International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
It’s International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples! Join us in celebrating and honouring Indigenous excellence everyday. 🫶🏽
Today, we're thrilled to share an interview with Steve Tekaronhiake Diabo, creator of Ancestors’ Gate, and winner of the prestigious New Artist in Digital + Interactive Award.
Support Indigenous-made film and media by supporting imagineNATIVE today at imagineNATIVE.org/support/donate. 💌
Indigenous People's Day 2024
Happy Indigenous People's Day! Let's celebrate Indigenous excellence today and every day. 🫶🏽
We’re thrilled to share an interview with Megan Kyak-Monteith, co-director and animator of Grape Soda in the Parking Lot, and winner of the prestigious Animated Short Award + Documentary Short Award.
Support Indigenous-made film and media by supporting imagineNATIVE today at imagineNATIVE.org/support/donate. 💌
Lindsay Monture - 2023 Festival Awards
Today marks one year until our 25th Annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival! Tune into an interview with imagineNATIVE’s Festival Director, Lindsay Monture.
Support Indigenous-made film and media by supporting imagineNATIVE today at imagineNATIVE.org/support/donate.
We are looking forward to hosting you in Toronto from June 3-8, 2025, for the milestone 25th anniversary of the Film + Media Arts Festival. For additional information, please visit imagineNATIVE.org/faq.
Join us as we shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of Indigenous storytellers during Indigenous Peoples Month!
Today, we're thrilled to share an interview with Casey Koyczan, Director of the VR/3D animated short film, Ełeghàà ; All At Once, and winner of the prestigious Digital + Interactive Award.
Support Indigenous-made film and media by supporting imagineNATIVE today at imagineNATIVE.org/support/donate.
2023 Festival Highlights
“imagineNATIVE hasn’t just supported me and incubated me as an artist; they’ve given me a platform… They’ve taken a chance on me! And they believe in my ideas.” - Steve Tekaronhiake Diabo (Mohawks of Kahnawake)
We are committed to Indigenous leadership, Indigenous artistry, and bringing Indigenous-made stories to communities everywhere.
To support imagineNATIVE, visit imagineNATIVE.org/support/donate.
Big changes are on the horizon for imagineNATIVE! 🍓✨
After months of thoughtful deliberation, we're thrilled to announce that the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is moving to a new permanent time of year! Our next Festival will take place June 3-8, 2025 (Toronto) and June 9-15, 2025 (online).
Why the shift? We've got some fantastic reasons:
1️⃣ June = Indigenous Peoples’ Month and Pride Month! Partnering with other Indigenous organizations, amplifying LGBTQ2S+ voices, elevating their work, and creating buzz during a month of increased awareness.
2️⃣ Avoiding the post-TIFF rush allows us to better serve YOU, our incredible community of filmmakers, artists, and supporters.
3️⃣ Hello, outdoor events! June weather opens up new possibilities for expanded programming, while attracting new audiences.
4️⃣ This shift will bring more strategic partnerships and fresh programming ideas.
5️⃣ More time for programming before our 25th Anniversary, including an extension to the 2024 imagineNATIVE Tour Program, which will continue through November 2024.
Questions about this transition? We got you. Learn more at imagineNATIVE.org/faq.
Thank you for your unwavering support! We can't wait to celebrate our 25th annual Festival with you in June 2025.
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Thank you to artist Casey Koyczan (Dene) for collaborating with our team to create the beautiful animation on this announcement.
ECHO Red Carpet with imagineNATIVE, Marvel Studios Canada, and Disney+ Canada.
We are still buzzing from last night's screening of #ECHO at TIFF with Marvel Studios Canada and Disney+ Canada. 💙 Join us for an exclusive interview with Devery Jacobs and Katarina Ziervogel on the red carpet and the screening Q&A. #ECHO is available to watch NOW on Disney+ Canada!
Do you want to be part of the largest Indigenous film and media festival in the world? This is your chance, imagineNATIVE is looking for a Part-Time Bookkeeper!
The bookkeeper will work with the Executive Director to issue payables, reconcile bank statements, track cash flow and prepare reports as required for Board Meetings. Other duties include assisting with the annual audit.
Submit CV/resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject “Bookkeeper”, position is open until filled.
Apply now at imaginenative.org/about/employment
Should you require any accommodations in the application process, please contact [email protected]
We are happy to announce our 2023 Audience Choice Feature + Short Award winners, Shelley Niro for their feature film, Café Daughter, and Alexander Bocchieri for their short film, The Roof.
The 2023 imagineNATIVE Audience Choice Feature Film Award is supported by Shutterstock.
The 2023 imagineNATIVE Audience Choice Short Film Award is supported by BMO.
Congratulations to both teams and we can’t wait to see you next year! 🎉
Whether you’re a video game enthusiast, a VR fanatic, a digital creative, or an audio works purveyor, the iND+I Showcase is for you!
Join us on Wednesday, October 18, at our FREE event happening inside the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4, from 6:15 PM - 8:15 PM, as part of iNdigital Days. 🌟
Hosted and moderated by Melissa Johns, come listen and see behind the scenes and learn the creation stories behind innovative digital projects with our 2023 Official Selection Digital + Interactive (D+I) artists! Join the conversation with the artists, discover the journey from concept to creation, and get inspired to learn more from our iND+I Showcase line-up!
We invite audiences of all backgrounds to book your FREE tickets at imagineNATIVE.org/events/indishowcase.
Tickets are limited, so be sure to book now! Let’s come together, celebrate creativity, and shape the future of digital artistry! ✨
Miigwetch | Niaw:wen | Thank you to our iNdigital Space Lead partner, SEGA!
Get ready for the 24th annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival! ✨ Join us in celebrating Indigenous storytelling in-person from October 17-22, 2023, and continue the magic online from October 23-29, 2023.
This year, we're embracing the theme of "homecoming." We believe in creating spaces that feel like visiting grandma's house - warm, welcoming, and filled with love. Just like Grandma's, imagineNATIVE is a second home for many Indigenous creatives.
We honour the artists who return to us year after year, sharing their incredible stories. Your journeys inspire us, and we can't wait to welcome you home once again.
Something big is coming. Get ready for the 24th annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival taking place this fall. We'll be hosting in-person screenings and events in Toronto from October 17-22, 2023, followed by screening on our online platform from October 23-29, 2023.
We can't wait to reveal the talented Indigenous storytellers who will be featured at this year's festival! Share your favorite Indigenous storyteller in the comments! 🫶🏽
Do you want to be part of the largest Indigenous film and media festival in the world? This is your chance, imagineNATIVE is looking for a Part-Time Bookkeeper!
The bookkeeper will work with the Executive Director to issue payables, reconcile bank statements, track cash flow and prepare reports as required for Board Meetings. Other duties include assisting with the annual audit.
Submit CV/resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject “Bookkeeper”, position is open until filled.
Apply now at imaginenative.org/about/employment!
Should you require any accommodations in the application process, please contact [email protected]
Want to be part of the world’s largest Indigenous film festival of its kind? Volunteer with us! Apply now at imagineNATIVE.org/about/volunteer
Thinking about submitting to the 2023 Festival? Is your submission non-English? No problem. We are proud to announce that we have always accepted submissions in ALL languages.
Who are we? The world's largest presenter of Indigenous screen content.
Are you an Indigenous filmmaker or media artist? We are currently accepting Film + Video, Digital + Interactive, and Audio works for our 2023 Festival. This is your chance to be part of the world's largest Indigenous film festival, learn more and submit now at imaginenative.org/festival/submissions 🫶🏽
Submissions close Friday, May 19, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.
Did you know that we accept Audio works for our 2023 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival? Submissions are open until May 19, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. Submit now at imaginenative.org/festival/submissions
Do you have questions about submitting to the 2023 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival? We got you. We have compiled the most frequently asked questions just for you.
You can also review the FAQ through our instagram highlights OR at imagineNATIVE.org/festival/submissions
Still have questions? Email us at [email protected]
We can’t wait to meet you! 🙌🏾
Submissions are NOW OPEN for the 2023 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival!
Who are we? The world's largest presenter of Indigenous screen content.
Are you an Indigenous filmmaker or media artist? We are currently accepting Film + Video, Digital + Interactive, and Audio works for our 2023 Festival. This is your chance to be part of the world's largest Indigenous film festival, learn more and submit now at https://imaginenative.org/festival/submissions/
Submissions close Friday, May 19, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.
We’re hiring an Operations Assistant! 🎉
The Operations Assistant will support the Operations Manager in producing and delivering year-round and 2023 Festival programs, both on our online platforms and in person. This role helps manage the delivery of digital, technical & administrative processes and helps maintain Office systems.
Have questions about the positions? No problem! Send us an email at [email protected]
Here at imagineNATIVE, we value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage BIPOC, women, LGBTQQIP2SAA individuals, and people with disabilities to apply.
Learn more about this job and apply now at https://imaginenative.org/about/employment/
The 2022 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival saw 17 Indigenous Artists recognized with $67,000 in total cash prizes at our incredible Awards Presentation, presented by Telefilm Canada.
We celebrated artists working in mediums as varied as Documentary Short to Experimental Audio Work to Indigenous Language Production. We believe that championing of Indigenous artists through our awards is one of the strongest pathways towards breaking the barriers of Indigenous underrepresentation in the mainstream cultural consciousness.
If you’re able, please consider making a contribution to help us continue our efforts in this work.
This year, we presented the inaugural Animated Short Award, and in 2023 we’re planning on introducing an award for t Musical Score. Additionally, the winner of our Live Action Short Award is eligible to be shortlisted for the Academy Awards, and we’re the one of the few film festivals in Canada and the only Indigenous film festivals in the world with this distinction!
Enjoy and celebrate this year's Festival winners!
Nia:wen | Thank you,
Naomi Johnson,
Executive Director
