For only the second time in the 65-year history of the Yorkton Film Festival a Saskatchewan-produced film has won the Golden Sheaf for Best of Festival.
To Make a Farm had previously won best documentary in the nature/environment category, and was then chosen for the Ruth Shaw Award as Best of Saskatchewan before being announced as the Festival's big winner.
"It's very exciting, especially in these sort of difficult times of the industry," said Jackie Dzuba, film editor on To Make a Farm who was at the Festival Gala Saturday to accept the award. She added that the award came in the 65th year of the Festival makes the awards "so special Absolutely it's a really big deal."
The difficult time Dzuba spoke of was the Saskatchewan government's decision to eliminate the province's Film Employment Tax Credit.
Asked if the winning film could have been made in the post tax environment, Dzuba had a quick and succinct answer.
"No," she said. "The tax credit is a great part of the financing of films."
When contacted by Yorkton This Week film director/producer Steve Suderman said when he learned of the win he was "thrilled" the film won the Best of Saskatchewan Award.
The Best of Festival was even bigger for Suderman.
"Absolute shock. I had no expectations of winning best of festival. What a treat," he said.
But Suderman too said the film wouldn't be made, at least in Saskatchewan now.
"The tax credit was an important part of the financing of this film," he said. "If I were to start it today, I would be looking at doing it in Manitoba.
"Right now the disadvantage of working in Saskatchewan is too great. I can't do my job as well here."
Suderman said he believes the win, following on the 2010 success of Saskatchewan produced film Silent Bombs, (Dzuba was film editor on that winner as well), shows what can be made here.
"I think we have been making good films in Saskatchewan for a long time, and it's a c raft, and industry, that is evolving and getting better all the time," he said. "And yes, we're very much at risk of losing it now."
There is a message there for the provincial government too.
"I wish they would realize that these films have value," said Suderman. "And that that value is worth some investment."
In the May 23 edition of YTW Suderman spoke about his film.
"To Make a Farm tells the story of five young Canadian's who have decided to become farmers, despite not having farm backgrounds," he said. "It follows them through their first year on their own land. They face daily challenges and set-backs, but their optimism inspires hope for the future."
Dzuba said the people in the film have a compelling story they tell.
"I wanted to be a farmer after cutting this film It's so meaningful," she said.
Suderman said the film is a truly a Saskatchewan story.
"Given Saskatchewan's roots in agriculture, and the fact that in the next 10-years, 75 per cent of our farmers will be retiring, it's an important story for this province. It's a bit of a new story too, as we have heard a lot about the end of small farms, but this is a story about beginning," he said.
Suderman said he believed the story was something which resonated with the judges.
"I tried to make a documentary that addressed some important social issues -- farming and food -- but through a strong human story," he said. "I think it's moving stories that speak to us most deeply, rather than just information."
Dzuba said the film's strength started with Suderman's vision, and passion for the project. She said he was "very soulful, thoughtful, passionate about the subject, the story, the people."
Dzuba said the film was deeply personal for its producer.
"Steve came from a farming background, but his family lost the farm because they were too small to compete with corporate farms," she said, adding it was something he saw as important to chronicle " industrialized agriculture is not great for the world."
