The Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA), scheduled from August 20-24, is all set to welcome filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and the community at large to this celebratory cultural event. After eight successful events, this ninth year’s annual celebration will take place at various locations in Regina and will feature in-person and virtual elements highlighting talented filmmakers from Saskatchewan and around the world. RIFFA encourages filmmakers to submit stories with unique perspectives and critical viewpoints that can bring about positive social change and empower marginalized communities.
The Regina International Film Festival and Awards recently announced the program for its 9th annual festival in August. For its current edition, RIFFA received 521 film submissions from 66 countries, and 112 were selected as official entries. The festival will feature 45 directorial debuts, 31 female filmmakers, and films in 27 languages. The full list of selections is available here.
The Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA) Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization focused on promoting the cultural arts. The annual five-day International Film Festival supports and highlights Saskatchewan filmmakers and organizes masterclasses, industry talks, and special events to help visiting and local filmmakers connect and learn from each other. RIFFA’s international program aims to enhance community capacity in cinematic arts and promote inclusion, human connection, innovation, and self-expression through storytelling.
Riffa opened to accept entries from filmmakers on October 5, 2023, with a deadline to send entries by February 1, 2024. The deadline was later extended till April 2024 while the extended deadline to submit Student Shorts was May 1, 2024. The event will take place from August 20-24, 2024. This year’s schedule includes the first-ever RIFFA Academy Gala on August 22 at the RCMP Heritage Centre. It’s a networking event that raises funds for RIFFA Academy, which is the educational part of the festival. Alongside the daily film screenings at the MacKenzie Art Gallery and RCMP Heritage Centre, there’s also the new RIFFA Network Series taking place on August 20, 21, and 23 at surprise locations, the RIFFA Industry Series from August 20 to 24 at The Studio at Cornwall Centre, and the annual RIFFA Awards on August 24 at Darke Hall.
According to the RIFFA president and CEO John Thimothy, “The festival will be a platform for creativity, cultural exchange, and exploring diverse perspectives. We look forward to welcoming filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and the community to this event. The festival celebrates the diversity of the human spirit and shared experiences,” He added by saying that “RIFFA is proud to amplify these voices.”
