Animation
Any frame by frame or computer-assisted animated film or video that relies primarily on creative animation techniques to tell a story.
Children’s/youth productions
Any single production or series in any gentre that is clearly intended for the entertainment and/or education of children or youth.
Comedy
Any work in any genre intended primarily to elicit laughter or provide humour.
Community television productions
A production in any genre that is produced by and intended solely for broadcast by a community television company for which it owns the copyright.
Drama
Programs that are comprised primarily of the dramatic portrayal of characters, settings, life situations and stories.
Digital media
An original production, in any genre, created for and first released on digital platforms (other than television) such as mobile, web and other portable or interactive devices. Works primarily intended for promotional or marketing purposes are not eligible in this category.
Experimental
A filmmaker’s expression in any genre using unconventional and innovative production practices and techniques.
Lifestyle
A continuing non-fiction series about daily living with topics such as design, home decoration, food, makeovers, sex, travel, and recreational interests etc. Programs may include elements shot in studio or in the field.
Multicultural
Programs that explore the social, political or cultural aspects of Canada's visible minorities. This may be expressed in any program genre.
Performing arts & entertainment
Programs which use music and/or performance to entertain or showcase artistic achievement.
Short subject
Productions in any genre, on any subject, which are 15 minutes or less in length.
Student productions
A production in any genre that is produced and/or directed by a full-time student enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Entrants must not have been previously employed as a producer or director in the film or television industry.
Documentary arts/culture
Documentaries relating to the world of art and culture.
Documentary biography
Documentaries which interpret and/or document the life of a person or persons.
Documentary history
Documentaries with predominantly historical themes.
Documentary nature/environment
Documentaries that explore nature or environmental issues.
Documentary POV (point of view)
Documentaries which present a personal, first-person or filmmaker point of view or narrative.
Documentary science/medicine/technology
Documentaries that explore science, medicine or technology.
Documentary short subject
Discontinued. Please see "Short Subject" instead.
Documentary social/political
Documentaries about politics, social issues and current events.
Documentary series
A minimum of six documentaries would be considered a series. Two episodes must be submitted to represent the series.
Craft categories
Director (fiction)
Presented to the director(s) of a dramatic production.
Director (non fiction)
Presented to the director(s) of a documentary or other factual production.
Research
This award recognizes the contribution and role of the researcher in documentary production. It can be awarded for content/story research and/or archival stock shot research.
Sub Categories
Productions entered in any of the main categories and which meet the specific eligibility criteria, may also compete for the following awards:
- The Ruth Shaw Award (Best of Saskatchewan): A cash award honouring the best of Saskatchewan. Open to all Saskatchewan productions in all genres. See entry form for eligibility rules/point structure and submission details.
- Emerging Filmmaker Award: Awarded to a filmmaker (specifically a director) in recognition of his/her first professional production in any genre. See entry form for more on eligibility guidelines and submission details.
- The Aboriginal Award: Programs either fiction or non-fiction that explore issues relating to aboriginal peoples, tell aboriginal stories or present an aboriginal perspective. At least one of the key creative positions (producer, writer or director) must be a person of aboriginal descent. See entry form for more on eligibility guidelines and submission details.
Special Awards
All productions entered in any of the main categories will automatically be considered for the following special awards:
- Best of the Festival: The Golden Sheaf Award of excellence will be presented to the most outstanding production of the festival.
- The Founders’ Award: A $500 cash award and plaque in memory of the founding members of the Yorkton festival will be presented to an outstanding production exemplifying historical Canadian characters or events.
