Filmmakers Gather for the 2025 Regina International Film Festival

Filmmakers and cinephiles from around the globe are set to gather in Regina, Canada, for the 2025 Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA), running from March 15 to March 19, 2025. This year’s festival showcases a vibrant selection of films following a successful virtual component. Attendees can expect an array of film screenings and special events throughout the city.

Celebrating Diverse Cinematic Voices

RIFFA aims to inspire audiences to explore the world through the lens of cinema. The festival features over 400 submissions from 74 countries, with 103 films making the final cut across several categories. These include animated short films, documentaries (both feature and short), Canadian entries (documentary, feature, and short), Indigenous shorts, Saskatchewan shorts, and student films.

Daily screenings will take place at the MacKenzie Art Gallery and the RCMP Heritage Centre, with special guests, including filmmakers from Canada, Mexico, and China, enhancing the festival experience. RIFFA also offers valuable professional development opportunities, including workshops and networking events, such as a complimentary Saskatchewan filmmakers forum.

The festival culminates with a red-carpet reception and awards ceremony at Darke Hall on March 19. An independent jury has nominated films in ten categories, including Best Saskatchewan Short Film, featuring local talents like Mark Wihak with his film Daytoday and Owen Assman with Disconnect.

A Decade of Impact and Growth

Since its inception in 2015, RIFFA has pursued its mission to foster a sustainable, internationally recognized film arts organization. The festival provides a platform for marginalized voices, promoting inclusion and self-expression through storytelling. Its founder, John Thimothy, identified a need for such an event upon moving to Regina in 2014, and he has since served as its president and CEO.

“I have a huge interest in movies and storytelling and film festivals,” Thimothy stated in an interview with the Leader-Post. “I felt we could have an international event that celebrates movies.”

Over the past decade, RIFFA has presented more than 1,000 films in 187 languages and has celebrated the work of 303 first-time filmmakers and 268 female directors. The festival has emerged as a significant cultural destination, recognized as a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying Festival by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

In 2022, RIFFA was selected as a cultural destination under the Canoo X initiative, which connects newcomers across Canada with the arts. This collaboration positions RIFFA as a gateway to culture in Saskatchewan, further solidifying its role in the film community.

This year’s Industry Series workshops will also feature a panel discussing the future of video games in Canada, demonstrating RIFFA’s commitment to exploring various facets of the film and entertainment industry.

For more details about the festival and its schedule, visit riffa.ca. As the festival approaches its 10th anniversary, it continues to celebrate diverse stories and cinematic creativity, reinforcing its place in the global film landscape.