SPECIAL EVENTS
Join us for a lineup of special events, activations, and unforgettable moments that make GIFF 2026 the place to be this July.
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Beach Boardwalk Activities
Kids Activities & GIFF Market | Every Night | Gimli Beach | 3PM-9PM
Hop on over for family-friendly activities, crafts, photo ops, and more on Gimli Beach every night of the Fest! At our GIFF Market, peruse crafted and cooked goodies while surrounded by serene sand. Don’t miss the GIFF Info/Merch tent for your 2026 merchandise!
The films selected for our RBC Sunset Beach Screenings have inspired us already; keep an eye out for our themed activities, centered around the featured films. The film screenings are set to follow activities, beginning at 9:45PM each night!
Beverage Garden
Thursday, July 23 - Saturday, July 25 | Lake Winnipeg Welcome Centre/Gimli Harbour | 1PM-9PM
Join us as we gather at the Gimli Harbour, next to the Lake Winnipeg Visitor’s Centre, to share some sips and some stories with fellow attendees. No cover. Good music. Good vibes. Only Thursday to Saturday.
Presented in partnership with: Interlake Brewing Co., Patent Five, Dead Horse Cider Co., & Brat Cat Meadery
Sobr Market Beach Patio
Friday, July 24 - Sunday, July 26 | Gimli Beach | 6PM-11PM
Ride a wave of fresh flavours at the Sobr Market Beach Patio! Enjoy a refreshing selection of handcrafted non-alcoholic mocktails alongside a variety of classic beverages. Whether you're meeting friends before the show, taking a break between events, or settling in for the evening, it's the perfect spot to wet your whistle before and during our iconic RBC Sunset Beach Screenings.
Presented in partnership with: Sobr Market
Opening Night Reception
Wednesday, July 22 | Johnson Hall 5th Floor, Waterfront Centre 6PM-9:45PM
Join us as we take a step back into cinema’s past while celebrating GIFF’s future! Festival and Filmmaker Pass holders are invited to celebrate with our VIPs, sponsors, volunteers, and filmmakers as we kick off our 26th Festival. Thank you to Mad Dash Catering for the summery menu, sprinkled with Manitoban classics and globally-adored fresh fare.
OurToba x ACTRA x GIFF Cold Read
Thursday, July 23 | Interlake Brewing Co. | 5PM-7PM
A special Cold Read event brought to you by OurToba, ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), and GIFF which will premiere fresh new scripts read aloud — for the first time ever — by a group of local actors. Following the read-throughs, a conversation will be held to gain audience insights as well as feedback from viewers and performers alike. The event will be held at Interlake Brewing Company (72-A 1 Ave, Gimli) with food and beverages available for purchase. This is a ticketed event for $10.00.
Presented in partnership with: OurToba, ACTRA, Farpoint Films, and Riparian
WIFC Pre-Mingle
Friday, July 24 | Flatland Coffee Roasters | 3PM-4PM
With the support of the Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective, we invite Indigenous filmmakers and featured cast & crew in this year’s festival screenings to gather for casual bites and flavourful brews at an award-winning (and local gem!) coffee roastery, Flatland Coffee Roasters (41 Centre Street, Gimli).
Presented in partnership with: Winnipeg Indigenous Filmmakers Collective, Canada Media Fund, Payworks, Can Dream Productions & Flatland Coffee Roasters.
Filmmakers Mingle
Friday, July 24 | Interlake Brewing Co. | 6PM-9PM
Calling all Filmmaker, Industry, Festival and VIP passholders! Meet us at Interlake Brewing Co. for a casual networking event with great food on us; from local brews to a tempting taco bar, this event is sure to set the scene for socializing with fellow cinephiles!
Presented in partnership with: Hollywood Suite & Interlake Brewing Co.
Real Love Winnipeg X GIFF Official Afterparty
Friday, July 24 | Gimli Park Dance Pavilion | 8PM-Midnight
Enjoy a mash-up of Manitoban musicians and DJ sets in our inaugural Official Afterparty in partnership with Real Love Winnipeg. The historic building, the Gimli Park Pavilion, provides the perfect setting for dancing and chatting with fellow festival attendees. Enjoy kegs on tap provided by Interlake Brewing Co. and beverages from Sobr Market, available at our cash bar on-site.
Presented in partnership with: Real Love Winnipeg + Long & McQuade.
Closing Reception & Awards
Saturday, July 25 | Johnson Hall, 5th Floor, Waterfront Centre 7PM-11:30PM
A dreamy, beachy evening awaits you! Follow the flow of the outside travelling in as we honour Johnson Hall’s sweeping views of Gimli with this romantic reception. Festival Pass and Industry Pass holders, filmmakers, VIPs, and sponsors, join us for an evening in celebration of this year’s award winners. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, and be there to cheer as we reveal who takes home our coveted festival prizes. Not a pass holder but still wanting to join in on the fun? That’s OK! We’ll have some limited tickets available to the public at our Box Office. Thank you to Mad Dash Catering for the great food, a true take on quick bites and late-night comfort classics to perfectly compliment cocktails and mocktails alike!
Volunteer Appreciation Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, July 26 | Gimli Park Pavilion | 11AM-12:30PM
Come to the Pavilion and enjoy a tasty token of our appreciation for your volunteerism and hard work! Festival Volunteers, Staff, Board and Committee members are welcome to attend this special volunteer appreciation event. There will be prizes, and a special presentation of the Betty Schwartz Memorial Volunteer Award winner! This event is only available to volunteers of the festival.
Presented in partnership with: Liquor Mart, Kiwanis, and Dave and Diane Johnston
Young Filmmakers Screening
Sunday, July 26 | FREE | Gimli Theatre | 1PM-3PM
The Young Filmmakers Program is your chance to see the next generation of filmmakers in action. From detective fiction to retrospective remembrances, high school students and recent graduates from Manitoba’s top film and video programs submit short films for a free festival screening. Be among the first to watch these bold new stories, meet the young filmmakers behind them, and ask your burning questions in-person. Filmmaker participants also receive access to the full festival, including GIFF Global Industry Sessions, panels, networking events, and film screenings as well as a goodie bag from Interlake and Manitoban businesses.
Presented in partnership with: Charlie & Dayna Spiring