Caroline Monnet is this year’s recipient of the 2023 Merata Mita Fellowship. A press release announced that the Anishinaabe/French multidisciplinary artist from Outaouais, Quebec has been selected for the annual Sundance Institute fellowship named in honor of late Māori filmmaker Merata Mita, which was “created for Indigenous women-identified artists poised to direct their first feature film.” Monnet’s work has been programmed in exhibitions and festivals such as Sundance, TIFF, and Cannes, and in 2016 she was selected for the Cinéfondation residency in Paris.

“After years of watching her work evolve across many mediums, selecting Caroline Monnet as this year’s Merata Mita Fellow not only made sense, but her oeuvre also echoed Merata’s own creative spirit of breaking the mold and demanding that the work of Indigenous artists be met on its own terms,” said Adam Piron, Director, Sundance Institute Indigenous Program. “We’re beyond thrilled to be supporting Caroline in this next step in her creative journey and are elated to be a part of the creation of her film.”

Monnet added, “I am honored to be named this year’s Merata Mita’s fellow and to be following in the legacy of such talented Indigenous women that have accomplished groundbreaking work. This acknowledgement from the Sundance Institute comes at a pivotal time for me. This recognition will allow me to continue on my cinematic journey and enable me to strengthen and further define my cinematic voice. This acknowledgment inspires me to continue to challenge myself and to strive for greater heights. I recognize that this would not be possible without the support of the indigenous filmmaking community and my community as a whole.

“Gush,” the feature debut of last year’s Merata Mita fellow, Fox Maxy, is currently screening at Sundance. The film explores the impact of sexual violence.

Eleven Indigenous-made projects from across the globe are premiering at this year’s edition of Sundance Film Festival, which kicked off January 19 and concludes January 29.