Festivals, Awards and Events

Aboriginal Media Arts Symposium

  • The symposium consists of a number of workshops and development sessions.
  • The aim is on emerging media artists.
  • Last year’s symposium took place on November 7 and 8.
  • For more information contact:

Atlantic Film Festival

Visit their web page for information about the festival, the awards they offer as well as a film discussion area.

James Buller Awards for Aboriginal Theatre Excellence

  • Usually takes place the second week of May.
  • Nominations can be sent to the address below.

Banff Television Festival

  • A competitive international festival dedicated to the recognition and celebration of excellence in television programs.
  • A number of categories encompassing most television programming.
  • Entries should be in by the end of February, with the festival usually commencing around the beginning of June.
  • Entry forms, festival information and and regulations can be obtained from:

Dreamspeakers Festival

  • One of Canada’s largest aboriginal film festivals.
  • The festival takes place in the last week of May or first week of June each year.
  • The festival includes panel discussions, pitching sessions, talent searches and award presentations.

The Far North Film Festival

  • Celebrating film and video about our Earth’s northern environs and the people who live there.
  • The festival usually takes place in mid-November.

Hot Docs

  • Competitive festival that celebrates Canadian and International films.

Japan Prize – International Educational Program Contest

  • Awards given to programs that contribute to the advancement of educational programs
  • Categories include pre-school education, primary education, secondary education and adult education.
  • The deadline for applications is usually September with the contest taking place in November.
  • You can also attend the contest as an observer with admission to all events, by filling out an application and sending it by September 30th.
  • Rules and applications can be obtained from the address below or by contacting TVNC.

Native American Film and Video Festival
National Museum of the American Indian

  • Held in New York City in October/November.
  • A showcase for Native media makers from North, Central and South America and Hawai’i.
  • The Festival features documentaries, films, videos, experimental work, tribal community productions and more.
  • The deadline for submissions was on May 15 but information on the event and applications for next years event can be obtained from:

The Native Indian/Inuit Photographers Association

  • Videobinge III – First Nations Video Festival

The New York Festivals

  • A 40 year old event with many categories and divisions.
  • Awards presented in categories such as: international, advertising, broadcsting, radio, public service announcments and more.

George Foster Peabody Awards

  • Prestigous awards established in 1939.
  • Awards given for news, entertainment, childrens programming, education, documentaries, public service announcements and individuals, institutions or organizations.

Telefilm Canada and TVNC – Aboriginal Production Awards”

  • Two awards for Best Canadian Aboriginal Television Production, one for French/English language entry and one for an Aboriginal language entry.
  • The award is $10,000 to go towards the development or production of a new work.
  • The award is presented during the Banff Television Festival which occurs in June.
  • deadline for applications are accepted until late April.
  • Entry forms and eligibility requirements can be obtained from TVNC, Telefilm Canda or the Banff Centre for the Arts.