Services
Programming
TURNING OPPORTUNITY INTO RESULTS
RNIFF: The Market connects emerging and established Native and Indigenous filmmakers, producers, creators, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals with opportunities for mentorship, networking, project development, funding, partnerships, and global industry access. We create pathways that transform representation into participation, participation into opportunity, and opportunity into ownership-strengthening Native and Indigenous screen industries and economic impact.
Natives in Charge of Their Narrative®. Who Tells the Story Matters®.
RNIFF: Signature Programs, Experiences & Industry Platforms
RNIFF: THE MARKET - MARKETPLACE FORUM
A dynamic space where Native and Indigenous filmmakers, creators, producers, industry leaders, cultural leaders, and innovators come together to connect, exchange knowledge, and explore the creative, technological, cultural, and business forces shaping today’s entertainment industry.
Through inspiring conversations, keynotes, panels, and industry-focused sessions, RNIFF: The Market Summit creates pathways for collaboration, professional growth, economic opportunity, and global partnerships.
Where Native & Indigenous Stories Come to Life
An immersive space where storytelling, technology, culture, and creativity converge. The RNIFF Innovation Hub invites audiences, filmmakers, artists, and industry leaders to step inside stories, experience new forms of cinematic expression, and explore how emerging technologies are transforming the way Native and Indigenous stories are created, shared, and experienced.
From immersive media and interactive storytelling to emerging creative technologies, the Hub is a place to experience, experiment, connect, and co-create – while honoring Indigenous knowledge, imagination, and innovation.
Not just watching the future of storytelling. Experiencing it.
Business & Connection Points
From curated matchmaking and Indigenous – led networking to deal-making, financing, distribution, and collaboration, the RNIFF Film Market creates meaningful pathways for Native and Indigenous filmmakers, creators, producers, buyers, distributors, investors, and industry leaders to connect and do business. Rooted in Native and Indigenous storytelling, cultural leadership, and economic opportunity, the Market centers Indigenous voices and positions Native creators at the heart of global screen opportunities-culminating at the RNIFF Film Market 2026.
Where Native & Indigenous Stories Meet Opportunity
RNIFF: The Market™ connects Native and Indigenous filmmakers, creators, producers, investors, distributors, studios, networks, and international industry partners to help move projects from vision to financing, production, distribution, and global audiences.
A curated industry platform designed to help filmmakers secure financing, identify co-production partners, build strategic relationships, and create pathways for their projects to reach the marketplace.
Through curated meetings, industry connections, project presentations, and networking opportunities, RNIFF: The Market™ creates a space where Native and Indigenous stories are not only told – they are positioned for investment, collaboration, and economic opportunity.
Bring your story. Build your team. Find your partners. Take your project to the market.
Where Native Stories Become Screen Opportunities
RNIFF: The Market™ IP Exchange creates a dedicated space for Native and Indigenous intellectual property owners, authors, storytellers, artists, publishers, cultural creators, game developers, and immersive media makers to connect with producers, studios, networks, and entertainment companies seeking compelling stories and original IP.
This curated industry platform creates opportunities to discover, develop, option, license, adapt, and expand Native and Indigenous stories across film, television, streaming, gaming, publishing, immersive media, and emerging platforms.
By connecting IP owners directly with entertainment decision-makers, RNIFF: The Market™ helps create pathways for ownership, collaboration, economic opportunity, and authentic representation-while supporting Native creators in maintaining meaningful participation in the development and future of their intellectual property.
Your IP. Your Story. Your Voice. Your Opportunity.
Building the Next Generation of Native & Indigenous Creators
The Pitch is Back Lab
Connect with Native & Indigenous filmmakers, creators, funders, investors, distributors, and entertainment leaders through eight dynamic Industry Sessions exploring financing, development, production, distribution, technology, and the global marketplace. Filmmakers also have opportunities to pitch projects directly to funders and industry partners – transforming creative vision into meaningful connections, financing, and production opportunities.
Native Women Write Lab
Native Women Write™ began in 2010, is an intensive scriptwriting lab that is designed to develop native women writers to further their careers in film and television industry.
Industry professionals work with a hand full of native women writers, during the each scheduled program. In addition the lab will develop drama and comedy writers for jobs at a television networks, film studio and Red Nation Television Network.
Indigenous Series Creator Intensive
Develop. Refine. Pitch. Take Your Series to the Market. Native & Indigenous series creator teams participate in an intensive development program featuring mentorship, pitch preparation, industry guidance, and curated meetings. Strengthen your episodic project, refine your creative vision, build industry relationships, and prepare to pitch producers, studios, networks, platforms, distributors, and potential partners.
Awards & Fellowships
Recognizing Talent. Creating Opportunity. Building Careers.
RNIFF’s Awards & Fellowships celebrate the excellence, creativity, and leadership of Native & Indigenous filmmakers and storytellers while creating pathways for professional growth through mentorship, industry connections, career development, and opportunities that extend beyond the festival.
Stay informed about The Market
Subscribe to our mailing list for all new programme announcements and key dates
The Chief Dan George Award
Established by the Red Nation Celebration Institute in 2016, the Chief Dan George Award honors the enduring legacy of Chief Dan George – celebrating his contributions to Indigenous representation, environmental justice, cultural leadership, and the cinematic arts.
The Marlon Brando Award
Established by the Red Nation Celebration Institute in 2008, the Marlon Brando Award honors the enduring legacy of Marlon Brando and his steadfast commitment to American Indian advocacy, cultural representation, social justice, and the cinematic arts.
The Edward R. Roybal Award
Established by the Red Nation Celebration Institute (RNCI) in 2015, the Edward R. Roybal Award honors the enduring legacy of Congressman Edward R. Roybal – a pioneering public servant.
The Edward Albert Jr. Award
The Edward Albert Jr. Award was established by the Red Nation Celebration Institute in 2006 to honor Edward Albert Jr.’s legacy of dedication to environmental conservation and cultural diversity.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Honoring an extraordinary lifetime of achievement, creative excellence, cultural leadership, and lasting contributions to Native & Indigenous storytelling and the entertainment industry.
Global Impact Award
Formerly known as the Vision Award, this distinguished honor was renamed to recognize Joanelle Romero’s extraordinary contributions to film, advocacy, and cultural leadership.
The Courage Award
Recognizing extraordinary courage to take risks, challenge the status quo, forge new paths, and bring bold, uncompromising Native & Indigenous stories to the world. For those who dare to tell the story no one else will.
Native Women Write
Native Women Write™ began in 2010 as an intensive scriptwriting lab designed to develop Native women writers and advance their careers in film and television. Industry professionals mentor emerging writers in drama and comedy, creating pathways to employment, professional development, and opportunities with networks, studios, and Red Nation Television Network.
Year Round Programs
For more than 30 years, we have worked at the intersection of entertainment, media, public policy, education, advocacy, and cultural leadership—advancing Native and Indigenous representation, access, economic opportunity, leadership, storytelling, cultural preservation, youth development, and systemic change across the entertainment industry.
Stay informed about The Market
Subscribe to our mailing list for all new programme announcements and key dates
Red Nation Celebration Institute receives the LMGI 'Trailblazer Award' 2022
Discover the RNIFF™ YouTube Channel
Explore 31 years of Native & Indigenous voices through filmmaker conversations, panels, interviews, masterclasses, and special programming, free worldwide.
LMGI 'Trailblazer Award' 2022
Watch Red Nation Celebration Institute receives the LMGI ‘Trailblazer Award’ 2022
Discover the RNIFF™ YouTube Channel
Explore 31 years of Native & Indigenous voices through filmmaker conversations, panels, interviews, masterclasses, and special programming, free worldwide.
Economic development moviemaking on native land
Watch economic development moviemaking on native land by Red Nation Television Network.
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