Gimli, Manitoba: Canada's Most Beautiful Film Festival Features Outdoor Cinema Screenings

This summer marked the 9th year of the Gimli Film Festival (GFF) in Gimli, Manitoba. Over the years, the festival has gained notoriety as one of the most beautiful venues in Canada, as it uses outdoor cinema screenings on the shores of Lake Winnepeg to capitalize on the natural beauty of Gimli.

Each July, a 35-foot outdoor movie screen is erected out of the waters of Lake Winnepeg, and festival-goers can enjoy over 80 documentaries, shorts, and full-length features throughout the film festival.

The landscape and venue are truly one-of-a-kind, but the festival selections are also top-notch, showcasing some of the best cinema that Canada has to offer. This year's film selections included Pontypool, Waterlife, One Week, and Happy-Go-Lucky. As the sun sets in Gimli, crowds of local residents, filmmakers, and celebrity guests make their way to the beach, armed with blankets and chairs.

There, under the stars and northern lights they are presented with new worlds and new experiences through the art, education, and entertainment of cinema. The outdoor film festival is an integral part of the artistic and cultural landscape of not only Gimli, but Manitoba and Canada as well.

The festival strives to bring relevant topics and current issues to light for discussion among filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike. The festival is focused on evocative and revolutionary cinema, but is grounded in the natural splendors of the area; outdoor movie screenings, receptions, and lake-side parties create the festival experience on the shores of Lake Winnepeg.

Each night of the festival, outdoor cinema screenings begin at sundown, and on most nights the stars and northern lights are clearly visible, creating a unique movie-watching experience.

Local talent as well as Canada's best will be showcased. Audiences will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite film at each feature. Admission prices to each screening range from $6 to $8, with an All Access Pass available for $60.00.

There is also an All Access Pass PLUS, which is $75.00, and provides access to the Open Night and Closing Night parties as well. Festival attendees should bring a blanket or low-backed chair, as well as warm clothing. Gimli Film Festival official website