2026 Indigenous Music in Media Cohort at VIFF
Take Your Music to the Screen
The Indigenous Music Office (IMO) is inviting Indigenous composers, songwriters, publishers and music professionals from across Canada to apply for the 2026 Indigenous Music in Media Cohort at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
Participants will travel to Vancouver from October 4–8, 2026 to take part in three days of VIFF industry programming, professional development and opportunities to connect with music supervisors, filmmakers, producers, composers, publishers and other screen industry professionals.
Whether you're interested in scoring, sync licensing, publishing or getting your music into film and television, this experience is designed to help you build your knowledge, relationships and career opportunities.
Applications are open now from August 19 – September 2, 2026.
Participants Receive
- Round-trip economy airfare to Vancouver
- Four nights of accommodation
- $600 participation fee
- $375 per diem
- $200 ground transportation allowance
- Access to three days of VIFF industry programming and cohort activities
That's $1,175 in direct participant support, plus airfare and accommodation.
What you'll experience
Working with filmmakers and producersParticipants will take part in programming alongside VIFF Amp participants and connect with professionals working across music, film, television and screen media.
The experience will provide opportunities to learn more about:
- Film and television scoring
- Sync licensing and song placement
- Music publishing and supervision
- Licensing and rights
- Pitching music for screen
- Working with filmmakers and producers
- Building industry relationships
Previous experience working in film or television is not required.
Who should apply?
This cohort is for Indigenous music professionals interested in learning more about scoring, sync, publishing and other opportunities across film, television and screen media.
We’re looking for people from different communities, regions, disciplines and career stages. We recognize that cost, geography, family and community responsibilities, accessibility and other circumstances can affect access to industry opportunities. This cohort is designed to help reduce some of those barriers.
Francophone applicants are warmly encouraged to apply. VIFF programming and cohort activities will take place primarily in English, so participants should be comfortable participating in English.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be First Nation, Inuit or Métis
- Be living and working in Canada
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be available for all program dates, October 4–8, 2026
- Have recent professional activity in music
We welcome Indigenous composers, songwriters, publishers, producers, artists and other music professionals from across Canada who are interested in building their knowledge, relationships and opportunities within the screen industry.
Previous experience working in film or television is not required.
How to apply
We've kept the application simple.
Tell us a little about yourself and your work, what you're hoping to learn and why this opportunity feels right for you.
You'll also be asked to upload a short video telling us why you want to be part of the cohort. A video recorded on your phone is perfect — we're interested in hearing from you, not your video production skills.
Applications will be reviewed by a three-person Indigenous jury. Ten participants will be selected with consideration for diversity across Nations, regions, disciplines and career stages.
Application deadline
September 2, 2026
This initiative is made possible with support from FACTOR through the Collective Initiatives program and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Important Dates
- August 19 — Applications open
- September 2 — Applications close
- September 8 — Applicants notified
- October 4 — Travel to Vancouver
- October 5-7 — VIFF programming
- October 8 — Travel home