The Regina International Film Festival & Awards and Fire Ring Productions challenged early career filmmakers to create a cinematic and impactful short film project.
Congratulations Layla Bautista! Winner of the 2025 RIFFA Launch Pad!
The Filmmaker
Layla Bautista is a half Filipina-Canadian born and raised in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada. Layla started her film career at age 18 after she dropped out of University and quit all three of her jobs. She was then given the opportunity to shadow a local filmmaker who showed her into the world of film! From there, she created Bokeh Media. Through Bokeh Media, Layla works as a freelancer on film sets and produces her own shorts and music videos. Layla is always open to learning and exploring new opportunities in order to expand her skill set!
The Film – “Beginner’s Luck”
Two friends play a game of chess. One is an intermediate and one is a beginner. However, when the game starts to heat up, we get to see the pieces as if they’re in real life – showcasing not only the battle of the minds but also a literal one. Who will win?
Two friends play a game of chess. One is an intermediate and one is a beginner. However, when the game starts to heat up, we get to see the pieces as if they’re in real life – showcasing not only the battle of the minds but also a literal one. Who will win?
The RIFFA Launch Pad
As the winning applicant, Bautista has been awarded:
- $10,000 CDN cash prize,
- a three-day package rental (camera, lens kit, light kit, audio kit) from Play Creative Media, valued at $10,000 CDN,
- a free 2-hour legal consultation courtesy of MLT Aikins LLP valued at $1,200 CDN,
- and one all-access pass to RIFFA 2025 valued at $400 CDN.
The full prize equals a value of $21,600 CDN!
Beginner’s Luck will screen at RIFFA 2025, August 22 at 8:00pm at the RCMP Heritage Centre
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