Tour Program
Youth Short Film Contest
The 2025 imagineNATIVE Tour has officially concluded, having reached over 20 stops across Turtle Island (Canada)! A major highlight of this journey was our Indigenous Youth Filmmaking Workshops, held in four communities. In just three days, youth participants moved from concept to creation — writing, filming, and editing original works under the mentorship of established Indigenous filmmakers. These films were then screened alongside one of our four Tour Programs at a Community Screening.
We are so proud to announce that these workshops resulted in 11 short films created by Indigenous youth:
- 5 original films from Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake), Ontario
- 4 original films from Vancouver, British Columbia
- 1 collaborative group film from St. John’s, Newfoundland
- 1 original film from Siksika, Alberta
Watch + Vote
The films created in our Indigenous Youth Filmmaking Workshops are available on the imagineNATIVE YouTube channel, where you can vote for your favourites by liking the videos! The filmmaker with the most likes on their video by February 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET will have their work screened at the 2026 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, with flights and accommodations provided.
Our Deepest Gratitude
These workshops would not have been possible without the generous spaces provided by our community partners. We extend a special thanks to: Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake First Nation) Community, Alt Hotel St. John’s, Eastern Edge Gallery, Yukonstruct Society, Yukon Theatre, Siksika First Nations Community, and CineWorks Independent Filmmakers Society.
We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated facilitators Victoria Anderson-Gardner, Jessica Brown, Trevor and Adam Solway, Whitney Horne, and Kira Doxtator; knowledge keepers Deathna Edmunds and Christine Leo; and to the tireless efforts of Morningstar Derosier, Joyce Spence, Ashley Lewis, Sophie Agnatok, Adi Sikka, and Xina Cowan for making these workshops a success.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for another successful year of Indigenous storytelling! Stay tuned in August 2026 for the opening of the next imagineNATIVE Tour.
imagineNATIVE Tour
Bookings Open: August 4, 2026 – November 30, 2026
The Tour is imagineNATIVE’s largest year-round initiative outside of our annual Festival. The imagineNATIVE Tour brings Indigenous-made film works and community engagement activities to communities across Turtle Island (Canada), curated for:
- Schools (including elementary, high school, and post-secondary)
- Workplaces
- Institutions
- Libraries
- Youth programs
- Friendship centres
- Community groups
The 2026 imagineNATIVE Tour programs offer a selection of Indigenous works from across Canada that were part of the 2026 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival Official Selection. This year we are proud to present two documentary features and three short film programs suitable for three age groups; you can find more information about the program selections below.
You can book screenings to take place either in-person or online! imagineNATIVE will work with you to help accommodate the delivery of a screening to your community.
To enhance the screenings, organizations can request an Artist Talk to accompany their booking (in-person or online) for an additional fee. Please include the name of the artist you would like to have in attendance at the screening when you complete the Booking Form, and we will do our best to coordinate schedules.
In addition to the Tour’s film programs, imagineNATIVE is excited to offer our three-day Film + Video-Making Workshop for Indigenous youth! The workshop will bring an Indigenous artist from our Festival to your community to mentor youth in creating their own short film over three days. The final projects will be showcased at a community screening on the last day. The workshop includes a screening of one of the Tour programs of your choice.
By the end of the Tour, all the short films created in our workshops will be made available on our website and will be part of an audience-choice vote; the winner’s film will be programmed at the next imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in June 2027! The selected artist will also have their travel and accommodations covered by imagineNATIVE to attend their screening at the Festival in Toronto.
Please fill out the Booking Form to begin the process of requesting a 2026 imagineNATIVE Tour screening in your community, school, or workplace. The Booking Form should be completed at least two weeks before your desired event.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact programming@imagineNATIVE.org.
Please note: As proud supporters of Indigenous artists, we charge screening fees that go directly to the artist(s) for their work. However, we are happy to negotiate screening fees with Indigenous communities, organizations, institutions, and youth programs.
The 2026 imagineNATIVE Tour was made possible with support of the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and Toronto Arts Council. Miigwetch to all of our Tour sponsors, partners, and supporters across Turtle Island!
Tour Bookings Opening Soon
The 2025 imagineNATIVE Tour will open for bookings on August 1, 2025. Stay tuned!
The imagineNATIVE Tour programs are one of imagineNATIVE’s largest initiatives outside our annual Festival. The imagineNATIVE Tour brings Indigenous-made film works and community engagement activities to communities across Turtle Island (Canada).
After each Festival, imagineNATIVE curates a selection of Indigenous works from across Canada that will be featured as part of the upcoming imagineNATIVE Tour Programs. In 2024, we were proud to present two documentary features, and three short film programs suitable for three age groups; you can find more information about the program selections below.
Please note that as proud supporters of Indigenous artists, we charge screening fees that go directly to the artist(s) for their work. However, we are happy to negotiate screening fees with Indigenous communities, organizations, institutions, and youth programs.
2026 Tour Programs
Below are the programs that were offered as part of the 2025 imagineNATIVE Tour.
Feature Film Focus
Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising
Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising
Director: Shane Belcourt (Métis)
Canada | 2025 | 90 min
English, Anishinaabemowin | Documentary Feature
Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising tells the little known story of how in 1974, Anishinaabe youth staged one of the first land-back occupations in Kenora, Canada, all the way to a stand-off on Parliament Hill.
Intended Audience: All ages.
Content Warning: Coarse Language, Triggering Historical Trauma, MMIWG2S+
What We Carry
What We Carry
Director: Jessie Anthony (Onondaga)
Canada | 2025 | 88 min
English | Documentary Feature
In 1964, an English teacher crossed the ocean to teach at a residential school in the north. Now, from this unique perspective, her daughter, granddaughter, and Bigstone Cree members investigate.
Intended Audience: Appropriate for teens, young adults, and mature audiences.
Content Warning: Triggering Historical Trauma
Short Film Focus
Family Shorts
These stories of intergenerational love, Anishinaabe and Mi’kmaw legends, and a family-made gun-slinging western are fun for the whole family.
Niwahkohmahkanis
Director: Zoey Roy (Cree, Dene, Metis)
The Wild Sheriff
Director: Sarah Houle (Cree, Metis)
Migizi Makes A Deal With Gzhemnidoo
Director: Esbikenh (Anishinaabe)
Wolverine and Little Thunder: An Eel Hunting Adventure
Director: Alan Syliboy (Mi’kmaw)
Nenaboozhoo
Director: Isaac Murdoch (Anishinaabe)
Intended Audience: Appropriate for kids and families.
Youth-Made Shorts
Animated tales, narratives from first-time filmmakers, experimentals, comedic shorts, and family-focused documentaries, these films are a mixed bag of talent made for and by Indigenous youth.
The Night Shift
Director: Emmitt Manyheads (Blackfoot)
Lethal Ethel
Director: Elayna Einish (Naskapi)
Little Orange Bandage
Director: Kile M. George (Anishinaabe)
Abinoojiikaasmin (We Act Like Children)
Director: Evelyn Pakinewatik (Anishinaabe)
Isunngannguaq
Director: Saima Romito-Kalluk (Inuit)
Run As One
Director: Amber-Sky Ranville (Anishinaabe)
Convenience Store NDN Zombie
Director: Cole Forrest (Anishinaabe)
Taxi the Empties
Director: Gerald Little Light (Blackfoot), Madden Running Rabbit (Blackfoot)
Intended Audience: Appropriate for teens and young adult audiences.
Content Warning: Coarse Language, Flashing/Strobing Lights, Mature Themes, Repatriation of Indigenous Remains, Scientific Racism, Triggering Historical Trauma, Bloodletting
Seasoned Shorts
Beginning with documentary shorts reflecting on lineage and land connection, this program shifts into a drama on healing through dance, and finishes off with contemporary retelling of traditional tales.
Endless Sunlight
Director: Tyson Houseman (Plains Cree/Nêhiyaw)
Sally’s Bravery
Director: Nathalie Rankin (Anicinape), Roxanne Lauzin (Anicinape)
Why Would I Leave
Director: Jade Baxter (Nlaka’pamux)
Iikaiksimatsa’pao’p: Grateful To Be On The Land
Director: Trevor Solway (Blackfoot/Siksika)
Niimi
Director: Dana Solomon (Anishinaabe)
Corn Husk Doll
Director: Yuma Dean Hester (Anishinaabe)
Nivingajuliat
Director: Shelby Lisk (Kanyen′kehá:ka), Tess Girard
Mangittatuarjuk (The Gnawer of Rocks)
Director: Louise Flaherty (Inuit)
Intended Audience: Appropriate for mature audiences.
Content Warning: Violence, Mutilation, Adult Themes, Sexual References, Triggering Historical Trauma
2026 Pricing Overview
Review the pricing of the 2026 imagineNATIVE Tour programs below.
These fees take into consideration Artist Fees, platform streaming fees, and administration fees. Prices are subject to change per booking.
| Program | Booking Fee |
|---|---|
|
Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising |
$1,098.75 |
|
What We Carry |
$1,098.75 |
|
Family Shorts |
$2,022.50 |
|
Youth-Made Shorts |
$3,236.00 |
|
Seasoned Shorts |
$3,236.00 |