Indigenous Cinema Alliance new Fellows and Strategic Advisor

ICA Fellows 2025 and New Strategic Advisor

The Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA), formerly known as NATIVe, celebrating a decade of championing Indigenous cinema, is thrilled to announce its first 2025 ICA Fellows:

Greenlandic filmmaker Alberte Parnuuna and Sami-Norwegian filmmaker Espen Larsson. ICA is also pleased to welcome Themba Bhebhe as its new Strategic Advisor.

Since its founding, ICA has remained committed to:

• Promoting Indigenous cinema globally
• Facilitating business opportunities for Indigenous professionals
• Developing sales channels and securing co-productions

Current ICA members include imagineNATIVE (project lead), International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI), FILM.GL, Pacific Islanders in Communications, Winda Film Festival, and 4th World Media. The alliance is also actively expanding partnerships with Indigenous-led organisations and creatives in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and South Africa.

ICA Fellows program

The announcement of Alberte Parnuuna, selected by FILM.GL and Espen Larsson, selected by ISFI, were announced at the Nuuk International Film Festival on September 19, 2024.

As part of the ICA Fellows program, these Indigenous producers will participate in specialized training sessions, networking events, and panels at the European Film Market (EFM) from February 13-19, 2025. ICA Fellows selected by other members will be announced in the coming months.

Naomi Johnson, Executive Director of imagineNATIVE, expressed

“We are honoured by the continued trust from our partners as we lead the ICA in expanding our expertise in film sales and distribution for Indigenous cinema globally.”

Inuk Jørgensen, board member of FILM.GL, highlighted

“For Greenlandic filmmakers, collaboration within the Indigenous Cinema Alliance is crucial for the development of our narratives. Many Greenlandic filmmakers have gained invaluable experience through the ICA Fellows program.”

ICA New Strategic Advisor

In its effort to enhance global sales and development opportunities for Indigenous cinema, ICA is excited to welcome Themba Bhebhe. Formerly head of EFM Diversity & Inclusion and co-founder of the Caribbean Film Academy, the Engage pan-African think tanks, and the Programmers of Colour Collective (POC2), Bhebhe will lead ICA’s strategic development and support partner outreach in South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Anne-Lajla Utsi, Managing Director of ISFI, remarked

“ISFI is proud to be part of the Indigenous Cinema Alliance, reaffirming our commitment to narrative sovereignty.”

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ICA Members

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For more information:
Maren Benedicte Nystad Storslett,
International coordinator
+47 971 22 760
maren@isfi.no