*ANNOUNCEMENT we're delighted to establish a microIndigenous showcase with microMania Film Festival, Buffalo NY, created for filmmakers to showcase their talents and storytelling skills in 5 minutes and under. https://www.micromaniafilmfest.com

DEADLINE 1 JUNE - email nativespiritfilms@gmail.com for WAIVER CODE
Delivery: HD video .mov or .mp4 not exceeding 5GB. 1920 x 1080
Film still / poster in horizontal format 1920 x 1080
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Native Spirit Festival is the UK's first and only annual Independent festival promoting Indigenous Filmmakers, Media and Artists. The festival is part of Native Spirit Foundation, founded in 2005 by Mapuche leader Freddy Trequil to promote knowledge and awareness of Indigenous cultures and longer term projects supporting Community-run education in Native Schools - "All the [activists] have come to the conclusion that one objective of making video, radio and television is for the other culture to know us. It is necessary to create a bridge to share our culture in an educational form, without losing our identity."

All styles of film welcome - Animation, SciFi, Horror, Comedy, Music, Dance, Spoken Word, Experimental...

We don't programme to a fixed theme but are on the lookout for films relating to the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage to America.
https://www.mayflower400uk.org
and more importantly, to the official Indigenous responses led by Cannupa Hanska Luger and all artists working with him:
http://www.cannupahanska.com/settlement

Previous Native Spirit programmes: https://issuu.com/nativespirituk/docs/brochure_lo__native_spirit_festival

Awards & Prizes

Native Spirit is a non-competitive festival

Rules & Terms

PLEASE RESPECTFULLY TAKE NOTE: Native Spirit's priority is to present Indigenous Filmmakers, Mediamakers and Artists.

IMPORTANT: To be eligible for submission, an Indigenous person must have a designated key creative role - director, producer, screenwriter - either behind or in front of the camera. This must be clearly stated in the Custom Form and Synopsis.

Non-English language films must have English subtitles hardcoded to your video file to be eligible.

All media submitted to Native Spirit Festival will be considered by the Festival’s selection team. Films are selected on the basis that the values presented align with that of Native Spirit Foundation’s work. Native Spirit Festival is a charitable project and therefore a non-commercial festival run by dedicated volunteers.

Submitted Films may also be invited to screen at Native Spirit Taiwan (must have Mandarin subtitles) and/or at Outreach events in UK.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Toa Stappard

    Thank you to the organiser and volunteers of Native Spirit Film Festival for welcoming me to present and speak about my short film, Emkhatsini, which screened in an excellent program of shorts.

    October 2019
    Helpful
  • Red Haircrow

    Very fine & thorough communication and good support for filmmakers. Myself and 4 film crew/participants were able to attend the screening of our feature length documentary and Q&A session where we were made to feel welcome and heard. A great opportunity to share indigenous voices around the world.

    May 2019
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for allowing us to screen your important documentary, for bringing film crew and participants to form a panel, for accepting Radio & TV interviews during a busy schedule. It was a great and learning experience with alot of good feedback. Appreciated.

  • David N. Bernatchez

    Festival is engaged in an important subject and project of knowledge on the term and idea of native populations. Large programming but significant in it's choices. Best wishes.

    October 2018
    Helpful
  • Ernest M Whiteman III

    I was unable to attend but fest like Native Spirit are needed and am happy to have had my film "The Final Meeting" among the selections. Great communications and clear guidelines. I hope submit more films to Native Spirit Film Festival.

    January 2018
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  • Abraham Cote

    I was invited to screen a short film at Native spirit Film Festival and it was a great experience! Great hospitality and communication. Was sent e-mail and twitter updates on the sate of my application and screenings. Was treated with the utmost respect as an up and coming filmmaker and I would definitely apply to Native Spirit with my next film. Thanks so much Native Spirit Film Festival!

    November 2017
    Helpful