Hollywood Bureau
Native Indigenous Industry
Policy & Public Affairs Council

2027 & Beyond
Labs, Fellowships, Grants Programs

RNCI operates at the intersection of entertainment, media, public policy, education, advocacy, and cultural leadership. For more than 30 years, RNCI has worked to advance Native and Indigenous representation and equity across film, television, media, and popular culture. Through its Hollywood Bureau Native/Indigenous Industry Policy & Public Affairs Council, RNCI serves as a strategic liaison between Indian Country and the entertainment industry, advocating for meaningful representation, greater access, economic opportunity, and Native leadership in the creation and distribution of stories.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, with an office in Santa Fe, New Mexico, RNCI works nationally and internationally with Native Nations, Indigenous communities, filmmakers, artists, students, educators, cultural leaders, policymakers, and entertainment-industry professionals. Its programs and initiatives create platforms for Native people to tell, produce, preserve, distribute, and control their own narratives—while building pathways into the entertainment industry for the next generation.

RNCI’s work goes beyond representation on screen. It addresses the systems that determine who has access, who gets funded, who gets hired, who controls the narrative, and whose stories are preserved for future generations.

Through film festivals, television, education, industry policy, public affairs, cultural preservation, youth development, and human-rights initiatives, RNCI works to create lasting systemic change and establish Native and Indigenous voices as an essential part of the American and global cultural landscape.

Natives in Charge of Their Narrative.
Who Tells the Story Matters®.

Applications Open 2027

The Market Native: Investment Forum

RNCI The Pitch returns as a premier investment forum connecting visionary investors, philanthropists, producers, distributors, studios, streamers, and industry leaders with an exceptional slate of Native and Indigenous film, television, documentary, animation, and emerging media projects seeking development, production, completion, acquisition, and distribution financing.

More than a pitch session, The Market Native: Investment Forum is where meaningful partnerships begin. We bring together creators and decision-makers to champion authentic storytelling, unlock new financing opportunities, and accelerate projects from concept to global audiences.

Our mission is to cultivate strategic partnerships that empower Native and Indigenous storytellers while creating sustainable economic opportunities throughout the entertainment industry. By investing in original voices and visionary creators, we help transform groundbreaking ideas into world-class productions that shape culture, expand markets, and inspire lasting change.

At Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI), we believe investing in Native and Indigenous storytelling is an investment in the future of entertainment.

Who Tells the Story Matters.

Applications Open 2027

Native Women Write

Native Women Write, an initiative of Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI), is dedicated to advancing Native and Indigenous women storytellers by creating pathways to opportunity, leadership, and creative excellence.

Through mentorship, education, networking, and industry access, we empower women filmmakers, writers, producers, and creators to succeed while advancing gender equity across the entertainment industry. By investing in authentic voices, we are cultivating the next generation of storytellers whose work shapes culture, transforms perspectives, and inspires lasting change.

At RNCI, we believe Who Tells the Story Matters. Native women are not only preserving culture—they are redefining the future of film, television, and media through stories that reflect the richness, diversity, and resilience of Indigenous communities.

Applications Open 2027

RNCI Native Episodic Lab

The RNCI Native Episodic Lab empowers Native and Indigenous creators to develop original television, streaming, and digital series that reflect authentic voices and contemporary Indigenous experiences.

Designed for emerging and established writers, directors, and producers, the program provides mentorship, industry guidance, script development, pitch preparation, and professional networking to help participants transform compelling ideas into market-ready episodic projects.

As one of the few programs dedicated to advancing Native and Indigenous storytellers in episodic entertainment, the Native Episodic Lab creates pathways to career growth while connecting creators with producers, studios, streamers, and industry decision-makers. Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of groundbreaking series that entertain, inspire, and reshape the global media landscape.

At Red Nation Celebration Institute, we believe that investing in Native and Indigenous creators is investing in the future of storytelling.

Who Tells the Story Matters.

Applications Open 2027

RNCI Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts

The RNCI Native Indigenous Student Academy for Cinematic Arts is dedicated to discovering, mentoring, and elevating the next generation of Native and Indigenous storytellers. Designed for emerging filmmakers, writers, producers, actors, and creative professionals ages 18–25, the Academy creates pathways into the entertainment industry while cultivating the voices that will shape the future of film, television, and digital media.

Founded by Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI), the Academy provides year-round opportunities for young creators to develop their craft, build professional networks, and gain direct access to industry leaders through education, mentorship, and hands-on experiences.

Participants receive a Red Nation International Film Festival Pass, providing access to screenings, industry panels, masterclasses, networking events, and conversations with award-winning filmmakers, producers, executives, and artists from around the world.

The Academy also includes the RNCI Fellowship Program, a competitive, year-long artist development initiative that supports emerging Native and Indigenous creatives through mentorship, professional training, career guidance, and opportunities to develop and present original projects.

By investing in the next generation of storytellers, RNCI is building a stronger, more inclusive entertainment industry—one where Native and Indigenous voices are leading, innovating, and transforming the stories that shape our world.

Who Tells the Story Matters.

Applications Open 2027

Creator Exchange

The RNCI Creator Exchange is a free, year-round global community where Native and Indigenous storytellers, filmmakers, artists, and media creators come together to learn, collaborate, and advance their careers.

Designed to foster authentic storytelling and professional growth, the Creator Exchange provides access to educational resources, mentorship, industry insights, peer-to-peer engagement, and meaningful networking opportunities. Members can receive constructive feedback on projects, share knowledge and experiences, build creative partnerships, and connect with an expanding network of creators, industry professionals, and cultural leaders.

Whether you’re developing your first short film, producing a feature, creating episodic content, or exploring emerging media, the RNCI Creator Exchange offers a supportive environment where stories are nurtured, voices are amplified, and lasting professional relationships are built.

Learn. Create. Connect. Inspire.

Because Who Tells the Story Matters®.

You can Support Red Nation Celebration Institute Talent Development Year Round

Your tax-deductible donation today is more essential than ever.

As a NativeWomen-Led, Indigenous media, art and cultural non-profit enterprise, Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) and its year round programs are an essential component to the Native narrative in all media. RNCI relies on the generosity of its donors to create dynamic storytelling for the Native Indigeous perspective which strengthens our local and global community. Your tax-deductible donation helps make world-class cinema, performing arts and arts education programs possible. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, donations are more essential to our bottom line than ever.

Ihéednáá‘ (Thank you) for your generous support.