Indigenous Films and Filmmakers

(Vancouver, BC)
"Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival (VIMAF) is an Aboriginal-run media arts organization [...] rebuilding the West Coasts's film, video and media arts presence."

(Cowichan, BC)
"The festival accepts submissions from Independent Film Makers, (indigenous film makers, or collaborations with indigenous talent in key creative roles) and from Student and Youth."

(Vancouver, BC)
"Over the past 10 years, Reel Youth has produced over 2000 films with thousands of people in BC, Alberta, Ontario, Labrador & Newfoundland, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, Morocco, Vietnam, India and Nepal. Our programs are customized to meet the specific needs of the communities we work with. The Reel Youth Film Festival is a celebration of short films made by youth 19 years and under. Insightful and entertaining, the touring festival collects films from across Canada, and around the world, for an engaging program of some of the best youth filmmaking today."

"The Indigenous International Film Festival (IIFF) is a [new] Native Cinema Festival based in Vancouver, Canada that showcases the best in global Indigenous media productions."

The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) is a vibrant space for queer arts, culture, and community. It showcases dynamic and thought-provoking films from British Columbian filmmakers as well as other Canadian and international directors and storytellers.

Skoden is a two-day film festival, featuring the works of British Columbia based Indigenous filmmakers and talent. Started by two SFU Film students at The School for Contemporary Arts, Carr Sappier (Wolastoqiyik) and Grace Mathisen, the festival was created to showcase Indigenous filmmakers and to Indigenize the SFU community.

(Iqaluit, NU)
"Known as the world's circumpolar stage, the Alianait Arts Festival takes place in [...] late June each year. These arctic days have 24-hour sunlight, a time of great celebration! Alianait sets the spotlight on Inuit and other circumpolar artists while bringing together exciting world-class musicians, circus acrobats, dancers, storytellers, actors, filmmakers and visual artists from across the globe."

(Ottawa, ON)
"The Asinabka Festival aims to highlight works that examine Indigenous issues and topics; to support media artists and filmmakers; to promote Indigenous cultures and languages; to educate people about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit issues in Canada, and about Indigenous issues internationally; to provide a space where Indigenous peoples can tell their own stories and see their own cultures reflected back at them; to entertain, to be innovative, and to present the best in Indigenous film."

(Edmonton, AL)
"Dreamspeakers International Film Festival provides a venue for Dreamtalkers and offers a unique exploration into Aboriginal cultures from all parts of the globe."

(Toronto, ON)
"The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples at the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio, and new media. Each fall, imagineNATIVE presents a selection of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe. The Festival's programming, cultural & social events, and Industry Series attract and connect filmmakers, media artists, programmers, buyers, and industry professionals. The works accepted reflect the diversity of the world's Indigenous nations and illustrate the vitality and excellence of our art and culture in contemporary media."

(Regina, SK)
mispon: a Celebration of Indigenous Filmmaking is "a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to showcasing Indigenous film and developing workshops and training opportunities for youth in First Nations communities around Saskatchewan in video storytelling. mispon organizes and hosts the annual mispon: Indigenous Film Festival in Regina, Saskatchewan, with screening in other locations around the province."

(Montréal, QC)
"The Montréal First Peoples Festival [is] a multidisciplinary artistic and cultural event that makes Montréal the nerve centre of Indigenous creativity from the three Americas for ten days in August."

(Winnipeg, MB)
"The Winnipeg Aboriginal Film Festival is the 3rd largest festival in North America dedicated to showcasing the best new Indigenous film and video from across Canada, the US and around the world. Both on and off screen, WAFF’s mandate is to celebrate and cultivate Indigenous storytelling."

(San Francisco, CA)
The American Indian Film Institute (AIFI) is "the major Native American media and cultural art presenter in California and its Festival is the world's oldest and best known exposition dedicated to Native Americans in cinema."

(Temecula, CA)
California's American Indian & Indigenous Film Festival (CAIIFF) offers audiences in Southern California the finest work in American Indian film and media on an annual basis. The CAIIFF highlights the best of current films from American Indian filmmakers, producers, directors, and actors working through Indian Country.

"Cine Las Americas is a multi-cultural, [...] non-profit organization based in Austin Texas, offering theatrical screenings of films made by and/or about Latinos or Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Films from Spain and Portugal are also included, enhancing a truly Pan-American cinematic experience."

(Chicago, IL)
"The mission of First Nations Film and Video Festival is to advocate for and celebrate the works of Native Americans filmmakers and new works and films that break racial stereotypes and promotes awareness of Native American issues."

The LA SKINS FEST is a Native American film festival that takes place every year as part of the City of Los Angeles Celebration of Native American Heritage Month.

(New York, NY / 1979-2011)
"Organized by the National Museum of the American Indian Film and Video Center, celebrates the creative energy of Native American directors, producers, writers, actors, musicians, cultural activists, and others who support their endeavors."

(Norman, OK)
"Native Crossroads is a unique film festival and symposium that focuses on international Indigenous media. The event puts academics, media creators, and community and tribal organization representatives into dialogue to advance our discussions in all these fields. At once entertaining, scholarly, and educational, each year’s event explores particular themes of pressing importance to Native people, globally and locally."

(Los Angeles, CA)
Red Nation Film Festival is "dedicated to breaking the barrier of racism by successfully replacing American Indian stereotype with recognition, new vision, arts, culture and economic prosperity by placing American Indian Filmmakers at the forefront of the entertainment industry and to introduce American Indian Filmmakers to larger, global mainstream audiences while championing Native Women in Film & Television and giving voice and inspiring native youth with our dedicated program Native Youth Matter."

(Park City, UT)
Search the keyword "Indigenous," or see the Native American and Indigenous Film Program.