selected fellows receive a stipend and attend virtual gatherings that will support their growth as journalists and the development of their story.


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Storytelling

Nia Tero’s Storytelling Fellowship amplifies Indigenous creatives working on innovative projects rooted in culture, environment and story. The fellows will have access to a global stage to amplify Indigenous stories that will change the global narrative about the critical place of Indigenous Peoples in the well-being of our planet and our collective humanity.

Portrait of a young woman, Mia Kami, in a dress smiles with her hand clasped in front of her
Film January 14, 2021

Storytelling Fellow - Mia Kami

A celebration of Tongan singer and songwriter, Mia Kami. Mia shares about how music is a way to connect to culture, roots, and identity.

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Related stories from Fellowships

Delve into highlights and stories from our Fellowships.

All Fellowship Stories

Ciara Lacy

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Pacific Northwest Art Fellowship Portrait - Ciara Lacy (Kanaka Maoli)

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A man and two women dance in front of a waterfall

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Rooted by Mia Kami

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Male Artist Linley b Logan paints green bushes on a large canvas

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Pacific Northwest Art Fellow - Linley B. Logan (Seneca)

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