Yorkton Film Festival Week will be marked in the city May 23-26.
“The Yorkton Film Festival celebrates 72 years in 2019, and is the longest running festival in North America. Filmmakers from across Canada will converge on Yorkton to showcase some of the best work in short film, all with the hope of winning the coveted Golden Sheaf Award. This year 287 Canadian short films were submitted to the festival,” stated a letter circulated to Yorkton Council Monday.
“The festival provides a special opportunity to show off our city and province. For many of the filmmakers who come to Yorkton, this is their first taste of prairie hospitality, while for residents, it gives them a chance to view world class films that they otherwise might not see. We are providing 62 screenings for the residents of Yorkton to enjoy during the festival.”
The letter presented by Keith Hayward, co-chair of the Festival was part of a request for Council to declare the week.
Hayward noted, in 1947, a dedicated group of volunteers utilized equipment, trained projectionists and launched the Yorkton Film Council, which had been preciously tasked with distributing updates during World War II.
Council was unanimous in declaring the week.
