Taking Your Career in Your Own Hands : A Two Day Intensive for Indigenous Writers Directors Producers
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Venue
Presented by
Tim Riedel is a Red River Métis filmmaker from Treaty 1 territory in Manitoba working across film, television, and streaming. His credits include the award winning documentary Jackstones and the upcoming psychological horror feature Ancestral Beasts, selected for the Frontières platform at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film.
He began his career in animation, writing on one of Canada’s first 3D series Eddy Unleashed before becoming a director and showrunner. He later shifted into documentary filmmaking and developed ethical storytelling practices to improve the representation of marginalized people in media.
Since 2020, Riedel has focused on Indigenous-led narrative work rooted in his homeland and community. He is a graduate of FILMBA at Capilano University, a 2024 Whistler Indigenous Filmmaker Fellow, part of Producers Without Borders at the 2025 European Film Market, and was named one of Playback’s 10 to Watch for 2025.
In Partnership With
The Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective (WIFC) is a grassroots community of Indigenous filmmakers, storytellers, and creatives dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices in film and media. Rooted in mentorship, collaboration, and cultural empowerment, WIFC offers a supportive space for filmmakers of all experience levels — from emerging artists to seasoned professionals — to develop their skills, connect with industry peers, and bring their stories to the screen.
Through workshops, incubators, and networking events, WIFC nurtures Indigenous talent, strengthens the presence of Indigenous-led storytelling, and empowers members to advocate for themselves and their work within the industry. At its core, WIFC is about community, creativity, and the belief that our stories matter.
Led by acclaimed Metis filmmaker Tim Riedel
Presented in partnership with the Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective
THIS WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD IN PERSON OVER TWO DAYS.
Day 1 – Monday February 23rd – 6pm-10pm
Day 2 – Wednesday, February 25th – 6pm-10pm
Location – 4th Floor Boardroom of Artspace Building at 100 Arthur Street
This two day workshop is designed for Indigenous filmmakers (MFNI) who want to take their careers into their own hands and build a real path toward writing, directing, and producing their own work.
Led by Red River Métis filmmaker Tim Riedel, this intensive uses the 18 month journey of the feature film Ancestral Beasts as a case study to break down how an Indigenous filmmaker can move an idea from early spark to industry momentum in 2026. The workshop combines honest storytelling, practical strategy, and some hands on exercises to help participants build their own map forward.
Explore what it means to be their own champion in an industry that often asks Indigenous creators to wait for permission. Through structured discussions and working sessions, we will look at the emotional realities of pursuing a film career, the struggles of surviving financially while building projects, how to generate momentum and industry attention, and how to assemble the right team of supporters, collaborators, and advisors.
This is not a passive lecture. Participants will spend the two days considering materials for their own careers, including personal strategy maps, project positioning, and realistic action plans. The workshop will also include guided reflection, structured sharing, and grounding moments to support the emotional journey of stepping into leadership as an Indigenous storyteller.
This space is intended for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers at all stages, from those with no credits to those preparing to move into larger projects. The goal is for participants to leave a little exhausted, a little scared, and more assured than ever that they have a path forward and the tools to launch themselves.
Learning Focus
• Gain a clear view of how Indigenous filmmakers are getting projects made right now
• Learn how to build momentum, relationships, and leverage from where they are
• Explore the responsibilities and power of telling our stories and taking up space
• Develop practical strategies for funding, partnerships, and career sustainability
This workshop blends safe circles and hard truths with a strategic masterclass approach.
It includes personal transparency from the facilitator, practical industry guidance, and time for participants to reflect, and share.
Space is very limited so register quick. Participants must attend both days of this incredible opportunity.
Registration is open to Indigenous (MFNI) Filmmakers 16 years old and up.
Registration closes on Monday Feb 23 at 4pm.
See our cancellation policy.
