The 25th Annual Gimli International Film Festival Announces Award Winners
The Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) has come to a close. Every film in this year's program was fantastic, raising record-setting box office revenue for the festival.
The GIFF Awards Reception in Johnson Hall Saturday night celebrated filmmakers, actors, volunteers and sponsors at the festival. The crowd chattered as the awaited the following awards to be announced:
Joy Loewen announced Stéphanie Bélanger as the Canada Media Fund Best Canadian Short Award winner for Lumen.
Ernie Nathaniel of DOC Canada presented the Barry Lank Award to Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan for The Fruit Machine: A Space Opera.
Lynne Skromeda presented the Manitoba Film & Music Best Manitoba Film Award to Noam Gonick for Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance.
Alan Wong announced the ACTRA Manitoba Best Performance Award winners, Kris Cahatol for his role in griePH, and to Gail Maurice for her role in Aberdeen.
Norma Bailey presented the Director Guild of Canada - Manitoba award for Best Manitoba Director to Noam Gonick for Parade: Queer Acts of Love and Resistance.
Teya Zuzek announced Amber Fares as the New Voices Award winner for Coexistence, My Ass!
Amanda Leushen announced Sinakson Trevor Solway as the APTN Indigenous Spirit Award winner for Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man.
Janis Johnson presented the prestigious Alda Award to Matthew Rankin for Universal Language.
David Knipe presented the Grand Jury ‘Best of Fest’ Award to Matthew Rankin for Universal Language.
“The Gimli International Film Festival has been such an encouraging presence in my life since my earliest and most hapless beginnings as a filmmaker and I feel so humbled and honoured by this generosity,” said Rankin. “The programming team put together an absolutely sensational program this year and I am so thrilled to have been a part of it. I would like to salute Teya Zuzek for one of the best editions ever and Janis Johnson for her dedication to renewing the cultural life of Manitoba.”
Amanda Leushen announced the Audience Choice Award goes to Bob Trevino Likes It, directed by Tracie Laymon.
“It is a great honor to receive the Audience Choice award at Gimli for Bob Trevino Likes It. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that the film and story is crossing cultures and resonating with audiences around the world,” said Laymon. “To me, this is further proof in the power of cinema to generate empathy and unite people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We love Gimli and are so grateful to the wonderful festival team and audiences there in Manitoba.”
James Bezan MP presented Janis Johnson a commemorative plaque for the 25th anniversary of the Gimli International Festival on behalf of the Parliament of Canada and the constituents of Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman.
Other awards were presented throughout the festival:
Derek Johnson, MLA for Interlake-Gimli awarded Janis Johnson with the King Charles III Coronation Medal at the opening reception for her longstanding service to her community and her country including founding and paving the way for the Gimli International Film Festival.
Janis Johnson presented the Betty Schwartz memorial volunteer achievement award to Terry Johnston at Sunday morning’s volunteer breakfast. Terry has been volunteering her time to help the festival for many years and always shows up with a smile and a get it done attitude.
Catherine Dulude won the Best Manitoba Short Award for Petit Mollusque.
Ande Brown won a $15,000 prize for his pitch of Half-Naked at the RBC Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition.
