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About us

Audience at Gimli Theatre

Gimli International Film Festival

The Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) is Manitoba’s premier film festival and the largest rural film festival in all of Canada. Since 2001, GIFF has welcomed thousands to the shores of Lake Winnipeg for its various film screenings of local, national, and international feature films, documentaries, short films, and experimental media; not to mention the festival’s premiere event – the Beach Screenings which take place every night of the five-day festival and have drawn people from all over the world to take in one of Manitoba’s most unique summer experiences.

Vision

The Gimli International Film Festival is founded on the idea that film has the potential to educate, inspire and empower. GIFF embraces film as a form of communication with the ability to communicate the issues of today while giving us a deeper understanding of the past.

Mission

The Gimli International Film Festival inspires expression and advances culture literacy. The festival honours Manitoba’s rich, diverse, and creative heritage through community engagement in the media, visual and performing arts.

Core Values

  • We support creativity and experimentation
  • We have a broad and inclusive definition of media arts
  • We are accessible, responsive, and welcoming to all
  • We are committed to creating opportunities for the appreciation of cultural differences
  • We seek innovative ways to collaborate with artists and organizations throughout the region and province
  • We pursue excellence and distinction in all aspects of programming and operations
  • We are fiscally responsible

Join us for critical, engaging, and entertaining cinema from the most promising Manitoban and Canadian filmmakers and an exceptional selection of feature films and documentaries from around the world!

Learn more about GIFF on our Festival Archive page here!



Join us in 2023 either in-person or online!
Live Festival: TBD 2023
GIFF Online: TBD 2023

Thank You

A special thanks to the many volunteers that help make the festival run so smoothly.

Our volunteers are an important and dedicated group of people.

Thank you to owners and staff of the indoor venues: The Gimli Theatre, The Gimli Unitarian Church, New Iceland Heritage Museum (The Lady of the Lake Theatre), Lakeview Resort and Conference Centre, Gimli Dance Pavilion, Gimli Lutheran Church and Waterfront Centre (Johnson Hall on 5th floor).