CELEBRATION OF FILM
RIFF begins screenings
With the third annual Regina International Film Festival underway this week, here’s what you need to know.
WHAT?
The Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA) first took place in October 2015. Founded by Regina resident John Thimo- thy, this year’s event will see 130 films screened, from 39 countries in 31 different languages. There are also special panel discussions and master classes to learn from film industry experts.
The 10 awards categories include international feature, Canadian documentary, Indigenous short film, animated short film and student short film, among others.
WHERE?
The week culminates with a red carpet event and awards ceremony at the Casino Regina Show Lounge.
Prior to that special event, festival screenings and festivities take place at the Cineplex Odeon Southland cinemas.
WHEN?
In three different auditoriums, screenings run from 11 a.m. to approximately 10:45 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
Saturday’s film screenings run from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The red carpet event begins at 6:30 p.m., with the awards show starting at 8p.m.
WHO?
Saskatchewan filmmakers Rhys Pugh, Emily Duffield, Dustan J. Hlady and Wagner Filho get a special nod during a screening and Q&A session at 4:20 p.m. on Friday.
Bill Plympton will lead a master class on indie animation on Thursday, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Cineplex.
Zarqa Nawaz will moderate a panel discussion featuring Nadia Zouaoui, Janine Windolph and Jackie English. “Speaking the Truth: Power Balance, Sexual Abuse and Gender Discrimination in the Entertainment Industry” takes place Friday, 2:30-4 p.m., at Cineplex.
Beyond homegrown artists, the RIFFA field includes filmmakers from across Canada and around the world. Countries represented include the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, Poland, Macedonia, Nigeria, Iran, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Japan, China, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.
HOW?
The opening ceremony and screening costs $35. A festival pass thereafter costs $40. A day pass is $20. An awards ceremony ticket is $50. For all of the above, an allaccess pass is $80.
For more information on this year’s films, visit riffa.ca/officialselection-2018.html.