Bringing the power of cinema to individuals who may face barriers to attending traditional festival venues, the RIFFA Bridge Screen: Connecting Through Cinema embodies the Regina International Film Festival & Awards’ commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and community engagement.
Hosted at the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, one of Saskatchewan’s largest rehabilitation facilities, the Bridge Screen transforms the Centre into an official RIFFA satellite screening venue during the festival’s annual 10-day celebration of cinema. Through a dedicated festival screen located within the facility, children, youth, adults, and families receiving services at the Centre are able to experience selected RIFFA Official Selections alongside audiences attending festival screenings throughout the city.
Guided by the philosophy, “If you can’t get to the festival, the festival will come to you,” the Bridge Screen ensures that individuals living with physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, long-term health conditions, and mental health challenges have an opportunity to participate in the cultural life of their community and share in the transformative experience of storytelling through film.
Today, the program serves more than 300 residents and participants, along with their families, caregivers, and support networks. Through the Bridge Screen, RIFFA extends its reach beyond traditional venues and creates opportunities for meaningful engagement, cultural participation, and social connection.