Awards Ceremony
Alda Award
Alda, which is Icelandic for “wave”, honours the cinematic and creative achievements of a filmmaker from Canada and the circumpolar nations. This year’s recipient is Winnipeg-born, Montreal-based filmmaker Matthew Rankin. Rankin is acclaimed for his highly inventive and visually striking works, blending historical satire with experimental techniques. His films, including The Twentieth Century and Universal Language, have garnered international awards and cemented him as one of Canada’s most distinctive cinematic voices.
ACTRA Awards for Best Performance
Join ACTRA Manitoba in celebrating our best local actors with these live award announcements, honouring two of the year’s best performances.
Indigenous Spirit Award
APTN presents the Indigenous Spirit Award, for outstanding achievements by an Indigenous filmmaker screening at GIFF in 2025.
Best Manitoba Director Award
This annual award goes to the most deserving Manitoba director screening work at our 2025 festival. Presented by the Directors Guild of Canada.
Best Manitoba Film
This award is presented to the best Manitoba film, with special thanks to Manitoba Film and Music.
Best Canadian Short
Celebrate the best Canadian short from across our various shorts programs! This award is sponsored by Canada Media Fund.
Barry Lank Award
The DOC Manitoba Barry Lank Award is presented annually to a filmmaker whose outstanding work in the social awareness or social justice documentary genre is highlighted in a specific film. This award honors a documentary that reflects Barry's commitment to the craft and his passion for storytelling.
New Voices Award
The New Voices Award will go to a breakthrough filmmaker from an under-represented community presenting at this year’s festival.
The Betty Schwartz Memorial Volunteer Achievement Award
This five-year award is graciously sponsored by David & Diane Johnston. It is given to a GIFF volunteer that demonstrates outstanding work and recognizes their contributions to the festival, in the name of our dedicated friend and long-time volunteer, Betty Schwartz.
Audience Choice Award
Cast your vote for the best feature film of the festival! Audiences will have the opportunity to vote on each film they see at GIFF 2025. The winning film will be announced Saturday night at the Awards Ceremony. An encore screening of the winning film will happen at 8:30pm on Sunday, July 27th at the Gimli Theatre!
Grand Jury Prize
Our top juried film prize! As chosen by our Programming Committee from this year’s feature films.