Indigenous Cinema Alliance Announces Slate, Producer Fellows, and Events for Inaugural TIFF: The Market
THE ICA INCLUDES PRODUCTIONS FROM MĀORI, MAPUCHE, INUK, CREE, SÁMI, AND MÉTIS CREATIVES, AND MORE; AND ANNOUNCES 8 FELLOWS AT TIFF.
August 26, 2026 (Toronto, ON)–The Indigenous Cinema Alliance (ICA) announces a lineup of 14 titles at TIFF: The Market, headlined by four official TIFF selections across Platform, Centrepiece, Discovery, and TIFF Docs. The slate also spotlights eight ICA Fellows, building on the Fellowship's ongoing support that has brought several producers to other key international markets this year, including Clermont-Ferrand, the European Film Market, and the Marché du Film. While serving sovereign Indigenous nations globally, this year’s line-up highlights producers from the Ballardong Whadjuk Noongar, Cree, Gunadule, Inuit, Kalaallit Inuit, Mapuche, Māori, Métis, Sámi, Tongan, and Yaegl nations—advancing the ICA's B2B trade mandate to expand international distribution, buyer networks, and non-treaty co-production pathways. This year, the ICA will also host an Industry Day focused on market readiness, commercial distribution, and project pitching on September 11, 2026 at the Canada Pavillion, and 401 Richmond Street West in Toronto.
The Indigenous Cinema Alliance 2026 Slate At TIFF: The Market
The ICA’s market slate is headlined by four official TIFF 2026 selections: IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH (Platform) by Nyla Innuksuk (Inuk), GOD BLESS YOU, MR. KOPU (Centrepiece) by Alex Liu (Tongan), SEVENTEEN (Discovery) by Justin Ducharme (Métis), TURTLE ISLAND RAP (TIFF Docs) by Alexandra Lazarowich (Cree, Lubicon Lake Nation). International sales for GOD BLESS YOU, MR. KOPU are led by Radiant Films International (Worldwide ex. North America, ANZ) alongside Anonymous Content Independent (North America), whilst domestic distribution is handled by Umbrella Entertainment (ANZ). Elevation Pictures is the sole distributor for IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH, with Canadian selections domestic distribution secured via Vortex Media and Photon Films, with international sales rights currently available for key territories.
Beyond its premiering selections, the ICA represents a further market slate of titles seeking sales agents, distribution, financing and co-production partners. Current market titles include OUR FLAG by Johannes Ujo Müller (Inuk), a fascinating story of how a simple red-and-white design became a powerful symbol of Inuit pride, unity and self-determination (represented internationally by Truly Good, ex. Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands), THE COLLEANO HEART by Pauline Clague (Yaegl), an extraordinary archival exposure of global circus superstars who concealed their Aboriginal heritage to survive (represented internationally by Jambika Docs, ex. Australia), and POUĀKAI by Libby Hakaraia (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kapu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira), an ambitious cinematic short brought to life with WētāFX, following a Māori chief’s high-stakes mountain ascent to rescue his child from a legendary apex predator (worldwide rights available).
The ICA's upcoming pipeline of projects in development and pitch platforms includes LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER by ICA Fellow Jacqueline Olivé (Tongan), a darkly comedic hybrid-animated doc exploring migration and memory; RECLAMATION by ICA Fellow Brooke Collard (Ballardong Whadjuk Noongar), a psychological horror tracking a First Nations woman’s fiery cultural awakening; SUGGUNYA by ICA Fellow Olowaili Green (Gunadule), an investigative documentary reclaiming erased Indigenous histories from a 17th-century colonial plot; MAPURBEKISTÁN by Claudio Alvarado Lincopi (Mapuche), a dreamlike archival journey weaving centuries of anti-colonial resistance into contemporary politics. The slate also features 3 Sámi-led projects: Ann Holmgren’s PORSLIN, a poetic and ethereal journey into memory and ancestral longing, Oskar Östergren Njajta’s SAAJVE, an epic animated folklore adventure, and the much-anticipated Suvi West and Anssi Kömi’s MÁTTÁRÁHKKÁ, a surreal feminist thriller exploring power, love, and survival in a world of beasts.
Indigenous Cinema Alliance 2026 Fellows
For the 2026 TIFF Market, the ICA announces 8 fellows selected from different nations across the globe. This year's fellows are Sadetło Scott (imagineNATIVE & Arctic Indigenous Film Fund), Anna Sunna (International Sami Film Institute), Brooke Collard (Winda Film Festival), Johannes Ujo Müller (from the recently incorporated Film Institute of Greenland), Jacqueline Olivé (Pacific Islanders in Communication), Olowaili Green (Mullu), Katsitsionni Fox (4th World Media & Pacific Islanders in Communications), and Libby Hakaraia (Māoriland).
Industry Day By ICA @ TIFF: The Market
On Friday, September 11, 2026, the ICA will host a dedicated Industry Day focused on international sales, pitching, and co-productions for Indigenous screen content. The program kicks off at the Canada Pavillion (MTCC, B2) with the 7 Deadly Sins of Film Sales & Pitching Panel, moderated by Jing Haase (Kurzfilmtage Winterthur) and featuring Anusha Duray (NITV/SBS), Jasmin McSweeney (Umbrella Entertainment), and Jason Ryle (TIFF).
The day continues with events at 401 Richmond Street West (4th Floor – The Commons) including the Indigenous Co-production Pitch andthe imagineNATIVE / Storyboard Series Lab Showcase, both of which are hosted by the ISO’s Vice-President, Industry, Partnerships and Growth - Melanie Nepinak Hadley - and Would You Buy This? – also moderated by the format’s creator Jing Haase and featuring real-time expert commentary and feedback–and a closing Meet the ICA Reception.
The ICA Industry Day is possible thanks to the generous support of the Indigenous Screen Office.
Industry Day events are invite-only. For further details and general inquiries, please email icaevents@imaginenative.org. Members of the press requesting an invitation should contact our publicist listed below.
Partnerships & Funding
This year's initiatives are made possible through funding from Creative Export Canada, along with the generous sponsorship of the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and the Canada Media Fund (CMF). The ICA also extends its gratitude to supporting organizations: the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund (AIFF), Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga / New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), and Telefilm Canada for their vital contributions to our international mandate.
"Our decision to participate in the inaugural official TIFF Market reflects our immense optimism for this new platform, which further elevates TIFF’s standing as a world-class hub for global cinema.” says David Morrison, Associate Director, imagineNATIVE. “Indigenous creators have long felt deeply supported and championed by the festival, and seeing a record three Indigenous feature films in this year's Platform competition is a testament to that enduring relationship. We are thrilled to build on this momentum, ensuring that the festival’s commitment to Indigenous voices extends seamlessly into a robust market environment where our producers can thrive on the international stage."
About The Indigenous Cinema Alliance
Founded in 2015 through an official partnership with the European Film Market (EFM) at the Berlinale, the ICA originally operated as an annual market stand showcasing market-ready work by Indigenous screen storytellers. In 2024, the ICA expanded into a year-round, B2B international trade alliance. Administered by imagineNATIVE, the ICA's 2026 organizational partners also include the International Sámi Film Institute, Winda Film Festival, Film.GL, Pacific Islanders in Communications, 4th World Media, Mullu, Māoriland Film Festival, Ngā Aho Whakaari, and the Film Institute of Greenland. Operating globally, the ICA delivers specialized market access, fellowship programs, and cross-border co-production pathways to elevate market-ready Indigenous content and ensure culturally safe business environments worldwide.
For all ICA press requests, contact: Amy Saunders | AlphaPR | 782-321-6085 | amy@wearealphapr.com
