MESSAGES

JAN SEIBEL Chair, SaskCulture

SaskCulture Inc. congratulates the Yorkton Film Festival on 76 years of celebrating excellence in Canadian short films. The YFF and the Golden Sheaf Awards have been an integral part of the community by bringing people together in a forum for creative discussion and the celebration of short film during the festival weekend and at yearround events and screenings. The YFF showcases the best in storytelling through film, and offers industry expertise, networking, and opportunities for creative and cultural inspiration and growth. I’d also like to acknowledge the contribution of the Sask Lotteries. Sask Lotteries is the main fundraiser for sport, culture and recreation in the province and is instrumental to ensuring that cultural activity – ranging from galleries and museums to cultural forums, languages, multicultural festivals and more – fosters the growth of inclusive and engaged communities, individual well-being, and overall quality of life throughout the province. SaskCulture is in a very privileged position as the manager for the Culture Section of the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund. By purchasing lottery tickets, your money goes back to support many different cultural activities taking place in Saskatchewan communities each year. SaskCulture congratulates all nominees and welcomes all festival participants to Yorkton Thanks to the staff, the many volunteers, and the people of Yorkton, for their dedication to North America’s longest-running film festival.

MS. VAL CREIGHTON President, Canada Media Fund

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) is delighted to celebrate the best in Canadian film as a partner of the Yorkton Film Festival—our eleventh year supporting the festival! It is an honour to contribute to what is, after 76 years, the longest-running film festival in North America. The dedication and hard work of all those who have contributed throughout the years, providing opportunities for Canadian creators to showcase their work and a space for audiences to engage with their stories in our part of the country, is unparalleled. I look forward to participating in the 2023 edition of the event and lifting a glass to our Canadian talent. Enjoy the festival!

As of the official film commission for the province, Creative Saskatchewan is thrilled to be a presenting partner of the 76th Yorkton Film Festival. On behalf of our staff and Board, congratulations to the talented nominees for the Golden Sheaf Awards. Your hard work and dedication to your craft and the industry makes us proud. Saskatchewan’s film industry has undergone massive change in the last year. With unprecedented funding increases from the Government of Saskatchewan, a revived interest in Saskatchewan from global production companies and stakeholders, and the rise of virtual production technology; the future is bright for film in Saskatchewan. The Yorkton Film Festival has long maintained an outstanding platform for local film producers to showcase their work and receive well-deserved recognition, and we look forward to another great event!

RON IRVINE & JOANNE MCDONALD Co-Chairs, Yorkton Film Festival of Canada

Welcome to the 76th annual Yorkton Film Festival (YFF) –the longest running film festival in North America! Every year is a reason to celebrate and recognize the vital part YFF plays both in the community of Yorkton and in the provincial and national film and television industries. YFF is a year-round endeavour, with a dedicated team of festival staff, Board of Directors, and Committees. From local film screenings, outreach, and events in Yorkton to the festival weekend, we work hard to bring the best Canadian short films, industry sessions, and networking events to the people in Yorkton and to our delegates. The Golden Sheaf Awards Gala is the capstone to the festival weekend. The Gala is a culmination of months of country-wide adjudication and preparation for the big event. These awards celebrate excellence in Canadian short film and the successes for the Canadian film community. Our longevity and success for over three quarters of a century is simply not possible without the long-standing support and generosity of the Yorkton and area businesses, governments, and volunteers. We are also grateful for the support from many Canadian organizations, which are listed here in this program book.

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 76 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 the last two years, we salute everyone for the perseverance in continuing the tradition. I’d also like to extend my sincerest thanks to all our festival partners; from the local, provincial 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 2023 Golden Sheaf Awards. Thank you for joining us and here’s to 76 more years of great Canadian short film!