History

The Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society, Inc. was registered as a non-profit incorporation under Manitoba statutes on September 20, 1985. Between 1985 and 1989 the group organized monthly film series, bringing to Manitoba audiences gay and lesbian films otherwise not seen in Winnipeg. These were advertized to Winnipeg's Gay & Lesbian community by mailouts. The first film festival was produced in 1987 as a joint project of the Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society and Plug In, Inc. and named "Counterparts." All of the festivals that followed have been produced by the Society. Since 2000 the festivals have been known by the name "Reel Pride." 2005 marked the Society's twentieth year and twelfth festival.

Timeline

Counterparts: International Festival of Gay and Lesbian Films: 1987 Apr 25 - May 03
Counterparts II: 1988 Apr 22 - Apr 30
Counterparts III: Festival of Lesbian & Gay Films: 1989 Oct 17 - Oct 21
Counterparts IV: 1991 Apr 26 - May 03
Counterparts V: 1992 Oct 16 - Oct 23
Counterparts 6: 1994 Apr 29 - May 03
Reel Pride: 2000 Jun 12 - Jun 18
Reel Pride 2001: A Nuptual Odyssey: 2001 Jun 01 - Jun 09
Reel Pride 2002: Blurring The Lines: 2002 Sep 27 - Oct 03
Reel Pride X: 2003 Oct 31 - Nov 02
Reel Pride XI: 2004 Nov 24 - Nov 28
Reel Pride XII: 2005 Nov 15 - Nov 20
Reel Pride XIII: 2006 Nov 7- Nov 12
Reel Pride XIV: 2007 Oct 16- Oct 21
Reel Pride XV: 2008 Oct 14 - Oct 19

In addition to film series and festivals, the Society has from time to time organized a variety of individual film-related events. These have included an independent filmmakers workshop (March 1988), many single-film events (June 1990, May 1993, September 1993, November 1994, December 1994, May 1995, and May 2003), and its highly successful "Reel Pride At Pride" film nights in 2004 and 2005.

Reel Pride Film Festivals are a project of the Winnipeg Gay & Lesbian Film Society, Inc. a Manitoba non-profit corporation.

Board of Directors

Karla Barnett, Lisa Bukoski, Jen Cabral, Raymond Campeau, Carman Johnston, Zanna Joyce, Les Klassen, Len Loewen, Derek R.F. Pitre, David A. Wyatt