About WFG 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.
Currently we represent hundreds of filmmakers and video artists from across Canada and have an international reputation for providing quality works and exceptional service. The films in our collection range from 14 seconds to two hours and span all genres including narrative fiction, comedy, animation, documentary, experimental and hybrids of all.
In 2008 we shifted the focus of our main distribution efforts to that of short films but continue to sell longer documentary works for educational purposes.
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 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 a venue looking to rent a film please consult our online Distribution Catalogue.
If you are an individual, community group or educational Institutional 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.
DISTRIBUTION STAFF
Monica Lowe – Distribution Director
Monica oversees the Distribution Department and all its activities. Her areas of expertise and focus include initiating and managing Special Projects, coordinating institutional, community and private film sales, administering the semi-annual Marketing Fund, ensuring film and video preservation for the works in our care, as well as developing new markets and new revenues streams for the films in our Catalogue.
Contact: monica@winnipegfilmgroup.com / (204) 925-3456 ext. 103
Stephanie Berrington – Distribution Coordinator
Steph is the first point of contact for filmmakers who wish to submit their film to Distribution. She handles all festival submissions and deals directly with festival programmers and venue curators to ensure a timely and professional response to all screening requests.
Contact: steph@winnipegfilmgroup.com / (204) 925-3456 ext. 105
If you have a general inquiry or wish to reach both Steph and Monica please email distribution@winnipegfilmgroup.com
If you wish to meet with Monica or Steph in person it is advisable to call or email first to make an appointment. Thank you!
