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Carrie Sweeney

Digital Showcase Highlights Saskatchewan Tech Innovation

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Jack Hilkewich, Executive Director of Saskatchewan Interactive Media Association, talks about their Digital Showcase event that happens twice a year, once in Saskatoon and once in Regina, with a goal of highlighting what’s happening in Saskatchewan’s interactive digital scene.

Here’s what he had to say:

 

“My name is Jack Hilkewich, I’m the Executive Director of Sask Interactive Media Association. So this event that we’re holding is our digital showcase, which is a venue for a lot of our membership to exhibit their projects that they’ve worked on, games that they’ve made, apps that they’ve developed. It’s a chance for them to network with people in the industry that come out to see the tech that’s going on and we hope it allows them to meet people that are like-minded and maybe form some partnerships in the future.

Creative Sask has been a major part of all our programs. They help fund every event that we put on and they also help us promote the event and they do so much for us. The economic impact is quite far-reaching, and I think we’re going to see a lot of successful stories coming out of Saskatchewan. And yeah, I’m excited for that.”

We’re proud to support SaskInteractive and the Digital Showcase! They provide essential resources, professional development, and advocacy for game developers in Saskatchewan. Game on! 🎮

We Were Broncos Debuts in Saskatchewan, Showcasing Ryan Straschnitzki’s Paralympic Dream

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Released on May 28, 2025

A man in a wheelchair on a basketball court.
Ryan Straschnitzki, star of the series We Were Broncos.

Prairie Cat Productions, in partnership with Creative Saskatchewan, proudly hosted the premiere screening of We Were Broncos today at The Artesian in Regina. The event welcomed special guests including Ryan Straschnitzki, the cast and crew, representatives from the Government of Saskatchewan, and members of the local community.

We Were Broncos is a compelling new documentary series that follows Ryan Straschnitzki—survivor of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash—as he pursues a new dream: competing in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games. After being cut from the national sledge hockey team, Ryan shifts his focus to a new sport, navigating the challenges of elite training while continuing to heal from past trauma.

“Ryan’s story is powerful, personal, and so full of hope,” said Alana Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport. “The world grieved with the players and their families. Now we celebrate the strength and resilience that is so clearly embedded in this young man’s character. Creative Saskatchewan exists to help tell the important stories of our province and our people, this story is a shining example of that.”

“This is the first documentary that truly explores Ryan’s life beyond the crash,” said Lucas Frison, Producer at Prairie Cat Productions. “It’s a story of resilience, ambition, and the strength of the human spirit. We’re honoured to have shared it with audiences today.”

The series, which will air on AMI, was filmed in Humboldt, Saskatoon, Regina, and Calgary. It not only highlights Ryan’s journey but also shines a spotlight on the wheelchair basketball community in Western Canada.

Creative Saskatchewan invested $160,425 in the production, which has already generated an estimated $609,000 in positive economic impact for the province. The production also leveraged over $450,000 in out-of-province investment into Saskatchewan.

“We Were Broncos is a shining example of how Saskatchewan’s creative industries can drive economic growth while telling powerful, globally relevant stories,” said Erin Dean, CEO of Creative Saskatchewan. “Ryan’s journey exemplifies our community’s resilience, and we’re proud to support a project that brings Saskatchewan’s spirit to the world.”

The premiere event marked a celebration of local storytelling, community strength, and the growing impact of Saskatchewan’s film and television sector.

About Prairie Cat Productions

Prairie Cat Productions is a Canadian Screen Award-nominated production company based in Regina, Saskatchewan. Our projects vary greatly in genre and scope, ranging from scripted films to documentaries and promotional videos. We love to focus on telling stories that celebrate life on the Canadian prairies and have worked with Telefilm Canada, CBC, the Accessibility Network, SK Arts, Canada Council for the Arts, SGI, the Regina Police Service, and more.

About Creative Saskatchewan

Creative Saskatchewan is the economic development agency for Saskatchewan’s creative industries and the official film commission for the province. The agency’s investments propel creative entrepreneurs as they create, perform, innovate, and export in their pursuit of commercial success.

For more information please contact:

 

Lucas Frison, Producer, Prairie Cat Productions

O: 306-580-3411 | lucas@prairiecatproductions.com

 

Megan Folden, Director of Marketing and Communications, Creative Saskatchewan

O: (306) 798-2191 | C: (306) 529-7377 | megan.folden@creativesask.ca | creativesask.ca

ScreenSask: Fresh Identity, Established Legacy

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Creative Saskatchewan funds seven industry associations, helping them achieve their mandates to support Saskatchewan’s creative small businesses and creative producers, and helping build extraordinary businesses. We have been providing core operating funds in addition to programming dollars for ScreenSask since 2013.

Established in 1986, ScreenSask, formerly known as Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association (SMPIA), recently underwent a rebrand. ScreenSask is an association of filmmakers, crew, producers, suppliers and stakeholders who work in Saskatchewan’s film industry.

“ScreenSask exists to create community, build capacity and help grow businesses and jobs in Saskatchewan’s film industry.” says Robert Hardy, Executive Director at ScreenSask, “We’re thrilled to partner with Creative Saskatchewan in so many ways, on so many levels, to do that. We encourage anyone who wants to help us to join ScreenSask, and be part of the team.”

ScreenSask aims to facilitate interaction between people working in the film industry, and to help to create an environment that provides opportunities for the promotion and appreciation of media production in Saskatchewan.

A room full of people visiting.
ScreenSask’s Mixer Event

Membership with ScreenSask comes in a variety of options, each providing unique benefits tailored to different needs. Members gain a voice in the organization through participation in committees and annual general meetings. They receive access to industry publications, discounted rates on workshops, conferences, insurance, and eligibility for training programs and funding opportunities. Additionally, members can share their news through ScreenSask’s media channels and have their profiles featured in the online industry directory.

Other services offered by ScreenSask include professional development and training, discussion forums, and decision-making and advocating for changes in public policy in the interests of the film and television production industry.

Creative Saskatchewan proudly sponsors many of ScreenSask’s programs, including their recent Meet the Buyer and Producer Series of webinars, which provide invaluable inside information on navigating the industry.

When it comes to funding productions—that’s where we come in! Creative Saskatchewan’s role is to help clients navigate the grant application process from start to finish, review applications for eligibility, ensure applications are vetted by industry professionals, and invest in projects with economic potential. Creative Saskatchewan offers several grants related to Film & TV:

The Feature Film & Television Production Grant provides financial support to eligible applicants for feature film and television productions that have secured a relevant market trigger or distribution agreement of fair market value.

The Film and Television Development Grant assists qualified Saskatchewan production companies with undertaking the development of eligible projects and bringing productions to fruition. This program has three streams, the First Draft Stream,the Final Draft Stream, and the Slate Development Stream.

The Filmmaker’s Grant supports emerging Saskatchewan filmmakers with mentorship and production funds to produce content under 10 minutes intended to build the filmmakers’ professional portfolio.

The Showcase or Sell Travel Grant helps cover the costs of travel expenses to specific market opportunities.

Filmmakers are also eligible to apply for our Marketing Grant.

As the official film commission for the province, Creative Saskatchewan also offers a wide range of services to producers considering a partnership with Saskatchewan:

  • Locations gallery and Saskatchewan Look Book
  • John Hopkins Regina Soundstage and production offices
  • Production Directory
  • Film permitting information
  • Locations scouting services
  • And more!

Creative Saskatchewan is proud to contribute to the screen industry in Saskatchewan by supporting ScreenSask in their efforts to build a favourable economic and creative climate, cultivate a positive image of the industry, and represent all personnel from beginners to veteran professionals. ScreenSask’s unwavering support for the film industry in Saskatchewan is instrumental in building a thriving and sustainable creative sector.

To learn more about ScreenSask, visit their website https://smpia.sk.ca/

Follow ScreenSask on socials:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

X

SaskMusic: Amplifying Saskatchewan’s Sound

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Creative Saskatchewan funds seven industry associations, helping them achieve their mandates to support Saskatchewan’s creative small businesses and creative producers. Since 2013, SaskMusic has been a part of our funding envelope for their operations and programs.

SaskMusic, established in 1987, is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting and developing Saskatchewan’s commercial music industry.

“Creative Saskatchewan’s support enables us to raise the profile of the Saskatchewan music industry, both at home and abroad,” notes Executive Director Lorena Kelly. “Educating and informing the independent artists and other entrepreneurs in our province’s music scene is a key function of what we do, in addition to boosting our industry through programs like export missions and awards. We support the music scene from creation, on up to exporting, resulting in a substantial boost to the province’s economy.”

SaskMusic Staff at the 2025 Saskatchewan Music Awards
SaskMusic Staff at the 2025 Saskatchewan Music Awards

SaskMusic provides a range of services, including artist listings, career consultations, workshops, marketing and export assistance, and networking opportunities. SaskMusic serves as a key resource for both the public and the music industry, offering valuable information and support for anyone interested in the local music scene.

The association hosts a wide range of programs and events, many of which we proudly sponsor including the Saskatchewan Music Awards. SaskMusic organizes this ceremony to honour excellence and celebrate the achievements of artists and industry professionals working in the Saskatchewan music industry, with nominees being recognized in 21 different categories.

Membership with SaskMusic is open to anyone involved in the Saskatchewan music industry, including musicians, recording engineers, graphic designers, songwriters, sound techs, music teachers, and more. Members enjoy numerous benefits, including up to 10 mentor consultations per year, free or discounted workshops, and assistance with funding applications. They receive access to industry news, opportunities, and events through newsletters and bulletins. Members also benefit from enhanced promotional opportunities, such as website listings and press release submissions, and support for export-ready artists with research and logistical assistance. These benefits collectively aim to support and promote Saskatchewan’s music industry professionals.

To assist our Film Commission, SaskMusic provides valuable resources to production companies, including connections to Saskatchewan artists and original music, information on local scorers and composers, and curated music lists for specific briefs or scenes. They also distribute calls-for-submissions to the music community and offer consultation services on synch licensing. Many of these services are provided at no cost to the production companies.

When it comes to funding musicians, Creative Saskatchewan has that covered!

The Sound Recording grant has two funding streams that support the production of commercially viable sound recordings for commercial release: Single or Extended Play (EP) and Full Length (LP).

The Tour Support grant supports commercially viable touring opportunities for eligible Saskatchewan musicians touring in Canada and abroad.

Musicians may also be eligible to apply for our Marketing grant and Showcase or Sell Travel grant.

Representing artists and music professionals from various genres across the province, SaskMusic serves as a vital resource for both the public and the music industry, striving to be the voice of Saskatchewan music.

Learn more on their website: https://www.saskmusic.org/

Follow SaskMusic on socials:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Val Moker Makes An Impact At Calgray Art Market

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Val Moker received the Showcase or Sell Travel Grant to attend the Art Market in Calgary, a high-end, family-run art market. The funding helped her with travel, meals and accommodations.

Val was thrilled to be asked to attend the market again, and was even offered a bigger booth, “If I hadn’t gone to the show with the help of Creative Saskatchewan, I wouldn’t be where I’m going to be this year with Art Market.”

Congratulations on a successful show, Val!

Val sits on a chair in a gallery booth, her artwork surrounds her on the walls.

Are you ready to take your creative business to the next level?

Our programs are launching again in April – sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know: https://www.creativesask.ca/spotlight/

 

Paintings, the first is of two women a black woman stares solemly up to the sky, a white woman with grey hair stands behind her with a hand on her shoulder. The painting beside it shows a white woman waist deep in a pond, she wears a lilac dress and holds her hair up. A long, horizontal painting below them is a white woman with short black hair sitting on bench in front of a mosaic tiled wall.Various paintings from left to right: a white, brunette woman in a white dress, a white woman with red hair surounded by a flower bush, a woman with dark hair in a red dress. The painting below is of an elderly Asian man in a white cap. Val's paintings. The one on the left is of an East Indian women sitting on the ground, selling food at a market the one on the right shows two cowboys, a father and son, on the farm.

Sleepy Dragon Games Does Game Con Canada

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Colin Witow of Sleepy Dragon Games successfully applied for our Showcase or Sell Travel grant, which provides support to individuals and businesses to attend markets, industry showcases and pitch events. The funding from this grant allowed Colin to attend Game Con Canada 2024. 

Here’s what he had to say about it:

“As the premiere gaming event in Western Canada, attending this convention was a huge opportunity to show off what I was working on and when it would be available. I was able to afford travel and accommodations, which would have been a little tight for me given that I’m a relatively new studio and haven’t had the opportunity to make much revenue yet. Thanks again to Creative Saskatchewan. Hopefully I can do it again next year!”

Thanks for the shoutout, Colin! We’re so glad you were able to pitch your upcoming projects! You can check out a few of Colin’s games on his website: https://www.sleepydragongames.com/home 

Are you ready to take your creative business to the next level?

Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know about our programs: https://www.creativesask.ca/spotlight/ 

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