The Yorkton Film Festival officially kicked off celebrating 100 years of Saskatchewan Roughrider football at the Western Financial Services Park.

The Yorkton Business Improvement District (YBID) joined the Film Festival Committee in festivities by hosting a barbecue at the event had Yorkton mayor, His Worship James Wilson, perform a ceremonial kick-off.

Film Festival executive director Randy Goulden points out, “It’s 100 years of football and 64 years of the film festival.”

Two filmmakers did a ‘Thelma and Louise’ road trip to Yorkton. They were twittering and sending pictures over Flicker promoting their coming to Yorkton and the road to Yorkton. “When they arrived in Yorkton, the mayor presented them the key to the city,” Goulden reports.

An opening night screening and reception was held Thursday night at the Painted Hand Casino, featuring The Partners In Motion film on the Saskatchewan Roughriders called 100 Years of Tradition. A Saskatchewan production company, Partners In Motion was selected to open the festival with their film about a Saskatchewan icon, the Roughriders, Goulden says.

The festival lounge where filmmakers like to relax, network and get together was Rayzers Pub in the Yorkton Hotel. Many of the filmmakers are from all over Canada and don’t see each other very often. They enjoy the opportunity to reestablish contacts at the lounge, Goulden notes.

Friday offered a full day of sessions and workshops starting at with 8:15 a.m. with a session by Panasonic Canada’s presentation of cameras and filmmaking equipment. The day wrapped up with a lobster fest sponsored by the Yorkton Lions Club and the film festival at the Yorkton Wildlife Federation Trap Club. “It’s a prairie tradition, lobsters, a shotgun and a little bit of beer,” says Goulden.

Workshops continued Saturday. The Yorkton 4-H Club also hosted a barbecue at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery.

Saturday night the festival wound up with the Golden Sheaf Awards at the Gallagher Centre. The M.C. for the event was Sheila Coles from CBC.