Photo: Still from Akashi, produced by alum Nach Dudsdeemaytha.

The Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) returns July 22 – 26, bringing together filmmakers and audiences for five days of international cinema, industry events and conversation.

This year’s festival features National Screen Institute alum both on screen and behind the scenes, alongside institute-led programming that celebrates Indigenous storytelling and emerging talent.

Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, manager of programs and development at the National Screen Institute, will moderate Every Story Has the Power to Inspire Change: Celebrating Indigenous Storytelling, Career Pathways and Industry Impact.

The panel will explore the importance of Indigenous storytelling, provide a behind-the-scenes look at CBC New Indigenous Voices 2026 and feature a conversation with alum Nathaniel Jordan Magbanua, Lindsay Jade, Matthew Shoup, Roger Boyer and Dinae Robinson. Together, they reflect on the lasting impact of the program, with participants representing cohorts from 2007 through 2024, before taking part in an audience Q&A.

Festival audiences can also see Catalogue, directed by Danielle Sturk, who recently served as a program advisor for NSI Intro to Production – Manitoba Francophone Edition.

Alum at GIFF

Please join us in celebrating the following alum whose work is screening at this year’s festival:

• Akashi – produced by Nach Dudsdeemaytha (Access BIPOC Producers)
• Black Zombie – produced by Jennifer Holness (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug)
• Blood Lines – produced by Paula Devonshire (Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program, NSI Totally Television) and featuring Dana Solomon (NSI Art of Business Management)
• Ceremony – directed and produced by Banchi Hanuse (NSI Art of Business Management)
• I for NDN – directed by Darryl Nepinak (NSI Aboriginal Youth Pilot Project)

RBC Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition

Congratulations to alum John Luke (CBC New Indigenous Voices), who has been named a finalist in the 15th annual RBC $15,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition for his film Sun Shower.