I attended this film festival last week and really enjoyed the event. I still remember the day when John Thimothy came into my office and shared his idea of overseeing an International Film Festival here in our Province. At the time he envisioned calling it RIFF, but soon realized that name would not suffice as there is another Film Festival with that name. So RIFFA it became. I was excited when John shared his vision with me and immediately agreed to come on board as Vice President.
John brought on the amazing Nesita Watsemwa and was gracious in trusting my judgement in bringing on the other people who made Riffa possible. Beginning first and foremost with Jolene Kriska who pretty much carried Riffa on her back. All the other selfless lovelies who were on board were Linda Jean Karst (Marketing and promotion), Kyle Leitch (Film entry gatekeeper), Amy Qu (Stage Manager), Glenn LaPointe (Social Media), Elise Beaudry-Ferland (Fundraiser and event Coordinator), Wilf Dieter (Graphic Arts Designer), Rob Hoskins, Michael Lai, Evan Ferraton and Brenda Milligan-Davis (all critical volunteers who filled multiple roles).
Pulling the first year together was quite the task, and I thought I would have been the VP for years to come, but I was foolish to think I could undertake such a huge role being a full time mom running her own business…so alas, I had to step down after that first year, as manning RIFFA was like having 2 full time jobs! LOL. But John pushed on and RIFFA still stands MUCH to my delight! Keep on keeping on John and board. You’re killing it!