Awards categories

ANIMATION 

Any frame by frame or computer-assisted animated film or video that relies primarily on creative animation techniques to tell a story.

CHILDREN’S/YOUTH PRODUCTIONS 

Any single production or series in any genre that is clearly intended for the entertainment and/or education of children or youth.

COMMUNITY TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS 

A program in any genre with local community interest produced for broadcast on community television or local service provider.  Can be produced by a cable television company, local service provider, or production company.

EXPERIMENTAL

A filmmaker’s expression in any genre using unconventional and innovative production practices and techniques.

LIFESTYLE & REALITY

A continuing non-fiction series about daily living with topics such as design, home decoration, food, makeovers, sex, travel, and recreational interests etc. Programs may include elements shot in studio or in the field. 

PERFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 

Programs which use music and/or performance to entertain or showcase artistic achievement. Such as, but not limited to, music videos, dance and movement pieces, and live performance recordings.

SCRIPTED

Programs of either dramatized or comedic nature featuring the portrayal of characters, settings, life situations and stories which are partially or entirely fictional.

SERIES

A program in any genre that follows a thematic or narrative through-line over the course of at least 3-episodes.

SHORT SUBJECT – FICTION

Fiction productions in any genre, on any subject, which are 15 minutes or less in length.

SHORT SUBJECT – NON-FICTION

Non-fiction productions in any genre, on any subject, which are 15 minutes or less in length.

STUDENT PRODUCTIONS 

A production in any genre that is produced and/or directed by a full-time student enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Entrants must not have been previously employed as a producer or director in the film or television industry.

DOCUMENTARY ARTS/CULTURE 

Documentaries relating to the world of art and culture.

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY 

Documentaries with predominantly historical themes or those which document the life of a person or persons.

DOCUMENTARY POV (POINT-OF-VIEW)

Documentaries which present a personal, first-person or filmmaker point of view or narrative.

DOCUMENTARY SCIENCE/NATURE/TECHNOLOGY 

Documentaries that explore topics and/or issues in the nature/environmental, science, medicine, or technology fields.

DOCUMENTARY SOCIAL/POLITICAL

Documentaries about politics, social issues and current events.

Productions entered in any of the main categories and which meet the specific eligibility criteria, are invited to compete for the following awards:

INDIGENOUS

Programs either fiction or non-fiction that explore issues relating to indigenous peoples, tell indigenous stories or present an indigenous perspective. At least one of the key creative positions (producer, writer or director) must be a person of indigenous descent. Please note: you may only be considered for either the Indigenous Award or the appropriate Multicultural Award but not both. 

MENTAL HEALTH

Programs in any genre that promote the understanding of, and/or depict the realities of those living with mental health issues.

THE RUTH SHAW AWARD (Best of Saskatchewan)

A cash award honouring the Best of Saskatchewan. Open to all Saskatchewan based productions in all genres.

To be eligible the entry must be produced or co-produced by a Saskatchewan based production company listed and credited accordingly.  Service productions shot in Saskatchewan without significant involvement by Saskatchewan based personnel in key creative positions do not qualify for this award.  

EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD

Awarded to a new filmmaker (specifically a director) who demonstrates outstanding potential, skill and creativity in his/her directorial debut.

To be eligible, the submission must be the entrant’s first professional production (in any genre) employed as a director. At the time of submission, he/she should have no more than two years working in the film or television industry. The production must have been completed in its entirety outside of a post-secondary institution and received no financial support (bursary, grant etc.) from any post-secondary institution.

MULTICULTURAL - UNDER 30 MINUTES

Programs in any genre that reflect Canada’s racial diversity and multicultural landscape.

Entries in this category must be under 30 minutes. Please note: you may only be considered for either the Indigenous Award or the appropriate Multicultural Award but not both.

MULTICULTURAL - OVER 30 MINUTES

Programs in any genre that reflect Canada’s racial diversity and multicultural landscape. 

Entries in this category must be 30 minutes or longer. Please note: you may only be considered for either the Indigenous Award or the appropriate Multicultural Award but not both.

DIRECTOR (FICTION)

Presented to the director(s) who demonstrates the most skill and creativity in a dramatic production.

DIRECTOR (NON FICTION)

Presented to the director(s) who demonstrates the most skill and creativity in a documentary or other factual production.

RESEARCH

This award recognizes the contribution and role of the researcher in documentary production. It can be awarded for content/story research and/or archival stock shot research.

All productions entered in any of the main categories will automatically be considered for the following special awards (where applicable). 

BEST OF THE FESTIVAL

The Golden Sheaf Award of Excellence will be presented to the most outstanding production of the Festival.

THE KATHLEEN SHANNON AWARD

A $1,000 cash award and plaque will be presented to a filmmaker whose production exemplifies diverse, cross-cultural storytelling in novel and unique ways.