‘We have 300 films entered’: Yorkton Film Festival kicks off for 78th year

WATCH: The Yorkton Film Festival has returned for another year for a five day event starting on Tuesday.

The Yorkton Film Festival is one of the city’s most prominent events, attracting thousands of visitors each year, with hundreds of volunteers across the country working to make the annual event a reality.

The sound of country music and the smell of fresh hot dogs now fills the air at the SaskAbilities Centre on Ball Road, as the Yorkton Film Festival kicked off its 78th year with a barbecue and a community screening, showcasing its partnership with SaskAbilities.

“It’s very busy, especially because we’re moving from a three-day festival to a five-day festival,” Randy Goulden, the festival’s executive director told CTV News during preparations on May 12.

“The Yorkton Film Festival is 78 years young. And the SaskAbilities are celebrating 75 years. So, we’re in our 70s and we’re going to celebrate together with some wonderful screening and a wonderful celebration,” Goulden said at the SaskAbilities event on Tuesday.

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Alex Haber, regional director of SaskAbilities at the Yorkton Branch was grateful for the collaboration. “We’re very excited to screen our ‘Celebrating 75 years In Saskatchewan’ video today,” she said with a warm smile.

Throughout the week, film enthusiasts can partake in free screenings, panel discussions and join the Yorkton Lions Club’s annual Lobsterfest. Festivities are on until Sunday.

“We have 300 films entered this year,” Goulden said. The short films, all under 60 minutes, are presented to a jury in 29 categories. The juries have five members of the film and television industry and are located all across Canada, including Toronto, Calgary, and Halifax.

An Awards Gala will take place on Sunday in the Gallagher Centre marking the end of the 78th Yorkton Film Festival.