Following the WFG’s We’re Still Here: 50 Years of the Winnipeg Film Group archival exhibition commemorating the organization’s half-century of history, the artist-run centre continues its anniversary celebration with a week-long film festival that reflects the bold, independent spirit that has defined it since 1974.
The festival is both a celebration and a glimpse of a selection drawn from the vast collection of the Winnipeg Film Group (WFG) archives and the countless works created by past and present member filmmakers.
It is not, and could never be, a complete portrait of everything that has been made here. Rather, it is a constellation of moments: premieres, rediscoveries, and encounters that reflect the diversity, creativity, and persistence of the many artists who have passed through the WFG.
Each film chosen carries with it echoes of a wider community of filmmakers whose work continues to shape and enrich the cultural landscape, here and beyond.
Running September 23–28, 2025 at the Dave Barber Cinematheque, the program includes premieres, guest programmers, filmmaker talks, and special events that honour both the history and the future of independent cinema in Winnipeg.
Thank you to our festival sponsors Canada Council for the Arts and the Winnipeg Foundation for their generous support.
Thank you to the Dave Barber Memorial Fund donors, and the funds contribution to the special commission films.
Thank you to our donors, members, and community of supporters. Your commitment makes it possible for the Winnipeg Film Group to continue nurturing bold, independent voices.
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The full festival program and link to booking tickets online is available below.
To download the festival catalogue, click here.
ADVANCE FESTIVAL PASSES
A limited number of advance festival passes are now on sale—secure yours today before they’re gone!
Visit https://shop.winnipegfilmgroup.com/products/were-still-here-50-years-of-the-winnipeg-film-group-festival-pass to purchase and reserve your tickets ahead of general public sales opening September 1, 2025.
This pass is valid for one (1) ticket admission per screening during the festival.
To guarantee your seat, advance online booking is strongly encouraged.
Limited same-day tickets may be available at the door 30 minutes prior to each screening, but please note that screenings may sell out.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Tuesday, September 23rd at 7:00 PM – WFG 50th Commission Films
We’re Still Here: 50 Years of the Winnipeg Film Group Festival kicks off on Tuesday, September 23 with the premiere of special commission short films with new works by filmmakers Charlene Moore and Oliver King, Rhayne Vermette, Ian Bawa, Bisong Taiwo and Danielle Sturk commissioned to honour the milestone, alongside a selection of historical commissioned work made for the WFG’s past anniversaries including films by Jaimz Asmundson, Cathy McInnes & Neil McInnes, Heidi Philips, and Darryl Nepinak. The evening will feature a Q&A followed by an opening night reception.
Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00 PM – 88:88
88:88 (Dir. Isiah Medina, 1:05:00 min, Colour & B&W, 2015)
Acclaimed Winnipeg-born experimental filmmaker Isiah Medina joins us in-person for a 10th Anniversary screening of his formally daring, critically lauded feature, paired with his 2020 short film log 2. Join us for a post-screening Q&A with Isiah Medina, moderated by Clint Enns.
Wednesday, September 24th at 9:00 PM – Neechis Shorts Program
A shorts program curated by filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne, spotlighting films from the Winnipeg Film Group that includes friends, Neechis, and folk whose work she loves including Tiff Bartel, Madison Thomas, Luther Alexander, Janelle Wookey, Jennifer Dysart, and Ballantyne herself. Many filmmakers will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A.
Thursday, September 25th at 7:00 PM – Think at Night
Think at Night (Dir. Greg Hanec, 1:02:07, Colour, Experimental, Narrative, Fiction, 2023)
A screening of Greg Hanec’s recent poetic feature made over a period of 20+ years, introduced by Olivia Norquay including a post-screening Q&A with the filmmaker, and paired with his 1982 short 3 Minutes Before 8.
Thursday, September 25th at 9:00 PM – The Language Between Land and Spirit
The Language Between Land and Spirit (Shorts Program)
Curated by filmmaker Farrah Murdock, this program invites us to consider the relationship between spirit, identity, and the land, featuring work by Caroline Monnet, Andrew Lima, Reil Munro, Effy Adar, Nicole Blundell, and more with a post-screening Q&A with many filmmakers in attendance.
Friday, September 26th at 5:00 PM – The Short Films of Barry Gibson
The Short Films of Barry Gibson (Shorts Program) – Winnipeg underground legend Barry Gibson presents his newly restored films made between 1988 – 1997, in conversation with Greg Hanec.
Friday, September 26th at 7:00 PM – The Mourning Suit
The Mourning Suit (Dir. Leonard Yakir, 1:30:00, Narrative / Fiction, Colour, 1976)
A presentation of Leonard Yakir’s poignant debut feature, which was also the very first feature film shot and made in Winnipeg. The film follows Herschel, a young Jewish cellist who returns to his hometown in search of reconnection. Significantly, Yakir created The Mourning Suit at the same time that he signed the incorporation papers which brought the WFG into existence. Yakir’s signature lives alongside nine other founding filmmakers whom established one of the country’s longest standing artist-run centres. The nine other signatures include Brad Caslor, David Cherniack, Richard Condie, Ian Elkin, Leon Johnson, Len Klady, Uno Ruus, Jansa Vesna, and Joanne Jackson Johnson. Join us for a post-screening Q&A with Leonard Yakir, moderated by Stuart Hands, Director of Programming for the Toronto Jewish Film Festival
Friday, September 26th at 9:15 PM – Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary
Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary (Dir. Guy Maddin, 1:15:00, Narrative / Fiction, 2002)
Experience the sumptuous Guy Maddin & Deco Dawson collaboration on 35mm. A cinematic version of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel Dracula, filmed in a style reminiscent of silent Expressionist cinema of the early 20th century. Introduced by Olivia Norquay with a post-screening Q&A with filmmakers Guy Maddin and Deco Dawson, and producer Vonnie Von Helmolt in-person.
Saturday, September 27th at 2:00 PM – 50 Years of Solitude
50 Years of Solitude: The Winnipeg Film Group and the Experimental Cinema (Shorts Program)
Curated by experimental filmmaker James Pomeroy, this program revisits WFG’s radical and inventive history through restored and archival shorts featuring over 20 short films, including work by Leon Johnson, Joanne Jackson Johnson, Mike Maryniuk, Victoria Prince, Carole O’Brien, Olya Zikrata, Solomon Nagler, Deco Dawson and more with a moderated Q&A with many filmmakers in attendance.
Saturday, September 27th at 5:00 PM – Valley of Light
Valley of Light (Dir. Heidi Phillips, 1:07:00, Experimental / Narrative / Fiction, Colour, B&W, 2023)
Manitoba filmmaker Heidi Phillips presents her acclaimed experimental feature, where a young woman pieces together the remnants of her heritage deep into the wilderness. Join us for a moderated Q&A with Phillips after the screening.
Saturday, September 27th at 8:00 PM – You Sorta Know It’s Gonna End
You Sorta Know It’s Gonna End (Dir. Ryan Steel & Kalil Haddad, 59:04, Experimental / Narrative / Fiction, 2025)
Meet me under the bleachers. You Sorta Know It’s Gonna End is a musical mixtape featuring the early films of Ryan Steel and Kalil Haddad, played on loop until midnight. Presented in partnership with Winnipeg Underground Film Festival on September 27th at 8:00 PM with an introduction and Q&A with Ryan Steel.
Sunday, September 28th at 2:00 PM – Barbara James
Barbara James (Dir. Winston Washington Moxam, 1:20:00, Narrative, 2001)
A rare 35mm screening of Barbara James, directed by the late Winston Washington Moxam, one of Manitoba’s most significant Black filmmakers and long-standing Cinematheque projectionist. Known for his bold storytelling and commitment to underrepresented voices, the 35mm print screens with an introduction by Leslie Supnet.
Sunday, September 28th at 5:00 PM – Early Days
Early Days (Shorts Program)
Curated by a founding member of the WFG, artist and filmmaker Joanne Jackson Johnson presents a selection of historical short films that have paved the way for Manitoban filmmakers of today, with films by John Paizs, Ed Ackerman, Elise Swerhone, Leon Johnson, Matthew Rankin and more. Join us for a post-screening Q&A.
Sunday, September 28th at 7:30pm – Scrapbook: From the Archives of Dave Barber
Scrapbook: From the Archives of Dave Barber Book Launch and Closing Night Reception
A tribute to the late Cinematheque Senior Film Programmer, Dave Barber, join co-editors Andrew Burke and Clint Enns in conversation about the editing process and journey, reflecting on the material, and transforming decades of press clippings, program notes, posters, and personal artifacts into a cohesive and deeply personal portrait, celebrating Barber’s enduring influence on Canadian film culture while offering insight into the archival and editorial process that shaped this important tribute. Join us on September 28th at 7:00pm for this closing night event with reception.