Press Release

Winda Fellow for 2026 Announced

Winda showcases global Indigenous films and fosters opportunities for filmmakers. It contributes to industry networking and professional development, raising visibility for Indigenous talent in Australia and beyond.

The festival partnered with Barangaroo and NSW Government to deliver 8 Indigenous features over eight weeks at the Stargazer cinema, the first five films were from Australia and then last 3 were international films.

“This work helps to bring Indigenous narratives to Sydney in a engaging way as a free screening and under the stars” the work we do is to engage our filmmakers and wider community with films that often are short lived in the cinema space. Two of the international films “Bati” and “Sweet Summer Pow Wow” were Australia Premieres. The growth into genres means we are seeing a wide range of films we have been able to show to the audience, from Animations like “The Lost Tiger” to Chillers like “Moogai”, to rom-coms like “Sweet Summer Pow Wow” the audiences turned up over the 8 weeks (even with the threat of rain) around 200 people each week turned up engage with the stories and celebrate the filmmakers.

We also continue our international work through the Indigenous Cinema Alliance.

Winda’s Fellow for 2026 is Brooke Collard, Brooke is a First Nations Ballardong/Whadjuk Noongar woman. As a Producer and Writer, Brooke is creating opportunities for authentic representation for those who have been marginalised in media, such as stories of First Nations people and LGBTQIA+. 

Brooke won the AACTA Regional Pitch for 2023 with their project “Reclamation” a Noongar Horror. In 2023 Brooke produced educational series “First Nations Bedtime Stories – Noongar”, and short film Marlu Man. In 2022 she was shortlisted for webseries Digital Originals with “Red Dress Woman”. Brooke also has a successful podcast series “Noongar Wellbeing” which has over 16,000 plays.

Brooke wrote and produced web series YOKAI, and award winning short film ABORIGINAL WARRIOR. She has also worked on projects such as TV Series THE GREAT, SWEET AS, ITCH and many others. With a primary focus on facilitating stories that encourage others and help on the journey of healing.

Brooke is a firm believer in “No Stories About Us, Without Us.

She will be taking “Reclamation” to the international market at EFM and Tiff Market 2026

With the Support of Screen Australia, Cultural Diplomacy Fund, Screen West and Winda Brooke will be mentored throughout the year by Writer/Producer Pauline Clague.

The Fellow pays for membership into EFM, her airfares internationally and accommodation and a stipend while overseas.

Brooke said “As a regional Ballardong/Whadjuk Noongar film maker, it is a huge honour to be selected at Winda Fellow and proudly share place-based storytelling. Growing up, even thinking about travelling internationally and working in film was something that seemed completely out of reach, but I’m over the moon to have this opportunity and be told to dream bigger. I’m excited by the opportunity to grow the relationships with other First Nations film makers and look at potential co-productions where our stories resonate globally.”

Indigenous Cinema Alliance Announces 2026 Membership, Markets & Fellowship Program

Membership

The ICA welcomes back Māoriland Film Festival (Ōtaki, Aotearoa New Zealand), a founding member returning after six years away. Māoriland is a dynamic Indigenous film festival and creative hub dedicated to celebrating and supporting Māori and international Indigenous voices in screen storytelling.

Joining the Alliance for the first time is Ngā Aho Whakaari / Māori in Screen (Aotearoa New Zealand), a non-profit organisation that advances, promotes, and advocates for Māori practitioners, stories, and leadership within the screen industries.

Returning members include:

imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (Canada) – continuing as project lead for the ICA

International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) (Sápmi/Norway) – increasing its contribution to the Alliance

4th World Media (Turtle Island)

Mullu (Abya Yala)

Winda Film Festival (Australia)

Film.gl (Greenland)

Pacific Islanders in Communications (Hawai‘i)

Strategic Focus for Markets & Activities

After celebrating a decade of presence at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin in 2025, the ICA is now redirecting its attention to the inaugural TIFF: The Market in 2026. TIFF: The Market is a newly launched film, series and innovation market presented by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), running 10–16 September 2026. The event will bring together global film, television and immersive content industries, establishing a key international platform for creators and rights-holders.

Recognising the need for a dedicated short-form market for Indigenous producers, the ICA will also, for the first time, attend the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market (France) – the world’s largest short film market, welcoming over 4,000 accredited professionals from more than 88 countries and showcasing more than 7,500 recent titles.

Fellowship Cohort

The ICA will convene its annual ninth cohort of Fellows, producers and industry professionals drawn from member organisations, who will take part in the ICA’s training, networking and market programs. 

Confirmed Fellows to date include:

Brooke Collard (Winda Film Festival)

Jacqueline Olivé (4th World Media)

Johannes Vang (ISFI)

Katsitsionni Fox (4th World Media / Indigenous Screen Office)

Libby Hakaraia (Māoriland)

Marc Fussing Rosbach (Film.gl / Arctic Indigenous Film Fund)

Princess Daazhraii Johnson (4th World Media / Arctic Indigenous Film Fund)

Sadetło Scott (imagineNATIVE / Arctic Indigenous Film Fund)

Sara Beate Eira (ISFI / Arctic Indigenous Film Fund)

All Fellows will engage with one or more of the ICA’s market programs, including Clermont-Ferrand, EFM, and TIFF: The Market, based on individual project trajectories and goals. This list is provisional, and additional Fellows will be announced as we finalise participation ahead of TIFF.

Partnerships & Funding

The ICA continues to receive support from the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), and Telefilm Canada, and will collaborate closely with these organisations leading up to participation in TIFF: The Market.

Quotes

“Indigenous storytelling does not wait on the sidelines,” said Naomi Johnson, Executive Director of imagineNATIVE and Project Lead for the ICA. “By convening at both feature and short-form markets, and by strengthening our network with returning and new members from Aotearoa, we are expanding opportunities for Indigenous producers and ensuring that our stories are seen, valued, and traded on equitable terms.”

“We are honoured for Ngā Aho Whakaari to join the Indigenous Cinema Alliance for the first time,” said Kay Ellmers, Executive Director of Ngā Aho Whakaari. “We look forward to collaborating with our Indigenous peers across the globe and helping to extend the Alliance’s network and support systems. Strengthening these international connections ensures that Māori storytellers, and all Indigenous voices, are empowered to share our stories on a global stage with authenticity and respect.”

“In Ecuador, Indigenous communities continue to face enormous challenges, from environmental destruction to political violence that directly threatens our lands and peoples,” said Frida Muenala, Film Coordinator of Mullu. “Yet we keep creating, filming, and fighting with our communities to make sure our voices are not erased. The ICA’s solidarity and partnership remind us that we are part of a global family – one that stands together for justice, representation, and self-determination in cinema.”

About the Indigenous Cinema Alliance

Founded to advance Indigenous cinema globally, the Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) creates culturally safe spaces for Indigenous professionals, facilitates connections across international markets, and champions co-production and distribution opportunities for Indigenous screen makers.

The ICA also supports the international sales of Indigenous titles, working with producers to secure the right representation for their projects, and collaborating with sales agents and distributors to ensure Indigenous-led works reach audiences around the world with integrity and care.

imagineNATIVE (Canada): With 25 years of experience in film programming, festival strategy, and global promotion of Indigenous screen content, imagineNATIVE offers deep industry connections and expertise in marketing and distribution tailored to Indigenous content. As a founding ICA member and the world’s largest Indigenous screen content presenter, imagineNATIVE has led ICA projects from the beginning.

International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) (Sápmi – Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia): ISFI strengthens Sámi culture through film by supporting production, distribution, and international collaboration. Another founding member, its expertise guides co-production and funding opportunities.

4th World Media (Turtle Island): Running year-long fellowships for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers, 4th World Media focuses on mentorship, professional development, and expanding industry networks.

Film.gl (Greenland): Founded to professionalize Greenland’s film industry, Film.gl supports filmmakers, builds networks, and advocates for national film funding. Its involvement brings an Arctic Indigenous perspective and strengthens industry connections.

Māoriland (Aotearoa New Zealand): Founded in 2014, Māoriland has become the Southern Hemisphere’s largest showcase of Indigenous screen storytelling. Its annual festival gathers global Indigenous creators, and its year round hub develops new talent through workshops, exhibitions and training. Māoriland champions Indigenous voices with cultural pride and is also a founding member of the ICA.

Mullu (Abya Yala/Latin Americas): Mullu amplifies Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and frontline voices through digital platforms, co-production, and distribution. With a diverse Spanish- and Portuguese-language catalogue, Mullu contributes to discussions on alternative distribution models and broadening access to Indigenous storytelling across Latin America.

Ngā Aho Whakaari / Māori in Screen (Aotearoa New Zealand): Ngā Aho Whakaari is the national organization representing Māori working across film, television, and digital media. It advocates for Māori storytelling, industry development, and cultural integrity in screen production.

Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) (USA/Pacific Islands): PIC amplifies Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices, supporting emerging filmmakers through media distribution and community events. It connects filmmakers with international distributors, broadcasters, and co-producers, while sharing strategies for public media.

Winda Film Festival (Australia): Winda showcases global Indigenous films and fosters opportunities for filmmakers. It contributes to industry networking and professional development, raising visibility for Indigenous talent in Australia and beyond.