Tier 2
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Toronto, Canada
- Submission deadline
- 10 January 2027
- Entry fee
- Free early, then CAD 5
- Premiere
- No premiere requirement
- Formats accepted
- Shorts
Last verified 30 September 2026
About imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
imagineNATIVE is an Indigenous-led, Indigenous artist-centred film and media arts festival held annually in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, showcasing Film + Video, Digital + Interactive and Audio works by Indigenous artists. Its 2026 edition runs in June.
Awards this festival can qualify you for
CSA Animated · Canadian Screen Award — Best Animated Short
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Doc Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Documentary Short Film
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Feature Doc · Canadian Screen Award — Best Feature Length Documentary
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Live Action Short Drama
Acceptance into at least two CSA-eligible Canadian festivals qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
Oscar Live Action Short · Live Action Short Film
Win Best Live Action Short Award to qualify for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival submission FAQ
When is the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival submission deadline?
The main submission deadline for imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is around 10 January 2027. Confirmed for the current edition.
How much does it cost to submit to imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival?
Submitting to imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival costs Free early, then CAD 5 as a rough guide. Entry fees usually rise closer to the deadline and vary by category.
Does imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival require a premiere?
No premiere requirement. imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival accepts films that have screened elsewhere.
Is imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival an award qualifying festival?
Yes. imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival can qualify a film for an Academy Award (Oscar), subject to the specific category and condition for each award. The exact route differs per award body.
Where is imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival held?
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival takes place in Toronto, Canada.
Is imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival a scam, or is it legitimate?
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is a legitimate, established film festival: it is listed in FilmRun's curated, human-vetted festival database, which deliberately excludes known scam festivals and certificate mills; it ranks among the upper tiers of the festival circuit. As with any festival, confirm the current deadline and fee on the official site before you pay.
Is imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival right for your film?
FilmRun scores this festival against your film, protects your premiere, and tracks the deadline for you. Free to start.