RIFFA

Stay in the loop with our newsletter News about the festival, nominations, official selection, winners, and all details about closing ceremony in one place. This is your backstage ticket to know everything about RIFFA. Subscribe to the newsletter in the lowest part of our website riffa.ca

@arnoldadufour is the winner of RIFFA Launch Pad 2026. After a competitive pitch process, Arnolda Dufour Bowes has been awarded a prize valued at over $12,000 to support the production and distribution of their film project. We were genuinely moved by their vision and the strength of the story they brought forward. We are excited to see how this next step brings their project to life and launches them into the next phase of their creative journey. This prize is made possible through the generous contributions and collaboration of Play Creative Media @play_creative , Lo and Behold Public Relations @loandbeholdpr , the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre @cfmdcfilm , and RIFFA. Congratulations from the entire RIFFA team.

Regina goes global. This year, we received film submissions from across the city, province, country, and around the world. We celebrate storytelling in all its forms, and we are proud to bring a diverse range of voices and perspectives to Regina. These stories span multiple categories, and we cannot wait for our audiences to experience them as part of this year’s festival program. RIFFA 2026 Festival Dates August 12 to 16, 2026 (online)�August 18 to 22, 2026 (in person) Stay tuned for the official lineup announcement.

Submissions are almost closed. What happens next? As festival season approaches, here are the key dates you need to know for RIFFA 2026. From filmmaker notifications to official selections and ceremony night, every moment builds toward the Prairies’ biggest international film festival. Swipe to map out the journey. Key Dates: • May 8, Extended deadline for Student Short
• June 19, Official selections go live
• July 8, RIFFA press conference and nominee announcement
• August 12 to 16, Online festival
• August 18 to 22, In person festival
• August 22 Awards Ceremony, winners announced! Stay connected and don’t miss a moment. Follow along and stay festival ready. #yqr #filmfestival

This is your last shot to make it real. RIFFA Launch Pad 2026 is not just a submission. It is a turning point. When you apply, you are stepping into: • Industry level production power
Play Creative Media provides a full three day equipment package, including camera, lenses, lighting, and audio, valued at $10,000. • A path to getting your film seen
Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre supports your project with captioning, DCP creation, and festival distribution services, valued at $800. • Visibility that puts your work on the map
Lo and Behold Public Relations offers media guidance and PR support to help your story reach the right audience, valued at $2,500. • Cash to bring it all together
RIFFA awards a $3,000 cash prize to help you move from idea to execution. Thank you to all our project’s supporters 🎥 This is where ideas stop living in your notes app and start becoming films. This is where you stop waiting and start building your career. Submit your project today at filmfreeway.com/RiffaLaunchPad #FilmmakingLife #IndieFilmCommunity #CreatorsOnTheRise

Are you ready to turn your idea into a $12K opportunity? In 2025, Layla Bautista took the stage as the RIFFA Launch Pad winner. This year, it could be you. Launch Pad is where bold ideas meet real support. With the backing of creative collaborators like @play_creative , @cfmdcfilm , and @loandbeholdpr , plus $3K in cash, this program helps bring your story to life and onto the big screen. If you have a project in the works and you are ready to take it further, this is your moment. Submit your project today at filmfreeway.com/RiffaLaunchPad Stop waiting. Start creating. Submit today. #FilmmakersOfInstagram #FilmFestivalLife #ContentCreators

The RIFFA Launch Pad Grand Prize is built to take your project from concept to screen with real industry backing. The selected filmmaker will receive a curated package designed to elevate both production quality and visibility. This includes a three-day professional equipment rental package from @play_creative , complete with camera, lenses, lighting, and audio. Strategic public relations guidance and media support from @loandbeholdpr will help position your project for attention. Post-production and distribution essentials are covered through the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre @cfmdcfilm , including captioning, DCP creation, and festival rollout support. On top of that, a $3,000 cash award from RIFFA gives you flexibility where it matters most. This is more than funding. It is a launch point. Apply now and bring your vision to life 🎬 filmfreeway.com/RiffaLaunchPad #RIFFA2026 #CanadianFilmmakers #FilmFestivalCircuit

We’ve reached our final day of submissions! What a great season of films and stories from all over Saskatchewan, Canada and the World🌎 Today our submissions are open on filmfreeway.com/RIFFA2026 until midnight for: Canadian Feature International Feature Documentary Feature Canadian Short Film International Short Film Documentary Short Film Saskatchewan Short Film Indigenous Short Film Animated Short Film Any questions or to receive the passcode for a Sask Shorts submission, email [email protected] The Student Shortfilm category has a Extended Deadline until May 8th of 2026 #filmfestival #regina #riffa

Ready to submit your project to the RIFFA Launch Pad? Follow the steps to ensure a smooth submission process! ✅ 1: Log in to FilmFreeway. Sign in to your account. (If you don’t have one, create a new account). ✅ 2: Access Your Projects. Click on “My Projects” in the top navigation menu. Ensure your project is complete with all necessary details, including title, description, and media files. ✅ 3: Browse for RIFFA Launch Pad. Navigate to the Festivals Dashboard and search for “RIFFA Launch Pad.” Click on the festival listing to open the submission page. ✅ 4: Upload Your Project. Click on “Submit” next to your project. Review the festival’s requirements and ensure your film meets the guidelines. If required, upload additional documents like a director’s statement, budget, or script. ✅ 5: Confirm Submission. Once you’ve added all required materials, click “Submit” to finalize your entry. A processing message may appear, indicating that your file is being uploaded. This might take a while ⏳ Depending on file size. ✅ 6: Check Submission Status. You can monitor the progress of your submission in the Submissions tab. If necessary, go back and add missing documents under Files & Attachments (e.g., a 1500-word document or budget details). ✅ 7: Stay Updated! Check your email and FilmFreeway notifications for updates on your submission. If you encounter any issues, reach out to FilmFreeway support. That’s it! You’re all set to submit your project to the RIFFA Launch Pad. Best of luck! #riffa #filmfestival #filmmaking

Let's celebrate @canfilmday ! 🎬 Tonight! 6:30pm. Join us at the @rcmphc for a special screening of Incendies, a Denis Villeneuve classic and his last Québecois film to date. Official Selection: 2010 Venice Film Festival | 2010 Telluride Film Festival | 2010 Toronto International Film Festival | 2011 Sundance Film Festival | 2011 New Directors/New Films Academy Award® Nominee, Best Foreign Language Film (Canada) https://canfilmday.ca/event/regina-international-film-festival-presents-incendies/

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Vaughn Solomon Schofield, a cherished member of the RIFFA family, a dedicated board director, and a long-time supporter of our community. Vaughn served with great distinction as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, and throughout her life, she exemplified leadership rooted in service, compassion, and integrity. Beyond her remarkable public roles, she was someone who believed deeply in people, in community, and in the power of the arts to bring us together. At the Regina International Film Festival and Awards, Vaughn served on our Board of Directors for over 7 years. During that time, she was far more than a board member, she was a pillar of encouragement, a guiding presence, and a true champion of our vision. Her unwavering support, thoughtful insight, and genuine warmth left a lasting impact on our board and the entire RIFFA community. We are profoundly grateful for her contributions and the kindness she shared so freely. Her legacy will continue to live on through the community she helped strengthen and the lives she touched. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family, friends, and all those mourning this loss. As a community, we stand together in honoring her life and carrying forward the spirit she embodied. Rest in peace, Vaughn. You will be deeply missed.

RIFFA’s Extended Deadline is coming up on April 17th. Head over to our FilmFreeway and submit your film today! Canadian Feature International Feature Documentary Feature Canadian Short Film International Short Film Documentary Short Film Saskatchewan Short Film Indigenous Short Film Animated Short Film Any questions or to receive the passcode for a Sask Shorts submission, email [email protected] #film #filmfestival #regina #saskachewan