YFF nominee details immigrant experience

Wavelength Entertainment is bringing a different kind of movie to the Yorkton Film Festival (YFF) this year.

The company’s 30-minute documentary “Bridging Borders” is competing for the Ruth Shaw Award (Best of Saskatchewan). Their entry isn’t a stand-alone film; it’s one episode in a six-part series.

The show focuses on the immigrant experience in Saskatchewan. Every episode follows a new family or individual as they settle into their adopted home country.

“[The series] was inspired by a need to tell positive stories in a world full of negative ones,” said producer Jeff Stecyk.

Stecyk, a founding member of Wavelength Entertainment, said the series focuses on the human stories of immigration in Canada.

“It’s about people helping people,” he said.

The series highlights the private sponsorship program, which allows Canadians to personally support immigrants as they situate themselves into the country and the culture.

“Bridging Borders” introduces viewers to immigrants from Syria, Sudan, Columbia, and elsewhere.

“There’s a diverse range of stories,” Stecyk said.

Wavelength Entertainement, which created the series for Rogers Media, entered their show into YFF.

“It was the first festival we submitted to,” Stecyk said.

Stecyk is excited to bring the series to Yorkton for the festival.

“Hopefully it spreads a positive message,” he said.