Winnipeg Real To Reel Film Festival
About
A values-based film festival held every February in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Now in its 17th year, WR2R screens cool, clean, and compelling films: features, documentaries, shorts, and screenplays that challenge and inspire audiences toward positive values and a greater understanding of the human journey.
Submit
Submission Page
Type
Film Festival
Time of Year
February
Qualifies For
None Listed
Template
Browse All
About Winnipeg Real to Reel
The Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival (WR2R) is a values-based festival founded by Paul Boge, now in its 17th year. The mission: screen cool, clean, and compelling films that encourage audiences toward positive values and a greater understanding of the human journey. Over 16 years, the festival has welcomed more than 58,000 attendees, and the 2026 edition drew 3,750 people across 49 films.
WR2R takes place every February at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A $10 pass covers 45-plus films across features, documentaries, shorts, and family programming. Filmmakers have traveled from Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, England, and across Manitoba to screen here. Notable guests have included Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager) and Kim Rhodes (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody).
What We Screen
WR2R screens films that are entertaining, original, insightful, uplifting, and encouraging. The festival does not screen films containing nudity, sexual acts, profanity, or gratuitous violence. Genres include drama, action/adventure, comedy, sci-fi, family, children’s, and documentary.
Recent Official Selections have included:
- Soul on Fire, Peace River, A Champion Heart
- Sound of Freedom, Human Trafficking: Canada’s Secret Shame
- Where the Cottonwoods Grow (documentary), Otto’s Obsession (local Manitoba filmmaker)
- Restoration: A Refugee’s Story, The Unbreakable Boy
After each screening, filmmakers or subject-matter experts join audiences for an open Q&A. "We have discussions at the end of each film. We have filmmakers or people who know about the topic who come and share," says festival founder Paul Boge.
Submission Categories
- Narrative Feature Film (up to 180 minutes)
- Documentary Feature Film (up to 180 minutes)
- Narrative Short Film (under 50 minutes)
- Documentary Short Film (under 50 minutes)
- Feature Screenplay
- Short Screenplay
- Stage Play
Electronic submissions only via FilmFreeway. All non-English films must be subtitled or dubbed in English. The festival reserves the right to merge entries into other categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival take place?
WR2R runs every February in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 2027 festival is scheduled for February 16-21. It is held at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, 1315 Gateway Road, Winnipeg, MB R2G 1G5.
What types of films does WR2R screen?
The festival screens feature films, documentaries, short films, and family films across genres including drama, comedy, action/adventure, sci-fi, and documentary. It also accepts screenplay and stage play submissions. All content must meet WR2R’s values guidelines: no nudity, profanity, or gratuitous violence.
How do I submit a film to Winnipeg Real to Reel?
Submissions are accepted electronically through FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/WinnipegRealToReelFilmFestival. Physical copies are not accepted. The individual submitting must have legal authority to do so. Review submission fees and deadlines on the festival’s official website before submitting.
What are the submission fees?
Fees are listed in CAD. Short film, feature film, and documentary categories each have early ($25), regular ($40), and late ($55) deadlines. Screenplay submissions are priced separately. Check FilmFreeway for current deadlines.
What awards does WR2R give out?
The festival presents a Best Picture award ($500), Audience Winner and Audience Choice Award ($250 each) in each film category, plus Silver and Bronze awards. Screenplay judges award $200 for Feature Screenplay and $100 for Short Screenplay. Past winners have gone on to secure distribution deals and production deals for their scripts.
Is the Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival family-friendly?
Yes. WR2R is specifically designed to be a safe, family-friendly environment. The festival does not screen films containing nudity, sexual acts, profanity, or gratuitous violence. There are dedicated family and children’s categories each year.
Submit Your Film
Ready to submit to the Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival? Submit via FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/WinnipegRealToReelFilmFestival. For general inquiries, visit https://www.winnipegfilmfestival.com.
Awards and Prizes
Film and documentary awards are voted on by audiences; screenplay awards are judged by a panel. WR2R reserves the right to award partial or no prizes in any category at its discretion.
- Best Picture: $500
- Audience Winner (per category): $250
- Audience Choice Award: $250
- Silver Award (per category)
- Bronze Award (per category)
- Official Selection
- Feature Screenplay Winner: $200
- Short Screenplay Winner: $100
Festival Team
Paul Boge, Festival Founder and Coordinator. Paul created WR2R out of a love for film and a desire to build a space where audiences could find stories that inspire without compromise. He curates each year’s program and hosts post-screening discussions.
Nanette Schmidt, Festival Coordinator. Nanette helps build the community experience that defines WR2R. "The community that we’ve built over the years, and the new faces that we’re meeting, it’s just a wonderful place to be."
Track your festival submissions
Use Saturation to budget your festival run — submission fees, travel, and marketing costs in one place.
