A thriving film community is emerging in the Pembina Valley, and at its heart is the Pembina Valley Film Makers Forum. What started as a small group of aspiring filmmakers scouting locations for short films has evolved into a collective of diverse talents—including seasoned professionals, theater actors, and enthusiastic newcomers—all working together to create cinematic art.
A filmmaking revival
Santi Laurrari, a filmmaker and producer who has been living in southern Manitoba for six years, is a driving force behind the initiative. Reflecting on his journey, Laurrari admitted that he never expected to find a film community in the region.
“Absolutely not,” Laurrari said. “When I told people what I did back home, they were like, ‘What are you doing here?’ Enough people asked me that question, and I started to wonder myself. So, I put the word out on Facebook, asking if there were any fellow filmmakers in the area.”
The response was greater than he anticipated. What started as a forum to share resources and ideas quickly transformed into a full-fledged filmmaking group. Now on their fifth short film, the team has drawn in a wide range of participants, from teenagers to seasoned professionals.
“We had kids as young as 14 joining us, and guys in their 50s,” Laurrari says. “All walks of life. All eager to learn, hold a camera, arrange the lights, build sets. It reminded me why I love this industry.”
From short films to international recognition
Laurrari, who has experience running his own studio and producing full-length feature films, embraced the grassroots filmmaking process when launching the forum.
“We had a Tim Hortons budget,” he jokes. “Basically, we ran on coffee and love.”
Despite the modest start, their first short film exceeded expectations.
“The guys said, ‘Maybe we should enter this in film festivals.’ I wasn’t sure it was ready,” Laurrari recalls. “But the darn thing won 50 awards.”
This success validated the talent within the Pembina Valley community and set the stage for even more ambitious projects.
From dead body #19 to director’s chair
Laurrari’s journey in film began in an unexpected way. Though his parents were involved in theater, he started as a casting assistant before being unexpectedly cast as a background actor in Oliver Stone’s Platoon.
“The director walked up to me and said, ‘Why are you not in uniform?’” Laurrari recounts. “Next thing I knew, I was lying in the dirt as dead body #19.”
This experience sparked his deeper interest in film, leading him to a career behind the camera.
A feature film in the making
As the Pembina Valley Film Makers Forum continues to grow, Laurrari has his sights set on something even bigger: a full-length feature film.
“My goal is to rebuild my studio,” Laurrari says. “We’re launching Pembina Valley Films, and we start filming our first full-length feature in April.”
The film, titled The Loss, has already gained recognition in film festivals, winning multiple awards. The group will soon begin casting, and Laurrari is eager to involve local talent.
“We’ll post casting calls on Facebook, just like we have for our short films,” he says. “We’ve built a strong network, and now we know where to find the right actors for the right roles.”
Get involved
For those interested in joining the filmmaking community, Laurrari encourages people to connect through the Pembina Valley Film Makers Forum Facebook group.
“Anyone can do this,” he emphasizes. “All you need is passion and a willingness to learn. We welcome everyone who wants to be part of the magic of film.”
With momentum building and an ambitious feature film on the horizon, the Pembina Valley Film Makers Forum is proving that even in small-town Manitoba, big-screen dreams can come true.
With files from Ty Hildebrand