#FIRSTLOOK: imagineNATIVE FILM + MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING 2025

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (imagineNATIVE) is proud to announce the programming for their milestone 25th Anniversary festival. Celebrating 25 years of showcasing the very best Indigenous talent in film and media arts from around the world, imagineNATIVE has programmed works spanning 55 Indigenous Nations from 16 countries . This year’s theme centres around seedkeeping and the passing down of seeds to the next generation. Like ancestors planting their seeds to grow and harvest sustenance for the people, we look back on 25 years of Indigenous artists breaking barriers, opening doors for each other, connecting, collaborating, and inspiring fearlessness in storytelling for future generations.

The festival runs from June 3-8, 2025 in Toronto and from June 9-15, 2025 online. In addition to the film programming, imagineNATIVE’s special events and media arts programming was also announced today.

Kicking off this year’s festival is the Hot Docs Audience Award-winning documentary Endless Cookie from directors Pete Scriver and Seth Scriver. The film will be preceded by The Opening Address from directors Konwanahktotha Alvera Sargent (Mohawk) and Jess Lowe Chaverri. The festival will close with an outdoor screening at Fort York National Historic Site of Canadian Screen Award-nominated horror comedy Seeds from filmmaker Kaniehtiio Horn.

In addition to the film works listed below, imagineNATIVE will screen select presentations in partnership with organizations to celebrate its Silver Jubilee anniversary, including:

The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival announces special events and media arts programming

May 8, 2025, Tkaronto/Toronto – Celebrating its silver jubilee, the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (imagineNATIVE) returns in 2025 with a full slate of media arts offerings and special events. Taking place from June 3-8, 2025 in Toronto and June 9-15, 2025 online, the festival will feature 14 digital and interactive works, 4 special events and 17 audio works open to the public in addition to its film programming which was also announced today.

Looking back on 25 years of imagineNATIVE, this year’s milestone festival will start with the traditional Welcome Gathering held at Spadina Museum on Tuesday, June 3. The gathering will feature a performance by Kehewin Native Dance Theatre, delectable food from Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin (They Feed the People) and The Three Sisters Indigenous Vendors Market, encouraging guests to buy Indigenous-made, not Indigenous inspired, products.

Following the Welcome Gathering, the Opening Night Party featuring the sounds of DJ Thomas Hernan will be hosted at Malaparte on King West in the heart of the entertainment district.

More on the Festival here.