Isuma

Isuma (Inuktitut syllabics, ᐃᓱᒪ; Inuktituk for "to think") is Canada's first Inuit (75%) production company co-founded by Zacharias Kunuk, Paul Apak Angilirq and Norman Cohn in Igloolik, Nunavut in 1990. The company focuses on bringing people of multiple age ranges, cultural backgrounds, and belief systems together to support and promote Canada's indigenous community through television, the Internet and films. Isuma's mission is to produce independent community-based media aimed to preserve and enhance Inuit culture and language; to create jobs and economic development in Igloolik and Nunavut; and to tell authentic Inuit stories to Inuit and non-Inuit audiences worldwide.

In 2011, Isuma filed for receivership, citing $750,000 in debts, including $500,000 to Atuqtuarvik Corp. of Rankin Inlet. A Montreal-based receiver, RSM Richter, is putting company’s assets—most notably its film library—up for sale.

In 1999, the company filmed and produced the supernatural historical thriller Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, also released as Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. It was a box office success around the world, and won the Caméra d'Or for Best First Feature Film at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, six Genies (including Best Picture), and several other international film awards. The film had its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2001.