Mandate

To present independent and alternative media art works to Yukon audiences and to support the production and distribution of works by Yukon media artists.

Become A Member

Click here to download the YFS Membership Application Form (PDF).

Production Membership – $30

• Access to production & post-production equipment
• Mentorship on production and project development
• Option to join the YFS Production listserv
• Discount on YFS film screenings, including the Available Light Film Festival
• Discount on tickets for Qwanlin Cinema’s Spring & Fall Art Film Series
• Member discount on YFS Media Arts Workshops
• Valid annually to March 31

Exhibition Membership – $5

• Option to join the YFS Exhibition listserv
• Discount on YFS film screenings, including the Available Light Film Festival
• Discount on tickets for Qwanlin Cinema’s Spring & Fall Art Film Series
• Access to YFS Media Arts Workshops
• Valid annually to March 31

History

YFS was established in 1984 to promote the appreciation and exhibition of films with artistic, social, and political importance. It developed the Available Light Film Festival, the mandate of which is to present long form documentaries and dramas that focus on northern and Canadian themes. The festival always includes Canadian film guests in public panels and workshops. YFS established a seasonal tour of Yukon-made media art, the Picturing The Yukon series where local works are shown across the Yukon and beyond at media co-ops and independent venues. In 2008, this series spun into a curated DVD project, where 9 shorts were distributed as an insert in Geist Magazine stretching our reach to a broad cross-section of Canadians. A third exhibition series is Firehall Films, which features monthly independent, repertory, classic, and experimental films in the historic Old Firehall venue in Whitehorse.

A second mandate emerged in 1998, whereby YFS promotes and facilitates film and media art creation as a personal, cultural, and artistic practice. YFS runs annual production workshops to develop the skills of Yukon media artists. These typically include introductory workshops on directing, camera operation, and editing and specialty subjects like marketing or animation. Workshops are presented by local film-makers and by guests from other parts of Canada and the USA.

YFS works with many community partners and a number of organizations to co-present important works, to bring guest artists and film-makers to the Yukon, develop and execute training mentorships and to foster interest, discussion, promotion, and creativity for Yukon film and media artists.

Board of Directors

President

Mitch Miyagawa

Vice President

Michael Vernon

Treasurer

David Haddock

Secretary

Paula Pawlovich

Directors

Darcie Profeit
Chris Ross
Lulu Keating
Matthew Ooms

Staff

General Manager

Ross Burnet

Programmer/Technical Director

Andrew Connors