The Independent Press Gallery of Canada is launching its inaugural Independent Journalism Awards, celebrating the reporters, filmmakers, and storytellers doing serious work outside the corporate media system.

The mainstream media loves handing awards to itself.

But some of the most important journalism in Canada today is being done by independent reporters, documentary filmmakers, videographers, writers, and investigators who don’t have taxpayer-funded newsrooms behind them.

The IPG Awards are designed to recognize that work.

Winners will be honoured at an awards luncheon on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET at the Novotel Toronto North York, as part of The Democracy Fund’s Student Journalism Conference.

First-place winners will receive $1,000, with $500 awarded for second place.

Award categories

• Best Video
• Best Written Report
• Best Investigative Report

Submit your work

If you are an independent journalist, documentary filmmaker, videographer, writer, student journalist, or investigator, submit your best work for consideration.

The submission deadline is May 25, 2026.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK LEARN MORE

Attend the awards luncheon

Join independent journalists, media creators, students, and supporters of press freedom in Toronto for the inaugural IPG Awards luncheon.

Tickets are available through the Independent Press Gallery website.