The Gimli International Film Festival is Manitoba's premier film festival, and the largest rural film festival in all of Canada! We are once again looking for the best contemporary cinema from Manitoba, Canada and around the world. This includes narrative and documentary, live action and animated, in short, mid-length, and feature film formats from across the globe.
All films which screen at the Gimli International Film Festival are paid standard rate screening fees as outlined in the IMAA Fee Schedule.
*GIFF has eliminated submission fees for Manitoba-based Filmmakers.
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What to Expect:
GIFF annually screens over 100 films, in the lakeside community of Gimli, Manitoba. A festival with strong Icelandic ties, GIFF is proud to highlight Icelandic film, but also be representative of the diverse communities that make up Manitoba. Wherever you are or wherever you are from, there is always something to enjoy at our festival!
If your film is selected for our festival, we welcome filmmakers to join us and participate in a post-screening Q&A, take in one of our industry sessions, watch other films, network at our many social events, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Interlake region.
This year, GIFF will continue to feature the best in contemporary independent cinema with a strong focus on Canadian and Manitoba-made films. We will also continue to curate film series based on the themes of social justice, under-represented voices, women filmmakers, Indigenous perspectives, and environmental issues.
As an organization, GIFF is actively working to promote accessibility for all and inclusion that accurately represents our diverse culture. We also are working hard to ensure our organization is employing an ethical business model, which includes proper treatment and payment of all staff and contributing artists, as well as being an active contributor to the local community and the greater Canadian film community.
In addition to paying all filmmakers proper artist fees, we also do our best to provide affordable film submission fees to encourage participation from low-income and marginalized communities.
*There is a FREE option for short film submissions from OUTSIDE OF MANITOBA. PLEASE read the details carefully before submitting.
For questions or more information about the submission process, please contact our programming team at: submissions@gimlifilm.com
Grand Jury Prize (feature films) - the Top Prize for a feature film at our festival
Best of Fest Audience Choice Award (feature films) - Selected by the Audience for their favourite feature film at our festival
Indigenous Spirit Award - awarded to an Indigenous Filmmaker whose film best represents Indigenous perspective and culture
Rising Star Award - given to a filmmaker who shows exceptional promise
Best Manitoba Filmmaker (all Manitoba filmmakers eligible) - given to a filmmaker from Manitoba for their outstanding work
Best Manitoban Short Film
Best Canadian Short Film
Best International Short Film
*all award winners are selected either by an independent jury or our programming team.