FilmJun
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
The world's largest Indigenous film and media arts festival, now planted in June at TIFF Lightbox after a quarter-century in the fall.
When
2026: June 2–7, 2026
2027: TBD
2025: June 3–15, 2025
Where
TIFF Lightbox
Area
Entertainment District
Cost
Paid · Roughly $15–$20 per screening; some free community events
Format
indoor
Running Since
2000 (26 years)
Family Friendly
Yes
VT Insider Tip
Don't skip the media arts and interactive programming — the VR and gaming installations get far less foot traffic than the film screenings but are often the most inventive work at the festival.
About
Founded in 2000, imagineNATIVE built its reputation as the essential launchpad for Indigenous filmmakers, video artists and now game designers from around the globe. As of 2025 it shifted from its long-time October slot to early June — a scheduling change worth knowing if you've been used to catching it around TIFF season. It screens everything from shorts to features to interactive/VR work, with an emphasis on Indigenous sovereignty over Indigenous storytelling.
What to Expect
Expect a warm, community-forward atmosphere rather than an industry-schmooze one, filmmaker introductions before nearly every screening, and a lineup that treats Indigenous film as a global category, not a regional one — expect work from Australia, the Arctic, and Latin America alongside Canadian premieres.
Pro Tips
The Toronto in-person run is short (about a week), so check the schedule early and book your must-sees first — popular shorts programs and opening night sell out. An online extension follows for anyone who misses the in-person week.
Getting There
TIFF Lightbox is at King Street West and John Street. Take the King streetcar to John Street, or walk from St. Andrew Station on Line 1.