The Saskatchewan Independent Film Awards (SIFA) are designed to showcase and celebrate films made by Saskatchewan independent filmmakers. The ninth annual event will take place on Saturday, November 26th, 2022.

We are hoping to present the SIFA as an in-person event if health conditions permit; if they do not, the SIFA will be held online as they were in 2021.
SIFA is presented by the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative, a non-profit, artist-run center supporting and assisting independent, visionary, film production in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative members* should contact the Filmpool for a free submission waiver code before submitting their film: info@filmpool.ca

Paved Arts members should contact Paved or email info@filmpool.ca for their free submission waiver code before submitting their film.

*For more information about Filmpool membership, please check out http://www.filmpool.ca/membership/

Awards & Prizes

Best Short
To qualify for this category, projects must not exceed 50 minutes. A web-series with a total running time of under 50 minutes is eligible in this category. The winner of this award will receive a $250 cash prize, their name placed on the Best Short Film SIFA trophy, and an individual trophy.

Best Long-Form
To qualify for this category, a film or web-series must be over 50 minutes. The winner of this award will receive a $250 cash prize, and a trophy.

Best Music Video
To qualify for this category, the director must retain creative control. Submissions must include proof that the musician(s) have permitted the submission of the music video, and that the director had creative control over the music video. The winner of this award will receive a $250 cash prize, and a trophy.

Best Performance
This award is given to an outstanding performance by on-screen talent in a submitted film. The winner of this award will receive a $100 cash prize, and a trophy.

Best Student Film
To qualify for this category,  the filmmaker must be enrolled in secondary or post-secondary schooling, or have created their film within the last two years while being enrolled in secondary or post-secondary schooling. The winner of this award will receive a $250 cash prize, and a trophy.

Best Technical Achievement
This award recognizes achievement in the technical aspects of a nominated film, including cinematography, sound design, editing, and post-production. The winner of this award will receive a $100 cash prize, and a trophy.

Audience Choice
The recipient of this award is chosen by the audience on November 27th, and will receive a $100 cash prize, and a trophy.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility
• The Saskatchewan Independent Film Awards are only open to Saskatchewan residents living in the province for one year or longer.
• Jury preference will be given to independent productions that reflect the Filmpool's mandate.
• The term “Independent” is defined as a project in which the filmmaker retains 100% creative control.
• Projects in all genres are eligible (i.e. documentary, dramatic, experimental, animation, etc.).
• Projects must have been completed in the past two years and not have been submitted to any previous SIFA.
• Long-form projects are not eligible for the Audience Choice award.
• No refunds will be given for submitted projects that do not meet eligibility requirements.

Submission:

Any Saskatchewan resident can submit a project for the $15 submission fee. However, if you believe a Filmpool membership may be valuable to you and would like free submission, please contact info@filmpool.ca or call 306-757-8818 to sign up for a Basic or Full membership and get your submission waiver code.

Saskatchewan Filmpool members and Paved Arts members should contact the Filmpool for a free submission waiver code prior to submitting their film: info@filmpool.ca
**For more information about membership, please check out http://www.filmpool.ca/membership/

Filmmakers experiencing financial constraints can request a waiver for a reduction of the submission fee; the decision will be made by the SIFA Committee.

All submissions must include:
- a short synopsis
- a still image from the film
- a short bio of the filmmaker
- a screening quality video file or downloadable link
- a trailer (30 seconds - 2 minutes)
- due to limitations of the FilmFreeway platform, web-series submissions can only submit a single episode. Links to 2 additional episodes must be provided, in order for the jury to properly assess the project.
-submissions in the Music Video category must be able to provide proof that the director retains creative control of the music video, and that the musician(s) involved have permitted the project to be submitted.
By submitting, the filmmaker warrants that they are the rightful owner of the submission (or have the permission of the copyright owner) and do not violate or infringe on any trademark, trade name, copyright, literary, dramatic, musical, artistic or other intellectual property or personal rights.
Nominated films will be selected by the Jury.
By submitting your film, you are agreeing to allow the Filmpool and its affiliates to screen your film (in-person, and/or online) as part of the SIFA event, as well as use footage and stills in promotional material for the Filmpool and SIFA screening.
All submitted films may also be considered for future Filmpool screenings.
All SIFA awards will be given at the discretion of the SIFA Committee based on submissions received.
6 Reviews
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  • Marzia Kamyabi-Chambers

    Great experience! Highly recommended to any emerging filmmaker!

    June 2021
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  • Rob White

    Everyone at the Filmpool is great. They are trying hard (and succeeding) at keeping film alive in Saskatchewan.

    December 2020
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  • Jared Berry

    Great event, great space, Staff were friendly and accommodating. This was a great opportunity to showcase what Sask film is up to.

    December 2018
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  • Jeremy Ratzlaff

    Excellent event, anticipate it eagerly every year! The best showcasing of local talent in the province! Organized INCREDIBLY well.

    December 2018
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  • Ian Campbell

    I really enjoyed this festival. Its a great things for our province and for the filmmakers that live here.

    December 2016
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