REGINA — The Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA) is returning for its 10th year.
The festival is bringing 103 movies from almost 76 countries around the world.
“There are almost 26 languages that are speaking [in these films]. Countries like India, Germany, and more,” said John Thimothy, founder of RIFFA.
Of the 103 movies 小蓝视频 presented, 12 come from Saskatchewan, with others originating in the Prairies.
The RIFFA receives hundreds of films yearly and chooses ones through a process of 25 programmers working on national and international films.
Submitted films go through three levels of vetting, and then the final selected or higher-rated movies will be chosen as part of the RIFFA.
There are 11 total categories for films, and each winner will be announced at the 2025 Award Ceremony on Aug. 23 at Darke Hall.
As for attendance, Timothy estimates the festival will see a 20 per cent audience increase from 2,800 visitors last year. These numbers are still down from pre-COVID-19 numbers of upwards of 3,800 visitors. However, Thimothy believes the festival has done well at rebuilding their audience.
He also feels the RIFFA is a top-10 film festival in Canada, seeing as they’re recognized as a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying Festival. Thimothy says this is uncommon for a smaller-sized film festival.
Films will be played at the RCMP Heritage Centre and MacKenzie Art Gallery.
There will also be activities hosted at Hotel Saskatchewan, a unique fashion experience at RIFFA’s red carpet show, and an opening show of people with medical challenges through RIFFA’s educational programs.
The RIFFA will take place between Aug. 13 and 23. More information on the event can be found here.
