L to R: MĀRAMA, THE CONDOR DAUGHTER, POWWOW PEOPLE, A SÁMI WEDDING, WRONG HUSBAND

At TIFF’s 50th, Indigenous Cinema Takes Center Stage With Largest Slate in Festival History

Global Indigenous cinema is in the spotlight at the Toronto International Film Festival’s 50th anniversary edition, with the festival presenting the largest lineup of Indigenous work in its storied history.

The Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA), an international network of festivals and film institutes, is playing a central role this year, supporting and amplifying titles from Sápmi (Norway), Canada, the United States, Aotearoa New Zealand, Bolivia, Peru, and Uruguay.

“We are wholeheartedly supportive of TIFF’s sustained commitment to Indigenous programming and of the continued excellence of these works, which rightfully deserve to be celebrated on the world stage,” said Naomi Johnson, executive director of imagineNATIVE and project lead of the ICA. She added that ICA is also laying the groundwork for its presence at TIFF’s inaugural industry Market in 2026, creating new opportunities for Indigenous filmmakers and the wider creative ecosystem.

A Showcase of Global Voices

The ICA-backed projects span continents, languages, and genres.

• “Heajastallan – Bryllupsfesten / A Sámi Wedding” (Norway): A comedy-drama series in Northern Sámi, Norwegian, and English, created by Åse Kathrin Vuolab and co-directed with Pål Jackman. The story follows Garen, a woman seeking social mobility by staging the “perfect” wedding for her son. Episodes premiere Sept. 6.

• “La Hija Cóndor / The Condor Daughter” (Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay): Directed by Álvaro Olmos Torrico (Quechua), this coming-of-age drama centers on Clara, a teenager in an Andean community who inherits childbirth songs from her adoptive mother but dreams of becoming a folkloric star. Premieres Sept. 7.

• “Mārama” (New Zealand): Taratoa Stappard’s debut feature, a Māori gothic thriller, unfolds in 1859 North Yorkshire, where a Māori teacher uncovers colonial violence and stolen treasures while searching for family truths. Premieres Sept. 5.

• “Powwow People” (United States): Directed by Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk), this experimental documentary offers an immersive portrait of a contemporary powwow, reconfiguring cinematic language through regalia, rhythm, and intergenerational presence. Premieres Sept. 9.

• “Uiksaringitara / Wrong Husband” (Canada): From acclaimed Inuk director Zacharias Kunuk (Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner), this Arctic fairy tale follows spirit helpers intervening in a love story set 2,000 years ago. North American premiere on Sept. 8.

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About the ICA

Founded in 2015, the Indigenous Cinema Alliance has become a leading global advocate for Indigenous storytelling. Its membership includes imagineNATIVE (Canada), the International Sámi Film Institute (Sápmi), FILM.GL (Greenland), Pacific Islanders in Communications (USA/Pacific Islands), Winda Film Festival (Australia), 4th World Media (Turtle Island), MULLU (Abya Yala/Latin Americas), and Pacific Islands Screen Artists (Aotearoa New Zealand).

Together, the alliance strengthens production and distribution pipelines, cultivates co-productions, and ensures Indigenous creators have access to international markets.

As TIFF celebrates its golden anniversary, the ICA’s presence underscores the power and reach of Indigenous cinema worldwide—an ever-expanding constellation of voices demanding to be seen, heard, and celebrated.