5 top picks for the imagineNATIVE film festival

If you are an avid film festival fan and you are in Toronto right now, you are in luck. The imagineNATIVEfilm + media arts festival is in townuntil Sunday.

This celebration of indigenous film and mediawill showcase over 130 works representing more than 70 distinct indigenous nations from 12 different countries, including Canada.

You can show yoursavvinessof film festivals by telling your pals that the most important indigenous film and media arts festival in the world - in my opinion -- just turned 15.Happy Birthday,imagineNATIVE!

• Visit CBC Aboriginal
• Top 10 indigenous films of all time

Or you can brag about the powerful and creative indigenous voices that are a part of this years lineup including: DJ Bear Witness of A Tribe Called Red, Canadian novelist JosephBoyden, as well as award winning andmulti-disciplinaryartist CarolineMonnet, to name a few.

Here are five films or events not be missed this year.

1: The Embargo Collective II Closing Gala

Sunday at 6:30PM TIFFBellLightbox

The way you close a festival says a lot andimagineNATIVEis going for a strong finish this year.

Im excited to see the Embargo Collective on closing night of the festival - indigenous women's voices in cinema need to be heard more often and this is an incredible collection of filmmakers and works, says Ryan McMahon, the man behind the popular Red Man Laughing podcast.

The Embargo Collective II seriesfeatures five indigenous female filmmakers from across Canada. This highly anticipated evening will begin with world premieres for each of the five films, and conclude with an in-depth and in-cinema panel with the directors:CarolineMonnet,AletheaArnaquq-Baril,Zoe Leigh Hopkins,Elle-MaijaTailfeathersandLisa Jackson

2. Storytellers Screening

Saturday at 3:00PM Tiff BellLightbox

If you are looking to be engaged as a writer, a filmmaker, an actor, or just as an audience member this session will bring a new level of live multimedia performance you wont get anywhere else.

This two-part event features an author and filmmaker collaborating in whatimagineNATIVEcalls a storyteller screening.

Authorand activist Maria Campbell collaborates withfilmmaker ShaneBelcourt, and literary star JosephBoydenteams up with master of animationTerrilCalder

It'sfollowedby an in-depth panel discussion with all the artists, hosted by CBC Aborigireporter, Connie Walker.

3. Kaha:wi: The Cycle of Life World Premiere

Thursday at 7:30PM- Tiff BellLightbox

I had the pleasure of being on the set forKaha:wi: Cycle of Life; its a cinematic dessert for the eyes, a dance film focusing on performer & choreographer SanteeSmith, who tells traditional Iroquois legends through contemporary dance.

Because Santee is a majestic powerhouse and everyone in her entourage is stunning, my first-time dance film was reduced to: keep in focus, says director Shane Belcourt.

I'm so excited to see how it has come together. I'll be front row centrethis Thursday, (Popcorn in hand, of course).

4. Australia Spotlight VI: Shorts II

Sunday at 3:45PM TIFF BellLightbox

This years international spotlight shines on the land down under.

This collection of shorts brings some amazing directors and award-winning films to the festival including:Frankies Story,winner of three Australian film institute awards, and two films directed by Tyson Mowarin, who received the Troy Alberts Award for Excellence in Cinematography.

There is a deep connection withimagineNATIVEand Australia.I caught up with the founder ofimagineNATIVE, Cynthia Lickers-Sage, who pointed out thatimagineNATIVEwas shaped by its early Australian influences such as PaulineClague, who curated this collection of shorts.

Its easy to see why more than one person will be saying: Aussie Aussie Aussie!

5.Indigo(TIFF Official Selection) opening for the world premiere ofThe Lodge

Thursday at 5:15PM Tiff Bell Lightbox

Stop-motion film has always been fascinating to me,I am drawn to the creative mastery that flows from thousands of frames onto the big screen.

This one-two powerhouse punch of stop-motion films has my attention and my vote as a must see event!

I am honoured and humbled to be opening for the amazing Terril Calder'sfirst stop-motion feature film The Lodge," saysAmanda Strong.

The Lodgeisdirector TerrilCalder'sfirst full-length feature in the festival, with previous works playing atimagineNATIVEover the years and at festivals worldwide.

Now that youve got my list, comment, like, share; let me know what are you looking forward to. Ill see you at the movies!

CBC Aboriginal on Facebookor on Twitter @CBC_Aboriginalor contact me directly@itsKinosh #iN15th