Board of Directors + Executive Team

John Thimothy is an Indo-Canadian filmmaker, film executive, and the founder of the Regina International Film Festival & Awards (RIFFA). During his 12-year tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer, he led the organization from a grassroots community initiative to Saskatchewan’s largest film festival and one of the Prairie Provinces’ leading Canadian Screen  Award® Qualifying film festivals. He currently serves on RIFFA’s Board of Directors, continuing to support the festival’s creative vision, strategic direction, and long-term development.

As a filmmaker, John’s directorial work has received international recognition with official selections at more than 38 film and media festivals worldwide. His work was nominated for the Golden Sheaf Award at the 72nd Yorkton Film Festival, was a semi-finalist at the 67th Columbus International Film Festival, and was an Official Selection at the 41st Big Muddy Film Festival.

John served as a feature film juror for the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards, Canada’s premier national film, television, and digital media awards program, appointed by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. He has also contributed to the film industry through programming and advisory roles with the San Diego International Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Outfest Los Angeles – an Oscar® Qualifying festival and one of the world’s most influential platforms dedicated to LGBTQ+ cinema and storytelling.

In recognition of his contributions to arts, culture, leadership, and community development, John was awarded the CBC Future 40 People’s Choice Award in 2016, was nominated for the Ontario Premier’s Award for Outstanding College Graduates, and received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Government of Saskatchewan in 2022.