“The Gimli International Film Festival was the first film festival I attended. Winning the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Pitch in 2022 helped me create my first film with a budget and helped me gain confidence to create more films. Since then, I've created 5 short films and I'm now working on my first feature film script."

— Rachel Beaulieu (Producer, Director)

“GIFF is one of the longest and most cherished film community treasures in the country. The folks at Gimli do such a great job of bringing together an engaged and excited community, and making the filmmakers they feature feel welcomed and supported. It is unbelievable that they have been around for as long as they have, and that they continue to deliver such incredible results. My short film, Unibrow, was honoured to receive the Best Canadian Short Film at the 2024 festival and it goes to show that a story about an Irani-Canadian girl growing up in North York would resonate so much with folks in Gimli. I wish every festival had such big hearts behind it.”

— Nedda Sarshar (Filmmaker)

“The summer of 2014 was when I won the Emerging Filmmaker's Pitch competition and the 2014 Gimli Film Festival was the unofficial start of my film career. It was during this competition that I realized the power of the stories I wanted to tell. I hadn't anticipated I would be chosen to pitch nevermind actually win. It was this spark that allowed me to further my career and I've since worked on such properties as Sesame Street, The Walking Dead, and God of War.”

— Sonya Ballantyne (Director)

“Gimli’s where we get to see what’s possible in Manitoba and Canadian film. As an emerging filmmaker, I’m trying to find the collaborators and audiences that really help me understand and refine what I’m saying with film, and GIFF offers a uniquely hospitable and beautiful place to do that. I’ve been deeply honoured by the opportunity to show my first film there, and with the right support, GIFF can provide that opportunity to the next generation of filmmakers too.”

— Andrew Konoff (Filmmaker)

"GIFF has been a wonderful boon for my filmmaking journey. In addition to showcasing a diverse range of interesting films, GIFF provides numerous opportunities to network and connect with professionals-opportunities that have been invaluable to my career in Manitoba’s film industry. Thanks to these connections, I’ve advanced a career in post-production and had the chance to work on a variety of compelling projects. The $10,000 RBC Pitch Competition, in particular, is an invaluable opportunity for any emerging filmmaker. Winning the competition in 2019 allowed me to create and direct a short film I was passionate about, further fueling my passion to make and direct films. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and support I’ve gained through GIFF, and I’m excited to continue growing as a filmmaker, bringing new stories to life through film."

— Matthew van Ginkel (Filmmaker)