Regina International Film Festival to return in August

The lineup for the Regina International Film Festival was unveiled Thursday.

The festival, which runs from Aug. 1-5, will showcase 139 movies from 72 countries.

“The intention of the festival is to put together a large-scale event that attracts international audiences to Saskatchewan and also to have a great event in our province,” said John Thimothy, president and CEO of Regina International Film Festival and Awards (RIFFA), during a media event.

Mayor Sandra Masters said the event has an enormous impact on the city.

“I’m a firm believer that we have unbelievable talent in our city and in our province,” Masters said.

The mayor said the event is also a great way to nurture talent and make connections. It’s also one of the festivals that’s a qualifier for the Canadian Academy Awards.

“It’s designed to bring community together but it’s also incredibly sophisticated,” Masters said. “It’s really the best of all worlds.”

Masters said there will be 49 first-time filmmakers whose works will be showcased.

In a media release, RIFFA said 52 of the festival’s selections were directed by women and non-binary people.

Some of the venues where the films will be screened include the Shu Box Theatre at the University of Regina, the Regina Public Library Theatre, The Studio at the Cornwall Centre, Hotel Saskatchewan and City Square Plaza.

In partnership with RBC, RIFFA will also host family-friendly outdoor screenings of three films at City Square Plaza from Aug. 2-4 at 8:45 p.m.

Thimothy said the festival usually draws in a couple hundred visitors, with most of them coming from the U.S.