07.23 - 6PM - Johnson Hall (5th Floor), Waterfront Centre

Super Pass and Filmmaker Pass holders are invited to celebrate with our VIPs, sponsors, volunteers, and filmmakers as we kick off our 25th anniversary Festival. Thank you to Mad Dash Catering for the great food, and to Interlake Brewing Co., the official beer of the Gimli International Film Festival 2025. Here’s to 25 years of film and community!

Not a pass holder? No worries! We’ll have some limited tickets available to the public at our Box Office.

07.23 - 7PM - Ship & Plough (The Post Beer Garden)

Get ready to flex your movie muscles and kick off the festival with some pub trivia at Ship & Plough! From casual fans to hardcore cinephiles, the questions will keep you guessing and laughing all evening. Grab your crew, sip on something tasty, and battle it out for the ultimate trivia crown!

07.24 - 7PM - Ship & Plough (The Post Beer Garden)

Sing your heart out at our karaoke night, whether you’re a shower singer or a stage star. Great tunes, fresh air, and good vibes all night long!

07.25 - 6PM - Lakeview Hotel, Banquet Room C

Enjoy an evening of networking, conversation, and community building, hosted by Rebecca Gibson (Eagle Vision) & Maxine Bruce (Live From Winnipeg). This event is open to both CMPA members and non-members.

07.25 - 7PM - Interlake Brewing Co.

Calling all Filmmaker, Industry, Super and VIP passholders! Meet us at Interlake Brewing Co. for a casual networking event with great food on us. Don’t miss a special media activation from New Media Manitoba’s Studio Lab xR.

07.25 & 07.26 - 8PM - Ship & Plough (The Post Beer Garden)

Enjoy the vibrant sounds of live music outdoors, with The Sturgeons playing on Friday and San Carlos Band taking the stage on Saturday. Get ready for an unforgettable performance full of energy and great vibes. It’s the perfect way to enjoy your post-festival day.

07.26 - 7PM - Johnson Hall (5th Floor), Waterfront Centre

Super Pass and Industry Pass holders, filmmakers, VIPs, and sponsors, join us for a lively evening celebrating this year’s award winners. Kick off the night with entertainment, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, and be there to cheer as we reveal who takes home our coveted festival prizes.

Not a pass holder? No worries! We’ll have some limited tickets available to the public at our Box Office.

07.27 - 1PM - Gimli Theatre

The Young Filmmakers Program is your chance to see the next generation of filmmakers in action. High school students from Manitoba’s top film and video programs submit short films for a free festival screening.  Be among the first to watch these bold new stories, meet the young filmmakers behind them, and ask your burning questions in person. Participants also receive access to the full festival, including GIFF Global Industry Sessions, panels, networking events, and film screenings.

Note: This screening is free, but we encourage all patrons to reserve a spot through our online Box Office

07.27 - 10AM - Johnson Hall (5th Floor), Waterfront Centre

Remember Sunday mornings? Kids today might not realize how special they were; once upon a time, we had to wait all week for our cartoon fix, and when it came, we binged. Welcome to the Sunday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party, a chance for kids and kids-at-heart to relive that magical ritual: endless retro cartoons and bottomless bowls of sugary cereal, just like every “balanced” breakfast used to be! The cartoon lineup is always a surprise, but expect monsters, sci-fi, sleuths, superheroes, and 2D silliness from the '30s through the '90s, plus vintage commercials, PSAs and station IDs - all packed into a 3-hour nostalgic sugar rush. Tickets are $20 online or at the box office. Ticket price includes all-you-can-eat cereal and milk.

Curated by David Bertrand

Dairy-free options available.

07.27 - 11AM - Gimli Pavilion

Festival Volunteers, Staff, Board and Committee members are welcome to attend this special volunteer appreciation event. There will be prizes, and a special presentation of the Betty Schwartz Memorial Volunteer Award winner!

07.23 - 2:30PM - Asper Theatre || 07.25 - 9:30PM - Lady of the Lake Theatre

To celebrate our legacy of showcasing the best in Canadian, Icelandic, and world cinema, our Programming Committee has chosen two films that capture the diversity and impact of our past programming.

Take a stroll down memory lane and guess which films we've picked — we’ll share clues on social media leading up to the festival, but the final reveal happens at the screenings.

Every Evening. Gimli Beach.

Join us for FREE Fun! The return of the Big Game Zone, free giveaways, family-friendly activities, and more on Gimli Beach before our RBC Sunset Beach Screenings every night of the fest! Don’t miss the GIFF Info/Merch tent for your 2025 souvenirs as well as a collection of local non profits showcasing

Every Day. Interlake Brewing Co.

Looking to talk about films? Nestled in Interlake Brewing Co., these designated tables are perfect for film enthusiasts to gather, share insights, and engage in lively discussions about their favourite films they’ve seen this year. Whether you’re a cinephile or just love a good story, come join one of these tables for some enriching conversations and a great time with fellow film lovers.

Note: Tables are available inside the brewery and will be open for pre-booking or casual use, inviting conversations with fellow festival attendees.

07.23 & 07.24 - 7PM || 07.25 & 07.26 - 8PM. Ship & Plough.

Experience the festival hotspot at The Post Beer Garden, where Ship & Plough and GIFF team up to bring you an unforgettable weekend. From Thursday to Saturday, enjoy live music, lively game nights, and more, in a vibrant outdoor setting. Great vibes and even better company. $15 in advance or $20 at the door, you don’t want to miss out.