Indigenous Students

Indigenous students can receive up to 100% non-repayable financial support to study Film Production, Screenwriting, 3D Animation, Visual Effects, Documentary or Graphic Design in Vancouver, Canada.

Land acknowledgement

InFocus Film School is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

We are grateful to learn, create and tell stories on this land, and we recognize the enduring relationship its peoples have with it.

Funding Your Education

InFocus Film School’s dedication to inclusive education includes supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in reaching their artistic and career goals in the creative industries. We’re here to help you navigate and access support programs that lower the barriers to a quality education.

Up to 100% of tuition subsidized

Eligible students accepted into these programs can have their film school tuition subsidized up to 100%, with non-repayable funding.

  • Film Production
  • Screenwriting
  • 3D Animation
  • Visual Effects
  • Documentary
  • Graphic Design

There are many routes and funding opportunities for Indigenous students to access a film education. For further information or guidance, contact our Admissions team.

Band Funding

If you are a First Nations band member, your band may offer scholarships, bursaries or other funding that partially or even fully covers your tuition. Each band has its own application process to access these funds, and may have deadlines or timelines for when you can apply.

  1. 01 Contact your band’s post-secondary funding administrator for their application requirements and deadlines.
  2. 02 Gather the documents they ask for. Our admissions advisors can help with any paperwork from InFocus.
  3. 03 Apply ahead of your program start date, so funding is in place before classes begin.

Scholarships + Other Funding

If you are Inuit, Métis or non-status, there are options available to you as well. Many sources of external funding and financial support exist for all Indigenous students, offered by governments and non-profits across Canada.

Start here Indigenous Bursaries Search Tool Indigenous Services Canada’s database of bursaries and scholarships. Search for the awards that apply to you. Open the search tool

Other resources to explore

Every Child Matters

Truth and Reconciliation

From 2008 to 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada documented the history and lasting impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous children, families and communities. Its final report issued 94 Calls to Action to redress that legacy and advance reconciliation.

Call to Action 86

We call upon Canadian journalism programs and media schools to require education for all students on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. As storytellers, media schools like ours are called on directly.
  • 30 September

    National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

    Also known as Orange Shirt Day, it honours residential school Survivors, their families and communities, and the children who never came home.

    Orange Shirt Society
  • Learn the history

    Read the Commission’s reports and follow Canada’s progress on the Calls to Action.

    NCTR reports Progress on the Calls to Action
  • Support is available

    Free, confidential support for Survivors and their families, 24 hours a day.

    National Residential School Crisis Line
    1-866-925-4419
    KUU-US Crisis Line (BC)
    1-800-588-8717

Get started

Ready to make
your first film?

Made by Ahmad Baker