Press Release

Regina International Film Festival & Awards

Regina, SK

January 25, 2023: For Immediate Release

Email: media@riffa.ca
Phone: 306-805-5053

RIFFA Academy Kicks off New Season of Mental Health/Film Initiative

LOOK Program starts its fourth year of innovative training

LOOK: A Mental Health/Film Initiative held its first session of 2024 on Saturday Jan 20 on the University of Regina campus.

In 2019, LOOK began offering training for adults who are under the care of a mental health professional. Participants have demonstrated growth in film skills, personal confidence, and holistic wellbeing.

At first, stigma around their mental illness usually prevents participants from sharing widely about their participation. After months of growing in competence and confidence, the Class of 2023 presented their short films & documentaries at a public screening at RIFFA 2023. This was an extraordinary milestone for each of them.

Participant Shawn Coates (they/them) presented their documentary Pride Ink (2023) at that showcase and is now a member of LOOK’s first ever advanced program. They also joined the LOOK team as a volunteer Social Media Manager demonstrating continued growth in confidence and capacity.

Instructors and mentors associated with the U of R’s School of Journalism and Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance teach skills in:

• Cinematography/Photography

• Concept Development

• Production Planning

• Interviewing

• Video Editing

• And more.

RIFFA Academy is the educational arm of Regina International Film Festival & Awards Foundation Inc. RIFFA is a non-profit cultural art organization offering programs to enrich the community while celebrating film and diversity.These programs include The Regina International Film Festival and Awards, LOOK: A Mental Health Film Initiative and Inclusion Film Program.

***For more information or help arranging an interview with Shawn Coates or LOOK Director Trevor Grant, don’t hesitate to reach out.