Regina film festival’s latest effort gets bigger and better
The Regina International Film Festival has grown threefold since its first offering in October 2015.
Back for its second incarnation beginning Wednesday, the festival is screening 99 films, up from 30 in 2015.
That includes 10 world premieres.
The festival’s growth is the result of a lot of hard work by 30-some volunteers and executive director John Thimothy.
His job overseeing the Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA) is on top of his full-time job as a nurse in the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region and as a student working on a master’s degree in business administration.
“Right after my shift’s done, I get into RIFFA stuff, and that will keep me engaged for the rest of the day until I start working next,” said Thimothy, the festival’s founder.
RIFFA’s scope has changed since 2015, which is one reason it is showcasing more films.
Last time, it was exclusively short films. This year, there are feature-length films as well.
Of the 99 films, more than 40 are feature-length.
The festival will last a day longer than the 2015 version, taking place over three days in three theatres at a new venue, the Cineplex Southland theatre.
The award winners will be decided by 20 jurors — 12 Canadian (including six from Saskatchewan) and the rest international.
Though most can’t make the trip to Regina, there are some big names attached to the panel of judges, including: Kim Magnusson, a director and producer from Denmark, who twice won the Academy Award for live action short film; David Hamilton, a producer of Deepa Mehta’s movies, including the Oscar-nominated Water; and Sreeker Prasad, a prolific editor in Bollywood, the largest film industry in the world.
“Having those kind of personalities in this jury, I am so excited,” said Thimothy.
He said people involved in two international films are trying to secure their visas to come to Regina.
At least one American film, Mic and Me, will have its makers present.
More than 12 filmmakers from across Canada are travelling to the festival as well.
Thimothy said it was a conscious decision to have the festival in August instead of October.
“The weather is so unpredictable, and during the awards show it was storming outside and raining,” he said.
He doesn’t want people to have to think twice about leaving their house because “it’s too rainy and snowy and the road is not that great.”
For out-of-towners, summertime is “easier for the travellers to come and enjoy the city and explore Saskatchewan,” he added.
RIFFA film screenings run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A regular festival pass is $30. The all-access pass is $50 and includes access to the red carpet and awards ceremony.
The awards are next Saturday in the University Theatre, University of Regina Riddell Centre, preceded by a red carpet event.
There are two panel discussions as part of RIFFA. Reel Women Seen is Thursday at 1:20 p.m., and Crossing Borders: Whose Story Is it? is Friday at 1:30 p.m. Both are at the Cineplex Southland.
For tickets and more information, visit riffa.ca.