June 24, 2022 – WINNIPEG, MB – Gimli International Film Festival (GIFF) has announced its program of over 70 diverse and acclaimed films for its 2022 festival lineup.
This year, GIFF celebrates 22 years of showcasing critical, engaging, and entertaining cinema and its first year back to in-person programming since 2019. This year, GIFF presents its films through various distinct film series, including, The Future is Ours, Indigenous, Icelandic, Northern Lights, Manitoba, and Social Justice, along with three short film programs and several “special screenings.”
“We are very grateful that we can bring the festival back to the community of Gimli this summer and welcome back our many visitors for whom attending the festival has become a part of their summer tradition,” says GIFF Executive Director Alan Wong. “It has become Manitoba’s premier film festival, bringing film buffs, filmmakers, and industry professionals all together to celebrate on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.”
GIFF is proud to screen 34 women-initiated projects in this year’s program this year as it continues its work to reflect gender parity in its programming. As a part of the Future is Ours Film Series, GIFF will kick off its opening night with Band, an Icelandic documentary feature by director Álfrún Örnólfsdóttir, a make-it-or-break story of three band mates juggling motherhood and artistic pursuits in a youth-obsessed, gender-biased industry.
Continuing the festival’s track record of showcasing the best films from Circumpolar countries, the Oscar-nominated Swedish film, Worst Person in the World, will take Gimli Theatre on Thursday, July 21. Directed by Joachim Trier, the romantic black comedy chronicles a young women’s quest for love as she struggles to find her career path and navigate life-altering changes of heart. Claire and Ernest Stefanson return as sponsors of the Northern Lights Circumpolar Film Series.
Flee, the animated documentary feature by Jonas Poher Rasmussen spearheads 2SLGBTQ+ representation at the festival this year. The Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner tells the true story of, Amin, a man who opens up about his past as a child refuge fleeing Afghanistan for Denmark as he grapples with a painful secret that threatens to derail the life, he has built for himself and his soon to be husband.
This year, GIFF will present the honour of the Jack Clements “Living the Dream” Award to Lisa Meeches, the Founder and Executive Producer of the production company Eagle Vision, for her significant contribution to Manitoba’s film community.
GIFF announced Nettie Wild, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker, as the recipient of The Alda Award, presented to a producer, director, or actor who has made significant contributions to the Canadian film landscape.
The full festival schedule is now live on gimlifilm.com. Visit the Gimli International Film Festival’s website for all Festival news, schedules, and ticket sales.
RBC Sunset Screenings:
The RBC Sunset Screenings take place each night at 9 p.m. (dusk) on the Gimli Beach with the scenic open water as a backdrop. This year’s theme is “Beaches, Bengals, and Big Ideas.”
CAST AWAY
9 PM | Wednesday, July 20
One of Robert Zemeckis’ greatest films, Cast Away features Tom Hanks in one of his most highly acclaimed award-winning performances as Memphis-based FedEx operations executive Chuck Noland, who crash lands on a deserted island and undergoes a physical and emotional transformation. This film is a great movie to watch on the beach under the stars and shares some themes that we have become all too familiar with over the last couple of years. Isolation, introspection, and a realization of what is truly important in life.
Starring Tom Hanks, Dir: Robert Zemeckis
Drama| 14A | 2000 | 144 min
LILO & STITCH
9 PM | Thursday, July 21
A tale of a young girl’s close encounter with the galaxy’s most wanted extraterrestrial. Lilo is a lonely Hawaiian girl who adopts a small ugly “dog,” whom she names Stitch. Stitch would be the perfect pet if he weren’t in reality a genetic experiment who has escaped from an alien planet and crash-landed on Earth. Through her love, faith and unwavering belief in ohana, the Hawaiian concept of family, Lilo helps unlock Stitch’s heart and gives him the ability to care for someone else.
Featuring the voice talents of: Chris Sanders, Daveigh Chase, Tia Carrere and Kevin McDonald
Animation | PG | 2002 | 85 min
MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE
9 PM | Friday, July 22
This beautiful movie adaptation of the hit musical featuring the music of ABBA is set on a colourful Greek island with shimmering blue waters and an amazing cast who will sing and dance their way into your hearts!
A mother. A daughter. Three possible fathers. Take a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget.
Starring Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, and Meryl Streep
Musical/Comedy | 14A | 2008 | 108 min
LIFE OF PI
9 PM | Saturday, July 23
This fantastic film adapted from the award-winning Canadian novel of the same name written by Yann Martel, captures the beauty, the mystery and the message of the book more accurately than most. The movie won 4 Oscars and was a worldwide hit.
A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger.
Starring Suraj Sharma and Irrfan Khan, Dir: Ang Lee
Adventure/Drama | PG | 2012 | 127 min
9 TO 5
9 PM | Sunday, July 24
This classic comedy also featured one of Dolly Parton’s most iconic songs as the theme and the movie launched her into mainstream pop culture. At the time, “9 to 5” was a statement about the unequal treatment of women in the workplace and became known as a feminist film. GIFF is proud to be screening as part of the Future is Ours Series, the documentary, “Still Working 9 to 5”, which delves into the history behind the making of the movie and how the film speaks to current issues and working woman’s rights. You can find out more about the documentary and when it is playing on the GIFF website!
Starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton
Comedy | PG | 1980 | 109 min
2022 Special Programs:
- Young Filmmakers Program – A screening of short films by students in selected High School Film & Video production programs from across Manitoba – Thursday, July 21 @ 12 pm
- Bursary Program – Through partner organizations, GIFF will be accepting a limited number of applications from underrepresented communities to attend the festival at no cost.
- Indigenous Filmmakers Association Screening – A screening of short films by members of the IFA. This is a competitive program with a prize going to the winner. – Thursday, July 21 @ 3:45 pm
- MB Shorts in Competition – A screening of award-winning short films from the many niche film festivals in Manitoba! See what has been making an impact in those communities, as festival organizers gather to network and promote their events. – Saturday, July 23 @ 1:15 pm
- RBC $10,000 Pitch Competition – Our premier filmmaker support competition is back! Five finalists will compete for $10,000 and in-kind equipment rentals in a live pitch session in front of a panel of judges at Gimli Theatre! – Saturday, July 23 @ 10 am
- 48 Hour Film Competition Screening – A screening of the entrants into this exciting contest organized by the 48 Hour Film Competition. Winners for various awards will be announced. – Saturday, July 23 @ 4:30 pm
- GIFF Global Industry Sessions – professional development interviews and discussion panels featuring established experts and cutting-edge filmmakers. For anyone interested in the craft, impact, and business of film.
TICKETS & PASSES: Passes have gone on sale online June 1st (earlybird). Single Tickets and Pass bookings will go online when the physical Box Office opens July 1st (earlybird ends)
- Individual tickets: $15
- Day Passes:
- Thursday, July 21: $30
- Friday, July 22: $40
- Saturday, July 23: $50
- Sunday, July 24: $40
- Festival Pass: $150 (earlybird = $120)
- Super Pass: $250 (access to all films plus special events.)
- VIP Festival Pass: $300 (includes VIP Opening Reception, Awards Reception, and industry sessions)
- GIFF Online Single Ticket: $8.99
- GIFF Online Pass: $50 (earlybird $40)
- Day Passes:
GIFF Box Office:
Guarantee your seat. The GIFF Box Office, fueled by Red River Co-op, will open on July 1 when individual film tickets go on sale, available at the GIFF Box Office and online. Pass holders will be able to order tickets to secure their seats.
73 1st Ave – Lakeview Resort
Located in Tara’s Corner, entrance on 1st Ave.
-30-
Media Contact:
Stacha Penner, Communications Coordinator
Gimli International Film Festival
media@gimlifilm.com
