YFF2025 program

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM: Screening

SaskAbilities

162 Ball Road, Yorkton

Premiere of the film Celebrating 75 Years Together, showcasing the rich history of, celebrating the client stories and emphasizing the strength of fostering inclusive communities for individuals of all abilities throughout Saskatchewan.

7:00 PM: Opening Night Screening: Blue Rodeo: Lost Together

Parkland Room, Painted Hand Casino

Open to the public, free admission

Blue Rodeo: Lost Together is a 2024 Canadian documentary film, directed by Dale Heslip. It is an electrifying journey into the heart and soul of Blue Rodeo, one of Canada’s longest-running and most beloved bands. Guided by the unmistakable voices of Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, this film delivers an unfiltered, often hilarious, and deeply moving account of their 40-year journey.

View from the Top / 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Presented by Canada Media Fund 

Gallagher Centre

Join us Friday morning, hangover be damned, as we kick off Yorkton 2025 with an intimate in-conversation hosting; Valerie Creighton, CEO of the Canada Media Fund and Melanie Nepinak Hadley, VP of the Indigenous Screen Office. 

This panel will discuss new directions supported by industry trends that Creighton and Nepinak Hadley work with on a daily basis. As our southern neighbour challenges Canada’s independence, the time is ripe to reflect on the cultural importance and necessary support that independent Canadian media content so desperately needs.

Get outta’ bed and see you there. Elbows up!

Panelists: Valerie Creighton, Melanie Nepinak Hadley

Moderator: Daniel Cross

Pitch-O-Rama / 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Presented by Yorkton Film Festival

Gallagher Centre

Test your pitching skills and be judged by an esteemed panel of broadcasters, directors, and distributors. This is not your regular pitch session so leave your pitches at home. Be brave and spin the “Wheel of Spin” and see what idea you and your team will be forced to pitch.

Moderators: Charlotte Engel, Shelley MacDougall

Networking Luncheon / 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM

Presented by City of Yorkton

The Art of the Re-enactment / 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Gallagher Centre

Re-creations can be a powerful tool for bringing stories to life, but they walk a fine line between enhancing authenticity and pulling audiences out of the moment by feeling forced, artificial, or even unintentionally comedic. How do filmmakers ensure that re-creations blend naturally with interviews and archival footage rather than breaking the spell? Join our panel of industry professionals as they explore the creative, ethical, and technical challenges of re-creations - sharing insights on what works, what doesn’t.

Panelists: Scott Leary, Julian Black Antelope, Leslea Mair

Moderator:  Steve Allen  

Industry 1-on-1s / 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM          

Presented by Creative Saskatchewan

Gallagher Centre

Looking for the right partner or buyer for your project? Sit down with broadcasters, development executives, distributors, and executive producers to find out what they are looking for, ask questions and talk about your projects.

Broadcasters:

• Jim Krysko, Content Development Specialist - Accessible Media Inc.
• Cara Nye, Director Content Development and Production - Accessible Media Inc.
• Shelley MacDougall, Acquisitions Manager - APTN
• Lucius Dechausay, Executive In Charge of Production - CBC
• Will Dixon, Program Manager, Original Production (Citytv, OMNI, Citytv Sask).
• Rob McLaughlin, Chief Strategy Officer - NFB 
• Alison Korogyi, Senior Production Executive, Original Programming - Bell Media

Other agencies:

• Erin Dean, Chief Executive Officer - Creative Saskatchewan
• Kaya Wheeler, Program Manager - Indigenous Screen Office
• Danielle Audette, Manager of Programs and Development - National Screen Institute
• Grace Bruinooge, Operations Administrator - National Screen Institute
• Bob Moore, Creative Producer - EyeSteelFilm
• Jon Taylor, CEO - Independent Production Fund
• Steven Foster, Business Agent - Directors Guild of Canada, Saskatchewan District Council

RBC- Royal Bank of Canada: 

• Johnny Zhang - Sr. Relationship Manager; Commercial Financial Services

Advance registration is required. 

Register >>

Lobsterfest / 5:30 PM

Yorkton Wildlife Federation Clubhouse, York Lake

Join us at the Yorkton Wildlife Federation for our signature event! Enjoy a delicious east coast meal with a side order of trap shooting.

Spring evenings in Saskatchewan can be chilly. Please dress for the weather! 

Shuttles to and from Lobsterfest will begin departing at 5:30 pm from the front entrance of the Gallagher Centre and Hotels.

Meet the IPF:Scripted Series Funding Opportunities / 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Presented by Independent Production Fund

Gallagher Centre

Meet the IPF: Scripted Series Funding Opportunities.

Facilitated by Jon Taylor and Catherine Moreau from the Independent Production Fund

Filmmaking Legal Lab: Navigating Rights, Releases, and Risk /

9:40 AM - 10:50 AM*

Gallagher Centre

From licensing music and securing archival images to obtaining photographic and product releases, and Errors and Omissions insurance, the legal landscape of filmmaking can be complex and unforgiving. Arm yourself with knowledge in this essential session, where legal and business affairs experts and producers share real-world examples of how legal challenges were handled and risks mitigated. Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned producer, this session will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the legal side of storytelling.

Panelists: Bob Moore, Cara Nye, Remi Dufour

Moderator: Joanne McDonald

YFF is Lit: Lighting for Documentary Interviews Workshop /

9:40 AM - 10:50 AM*  

Curling Rink, Gallagher Centre 

Interested in knowing what it takes to light an interview properly? Facilitated by working lighting professionals, this hands-on workshop will cover the fundamentals of lighting from choosing the right gear to tips and tricks for understanding and controlling lighting situations.

Panelists: Alyssa McLellan and Bruce Lozinsky, Christie Lites Sales

Moderator: Steve Allen

Due to the hands-on nature of this workshop, space is limited and advance registration is required. 

Register >>

Interviewing for Documentaries Workshop / 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Curling Rink, Gallagher Centre **

This hands-on workshop will explore the full interview process, covering practical techniques for both interviewers and crew. Learn how to set the right tone, manage timing, avoid common pitfalls, and keep the subject engaged while maintaining production quality. Whether you’re working on documentaries, investigative pieces, or unscripted TV, this session will provide the tools to create interviews that are both compelling and technically strong.

Panelists: Julian Black Antelope, Leif Kaldor

Moderator: Steve Allen

Demystifying the Role of the Story Editor / 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM  

Gallagher Centre**

What exactly does a story editor do? This session unpacks the essential yet often misunderstood role of a story editor across different formats, including scripted and non-scripted projects, feature films and series. Industry experts will share insights into how story editors collaborate with writers, producers, and directors to refine narratives, strengthen character development, and ensure story coherence. Gain a clearer understanding of how story editors bring stories to life and elevate creative visions to their fullest potential. Whether you're a writer looking to sharpen your storytelling skills or a producer curious about maximizing the value of a story editor, this session is key.

Panelists: Zarqa Nawaz, Will Dixon

Moderators: Jim Krysko 

Power Lunch with Robert Hardy, Executive Director, ScreenSask /

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Moderator: Joanne McDonald

Enjoy a ride to the theatre in style!  / 1:10 PM

Sponsored by the Yorkton Antique Auto Club       

Lowell Dean is Doomed to Die Alone: A Master Class with Lowell Dean 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Presented by DGC

The Tower Theatre, Downtown Yorkton

Join acclaimed Lowell Dean, a Directors Guild of Canada director for an unfiltered and unforgettable masterclass exploring his portfolio of work. Known for his genre-bending storytelling and fearless creativity, Lowell will share personal anecdotes, hard-learned lessons, and the realities of  navigating the often-challenging world as a working professional in the industry - all told with a blend of humor, heart, and hard truths. This masterclass is a rare opportunity to gain insight from one of Canada's most authentic voices.

Moderator: Kaya Wheeler

An Afternoon at the Movies! / 2:45 PM - 4:50 PM

Presented by The Clean Energy Show

The Tower Theatre, Downtown Yorkton

Back by popular demand, grab some popcorn and kick back at Yorkton’s iconic Tower Theatre for screenings and Q&As with some of this year’s nominated filmmakers!

Moderator: Daniel Cross 

This event is free to the public!

2025 Golden Sheaf Awards Gala / 5:45 PM - 10:00 PM

Gallagher Centre

Join us for an Ukrainian feast and prestigious awards gala, honouring the winners of the 2025 Golden Sheaf Awards.

Tickets Required.