Film Festival nominees announced

The Yorkton Film Festival announced its nominee shortlist for its 66th year at a press conference last week.

Festival Executive Director Randy Goulden explained the finalists in 22 categories had been gleaned from 253 entries, which she added "was pretty much on mark with what we had last year."

Among the finalists were; inSAYSHAble, Life Under Construction Pt. 1, On the Edge: The Road to the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup, Shattered Ground, and The First Days, for the Ruth Shaw Award for Best of Saskatchewan.

The finalists were determined by a series of jury panels across Canada, said Goulden, who added a second jury process has begun to determine craft awards and Golden Sheaf winners.

Goulden also announced the continuation of a partnership between the Festival and the RBC Foundation.

Starting in 2012 the RBC Foundation began presenting a cash bursary award for filmmakers entering in the Emerging Filmmaker category.

The bursary is for $1,000.

Brett Franklin, RBC's Branch Manager in Yorkton, said the bursary is just some additional help for a new filmmaker, adding "it's hard enough to get their start in the industry."

Franklin said both he and the RBC Foundation recognize the importance of arts in a community, so supporting emerging artist was a natural.

"Without art I think we'd have a huge void," he said.

In addition the RBC Foundation has sponsored the Festival with a $5,000 donation, which was also continued.

The Golden Sheaf will be awarded at the Yorkton Film Festival Gala on May 25, 2013 in Yorkton.

The Yorkton Film Festival is the longest running film festival in North America. In the 66 years of its existence, the Festival has developed a tradition of recognizing excellent films and providing great professional development and learning opportunities. The Festival recognizes outstanding Canadian short films and rewards the very best with the annual Golden Sheaf Awards. Join us for the 2013 Festival May 23-26.