imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content and is returning October 19 to 24 with in-person and virtual events. The festival will celebrate in the Harvest with more than 145 works from artists representing 51 Indigenous nations giving voice to more than 26 Indigenous languages.
Executive Director of imagineNATIVE Naomi Johnson said she is eager to see the return of live events.
“We, like everyone else, are eager to see a return to a physical and live event, but our main priority is and has always been the health and well being of the artists, festival-goers, our staff and community,” said Johnson “We hope that those who have supported imagineNATIVE will return to this online presentation to engage and enjoy in Indigenous creative works with our digital offering at the Festival in October.”
Building off the success of last year’s virtual Festival, imagineNATIVE will offer six days of online programming including the presentation of film, digital + interactive works, audio, exhibitions, special events, and more.
The highly anticipated Industry Days professional development series will also return October 20 to 23, with a series of panels, workshops, networking and social activities specifically focused on advancing the careers, artistry, and networks of Indigenous screen content creators.
The decision to mount a digital presentation resulted from a series of discussions that included imagineNATIVE leadership, the board of directors, and other stakeholders. The 2020 online festival allowed for a broader outreach with over 29,576 viewing across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and select European countries.
“2020 was a year of unprecedented firsts and we were touched by the vibrant and engaged community who supported us during the first digital Festival,” said Johnson. “We recognize that we are in a privileged position in having the opportunity to build off our online space – to create a place for us to gather and present these artistic works. We could not have come to this decision without the support of those mentioned, as well as our public funders, sponsors, partners, and individual donors.”
Some highlights of the event are expecting to include:
– The Opening Night Gala Night Raiders by Danis Goulet (Cree/Métis), a nationally broadcasted in-person screening and Q&A at TIFF Bell Lightbox
– The Ontario premiere of Portraits From A Fire by Trevor Mack (Tŝilhqot’in (Chilcotin), the first-ever full-length Tsilhqot’in film
– The world premiere of Akornatsinniittut – Kiinappalik (Among Us – The Masked Man) by Greenland’s Marc Fussing Rosbach (Inuk)
– The Canadian premiere of Mo’ui Faingata’a (Brutal Lives), the first-ever English/Tongan language drama
- The International premiere of Warrior Spirit by Landon Dyksterhouse (Navajo), about the first Native American UFC champion Nicco Montano
- The Closing Night Gala Iwianch, el Diablo Venado (Iwianch, the Devil Deer) by José Cardoso (Achuar/Shuar) as a virtual screening
For more event information visit, festival.imaginenative.org.
