Best of Global Indigenous Cinema to Premiere at TIFF 2025

Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) to Help Showcase Films From Latin America, Scandinavia, Pacific Islands, and North America at TIFF 2025

Press announcement

Global Indigenous Cinema is shining brightly at TIFF 2025, as the 50th Anniversary edition showcases its largest slate of indigenous work in the festival’s storied history.

As part of this year’s festival, the international organization, INDIGENOUS CINEMA ALLIANCE (ICA), is proud to be supporting and highlighting an incredible slate of films from regions around the world, including 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 by the continued excellence of these works, which rightfully deserve to be celebrated on the world stage,” said Naomi Johnson, Executive Director of imagineNATIVE, the project lead of the ICA. “Beyond supporting these remarkable films, we are also laying the groundwork for the ICA’s presence at the inaugural TIFF: The Market next year, generating new creative and business opportunities for the Indigenous film community and eco-system worldwide.”

The titles being supported by the initiatives of the ICA include:

HEAJASTALLAN – BRYLLUPSFESTEN / A SÁMI WEDDING

NORWAY | 2025 I 8 EPISODES, 30 MIN EACH I COMEDY DRAMA SERIES I NORTHERN SÁMI, NORWEGIAN, ENGLISH

Creator: Åse Kathrin Vuolab (Sámi)
Director: Pål Jackman, Åse Kathrin Vuolab (Sámi)
Producer: Tordenfilm, Mer Film, Forest People
Available Territories: World excluding Norway
Sales Agent: REinvent International Sales, Helene Aurø (helene.auro@reinvent.dk)

Synopsis: In Kautokeino, Garen endures a loveless marriage and an unappreciative family. When her son marries into a wealthy reindeer-herding family, she sees a chance to rise by arranging the perfect wedding. Enlisting her chaotic siblings, she races against time. What could go wrong? Spoiler: everything!

About the Creator: Åse Kathrin Vuolab (Sámi), born in Karasjok, Norway, is a Sámi filmmaker, writer, and actor. A graduate of the Norwegian Film School, she has worked across theatre and screen as an actor and screenwriter. Her latest work, A Sámi Wedding (2025), foregrounds contemporary Sámi stories with humor and heart.

LA HIJA CÓNDOR / THE CONDOR DAUGHTER

BOLIVIA, PERU, URUGUAY | 2025 | 109 MIN | DRAMA, COMING OF AGE | QUECHUA, SPANISH

Director: Álvaro Olmos Torrico (Quechua)
Producer: Álvaro Olmos Torrico, Diego Sarmiento Pagán (Quechua), Cecilia Sueiro Mosquera, Federico Moreira, Iris Sigalit Ocampo Gil
Available Territories: World excluding Bolivia, Peru, and Uruguay
Sales Agent: Bendita Film Sales, Luis Renart (sales@btafilms.com), Jorge Blanch (festivals@btafilms.com)

Synopsis: Clara, a teenager in a remote Andean Indigenous community, has learned ancient childbirth songs from her adoptive mother. Though her voice continues this generational tradition, her heart yearns for the city, dreaming of leaving the mountains behind to become a folkloric music star.

About The Director: Álvaro Olmos Torrico (Quechua), a Bolivian director, producer, and writer from Cochabamba, has produced several documentaries and feature films. Wiñay (2019) was his first fiction feature film. His introspective second feature, The Condor Daughter (La Hija Cóndor), brings Quechua midwives to the international stage with emotional depth and cultural resonance.

MĀRAMA

Director: Taratoa Stappard (Māori)
Producer: Sharlene George (Māori), Rickylee Russell-Waipuka (Māori), Rouzie Hassanova
Available Territories: World excluding New Zealand
Sales Agent: MPI Media, Franziska McCray (fmccray@mpimedia.com), Justin DiPietro (justin@mpimedia.com)

Synopsis: 1859. Far from home, Māori teacher Mary Stevens arrives at Hawkser Manor in 1859 North Yorkshire seeking family truths, only to find death and deception. Haunted by visions and colonial horrors, she uncovers stolen taonga and sinister intentions, transforming her search for identity into a harrowing fight for survival and justice.

About The Director: Taratoa Stappard (Māori / Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a writer-director from Aotearoa, based in London. He has directed acclaimed shorts internationally. His debut feature, Mārama, a Māori gothic horror exploring identity, memory, and colonial legacies, marks a milestone for New Zealand cinema on the world stage.

POWWOW PEOPLE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | 2025 | 88 MIN | DOCUMENTARY, EXPERIMENTAL | ENGLISH

Director: Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk)
Producer: John Cardellino, Adam Piron (Mohawk)
Available Territories: World
Sales Agent: Seeking representation
Contact: ICASales@imagineNATIVE.org

Synopsis: Powwow People is a radically immersive, durational portrait of a contemporary powwow. Inviting audiences to participate rather than observe, the film seamlessly blends intimate preparation and performance, weaving regalia, rhythm, and intergenerational presence into a vibrant celebration of First Nations culture, sovereignty, and a cinematic language that defies easy categorization.

About The Director: Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk), a descendant of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, is a filmmaker, writer, artist, and academic raised in Ferndale, Washington. His work spans film, photography, and installation, reconfiguring how Indigenous experiences are seen and heard. His latest feature, Powwow People (2025), continues this groundbreaking practice.

UIKSARINGITARA / WRONG HUSBAND

CANADA | 2025 | 100 MIN | DRAMA, SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY | INUKTITUT

Director: Zacharias Kunuk (Inuk)

Producer: Kingulliit Productions, Samuel Cohn-Cousineau, Jonathan Frantz, Carol Kunnuk (Inuk)
Available Territories: World excluding Canada
Sales Agent: Seeking international representation
Contact: Isuma Distribution International, distribution@isuma.tv

Synopsis: After a mysterious family death breaks their promised marriage, star-crossed lovers Kaujak and Sapa are separated. Spirit helpers must intervene to make things right in this Arctic fairy tale, set 2000 years ago in an Inuit community high above the Arctic Circle.

About The Director: Zacharias Kunuk (Inuk), acclaimed Inuit filmmaker and artist, redefined ethnographic cinema in Canada and pioneered Inuit use of broadcast technology. His debut feature, Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner), won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes, six Genie Awards, and was ranked the No. 1 Canadian film by TIFF in 2015.

About The Indigenous Cinema Alliance:

The Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) is a global network of Indigenous film festivals, commissions, and institutes dedicated to advancing Indigenous cinema worldwide. ICA promotes Indigenous screen content, creates culturally safe spaces for professionals, and facilitates co-production and sales opportunities across international film markets. In 2025, ICA celebrated its 10th anniversary at the European Film Market (EFM), highlighting its expertise in navigating global markets, building cross-border industry connections, and championing Indigenous storytelling. Functioning as a unique international agency for Indigenous cinema, ICA amplifies Indigenous voices on the world stage.

Current Membership & Contributions:

imagineNATIVE (Canada): With 25 years of experience in film programming, festival strategy, and global promotion of Indigenous screen content, imagineNATIVE offers deep industry connections and expertise in marketing and distribution tailored to Indigenous content. As a founding ICA member and the world’s largest Indigenous screen content presenter, imagineNATIVE has led ICA projects from the beginning.

International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) (Sápmi – Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia): ISFI strengthens Sámi culture through film by supporting production, distribution, and international collaboration. Another founding member, its expertise guides co-production and funding opportunities.

FILM.GL (Greenland): Founded to professionalize Greenland’s film industry, FILM.GL supports filmmakers, builds networks, and advocates for national film funding. Its involvement brings an Arctic Indigenous perspective and strengthens industry connections.

Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) (USA/Pacific Islands): PIC amplifies Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices, supporting emerging filmmakers through media distribution and community events. It connects filmmakers with international distributors, broadcasters, and co-producers, while sharing strategies for public media.

Winda Film Festival (Australia): Winda showcases global Indigenous films and fosters opportunities for filmmakers. It contributes to industry networking and professional development, raising visibility for Indigenous talent in Australia and beyond.

4th World Media (Turtle Island): Running year-long fellowships for emerging and mid-career Indigenous filmmakers, 4th World Media focuses on mentorship, professional development, and expanding industry networks.

MULLU (Abya Yala/Latin Americas): MULLU amplifies Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and frontline voices through digital platforms, co-production, and distribution. With a diverse Spanish- and Portuguese-language catalogue, MULLU contributes to discussions on alternative distribution models and broadening access to Indigenous storytelling across Latin America.

Pacific Islands Screen Artists (PISA) (Aotearoa New Zealand/Pacific Islands): PISA supports Pacific Island heritage professionals in New Zealand’s screen industry, facilitating networking with international partners and ensuring greater representation and visibility.

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