Reel Pride: Celebrating 40 years of ‘projecting pride’

Attendees of the Reel Pride International Film Festival are seen chatting at the Gas Station Arts Centre on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Harrison Shin/CTV News Winnipeg)

The Reel Pride International Film Festival celebrated its 40th year of bringing queer stories to the screen and community to the forefront.

This year’s festival was hosted at the Gas Station Arts Centre in Osborne Village, featuring a lineup of short films, international features, and a sold-out finale at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

“This year’s theme is ‘Projecting Pride,’ and it’s very apropos,” said Ray Desautels, president of Reel Pride. “Especially in the current climate, where 2SLGBTQ+ rights are being erased in some parts of the world, it’s important we stand up and not be pushed back into the closet.”

Saturday’s short film showcase included 12 selections from over 100 submissions across Canada. Desautel said feature films include Bulletproof: A Lesbian’s Guide to Surviving the Plot, a comedic documentary by Canadian filmmaker Regan Latimer, and In from the Side, a “UK drama about a gay rugby team.”

Desautels emphasized the significance of the venue. “Osborne Village has always been a hub. The Gas Station is at the heart of that, and it’s the perfect place to hold this festival.”

Beyond film, the festival also hosted an art exhibit featuring works by local queer artists, with proceeds going directly to the creators.

“We’re here to celebrate queer film, gathering, and community,” Desautels said. “Many attendees are allies who come for the great stories. The characters just happen to be queer.”