Regina International Film Festival announces programming and nominees

Ahead of the event set for August, the Regina International Film Festival and Awards announced its nominees and programming.

Ahead of the festivities slated for August, the Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA) announced its nominees and programming on Wednesday.

The 2026 screening selections include 98 films from 26 countries, which were chosen from 464 submissions from around the world, including Canada and Saskatchewan. Of the 98 selections, 24 are feature films while 74 are short films.

The festival features 10 award categories, recognizing excellence in international, Canadian, Indigenous, documentary, animation, student, and Saskatchewan filmmaking.

The nominees for best Saskatchewan short film are:

• Rover – Tessa Leier
• A Priest Walks Into a Bar – Timothy Lenko
• Hunting Trip – Nathan Smit
• Erroll Kinistino: Inspiration and Activism in the Arts – Jimi Leigh Kinistino

As part of the festival, an industry masterclass, networking events, and community screenings will also be held.

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“Film festivals are always a place where the community is what matters. So, you go to a film festival, yes, to watch films, but you also go to film festival to connect, connect with the filmmakers and the other artists that are there,” said Giovana Nabarrete, director of programming for RIFFA.

RIFFA also highlighted its year-round initiatives at the announcement, meant to support accessibility and Saskatchewan’s creative sector.

Initiatives include the Bridge Screen Initiative, which brings accessible festival screenings directly to people who may not be able to get there, a Virtual Gateway Program that provides a VR experience for more than 300 wheelchair users annually, and a Silver Screen Outreach Program, which transforms nursing and retirement homes into satellite festival venues.

RIFFA, in partnership with the Mackenzie Art Gallery, also brings together audiences to explore social and global issues through film and public discussion through the Global Citizen Series.

The festival will run from Aug. 12 to 22. Winners will be announced at an awards gala on Aug. 22.