IFFA kinosêw lab

Empowering the Next

Generation of Indigenous CREATIVES.

The IFFA kinosêw Lab: Virtual Production Program is an immersive, hands-on experience designed to train Indigenous artists in filmmaking and virtual production techniques. 

Hosted in Treaty One Territory at StudioLab xR, Manitoba’s flagship XR training facility, this program focuses on Indigenous leadership and virtual filmmaking. It offers a culturally safe, technically supported space for participants to explore their craft, sharpen their vision, and shape the future of screen-based storytelling in Canada.

APPLY HERE
Poster for Kinsew Lab Virtual Production Program, presented by Indigenous Futures Film Academy and Canada Media Fund, with additional information about workshops and production details, and logos of partner organizations at the bottom.

This program is built around a progressive learning arc that leads into a 5-day immersive production sprint. Participants begin with foundational Unreal Engine training and virtual production theory through a mix of hands-on workshops and virtual sessions. They advance through previsualization, technical staging, and role-based mentorship before entering the production week.

Each group completes a full creative cycle, including story development, Unreal scene building, virtual camera rehearsals, and mocap blocking, culminating in a professionally supported 2-day shoot on an LED stage. The structure ensures participants are creatively and technically prepared to step into key production roles with confidence.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

THE GOAL & MISSION

This initiative is designed to build a pathway into Canada’s screen industries by equipping Indigenous creators with the foundational and future-ready skills needed to thrive across:

Television & Film Production

  • On-set experience in camera, lighting, and directing

  • Story development through Indigenous-led mentorship

  • Hands-on training in previsualization, blocking, and scene execution

Narrative & Interactive Media

  • Introduction to Unreal Engine for cinematic storytelling

  • Basics of real-time worldbuilding and interactive scene design

  • Understanding emerging pipelines for virtual production and immersive narratives

 Professional Readiness

  • Portfolio development: short film scenes, previs reels, and documentation

  • Career mentorship and industry exposure

  • Access to a network of Indigenous creatives and technical leads across Canada

Logos for Studio Lab XR, NMM, and Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center on a dark blue background.
Information about the Indigenous Futures Film Academy virtual production program, including partnership details, application process, and contact link, with logos of partners at the bottom.

CONTACT US TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE
IFFA KINOSEW LAB