After another successful year, the Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) is considering ways to attract more visitors from Winnipeg.
The festival, held every July, attracts thousands to the small lakeside community of Gimli. GIFF Executive Director Teya Zuzek says much of that demographic comes from Manitoba’s Interlake region and is looking to better capitalize on their efforts in Winnipeg.
“So what does that look like? Do we have break-out events in the city so it creates awareness for us? Those are the kinds of avenues we’re trying to go through, and we’re hoping to have more of a presence year-round and year-round programming so that people are jazzed about the festival when it comes around.”
Current initiatives include the shuttle service that runs between the two communities and outreach to Winnipeg-based filmmakers. However, Zuzek says they need to do more, with discussions behind the scenes on new initiatives and ideas.
“We all have to keep an open mind of what the future will look like. It’s a lot of thinking of right now, but we’re really trying with the 25th [anniversary] to project where we’ll be in the next 25 years. We want this festival to grow and to be stronger, bigger, [and] better every single year. I think having that future thought process is important for all stages of planning and all stages of conversation.”
While planning is still in its early stages, festival staples like the RBC Sunset Beach screenings and the 48-Hour Filmmaking Challenge are set to return. Additionally, GIFF is exploring new initiatives to celebrate milestones like the 150th anniversary of the Icelandic settlement in Gimli. Zuzek says she can’t say much about other initiatives but provides a small glimpse.
“As for special initiatives, one I can’t share quite yet, but it builds upon some of the archival work we’ve done in the past.”
As preparations for the 25th anniversary ramp up, GIFF is calling on volunteers to support its various initiatives. Filmmakers are also encouraged to submit their works through Film Freeway, with submissions open until March 31, 2025. Programming details and the festival’s official theme will be announced later in June.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
