Indigenous cinema will have a significant global impact in Toronto this year, as the festival showcases a curated selection of nine Canadian and international feature films, documentaries and series for discerning audiences and numerous buyers looking for unique acquisitions with broad appeal.

“These are the kinds of films we’ve been eager to see,” said Jason Ryle, Toronto’s international programmer of global Indigenous cinema. Ryle collaborates with Kelly Boutsalis, who programs Canadian Indigenous titles; both joined TIFF’s programming team in 2022.

“Filmmakers are now interacting with the international industry on a high level,” Ryle continued. “We’re still combating notions that Indigenous film is a genre, but the diversity of tones and storytelling approaches is coming through.”

This is something that resonates deeply with multi-talented Eva Thomas, a dual citizen and member of Walpole Island First Nation, who is at the festival with Discovery titles “Aberdeen,” a story about a family struggling to maintain stability that she co-wrote and co-directed with Ojibwe filmmaker Ryan Cooper; and the darkly humorous eco-thriller “Seeds,” which she executive produced. (Farpoint Distribution handles international sales of “Aberdeen.”)

A decade ago, Thomas, a trained actor, was in Los Angeles working on Thanksgiving commercials. She was told she should learn to ride a horse. “We call them ‘leather and feather’ gigs,” she told Variety in August. “I thought, ‘This isn’t going to change until someone else writes something different.’ So I decided to learn how to do that.” After transitioning to a new path and gaining momentum, she ultimately returned to Canada, where the Indigenous film industry was rapidly expanding.

Story editing and set design work followed Thomas's completion of a mentorship program. Subsequently, for five years she led the ImagineNative Institute’s feature screenwriting lab, which supports two Canadian and two international projects annually. She witnessed early drafts of many successful features, notably “Night Raiders,” where she served as associate producer.

“I pursued writing because I couldn't find acting opportunities, and then transitioned to producing because many writers I knew had projects ready for distribution but couldn't secure producers,” she explained, adding, “I still enjoy doing that but am also focusing on my own work.” This autumn, Thomas will begin filming her first solo feature film, centered around two Indigenous women on the run from the law.

“Seeds,” which was part of TIFF’s 2023 Every Story Accelerator Program, marks the debut of actor Kaniehtiio Horn (“Letterkenny”) as a writer-director. She previously starred in Thomas's 2023 TIFF short film “Redlights.”

Horn, who hails from Kahnawáke (near Montreal), recently disclosed to Variety that after a consistent career of guest, supporting, and recurring roles, she felt the need to demonstrate her capability of leading a feature film. “I wanted to engage in stunts and practical effects, and have a good time, which is why I entered this industry,” she stated.

“My initial concept was a home invasion story about someone trying to acquire corn, beans, and squash seeds – I didn't initially set out with a profound message about food sovereignty!”

Encouraged by “Seeds” producers Jennifer Jonas and Leonard Farlinger to direct her own script, Horn leveraged various funding programs offered by the Indigenous Screen Office and secured the participation of the legendary Graham Greene, who takes on a quirky, fatherly double role.

Rachel House, renowned for her roles in Taika Waititi's films outside of New Zealand, takes the helm as director with her debut feature film, “The Mountain.” This lighthearted comedic adventure, following three young people on the run from their families, is House's interpretation of an original screenplay by Tom Furniss.

“From an Indigenous perspective, the mountain provides us with our sense of identity,” House said. She is from two of the eight Māori tribes located near Taranaki Maunga mountain, the central focus of her film and legally, since 2017, recognized as a person. “One of the essential changes was to show that we climb things not to conquer them but to understand them.”

“Mountain” is produced by Desray Armstrong for Sandy Lane Prods. and Morgan Waru for Piki Films. Upgrade Prods. is handling U.S. and international distribution.

“Rez Ball,” a film by Navajo filmmaker Sydney Freeland, has its world premiere at TIFF before debuting on Netflix later this month. The film explores the passionate fan base surrounding high school basketball on the Navajo Nation. Based on a series of articles by journalist Michael Powell, the film tells the story of a team rebuilding.

Freeland began writing with Sterlin Harjo in 2019 after being approached by Wise Entertainment, before his “Reservation Dogs” was greenlit. The duo worked on the script until LeBron James’ Springhill Company joined the project. After a pandemic-related pause in pre-production, “Rez Ball” was revived.

“One of my top priorities was ensuring the basketball looked authentic,” Freeland explained. “There's a significant overlap between Native basketball players and Native actors. Out of 5,000 applicants for 10 speaking roles, we invited 32 promising candidates to New Mexico for casting callbacks, chemistry readings, and basketball drills.”

“There are no stunt doubles in this film,” she emphasized, “these young actors exude authenticity and they bring their communities to the screen.”

Freeland highlights the rising interest in Indigenous screen storytelling, noting, “The Standing Rock protests brought Indigenous issues back to the forefront of mainstream American consciousness, and [Taika Waititi] directing ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ was a major step forward for us. Additionally, the explosion of television content has led studios and companies to seek out stories from diverse backgrounds.”

“All this has indirectly led to increased interest in shows like ‘Rutherford Falls’ and “Reservation Dogs.’

“Then people start saying, Wow, we had no idea these things even existed,’ and we’re sitting here saying, ‘Well, yeah, we’ve been here!’”

More Indigenous Stories Screening in Toronto:

“Ka Whawhai Tonu — Struggle Without End,” directed by Michael Jonathan. North American premiere in Centrepiece. Recounts a significant 1864 battle between Māori and colonial British forces in New Zealand.

“So Surreal: Behind the Masks” directed by Neil Diamond and Joanne Robertson. Premieres globally in TIFF Docs. Examining the connection between the works of renowned Surrealist artists and the ceremonial masks of the Yupʼik and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw nations.

“The Knowing Picture” directed by Courtney Montour and Tanya Talaga. Premieres globally in Primetime.

Adapted from journalist Tanya Talaga’s book, this film follows her journey to find a long-lost ancestor named Annie, unraveling an 80-year-old family secret.

“Thou Shalt Not Steal” directed by Dylan River. Premieres globally in Primetime.

A dark comedy road trip set in the Australian Outback features Sherry-Lee Watson and Will McDonald from “Heartbreak High” as they flee from Australian stars Miranda Otto and Noah Taylor.

“My Fathers’ Daughter — Biru Unjárga,” directed by Egil Pedersen. Makes its global debut in Discovery.

A teenage girl living in a small village in Norway believes her biological father is Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, but she later learns a startling truth.