Bringing the magic of cinema to those who may find it challenging to reach us, the RIFFA Bridge Screen: Connecting Through Cinema embodies the spirit of inclusivity and accessibility. Hosted at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre—one of Saskatchewan’s largest rehabilitation facilities—this unique program ensures that children, youth, and adults facing physical, intellectual, or long-term mental health challenges are not left behind. With a dedicated screen at the Centre, we embrace the philosophy that if you can’t get to the festival, the festival will come to you. This complimentary initiative offers individuals within the facility and their families an opportunity to experience RIFFA, and foster a community of film lovers united by the power of storytelling.
Objectives
Promote Accessibility: Ensure individuals facing physical, intellectual, or long-term mental health challenges can enjoy the film festival experience.
Foster Inclusivity: Embrace a wide audience by eliminating barriers to participation, thereby enriching Regina’s cultural diversity.
Enhance Community Cohesion: Build stronger community bonds through shared cultural experiences.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Highlight the challenges and achievements of the dis/ability community, fostering empathy and understanding.
Benefits
1) For the Community
Promotes Diversity and Inclusivity: by showcasing the cinematic arts as a tool for bridging divides, celebrating storytelling, and affirming that the beauty of art knows no boundaries. Community Cohesion: by fostering a sense of belonging and unity by bringing people
together, under the umbrella of shared human experiences and emotions evoked by storytelling.
Awareness and Empathy: by spotlighting the narratives of dis/ability communities, RIFFA seeks to cultivate relationships with dis/abled artists and storytellers and to support them in the realization and the full creative possibilities of their essential themes and subjects.
Cultural Enrichment: Dive into a treasure trove of stories from corners of the world you have never seen and perspectives you have yet to consider. The RIFFA Bridge Screen offers a passport to global cultures, inviting Regina’s residents on an enriching journey that expands horizons and deepens appreciation for the mosaic of human life.
2) For the Dis/ability Community
Accessibility and Representation: By dismantling barriers to participation, this program ensures that everyone has a seat at the table of cultural discourse. It sends a resounding message that every voice matters, empowering those with dis/abilities to see themselves as vital contributors to the cultural narrative.
Social Inclusion: In a world where isolation can be a daily reality for people with dis/abilities, the RIFFA Bridge Screen can be a lifeline. It offers entertainment and a shared space where laughter and tears can be exchanged, fostering a sense of belonging and community among all who attend.
Therapeutic Benefits: The healing power of film cannot be understated. Through engagement with stories, individuals find escape, solace, and sometimes even a mirror reflecting their own experiences. The emotional journey through cinema can spark joy, offer comfort, and ignite a sense of connection to the wider world, contributing to overall well-being and recovery.
Nurture Future Filmmakers: Encourage individuals with disabilities to tell their own stories through film, providing support, resources, and platforms to emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities.
Expand the Cultural Dialogue: Continuously seek innovative ways to use cinema to bridge gaps between diverse groups within Regina, fostering a culture of understanding, appreciation, and shared humanity.
Expanding Horizons and Building Bridges
In essence, the RIFFA Bridge Screen: Connecting Through Cinema is a cornerstone of cultural innovation and social progress. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of film to unite diverse groups, inspire change, and foster a more inclusive society. Through this initiative, RIFFA not only entertains but enlightens, making it a pivotal force in shaping a future where everyone’s story is valued, and every voice is heard.