MESSAGES

HIS HONOUR THE HONOURABLE RUSS MIRASTY Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan

Welcome to North America’s longest running film festival! Established in 1947, the Yorkton Film Festival has an impressive history and we are proud that Saskatchewan is the home of this national event. I am grateful to the staff, board, volunteers and partners who are continuing this celebration on a virtual platform this year. Film is a powerful medium of communication, education and inspiration. Thank you for giving Canadian filmmakers this valuable opportunity. I congratulate everyone who has an entry in this year’s festival; thank you for enriching our lives through film. Please accept my best wishes for a successful and enjoyable festival.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JUSTIN TRUDEAU Prime Minister of Canada

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 2021 Yorkton Film Festival (YFF). Now in its 74th year, this event provides a platform for emerging and established Canadian filmmakers to showcase their talent and share their stories. I am certain that everyone in attendance will be entertained and engaged by the diverse selection of films being screened this year. It continues to be a challenging time for planning and hosting events. That is why I would like to thank the festival organizers for their hard work and dedication in ensuring this year’s edition of the Yorkton Film Festival could still take place. You can take pride in your commitment to promoting and supporting Canadian filmmakers. Please accept my best wishes for a memorable experience.

THE HONOURABLE SCOTT MOE Premier of Saskatchewan

On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I am pleased to welcome you to the 2021 Yorkton Film Festival (YFF). Since 1947, the YFF has been encouraging filmmakers to produce some of the best original Canadian documentaries and short films. Proud to be the longest running film festival in North America, YFF is committed to bringing filmmakers and Canadian audiences together; undaunted by our unprecedented circumstance. In addition to providing great entertainment for film enthusiasts, this annual event provides valuable networking opportunities for filmmakers and industry representatives. And, through the Best of Fest Tour, YFF expands the audience by offering DVDs for home viewing. The Golden Sheaf, now produced at a foundry in Pense, and other awards honour the dedication and creativity of our talented Canadian artists and lend important recognition to their work. Best wishes to all the entrants and congratulations to the award recipients. Thank you to the YFF Board of Directors, staff, partners, adjudicators, volunteers and participants for your generous support of this iconic festival. Best wishes for a memorable event.

THE HONOURABLE LAURA ROSS Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport

It is true we are living in remarkable times, and it will take time and reflection to put our shared experience into perspective. Filmmakers have been doing just that for over a century, and the Yorkton Film Festival has been celebrating the art form and its creators for more than 74 years. Through Creative Saskatchewan, the Government of Saskatchewan supports a range of creative sectors, including film and television production, emerging screen producers, as well as music, galleries, craft, digital and theatre. Funding also supports music industry events and film festivals including the wellknown event in Yorkton. Although this year the entire Festival will be virtual, it will still be capped-off on Saturday evening by the online Awards Gala where this year's Golden Sheaf Award winners will be announced! So welcome to the one and only Yorkton Film Festival – Online for 2021 - Where you’ll see great films and still receive a good helping of the prairie hospitality you’ve come to love.

THE HONOURABLE GREG OTTENBREIT MLA, City of Yorkton

Greetings! As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Yorkton, I warmly acknowledge everyone involved with the Yorkton Film Festival. Through nearly seven and a half decades of submissions, screenings and festival activities, these last two years have proven to be especially challenging and have resulted in considerably different formats for this long running affair. Even through all the changes, the organizers are continually finding new ways to connect and honour the cinematographic works submitted. I am proud to say that despite the challenges, some things remain constant. The Yorkton Film Festival is North America’s longest running film festival and is unique to Saskatchewan and Yorkton. The Government of Saskatchewan continues to support the Yorkton Film Festival through SaskTel and SaskCulture, in addition to funding from the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. As always, the Yorkton Film Festival Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Staff, Volunteers, and filmmakers remain passionate for this event. As I stated last year, I look forward to how the artists and creators will be influenced by what is being experienced worldwide. I wish everyone the best and hope that good health and blessings are yours in abundance.

MRS. CATHAY WAGANTALL Member of Parliament, Yorkton-Melville

Seventy-four years ago, no one could have imagined the impact or longevity of what has today become North America’s longest running film festival. COVID-19 has caused heartbreak, complication and difficulty for every community. We’ve had to find new ways to continue doing vital things. I commend YFF’s participants and organizers for persisting in the important work of telling, showing and sharing human stories; each one important for its own reasons, each weaving another thread in our intricate national fabric. Once again, I extend my hopes for a memorable Festival and Gala, no matter its format. Thank you to every contributor of time and talent, and all who help make it possible for YFF to continue in 2021. As always, warm congratulations to every filmmaker and Golden Sheaf recipient.

HIS WORSHIP MITCH HIPPSLEY Mayor of Yorkton

It is a privilege to welcome all of you, the creative visionaries, contributors & participants to the 2021 virtual Yorkton Film Festival. We in Yorkton, take great pride in supporting and hosting the longest running film festival in North America. The Golden Sheaf Awards is world-renowned in having the greatest of talent and creative minds that truly lead the way in the film industry. This year marks the 74th Anniversary of the awards reflecting the success of the numerous proud volunteers and leaders in our community who are honored to be part of the Golden sheaf Awards. The conversations and memories that stem from the event are pinnacle experiences to all who are involved. Our city’s motto is “Where Good things Happen” and the Golden Sheaf Awards truly exemplifies this motto. I sincerely hope you will leave with great memories of our landmark festival. On behalf of City Council and myself, we wish you numerous successes in life, but particularly in creating new visual pieces of art for all to enjoy! For that we are truly grateful for your contributions to our world!

MR. CLAUDE JOLI-CŒUR Government Film Commissioner & Chairperson, National Film Board of Canada

Congratulations to the organizers, filmmakers and enthusiastic audiences who have made the Yorkton Film Festival such a special event. Here in the heart of the Canadian Prairies, you’ve built North America’s longest-running film festival and a world-class film celebration—with passion, hard work and a strong sense of community. Saskatchewan has a strong and diverse creative community, and we’re committed to working with them—to explore the issues that matter to people across the province and audiences everywhere. Happy festival!

MS. CHRISTA DICKENSON Executive Director, Telefilm Canada

Telefilm Canada is proud to continue its support of the Yorkton Film Festival especially now as we navigate these extraordinary circumstances. In these new frontiers of digital participation, we must all work together to continue to discover, watch, and celebrate Canadian content creators and the distinct voices that they bring to our screens. Canadian filmmakers share a remarkable range of stories and characters that surprise, touch and entertain us all, as well as make us laugh and think. Their stories resonate worldwide. Telefilm Canada remains committed to creating opportunities for Canadian talent to connect and collaborate with their peers, both at home and abroad. As a partner of choice, Telefilm Canada is increasing its commitment to diversity and inclusion, so that the stories being told on screen reflect who we are as a nation. On behalf of Telefilm Canada, I want to congratulate the Yorkton Film Festival for its resilience and creativity in finding new and exciting ways to showcase and celebrate Canadian talent. And to all Canadians who continue to demonstrate your appetite and support for our filmmakers and their work, you have our heartfelt thanks. Continue watching Canadian films wherever they are available and tell others to do the same!

MR. JASON AEBIG Chair, SK Arts

SK Arts is proud to be a long-term funder of the Yorkton Film Festival through our partnership with SaskCulture and funding from Sask Lotteries. Over the course of a year, organizations receiving operating support from SK Arts reached more than 1.6 million people with their exhibitions, performances and other activities. Our grants create a ripple effect, touching the lives of many more than those who directly receive funding. It’s been an unusual and challenging year for all of us, and we commend the film festival for finding new ways to connect with artists and audiences. We are proud of the role public support for the arts has had on the success of the festival and its impact on the arts community and the province itself. We hope you enjoy the festival!

MR. JAMES INGOLD Chair, SaskCulture

Greetings from SaskCulture Inc. After responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in great need of connecting with others and celebrating the cultural vibrancy of our communities. SaskCulture appreciates the work of the Yorkton Film Festival (YFF) for their dedication to bringing the film community together to celebrate the many great artists and contributors in this field. The YFF showcases the best in storytelling through film, and offers industry expertise, networking, and opportunities for creative and cultural inspiration and growth. We also appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the Sask Lotteries. This funding supports many different arts and cultural activities taking place in Saskatchewan, including the Yorkton Film Festival. Sask Lotteries is a fundraiser that enables many non-profit organizations to develop and offer programming and services that contribute to building a culturally vibrant Saskatchewan. SaskCulture congratulates all nominees for this year’s festival and extends our best wishes to the staff and many volunteers for their dedication to North America’s longestrunning film festival.

MS. VAL CREIGHTON President, Canada Media Fund

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) is proud to partner, for the ninth year in a row, with the Yorkton Film Festival. I’m honoured to support what is North America’s longest running film festival. As the festival marks its 74th edition, I commend the dedication and hard work of all those who have contributed throughout the years by providing a space for Canadian content creators to showcase their work and a space for audiences to engage with quality content in our part of the country. Through the challenging times of the global pandemic, the CMF has continued to support Canada’s creative and production communities by ensuring our stories reach audiences, both in Canada and around the world, and on a multitude of screens. I look forward to participating in the festival as we come together, albeit virtually, to celebrate the many past, present and future successes of Canada’s stories.

MS. ERIN DEAN CEO, Creative Saskatchewan

On behalf of Creative Saskatchewan, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the Yorkton Film Festival. Although we’re not able to experience the festivities in person, we look forward to the virtual celebration organized by the festival’s dedicated staff and volunteers. Over the past year people around the world isolated in their homes and found connection through content. Film and television brought comfort and enjoyment to many of us during these very challenging times. While the industry continues to face incredible adversity due to the pandemic, the Yorkton Film Festival offers us an opportunity to pause and to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments from the past year. Creative Saskatchewan is proud to support the Golden Sheaf Awards and we extend our sincere congratulations to all of the nominees.

KEITH HAYWARD & BRANDICE VIVIER Co-Chairs, Yorkton Film Festival of Canada

Welcome to the annual Yorkton Film Festival – founded 74 years ago, making it the longest running short film festival in North America! With the ever-changing content landscape, the staff and Board of the Yorkton Film Festival take pride in ensuring the festival delivers relevant programming at our industry sessions, and programs some of the best short films around. We also take pride in the festival’s enduring legacy and commitment to the film community. The Golden Sheaf Awards allow us to celebrate the many successes of our delegates and are a wonderful promotion of the best screen-based content this country has to offer. The festival also promotes this content throughout the year at screening and outreach programs. The Yorkton Film Festival’s success and distinction as the longest running short film festival in North America would not be possible without the incredible support of the local Yorkton community and district. Many generous sponsors from within Yorkton’s business community have supported the festival over the last 74 years. The past year has brought many challenges for everyone. The YFF has faced many challenges over its 74 year history but has always been resilient. This year is no exception. We are moving forward with a virtual festival that will fulfill our mandate to exhibit the best of Canadian film, albeit in a different format. We look forward to seeing you virtually this May!

RANDY GOULDEN Executive Director, Yorkton Film Festival

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Yorkton Film Festival. Established in 1947, and North America’s longest running film festival, YFF is proud to continue the tradition established by our founders. A festival like ours does not continue for 74 years without the passion and dedication of everyone involved. A monumental thank you to our board members, advisory board, jury committee, jury members and volunteers for all the work you do to make our festival a success. We cannot thank you enough for all that you do to keep us going as North America’s longest running film festival. Especially with the challenges of this last year, we salute everyone for the perseverance in continuing the tradition. I’d also like to extend my sincerest thanks to all of our festival partners; from the local to the national, we are fortunate to have many businesses and organizations who contribute to the success of our festival. Whether they exist within the film industry, or whether they’re supportive of the industry, many have stepped forward and helped us celebrate the best in Canadian short film. And last, but not least, thank you to all the filmmakers who have submitted films to this year’s festival. Our congratulations to all the nominees and recipients of the 2021 Golden Sheaf Awards. Thank you for joining us virtually and here’s to 74 more years of great Canadian short film!

THE GOLDEN SHEAF AWARD

The original award given out by the Yorkton Film Council was a people’s choice certificate of merit voted on by the audience. In 1956, one of the first adjudicators, Frank Moriss of the Winnipeg Free Press, suggested that Yorkton should have a grand prize. The wheat fields surrounding Yorkton inspired the idea for “The Golden Sheaf” award. Unanimously approved, the Winnipeg Brass Company designed and produced the first award. Made of metal, the first statues looked like a bouquet of wheat. An engraved metal plaque was used in the 1960s, with a new statue introduced in the 1970s. Jim Trinder of Yorkton designed the bronze sheaf we know today – a symbol of the Yorkton Film Festival and excellence in Canadian Short Film.

FESTIVAL STAFF

Executive Director Festival Coordinator Randy Goulden Taynika Walker

HONOURARY PATRONS

Festival Ambassador Alan Bailey Her Honour, Madam Justice Nancy Morrison Founding Member, the late Ruth Shaw From left to right: Steve Allen Cam Bennett Debbie Hayward

From left to right: Keith Hayward (Co-Chair) Ron Irvine Dana Lesiuk

From left to right: Shelley MacDougall Joanne McDonald Brandice Vivier (Co-Chair)