Win a cash prize and services valued at over $12,500 to produce your short film!

The Regina International Film Festival & Awards is challenging early career filmmakers to create a cinematic and impactful short film project.

The winner will have roughly three months to produce a short film project right here in Saskatchewan.

Application Process:

Applicants must create a 1-2-minute pitch video (MP4) for a short experimental, short film or docu-short that conveys the storyline and why they're uniquely positioned to tell this story.

Only one entry per person is admissible. The video pitch cannot exceed 2 minutes.

Applicants must also submit:
● applicants track record and film background
● a script, storyboard or treatment that details the subject matter, themes, issues, narrative and artistic decisions (tone, style, innovation) that support the story
● target audience(s) for the project
● applicant’s connection to the project, why they are well suited to tell this story, and why now?
● a detailed budget (including all third-party financing) and a production timeline

This information must be submitted as one document (in either PDF or Word format) and must not exceed 1500 words, excluding the script & budget.

Applications must be submitted through FilmFreeway using the provided link. A non-refundable $10 CDN fee is required to enter this challenge.

Awards & Prizes

The winning applicant will be awarded a cash prize, a three-day equipment rental package (camera, lens kit, lighting kit, and audio kit) from Play Creative Media valued at $10,000, public relations guidance and media support from Lo & Behold Public Relations valued at $2,500, and captioning, DCP creation, and distribution of the film on the festival circuit from the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (all values CDN).

The winning film will premiere at RIFFA 2026 which takes place August 17-22 2026, and the winner will receive an all-access pass to the film festival. This includes access to all screenings, industry programming, and the RIFFA awards ceremony & afterparty, valued at $400.

About RIFFA:
The Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA) Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization celebrating global cinema and creativity. Each year, we bring filmmakers and audiences together through film screenings, masterclasses, industry talks, and special events, fostering connection and learning. RIFFA's international program champions diverse voices, storytelling innovation, and community growth, with a strong focus on empowering marginalized communities and driving social change through unique perspectives and critical stories.

About Play Creative Media:
Play Creative is a full-service film production company headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan. It was built from the ground up by dedicated filmmakers who simply love the craft. Our motto is great people, great process, great product.
About Lo & Behold Public Relations:
Lo & Behold Public Relations is a boutique PR and communications firm based in Regina, led by Laurèn Neumann – a communications strategist with a decade of experience supporting public, private, and non-profit organizations across Saskatchewan.

About Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre:
CFMDC is a not-for-profit artist-run centre that advocates for and prioritizes in its programming and circulation non-commercial independent, artist-made work on film and video, including works from historically underrepresented communities. CFMDC advocates for a holistic understanding of production, circulation and exhibition that prioritizes artist rights, accessibility and the creation of new audiences through education and direct engagement.

Rules & Terms

Eligible Applicants:
-Canadian citizen or permanent resident
-Full-time Saskatchewan resident
-18+ years of age
-Applicant must be an emerging filmmaker who has produced, directed and/or written at least one independent media project.

Eligible Projects:
-Short narrative, short experimental, or docu-short not exceeding ten minutes (including opening and end credits)
-Produced in Saskatchewan
-All languages are welcome. Regardless of language, the film must include English sub-titles if it contains narrative dialogue or lyrics.

Guiding Principles:
The project must conform to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Code of Ethics, the CAB Violence Code, and the CAB Equitable Portrayal Code. The project must follow the On-Screen Protocols & Pathways: A Media Production Guide to Working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Communities, Cultures, Concepts and Stories (Marcia Nickerson, imagineNATIVE, May 15, 2019).

Any use of Artificial Intelligence must be disclosed, transparent and ethically accountable in its application and usage.

Applicants are encouraged to implement environmentally sustainable practices in the production of their projects.

Applications open: March 20th, 2026, at 5pm CST
Applications deadline: April 25th, 2026 at 5pm CST
Winner announced: May 4, 2026 at 5pm CST
Deadline for completed project: August 10, 2026 at 5pm CST
World Premiere at RIFFA 2025: August 17-22, 2026

All admissible projects and the final winner will be determined by the consensus of a designated jury which will evaluate all applications based on:
● track record and experience of the creative team
● quality and degree to which the applicant is well-positioned to create this project
● originality and creativity (story, script, themes)
● innovation in form and production values
● viability and relevance of budget to the creative material and schedule

All decisions of the jury are final and not subject to appeal. The winning applicant will be notified at the contact information provided in their application.

The applicant exercises full creative, executive, artistic, technical, and financial control of the eligible project. The winner will be expected to agree to a contractual agreement with RIFFA and Fire Ring Productions outlining all roles, responsibilities and deliverables. The agreement will also outline the timeline for payment of the prizes (which will be tied to compliance with responsibilities and completion of deliverables) as well as credit requirements for the project.

Other Details
● Chances of winning will depend on how many eligible projects RIFFA receives.
● Applications which do not comply with these rules will be disqualified.
● RIFFA is under no obligation to award the prizes if a suitable application is not received.
● RIFFA reserves the right to suspend, cancel or modify this competition or to amend these rules including the timelines in its sole discretion.
● The pitch video and project must comply with applicable laws and cannot infringe on the intellectual property of others.
● By submitting an application, applicants grant RIFFA and other prize sponsors (Play Creative Media, Lo & Behold Public Relations and Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (collectively “Prize Sponsors”) a license to use portions of their applications in social media and other advertising for promotional purposes.
● Employees of Prize Sponsors are not allowed to enter the competition.
● Prize Sponsors are not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate submissions, technical failures, entries which are not received, or other loss or damage resulting from the participation in this competition and applicants release and hold harmless the Prize Sponsors in relation to their participation in this competition.
● Prizes may not be transferred or substituted for cash and are subject to applicable laws.
● The competition is governed by Saskatchewan laws.

Questions? Please write to us at industry.manager@riffa.ca

Deadline for completed project: August 10, 2026