WFG 2025 MFM FIRST FILM FUND RECIPIENTS
We are excited to announce the following recipients of the 2025 MFM First Film Fund:
Diandre Thomas-Hart was awarded $2,000 in cash and $2,000 in WFG Services for “From Manitoba to Milan”.
Diandre Thomas-Hart is a Swampy Cree producer, storyteller, and community leader from Treaty No. 1 Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Registered urban member to Peguis First Nation with northern roots in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, and known as “UrbanTreatyGal,” on Instagram, she uses poetry, media, and film to share stories of healing, identity, and growth.
She is the co-owner of BuffaloHyde Creative, a family-run media and design business with her partner, Jordan Skipper. Together, they create work that uplifts Indigenous culture, supporting projects such as the Manito Ahbee Festival. Diandre also contributes to Indigenous leadership across the arts, serving as outgoing Board Co-Chair of Manitoba Moon Voices and incoming Board Advisor for the Centre for Indigenous Theatre in Toronto.
Her debut documentary, From Manitoba to Milan, is supported by the Winnipeg Film Group’s First Film Fund and Manitoba Film & Music. The project follows her journey from the prairies of Manitoba to the runways of Milan, Italy, weaving together themes of identity, movement, and transformation. Through this film, Diandre brings together Alyssia Sutherland, ‘Ally’ from Peguis First Nation, aka Ally’s Ribbons and their team of models and creatives by helping Ally bring designs to an international stage, showing that Indigenous stories are powerful, relevant, and borderless.
As a mother of two, entrepreneur, producer and policy strategist, Diandre continues to dedicate her work to amplifying authentic Indigenous representation in media and beyond.
ᑭᓇᓈᐢᑯᒥᑎᐣ, kinana’skomitin, ekosi.
Kara Swayze was awarded $2,000 in cash and $2,000 in WFG Services for “Bouquet”.
Kara Swayze is a self-taught, independent filmmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty 1 Territory. While completing her Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies at the University of Manitoba, Kara developed a deep appreciation for intimate stories that highlight our shared sense of humanity. Her work explores themes of sexuality and gender, with a focus on feminist and neurodiverse perspectives. Kara aims to create work that serves as a means to connect and reflect, regardless of genre or form.
——————————————————————————————————————–
Several submissions were received for this cycle of the award, and were juried by a peer assessment committee comprised of filmmakers Farrah Murdock, Gabe Cole and Aidan Billard Dooley.
THE WINNIPEG FILM GROUP ACKNOWLEDGES MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC FOR GRACIOUSLY FURNISHING THE CASH COMPONENT OF THE AWARDS.
