imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
The world's largest Indigenous film and media arts festival, held annually in October in Toronto, celebrating the work of Indigenous filmmakers from Canada and around the world.
Overview
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is the world's largest Indigenous film and media arts festival. Founded in 2000 and held annually in October in Toronto, the festival presents films, video, audio, and new media work by Indigenous artists from Canada and around the world, providing the most comprehensive platform for Indigenous screen culture available anywhere.
Canada has one of the most active Indigenous film industries in the world, supported by the Indigenous Screen Office and the Canada Council for the Arts, which provide funding specifically for Indigenous filmmakers. imagineNATIVE is where this community gathers to share and celebrate its work.
The festival presents work across all forms of Indigenous storytelling -- from traditional narrative styles to experimental digital media -- reflecting the breadth of Indigenous creative expression. imagineNATIVE has been instrumental in building professional networks and development pathways for Indigenous Canadian filmmakers.
Key Sections
- Feature Film Competition -- Indigenous feature films competing for jury prizes
- Short Film Competition -- Indigenous short films
- Documentary Competition -- nonfiction films by Indigenous filmmakers
- Digital Media -- interactive and new media Indigenous art
- Youth Program -- films by and for Indigenous youth
- Industry Events -- professional development for Indigenous filmmakers
What Filmmakers Should Know
imagineNATIVE accepts open submissions from Indigenous filmmakers. The festival is specifically for work by Indigenous creators. The festival's connections with the Indigenous Screen Office, CBC, APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), and Canadian funding bodies create meaningful development and distribution pathways for selected filmmakers.
A selection at imagineNATIVE provides access to the most concentrated community of Indigenous film professionals and advocates in the world.
Major Awards
- Best Canadian Short Film -- jury prize
- Best Canadian Feature Film
- Best International Film
- Best Documentary
- Audience Award -- across categories
Festival History
imagineNATIVE was founded in 2000 during a period of growing recognition of Indigenous rights and cultural sovereignty in Canada. The festival has grown alongside the expansion of Indigenous film infrastructure and now serves as the world's premier Indigenous cinema event.
See Also
For Indigenous filmmaking in Canada, see International Film Markets. For festival strategy, see Film Festival Strategy.
