Yorkton Film Festival names mentorship program recipients

“I’m beyond honoured to be selected as a 2025 YFF mentee! So grateful for the chance to learn, grow, and create with guidance from the incredible Brandice Vivier. I can’t wait to dive in, collaborate, and take bold steps forward in my filmmaking journey”.

Moreno, a Mexican-Canadian emerging filmmaker based in Toronto, who is passionate about underrepresented voices and taboo subjects, Ilse envisions filmmaking as a catalyst for inspiring kindness. Ilse’s short documentary The Canadian Dream is nominated in Emerging Filmmaker, Multicultural and the Kathleen Shannon Award categories in 2024 Yorkton Film Festival.  It was selected for the 31st edition of Hot Docs and went on to win Best Documentary at the Durham Region International Film Festival and the LabourStart Award for Working Class Solidarity at the Canadian Labour International Film Festival. Moreno aims to continue growing in the industry and collaborating with other creatives to capture unique stories that evoke emotion and leave lasting impressions in her storytelling.

  "Thank you for this incredible mentorship opportunity offered through the Yorkton Film Festival and RBC. I’m certain that the experiences gained through this program will be a pivotal part of my professional growth as a filmmaker. I believe true success in life is in helping others become successful, so a great big thank you to all the mentors for investing their time and effort into this program. Learning from your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable."

Filmmaking has allowed Ande to explore themes of identity, gender, and aging as related to the LGBTQ2S+ community. Starting small, focusing on process, and building a solid foundation of fundamental skills in filmmaking. Ande feels incredibly fortunate to receive the mentorship and support of other artists, actors, and filmmakers. Ande’s first film, Better Late Than Never, was entered in the Short Subject Fiction category in the 2024 Yorkton Film Festival.  It won the 2024 Best Manitoba Short – Jury Choice Award at the 2024 Reel Pride Film Festival. It was also screened at the 2024 Winnipeg Underground Film Festival, and the 2024 Gimme Some Truth documentary film festival in Winnipeg, MB. 

"I'm thrilled and feeling so grateful! Making film and TV occupy more of my thoughts than is perhaps healthy, so to have a growth opportunity like this? Already a highlight of my year!"

As a child, storytelling for the screen has always excited Timothy. Getting involved in Saskatchewan independent filmmaking these last few years is one of the greatest joys of Timothy’s adult life and cannot wait to continue growing, producing, writing, and directing film and television. Timothy attended the YFF in May 2024 for the first time and had an excellent experience. A commercial, co-produced and co-directed by Timothy won Best Saskatchewan Commercial which made for a memorable first time!