Every year, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival brings together Indigenous voices, creativity, and innovation through the lens of film, video, audio, digital and interactive media. As the world’s largest Indigenous film and media arts festival, it fosters a space where Indigenous artists from around the globe can present their work and connect with audiences in meaningful and powerful ways.

The 2026 Festival is scheduled to take place June 2–7, 2026 in Toronto, followed by an online edition from June 8–14, 2026. This two-part format continues the hybrid model that imagineNATIVE has refined since 2020, widening access and embracing flexibility for both creators and festival-goers.

The in-person portion will be staged across various venues in Toronto, including screenings, panels, interactive exhibitions and the vibrant Industry Days programme, which deepens professional development through masterclasses, talks and networking opportunities. Meanwhile, the online segment ensures that those beyond the Toronto region—whether across Canada or globally—can access the Festival’s dynamic programming.

imagineNATIVE is much more than a film festival—it is an Indigenous-led and artist-centred organisation that champions narrative sovereignty and diversity in storytelling. Each year, it selects a compelling mix of works—whether via general submissions, curated themes, or partnerships—that reflect a wide spectrum of budgets, styles, and voices from Indigenous Nations, languages, and cultures.

The Festival’s relocation to early June aligns it with Indigenous Peoples’ Month, a strategic decision announced in February 2024, aimed at amplifying Indigenous storytelling when public attention is particularly focused. This shift helps build meaningful partnerships and strengthens visibility within Toronto’s cultural landscape.

Year-round, imagineNATIVE sustains engagement through touring programs, community screenings, and the imagineNATIVE Institute–offering professional development, talks, grants, and industry support for Indigenous creators beyond the Festival itself.

The upcoming Festival is poised to be a vibrant celebration of Indigenous artistic resilience, ingenuity, and cultural expression. Whether you plan to attend in person or participate online, save the dates: June 2–7, 2026 in Toronto and June 8–14, 2026 online—more information is available at imaginenative.org.

About imagineNATIVE

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is the world’s largest Indigenous festival showcasing film, video, audio, and digital + interactive media made by Indigenous creators. The Festival presents compelling and distinctive works from Canada and around the globe, reflecting the diversity of Indigenous Nations and illustrating the vitality and dynamism of Indigenous arts, perspectives, and cultures in contemporary media. imagineNATIVE.org