The Yorkton Film Festival has garnered a major award.
“As we approach our 70th anniversary year, the festival is honoured to be the recipient of the Saskatchewan Arts Award for Leadership – (Organization),” explained Festival co-chair Keith Hayward in a presentation to the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday. “The award is presented by the Saskatchewan Arts Board to recognize and celebrate an organization engaged in the arts in Saskatchewan. The organization will have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the advancement, presentation, and promotion of the arts and artists through exemplary programming, governance, operations, administration and innovation.
“The award itself was designed by artist Jody Greenman-Barber, who was inspired by contemporary dance, initiative gestures and improvisation to create this unique award.”
Hayward said the Festival Board is proud to have received the award.
“Our festival has celebrated 70 years, and been recognized as a leader in our province, due to the community that has supported us since 1947. This award belongs to all of the people of Yorkton, it is our community that kept the festival going and has allowed us to continue to be an innovative and leading voice of the arts in the province,” he said.
The award says much about the long term dedication to film the Festival has achieved.
“For the past 70 years, Yorkton has been the proud home of the Yorkton Film Festival. We operate the longest running film festival in North America, and celebrate the best in Canadian short cinema each year by awarding our Golden Sheaf Awards.
“In addition to our festival week programming; the Festival undertakes many initiatives throughout the year to fulfill its mandate of connecting great Canadian short cinema with audiences. This includes screening programs throughout the city, the province, and even on a national level,” said Hayward.
To help celebrate the award Hayward requested it be displayed at City Hall, a request Council supported unanimously.
