2025 Festival​

Welcome to Our 25th Anniversary

Celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary, the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival returns June 3-8, 2025 in Toronto and June 9-15, 2025 for the online festival. The Festival celebrates Indigenous storytelling in film + video, audio, and digital + interactive art through screenings, exhibitions, special events, and more. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on all news of our 25th Festival.

Submissions
KEY DATES
CURATORIAL VISION
FESTIVAL GUIDE
FESTIVAL STATISTICS
FAQ

Key Dates

April 8, 2025

Early Bird Ticket Packages launch

Early Bird Online Festival Passes launch

May 8, 2025

Announcement of Festival programming and schedule

Regular Ticket Packages launch

Special Events Tickets launch

Individual Screening Ticket booking begins for Priority Guests (pass holders, ticket package holders, Members with 2025 Festival benefits)

May 20, 2025

Individual Screening Tickets launch on sale

Key Dates

April 8, 2025

Early Bird Ticket Packages launch

Early Bird Online Festival Passes launch

May 8, 2025

Announcement of Festival programming and schedule

Regular Ticket Packages launch

In-Person Single Screening Ticket booking begins for Priority Guests (pass holders, ticket package holders, Members with 2025 Festival benefits)

May 20, 2025

In-Person Single Screening Tickets launch on sale to the general public

Online Single Tickets launch
Special Events Tickets launch

June 3-8, 2025

In-Person Festival (Toronto)

imagineNATIVE’s on-site Box Office will be open at the TIFF Lightbox‡

June 9-15, 2025

Online Festival

‡Tickets for both the in-person and online Festival will still be available for purchase through our online Box Office.

Curatorial Vision

As we enter imagineNATIVE’s 25th year, we recognize that we have reached an important milestone. We have reached our Silver Jubilee, signifying durability, strength, and beauty, all of which are certainly evident when we look back on 25 years of Indigenous artists fighting for space, breaking down walls, and opening doors for each other, connecting, collaborating, and inspiring fearlessness in our storytelling.

Like seedkeepers from generations past,  we are planting, growing, harvesting, and collecting the abundance of stories and teachings, visually embodying who we are and passing it on to future generations of Indigenous creatives to adapt to their changing environments. Like our Three Sisters — Corn, Beans, and Squash — we are caring for these seeds, whose roots grow into the earth, creating the foundation that strengthens our ability to rise up, splitting off in different directions, connecting, supporting, and uplifting each other in solidarity with each other’s growth. 

Indigenous artists are a manifestation of generations of storytellers putting in the work to carry on our traditions, adapting to new forms and new climates to nourish and sustain our communities.

In our 25th year, we look back and acknowledge all of you who have cared for these seeds and been such an integral part of our Festival’s journey. You have contributed to the future of Indigenous cinema and you are celebrated and loved.

In our new season, we look to our emerging artists, who are gifted these seeds. Where will they plant them? Who will they plant them with? We can’t wait to see what our future storytellers will harvest. We celebrate you for taking on this role. 

Nyawen’kó:wa,

Lindsay Monture

Artistic Director

Watch Festival Trailer

Festival Guide

Use our curated guide to navigate what to watch at this year’s Festival. Visit our Event Schedule to see when and where screenings take place and to book your tickets.

Family and kid-friendly programs:

  • The Lost Tiger
  • Short Film Program: FAMILY MATTERS
  • Singing Back the Buffalo
  • Ninan Auassat: We, The Children
  • La Raya

 

Honouring the ones who have paved the way for our future leaders:

  • NiiMisSak: Sisters in Film
  • Ninan Auassat: We, The Children
  • Short Film Program: NEXT GEN
  • Short Film Program: ELDER STORIES
  • Short Film Program: KIN TIES

 

For the activists fighting for a better tomorrow:

  • The Haka Party Incident
  • We Were Dangerous
  • Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle without End
  • Bila Burba
  • Short Film Program: RISE UP

 

For horror fans:

  • The Legends of Eternal Snow
  • Seeds
  • Short Film Program: WITCHING HOUR

 

For the abstract and experimental cinephile:

  • Guts & Glitz
  • Mann’s Sparks
  • Endless Cookie

 

For the folks who need a good cry:

  • La Raya
  • Aberdeen
  • Kōkā 
  • Short Film Program: LIVING IN TWO WORLDS
  • Short Film Program: LOVE LASTING

 

For the folks who love to laugh out loud:

  • Endless Cookie
  • imagineNATIVE Institute Presents: Lucky Strikes
  • Short Film Program: KNEE SLAPPERS
  • Short Film Program: RAINBOW SHORTS

 

For the documentary fans:

  • Singing Back the Buffalo
  • Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man
  • Remaining Native
  • #skoden

 

For the love of our land and waters:

  • Short Film Program: TIED TO THE LAND
  • Singing Back the Buffalo

 

imagineNATIVE commissions:

  • iN Retrospect: Embargo Collective I
  • iN Retrospect: Embargo Collective II
  • imagineNATIVE Originals

 

Sensory Friendly Screenings:

  • Sensory Friendly Screening: The Lost Tiger

  • Sensory Friendly Screening: FAMILY MATTERS

Festival Statistics

Official Selection

  • 20 Feature Films
  • 79 Short Films (11 Programs)
  • 14 Digital + Interactive Works 
  • 17 Audio Works

 

Representing

  • 55 Indigenous Nations 
  • 27 Indigenous Languages 
  • 16 Countries
  • 77 Emerging Artists
  • 26 Youth Artists

 

Special Presentations + Activations

  • 2 Retrospective Screenings
  • 4 imagineNATIVE Originals
  • 1 Web Series
  • 3 TV Episodes
  • 7 Exhibitions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find all of the ticketing options for the Festival? Where can I buy Festival tickets?

We offer individual tickets, ticket packages, and passes. Visit our Box Office page to purchase tickets or for more information about our ticketing. Once tickets launch, you can continue to purchase tickets until the end of our online Festival. All tickets, ticket packages, and passes are final sale.

During the in-person portion of our Festival, tickets for all screenings and special events are also available for purchase at the on-site imagineNATIVE Box Office inside the TIFF Lightbox. The imagineNATIVE Box Office will be open one hour prior to the first screening of the day.

Tickets are subject to availability, even to pass holders and ticket package holders, so make sure to book your tickets early as venues have limited capacity. We appreciate your understanding.

What types of payment are accepted for Festival tickets?

We accept credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, or Amex) for online purchases. All tickets, ticket packages, and passes are final sale.

Are there any free screenings?

All screenings on Friday, June 6, 2025 are FREE as part of TD Free Fridays! Tickets for screenings on Friday, June 6 cannot be purchased or booked in advance and will only be available on Friday, June 6 at the on-site imagineNATIVE Box Office. There is a limit of two tickets per person. 

Miigwetch, nia:wen, thank you to TD Bank for supporting TD Free Fridays!

Can I buy multiple tickets or ticket packages?

Yes, there are no restrictions on the number of tickets or packages you can buy. All tickets, ticket packages, and passes are final sale.

Can I use my ticket package to book multiple tickets at one screening? What about using my ticket package for special events?

There are no restrictions on the number of tickets you can book for a single screening with a ticket package. Ticket packages are not valid for the Opening Night Screening + Party combo ticket, any Special Events, Industry Days, or Industry Events.

If I have a pass or a ticket package, do I need to book my tickets in advance or can I just walk in?

Although a few of our events are open to the public and therefore unticketed, the majority of our screenings and special events do require a ticket to be purchased or booked. Festival pass holders and ticket package holders must book their allotment of tickets in advance via the instructions about how to redeem tickets which they receive by email from our team or at the on-site imagineNATIVE Box Office during the in-person Festival.

Tickets are subject to availability, even to pass holders and ticket package holders, so make sure to book your tickets early as venues have limited capacity. We appreciate your understanding.

Do you offer rush tickets?

Rush tickets will be available for select screenings. Please visit our Box Office page or the on-site imagineNATIVE Box Office for the most up-to-date information on Rush Tickets.

Can I purchase tickets to Industry screenings?

Industry Screenings are only available to imagineNATIVE Festival Pass holders. Tickets are not required for Industry Screenings. Please make sure you have your Festival Pass with you when attending.

I am a Status card holder. Can I get an HST rebate from my purchase?

Yes. Status card holders are eligible to claim a rebate of the 8% Ontario portion of HST paid on qualifying goods and services. Please contact boxoffice@imagineNATIVE.org if you wish to use your Status card to purchase packages or tickets online. You can also visit the on-site imagineNATIVE Box Office and present your Status card when purchasing in-person tickets.

Please note: you must present your Status card in advance of making your purchase.

Can I buy a ticket or ticket package for someone else?

Absolutely! Choose the gift option during checkout. All tickets, ticket packages, and passes are final sale.

What if I want to buy tickets but can’t remember my password?

Click the “Sign In” button at the top right of the imagineNATIVE website or on the Elevent website. On the sign-in page, click the “Forgot Password” button, enter your registered email address, and follow the instructions to reset your password.

How can I change the information in my account?

Sign in to your account on the Elevent website and access your profile by hovering over your name in the top right corner and then clicking “Account.” Click “Edit Profile” on the left side to update your account details, including your email and password.

Do you offer refunds?

Unfortunately we cannot offer refunds. All tickets, ticket packages, and passes are final sale. If you need assistance or encounter account errors, please email boxoffice@imagineNATIVE.org and our team will provide any assistance that we can.