Board of Directors

  • Hon. Janis G. Johnson

    FOUNDER / PAST CHAIR

  • Amanda Leuschen

    CHAIR

  • Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill

    VICE CHAIR

  • Rob Rowan

    TREASURER

  • Michael Duboff

    SECRETARY

  • Jessica Gibson

  • Alicia Johnston

  • Andrew Malabre

  • Heather McIntosh

Staff

  • Teya Zuzek

    Teya Zuzek

    Executive Director
    Teya (at) gimlifilm.com

    Teya Zuzek is an arts manager with over a decade of experience in project management, event operations, and stakeholder engagement in the non-profit sector. She holds a B.A from the University of Toronto in Cinema Studies, History, and English; along with a Post-Graduate from University of Toronto School of Continuing Education in Digital Marketing, and a Post-Graduate from Humber College for Arts Administration & Cultural Management.

    Teya has produced and managed multiple large-scale multidisciplinary events throughout her home province of Ontario, and across Canada. With a focus on creating outreach and implementing high-impact programming, she has been a valued partner on several community and national boards, and a hands-on mentor to emerging and aspiring professionals.

    She is an active board volunteer supporting community tourism and cultural initiatives, including the Gimli Ice Festival and Gimli Pride. She currently serves as Governance Chair for the OurToba Film Network. She is also a National advocacy member of the Independent Media Arts Alliance.

    When she's not working or volunteering, she cultivates a garden of hobbies. Teya is an avid cyclist, artist, reader, potter, painter, film-goer, boxer, axe-thrower, and yogi. She also likes to spend time with her 2 pound chihuahua, Honey Dill.

  • Helene Le Moullec

    Operations Manager
    helene (at) gimlifilm.com

    Hélène Le Moullec is a lifelong artist, arts leader, and community builder with more than 20 years of experience both on stage and behind the scenes. A graduate of School of Contemporary Dancers with a BA (Honours) in Dance, Hélène has built a dynamic career as a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and arts administrator, performing across Canada and internationally, including in China and Mozambique.

    A fixture in Winnipeg’s arts community, Hélène is now in her 20th season performing with NAfro Dance Productions and has collaborated with numerous acclaimed artists and companies throughout her career. Whether on stage, on screen, or in rehearsal halls, she brings passion, curiosity, and a deep commitment to creative expression.

    Off stage, Hélène is equally at home producing memorable arts experiences. She has spent nearly two decades helping shape some of Manitoba’s most beloved cultural institutions, including Winnipeg Comedy Festival and Gas Station Arts Centre, where she has built a reputation for thoughtful leadership, exceptional organization, and making the impossible look easy. As Operations Manager for the Gimli International Film Festival, she brings that same creative energy, calm under pressure, and collaborative spirit to one of Canada’s premier film festivals.

    Known for her warmth, humour, and ability to keep many moving pieces, and people, working in harmony, Hélène believes deeply in the power of the arts to connect communities, inspire imagination, and make life a little more joyful.

  • Maya Sharpe

    Box Office Manager
    boxoffice (at) gimlifilm.com

    Hi Everyone! My name is Maya Sharpe. I am the Box Office Manager for the Gimli International Film Festival. I'm honoured to be back for my fourth festival season. I graduated from the University of Winnipeg's Film Program in 2024, earning my BA. This year, I decieded I wanted to expand my festival knowledge and enrolled in to the Business Administration, Tourism Managment Program at Red River College, starting in the fall.

    I continued my programming expereince this spring, returning to my Short Film Pre-Screener postion for a second season. I am very excited to be back at GIFF. The festival, the town of Gimli, and all the festival patrons hold a very special place in my heart. It's going to be a great year!

  • Melvin Daligdig

    Operations Coordinator
    operationscoordiantor(at) gimlifilm.com

    Hi my name is Melvin Daligdig, I am the operations coordinator for the Gimli International Film Festival. I am happy to be back for my third festival season and GIFF’s 26th anniversary! When I’m not working at the festival I am writing, directing , and producing my own films or helping other filmmakers create their films. Most recently I had the opportunity to be a part of the Unsung Voices Cohort for the Reel Asian film festival to create my horror short film “Camera Head” that screened in Toronto, Winnipeg and Bali. Looking ahead I am excited to contribute to the festival’s continued success. See you at the beach!

  • Claire Venevongsa

    Sponsorship Coordinator
    sponsorship (at) gimlifilm.com

    Hi everyone! My name is Claire Venevongsa, and I’m thrilled to be this year’s Sponsorship Coordinator for the 26th Anniversary of the Gimli International Film Festival! Although I’m currently based in Victoria, BC, I’m always excited to return to my hometown of Winnipeg for this incredible event. This year’s festival is packed with exciting raffle prizes, unforgettable films, and amazing people. I can’t wait to see you all on the beach this summer!

  • Yatatu Reimer

    Volunteer Coordinator
    volunteer (at) gimlifilm.com

    Yatatu Reimer (BA) is the Volunteer Coordinator at Gimli International Film Festival. Yatatu has always been fascinated with the film industry. This passion with entertainment continued to develop with her involvement with high school productions, and grew considerably when she completed a summer internship at Manitoba Film and Music. 

    A recent graduate of the University of Winnipeg Film Program, Yatatu created and led the Female+Filmmakers club. Upon graduation, Yatatu went on to study at the Prague Film School Summer Institute. There, Yatatu collaborated with aspiring filmmakers from all over the world on a multitude of short films. Yatatu is excited to be the 2026 Volunteer Coordinator and is looking forward to seeing you all at the beach this summer!

  • Terri Abrey

    Media & Communications Coordinator
    media (at) gimlifilm.com

    Hello! I’m Terri Abrey, and I’m stoked to be the media coordinator for GIFF 2026! I love practicing photography and videography, and I’m continuing to build those skills at Red River Polytechnic in the Creative Communications program. The community GIFF has built and fostered each year is something I’m looking forward to being a part of, and I can’t wait for the Beach Screenings!

  • Izzy Eskow

    Logistics Coordinator
    logistics (at) gimlifilm.com

    Hello! My name is Izzy Eskow, I am the Logistics Coordinator for the Gimli International Film Festival. I am a recent graduate from the Entertainment Production program at Red River College Polytechnic where I learned the ins and outs in bringing live events and productions to life through planning, preparation and execution. Through volunteering at multiple music festivals, I discovered how much I love the energy and sense of community that comes with live events. I am very excited to be part of this year’s festival! Can’t wait to see you there:)

  • Indiana Humniski

    Special Events and Development Coordinator
    events (at) gimlifilm.com

    Indiana Humniski is a creative writer and recent Honours graduate from the University of Manitoba’s English, Theatre, Film, and Media program. After serving as Outreach Coordinator back in 2022 and her many years of volunteering at GIFF, she is excited to return as the Special Events and Development Coordinator this summer. She is looking forward to adding sparks of joy into each event. Fuelled by an encapsulating love for the arts, Indiana is overjoyed to rejoin this team in her beloved hometown for a summer filled with the nostalgic joy that can only be kindled on the warm shores of Gimli.

Programming Team

  • David Knipe

    Lead Programmer

    David Knipe is a film programmer, arts administrator, and occasional creative with over 10 years of experience working for film festivals and cinemas including the Dave Barber Cinematheque and Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival. After receiving a Cinema Studies Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Manitoba in 2014, David joined the Gimli International Film Festival in 2015 first as a volunteer, then becoming the Logistics Coordinator (2016), and Lead Programmer (2018-current). Currently based in Winnipeg after a two-year stint as the year-round Cinema Programmer at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto, David is excited to be re-joining the GIFF team to bring some of the films from around the world to share with the Manitoba audience. In addition to programming for GIFF, David works as a bookseller at McNally Robinson Booksellers, and plans to obtain his education degree to begin teaching in the next few years. When not watching films or working in the arts, David enjoys playing music and sports (recently broke 80 on the golf course!), reading, and hanging out with his two adorable cats Stanley and Mikey.


  • John Debono

    Documentary Programmer

    Born and raised in Toronto, John Debono is a film programmer with a passion for documentaries, community building, and musicals (Plus whatever combination of the three possible). Having previously worked in youth and mental health support, John is excited to find films that will not only entertain, but inspire and empower audiences.

    John brings nearly ten years of experience in the film sector. He was previously the programming manager for JAYU, as well as worked with the Victoria Film Festival and the TIFFDocs programming teams. He has also worked as an accessibility consultant for Hot Docs and Inside Out, helping to make film festivals a welcoming place for people living with disabilities. In between, you can find John continuing to mentor students. 

    John is thrilled to be part of the GIFF team and celebrate the 25th anniversary with the Gimli film community.


  • Emily Gagne

    Short Film Programmer

    Emily Gagne is a film critic and curator whose perfect triple bill is Grease 2, Magic Mike XXL and Halloween II (original, not Rob Zombie version). This is her second year as GIFF’s Shorts Film Programmer and she cannot wait to return to the beach this summer. 

    The co-programmer of Revue Cinema's We Really Like Her! screening series, Toronto’s only monthly showcase for movies made by women, Emily is a lover of final girl fashion who has written for Dread Central, The Mary Sue and TV Guide Canada. She has moderated panels for Fan Expo Canada and the TIFF Lightbox, with recent interview subjects including director Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter) and the craft teams behind Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein and the What We Do in the Shadows TV show. She also appears as a recurring expert on docuseries Cinema A to Z and A Year in Film

    When she is not at the cinema, Emily is the Senior Marketing and Content Manager for Anthem Sports & Entertainment television brands Hollywood Suite and GameTV.