2026 RBC YFF Mentorship Program
The Yorkton Film Festival is now accepting applications, February 18, for the 2026 YFF Mentorship Program supported by RBC Foundation.
The RBC YFF Mentorship program supported by RBC Foundation is a participant-driven program that connects emerging filmmakers with established industry professionals who can provide expert level advice and networking opportunities to help emerging talents in Canada’s creative industries.
“We are ecstatic to continue moving forward with RBC Foundation and the generous support they’ve provided over the years to continue to deliver this program,” said YFF Executive Director Randy Goulden. “Being able to play a role in identifying and supporting emerging talent throughout our country has been such a rewarding experience, not only for our mentees, but for the mentors and for us as well.”
“Many emerging filmmakers face real barriers when it comes to building industry connections and accessing mentorship and resources,” said Daniel Edwards, RBC Regional Vice President. “The YFF Mentorship Program, supported by RBC Foundation, plays an important role in helping diverse talent gain the tools, confidence and exposure they need to succeed.” .
This is a 46-hour mentorship and guidance program which brings together the participants with their mentor through in-person and digital channels. 2026 represents the continuation of the program with a new 2-year installment of this sponsorship program.
The 2026 Program deadline is March 31, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified no later than April 21, and all successful applicants will have the opportunity to attend and take part in the 2026 Yorkton Film Festival, May 20 -24, 2026.
After the 2026 Call for Submissions
2026 CalL for Submission has ended!
The 2026 Festival submission window is now closed. Saturday, January 31,2026.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their work to the 2026 Festival!
We are thrilled by the response. Keep an eye out—first-round nominations will be announced by the end of March.
Registration Coming Soon!
78 years of history
The Festival began in 1947 as the Yorkton Film Council. Its mandate was to act as a volunteer distribution agency for the National Film Board (NFB). Jim Lysyshyn, field man for the NFB, suggested a film festival. When the Council rejected his proposal, he came forward with a more audacious proposal – an international festival.
The Council accepted the new idea and organized the first festival in the fall of 1950. Throughout the 1950s, the festival was a huge success with as many as 4,000 people at the screenings, this at a time when the population of Yorkton was only 8,000.
The festival has undergone many changes in its history, but can still claim to be the longest continuous film festival in North America. In its current form the festival continues to be dedicated to the promotion of the best screen-based media content through our annual film festival and Golden Sheaf Awards competition.
In addition to the annual event, the festival is dedicated to the promotion of short video content through our year-round screening and tour outreach programs.
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