Photo: Still from the feature film The Track, directed, written and produced by Ryan Sidhoo (Telefilm Talent to Watch)

Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) celebrated its 25th anniversary over the weekend. From July 23-27, the festival screened over 70 films, including several from our alumni. With features, short films and the GIFF Global Industry Summit, a whirlwind of filmmaking magic swept over the Manitoba town.

Festival goers enjoyed beach screenings at dusk and attended industry sessions which included masterclasses, presentations and a coffee talk with the National Screen Institute. The 14th annual RBC $15,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition was held on Saturday with the winner receiving a story-editing and directing mentorship from Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill, manager of programs and development at the National Screen Institute.

Join us in celebrating the following alumni whose films screened at the festival:

• Aberdeen – directed, written and executive produced by Eva Thomas (NSI Totally Television), directed, written and produced by Ryan Cooper (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs), executive produced by Kyle Bornais (NSI Features First) and Chris Charney (NSI Features First)
• Endless Cookie – produced by Daniel Bekerman (NSI Features First)
• Inkwo for When the Starving Return – directed, written, produced and executive produced by Amanda Strong; written by Bracken Hanuse Corlett (both NSI IndigiDocs)
• Rumours – produced by Liz Jarvis (NSI Features First)
• The Track – directed, written and produced by Ryan Sidhoo (Telefilm Talent to Watch)