We are proud to have an international reputation for providing quality works and exceptional service. The films in our collection range from 1 second to two hours and span all genres, including narrative fiction, comedy, animation, documentary, and experimental. We focus on screening opportunities that pay artist fees and undertake special initiatives which profile the works in our collection. These include publications, DVDs, curated programs, and more.
About Distribution
The Winnipeg Film Group, founded in 1974, began distributing locally made films in 1981 to help serve Manitoba filmmakers who were creating work but didn’t have the knowledge or resources to seek out screenings or sales for their work.
In 2008, we shifted the focus of our main distribution efforts to that of short films but continue to acquire longer documentary works for educational purposes as well as supporting feature-length experimental films. We handle submissions and screening coordination with festivals, broadcasters, and a variety of screening venues.
The Winnipeg Film Group Distribution Department operates with four main objectives:
- To provide member filmmakers with increased exhibition opportunities across Canada and around the world and to assist in the development of their careers
- To provide artists a financial return
- To develop and expand audiences for Canadian independent film
- To maintain archival and access copies of all works in our collection and to ensure that they are accessible for research and viewing for both current and future generations
This department is dedicated to enabling the unique artistic vision created by independent film and video makers to be accessible to as broad an audience as possible (regional, national, and international), and to educating audiences to the quality of artistic work created by local and Canadian film and video artists.
The WFG is a member of the Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) which has set a minimum fee schedule for film rentals. We also consult the CARFAC rate card for certain screening and opportunities. We strongly encourage all film festivals and screening venues to pay artist fees although we are aware this is not always possible. We acknowledge that many film festivals are career-building venues that can offer a substantial amount of exposure to filmmakers, and as such we do not limit our screening submissions and opportunities only to those venues that do pay although the payment of artist fees guides our submission decisions greatly. We expect all catalogue requests to be paid opportunities.
If you are looking to rent a film, please consult our online Distribution Catalogue. We suggest contacting us at least 2 -3 weeks ahead of your screening date. Please note we charge a $25 rush fee for any urgent requests.
If you are an individual, community group, or educational institution looking to purchase a film, please consult our online DVD store.
If you are a filmmaker looking to place your film with us please read Distribute Your Film with Us to learn more and use our online Submission Form to easily submit your film to us.