This year, we are excited to offer discounts for creators. Apply HERE.
AUSTIN, TX
NOVEMBER 15-16
AUSTIN, TX
NOVEMBER 15-16
AUSTIN, TX
NOVEMBER 15-16
Applications open now.
Sloan Science Prizes
IMI, in partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, celebrates innovative YouTube projects exploring science and technology with two Sloan Science Prizes in documentary and narrative fiction.
Creator Opportunites
WHAT IS IMI FEST?
IMI Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival celebrating independent media creators who share their work online. Produced by the Independent Media Initiative (IMI), it brings together a diverse group of creators, educators, and industry professionals across formats and genres for a weekend of discovery and connection.
Held each November, IMI Fest features workshops, exhibits, performances, and the presentation of the IMI Awards—honoring exceptional creators and the educational and artistic value of their work. This year’s festival takes place November 15-16th in Austin, Texas. Tickets are on sale July 18. Learn more about IMI at theimi.co.
2025 Award Winners
Gawx
Your Space Reflects Who You Are.
Yowei Shaw (Proxy)
Brian Can't Stop Fact-checking His Mother-In-Law
Evan Ratliff
Shell Game
Grady Hillhouse (Practical Engineering)
1.5 Years of Heavy Construction in 1.5 Hours
Joel Haver
12 Movies in 12 Months
Poppy
Improbably Poppy
What to Expect
Join us November 15 & 16 for IMI Fest. Saturday features separate day and evening programming, while Sunday offers a more laid-back experience.
FESTIVAL DAY 1 - DAY
Spend the day exploring the Maker’s Fair, watching live performances, joining panel discussions, attending screenings, and enjoying live music.
FESTIVAL DAY 1 - NIGHT
The night continues with the festival dinner, the IMI awards ceremony honoring our 2025 winners, and a lively after party.
FESTIVAL DAY 2
Join us for relaxed programming, local experiences, and a farewell hang.
IMI Fest at a Glance
Below are some of the highlights from past IMI Fests.
Awards Ceremony
A premiere dinner along with the presentation of awards.
Screenings
Exclusive video and audio screenings that are premiered live at IMI Fest.
Maker's Fair
Interactive, live exhibits that show off physical artwork and objects made by creators.
Performances
Presentations from creators we have partnered with including Audio Flux, Howtown, and Joe Posner.
Award Winners Panel
A panel that features our award winners in conversation with each other.
Live Music
Concerts featuring local bands and artists.
Festival Flow
Join us November 15 & 16 for IMI Fest. Saturday features separate daytime and evening programming, while Sunday offers a more laid-back experience.
FESTIVAL DAY 1 - DAYTIME
Spend the day exploring the Maker’s Fair, watching live performances, joining panel discussions, attending screenings, and enjoying live music.
FESTIVAL DAY 1 - NIGHT
The night continues with the festival dinner, the IMI awards ceremony honoring our 2025 winners, and a lively after party.
FESTIVAL DAY 2
Join us for relaxed programming, local experiences, encore screenings, and a farewell hang
TICKETS
Find out more about TICKET OPTIONS
Festival Day 1
Maker's Fair, Performances, & Screenings
Festival Day 1
Gala Dinner & Award's Ceremony
Festival Day 2
Local Experiences & Farewell Hang
Membership Benefits
Exclusive Creator Interviews, Newsletter Archive, & Sticker
Festival Day 1
Maker's Fair, Performances, and Screenings
Festival Day 1
Gala Dinner & Award's Ceremony
Festival Day 2
Local Experiences & Farewell Hang
Membership Benefits
Exclusive creator interviews
Ticket Access | Festival Day 1 | Festival Day 1 | Festival Day 2 | Membership Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Maker's Fair, Performances, and Screenings | ||||
Gala Dinner & Award's Ceremony | ||||
Local Experiences & Farewell Hang |
TICKETS GO LIVE
A new partnership between IMI and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to support the creation of exceptional work on YouTube that explores themes related to science and technology. Learn more about the prizes and how to apply here.
Introducing the The Sloan Science Prizes for YouTube
Come to IMI Fest with Radiotopia
Are you — or do you know — an up-and-coming audio producer we should all know more about?
We are excited to announce a new partnership with Radiotopia from PRX, the network of legendary independent podcasts, including Ear Hustle, Song Exploder, and Normal Gossip. The Radiotopia team will be at IMI Fest this year, and they are putting out an open call to select TWO audio producers to be their special guests here at the festival (and yes, all expenses are paid!). Learn more and apply here.
AUSTIN, TX
NOVEMBER 15-16
AUSTIN, TX
NOVEMBER 15-16
AUSTIN, TX
NOVEMBER 15-16
From the Festival to the Feed
Showcasing the projects and partnerships sparked by IMI Fest, where real-life connections turn into creative collaborations!
2025 Sponsors
2025 Sponsors
