The Reel Pride Film Festival is an event organized by The Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society Inc., a non profit community organization established in 1985 with the aim of introducing lgbtq+TQ* films to audiences in Winnipeg. We proudly hold the title of being Canadas lgbtq+TQ* film festival. Since its inception our group has been driven by volunteers.
Over the years we have showcased a thousand films that may not have otherwise been screened in local cinemas. From 1985 to 1989 we organized film nights through mail outs to promote screenings. In 1987 our first film festival was held as a collaboration between the Society and Plug In Gallery under the name "Counterparts; International Festival of Gay and Lesbian Films." We continued organizing five Counterparts" festivals at intervals of about 18 months.
In 2000 we adopted the name "Reel Pride" to reflect our understanding that our community encompasses more than Lesbians and Gays. Since then Reel Pride has become an event taking place in the fall season starting from 2002. In 2004 we introduced the lgbtq+TQ* Short Film Competition as an addition, to our program. Our recent milestone was reaching the 25th film festival in 2019—an occasion marked by returning to Gas Station Arts Centre, which has been our home since 2010.