Five Manitoba filmmakers will compete for a $15,000 cash prize when the RBC Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition returns to the Gimli Theatre on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 10 a.m. The free public event marks the 15th year the competition has helped launch local filmmaking careers at the Gimli International Film Festival.
Finalists will pitch their short film projects live to a jury of three industry professionals. The winner receives not only the $15,000 from RBC but also a prize package valued at more than $13,000 in additional support. These include a $5,000 equipment rental grant from Cinelease, mentorship from the National Screen Institute, $5,000 in in-kind rentals from the Winnipeg Film Group, $3,000 in in-kind support from Talon Production Services, a one-year membership and training from Film Training Manitoba, eligibility to apply for up to $10,000 through Manitoba Film and Music’s Grant Program for Emerging Talent and Micro-Budget Production Fund, and a premiere screening at the 2027 festival.
This year’s finalists are Cogie Cogan with Still, We Are, Boma Cookey-Gam with Pioneering The Wind: Breaking the Sound Barrier, John Luke with Sun Shower, Kenji Dyck with Ojichan’s Photos, and Meg Robinson with Unclean.
The three judges are Gail Maurice, an award-winning Metis director whose film Blood Lines plays at this year’s festival; Leslie Supnet, executive director of the Winnipeg Film Group; and Ellen Rutter, a veteran producer with more than 50 film and TV credits including Capote and Curse of Chucky.
Film Training Manitoba has joined as an official industry partner for the 2026 competition, working with the festival on staffing, marketing, and event coordination. Kathleen Michaluk, RBC Regional Vice President, Agassiz, said the competition has proven Manitoba filmmakers are full of great ideas and that investing in ideas is investing in community.
