About Festival CINERGIE
As the only francophone film festival and one of the few entirely bilingual events in Saskatchewan, Festival CINERGIE is a unique and important cultural attraction in Saskatoon. It is the perfect occasion to explore the world of local, Canadian francophone cinema and all its international success. All chosen films are shown with English subtitles in order to allow a wider audience to experience francophone cultures. We showcase a wide variety of genres, including dramas, comedies, thrillers, classics, new releases, art films, and films from emerging artists.
Festival CINERGIE started in 2006 and is now in its 18th edition, continuing to grow. Founded in 1982, the Fédération des Francophones de Saskatoon is a not-for-profit Francophone cultural organization that operates Festival CINERGIE. Many community, provincial, and national businesses and organizations support Festival CINERGIE each year, including the Government of Canada and Radio-Canada. To support us, see our Get Involved page.
Meet Our Team
Executive Director
Älva Jouband-Uusitalo
Älva ("elva") Jouband-Uusitalo (they/she/he) is the director of Festival CINERGIE since 2022, but was already involved in the festival's Selection Committee a few years earlier. They are also a drag artist, who holds a BSc in Microbiology and Immunology, as well as a Minor in Anthropology, and is of French, Swedish and Tornedalian/Finnish origin. Älva speaks French, English, and Swedish, and has been based in Saskatchewan since 2012. They have been involved in Saskatoon's Fransaskois and 2SLGBTQIA+ community for several years.
What makes up our Film Selection?
Recent francophone movies, both emerging and renowned festival nominees, from countries including: Canada (Saskatchewan, Quebec, Acadia/New Brunswick), France, Belgium, Algeria, Congo, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Morocco, and Senegal.
A variety of genres including comedies, romance, fiction, documentaries, children and youth, animated, dramas, fantastical, horror, thriller, historical, biopic, and suspense movies.