WFG 2026 MFM FIRST FILM FUND RECIPIENTS
We are excited to announce the following recipients of the 2026 MFM First Film Fund:
Kyra Bridges was awarded $2,000 in cash and $2,000 in WFG Services for “A Case of the Crazed”.
Kyra Bridges is a writer, director and film maker in Winnipeg, MB. After graduating from the University of Victoria’s Creative Writing program, she moved back home to Manitoba to pursue a career in film. Bridges creates comedy films that are female centred and is currently in her absurdity era. A Case of the Crazed will be here directorial debut with previous works that also include Dolls with Balls and The Santa House.
Kathleen Gallagher was awarded $2,000 in cash and $2,000 in WFG Services for “One Thing At A Time”.
Kathleen Gallagher (she/her) is an accomplished actor, writer, producer who is making her directorial debut with One Thing at a Time. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Philosophy from the University of Winnipeg. Her acting film/TV credits include Escaping the Madhouse: The Nelly Bly Story, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, Stegman is Dead and Chopin’s Heart. Her producing credits include Piece of Mind, selected by CBC’s Canadian Reflections, Party Animal, winner of the People’s Choice award at the Canadian International Comedy Film Festival, and Hook Up which premiered in 2023 at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. She was also a researcher on various Farpoint Films documentary shows including Fishing For History, One Way Mirror, Finding Diamonds, and Ghosts Off Grid.
She is also the President of the OurToba Film Network Board of Directors. OurToba is a non-profit organization which provides opportunities for women, non-binary, and gender diverse filmmakers to develop their artistic growth and careers through education, engagement, support, and empowerment
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Several submissions were received for this cycle of the award, and were juried by a peer assessment committee comprised of filmmakers Kara Swayze and Émilie Michalik.
THE WINNIPEG FILM GROUP ACKNOWLEDGES MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC FOR GRACIOUSLY FURNISHING THE CASH COMPONENT OF THE AWARDS.
