MONTREAL — Indigenous culture and contemporary creativity took centre stage in Montreal this August as the city hosted the 36th International First Peoples Festival.

The multidisciplinary festival brought together Indigenous filmmakers, musicians, performers and visual artists, showcasing stories and creative works from Indigenous communities across the Americas.

The 2026 edition ran from August 4 to 14, with programming spanning film, music, theatre, dance, literature, visual arts, installations and live performances. The festival also highlighted Montreal’s deep Indigenous history and its role as a meeting place for Indigenous nations.

The event opened with the world premiere of Nitassinan, while the wider program gave audiences opportunities to discover contemporary Indigenous artistic expression alongside cultural traditions.

The festival’s growing international profile highlights the increasing visibility of Indigenous artists and stories within Canada’s cultural landscape.

The celebration also reinforces Montreal’s position as a major destination for cultural programming, bringing Indigenous creativity and heritage to audiences from across Canada and beyond.