iNdigital

About iNdigital

Each year, at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, we are proud to introduce audiences to a curated selection of Digital + Interactive and Audio works via the iNdigital Space, which is offered both in-person and online. Visitors are able to see, listen, and play with our diverse Official Selection, including VR, 360 video, AR, video games, and interactive web and digital media works. Celebrated alongside these works, we also feature the imagineNATIVE Arcade: a showcase of games made by the iNdigital Youth Collective.

Digital + Interactive Programming

Each year, at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, we are proud to introduce audiences to a curated selection of Digital + Interactive and Audio works via the iNdigital Space, which is offered both in-person and online. Visitors are able to see, listen, and play with our diverse Official Selection, including VR, 360 video, AR, video games, and interactive web and digital media works. Celebrated alongside these works, we also feature the imagineNATIVE Arcade: a showcase of games made by the iNdigital Youth Collective. by the iNdigital Youth Collective.

iNdigital Days

iNdigital Days is an annual two-day event during our Festival packed with opportunities to grow artists’ practices and connect with other digital creatives! iNdigital Days is free to attend, and includes inspiring events and workshops, including the free ticketed iND+I Showcase event!

 

Tradition always evolves, and it is participatory.

At its core, imagineNATIVE’s mandate is to respect story in every form: the integrity, intention, and perspective of artists as channeled through screen-based storytelling. Over more than two decades, imagineNATIVE has played a crucial role in promoting Indigenous-made media by developing platforms for artists to assert their voice, express their perspectives and share their cultures.

Following these successes for film, our next step is creating an ecosystem where new media practitioners can experiment and thrive. This means creating opportunities for maximum inclusion across the spectrum of media, building capacity within interactive programming, and cultivating talent through professional and creative development initiatives.

The Digital + Interactive submissions we receive are as diverse as the communities we serve: solo and social VR, mixed reality, XR, video games, interactive fiction, and web-based experiences. The stories channeled through these media are just as varied; they are grounded in the teachings of the past, speaking to contemporary perspectives, and looking ahead to vibrant Indigenous futures. We cannot anticipate what new art forms will emerge to help us tell our stories, but we can create enriching spaces for them to bud and blossom. The shift in recent years to expand imagineNATIVE’s online offering is centered around accessibility and reduction of barriers. The goal is to create a space to imagine new futures and creative possibilities. This shift is bringing innovative forms of media to new audiences and allowing Indigenous perspectives to impact emerging platforms.

There are conceptual and practical challenges associated with this undertaking: Canada’s digital divide highlights the lack of basic internet access for many Indigenous communities as well as the unbalanced nature of digital literacy across different age groups. We are frequently confronted with this question: how can we navigate these radically different and layered realms while keeping a firm foundation in our cultural worldviews?

As with every initiative, it is imperative we approach this undertaking responsibly and continue to care for our communities. Cutting edge does not mean cut-throat. Instead, we approach technology and media as keys to connect locally and across Nations. These tools allow us to stay inspired, to flourish in contemporary dialogues, and to build collaboratively towards our imagined futures. It is with these tools and a flexible, open-hearted approach that we engage with tradition – we are shaping it to meet us where we are and to carry forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the questions we regularly receive about this topic. If you have another question that isn’t answered here, you can browse our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions page.

How much is admission to the iNdigital Space?

Access to the iNdigital Space is completely free! The space will be open to the public from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM from October 18 to October 22, 2023.

Are there any age restrictions for the iNdigital Space content?

The iNdigital Space is open to all ages, however, the recommended age for viewing VR experiences with equipment is 13+. We will also flag any content that is intended for older audiences. Viewing content with your young family members is up to your discretion.

What are the hours of operation?

The iNdigital Space will be open to the public from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM from October 18 to October 22, 2023.

Do I need to pay for access?

Access to the iNdigital Space is FREE. The space will be open to the public from 11 am to 8 pm from October 18 to October 23, 2022. 

Where is the iNdigital Space located?

We invite you to see, listen, and play with our diverse Official Selection, which includes VR, 360, AR, video games, interactive web, and digital media works.

What type of content is in the iNdigital Space?

We invite you to see, listen, and play with our diverse Official Selection, which includes VR, 360, AR, video games, interactive web, and digital media. 

For more information about the official selection, please check our festival website.