The Atlantic International Film Festival is a major international film festival held annually in Halifax,
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland".
Most of the population are native Eng ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
since 1980. AIFF is the largest Canadian film festival east of Montreal, regularly premiering the region's top films of the year, while bringing the best films of the fall festival circuit to
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada, also called the Atlantic provinces (french: provinces de l'Atlantique), is the region of Eastern Canada comprising the provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec. The four provinces are New Brunswick, Newfoundlan ...
.
In 2017, the festival rebranded itself as the FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, with the FIN blending a dual reference to a fish's
fin
A fin is a thin component or appendage attached to a larger body or structure. Fins typically function as foils that produce lift or thrust, or provide the ability to steer or stabilize motion while traveling in water, air, or other fluids. Fin ...
s due to Halifax's connection to the ocean fisheries, and the conclusion of a film. In 2023, the festival dropped the "FIN", and returned to its previous branding as the Atlantic International Film Festival.
Events
AIFF holds multiple events throughout the year. The Atlantic International Film Festival is an 8-day event, screening films from Canada and around the world, and showcasing Atlantic Canadian films and artists. During the first three days of the Festival, AIFF simultaneously runs AIFF Partners, an international co-production and co-financing market focusing on narrative feature film and series, which brings together producers and industry decision-makers from Canada and around the world. In the spring, AIFF holds AIFF Kids (formerly ''Viewfinders: Atlantic Film Festival for Youth''), a touring event designed to engage, entertain, and educate young people. AIFF Outdoor (formerly ''Outdoor Film Experience'') is AIFF's outdoor summer film series held in various locations across the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Although the festival screens films from across Canada and internationally, its principal awards program is reserved specifically for films from the Atlantic Canada region.
Attendance
The 2005 festival experienced a 24 per cent attendance increase from the previous year with 29,400 in overall attendance, including 28 sold-out screenings and events. In 2007 attendance was up 18 per cent over 2006, with a record-setting 33,500 people taking part in the 27th annual event.
Wilby Wonderful
''Wilby Wonderful'' is a 2004 comedy-drama film directed by Daniel MacIvor, and starring James Allodi, Maury Chaykin, Paul Gross, Rebecca Jenkins, Sandra Oh, Elliot Page, Callum Keith Rennie, and Daniel MacIvor. ''Wilby Wonderful'' tells the story ...
3 Needles
''3 Needles'' is a 2005 Canadian drama film directed by Thom Fitzgerald. The title refers to the three main characters who make a deal with the Devil in order to survive a global epidemic. The plot deals with interwoven stories of persons around ...
Shake Hands With The Devil ''Shake Hands with the Devil'' may refer to:
* ''Shake Hands with the Devil'' (1959 film), American drama set in 1921 Ireland
* ''Shake Hands with the Devil'' (album), Kris Kristofferson 1979 release on Monument Records
* ''Shake Hands with the ...
'' and ''
The Bodybuilder and I
''The Bodybuilder and I'' is a 2007 feature-length documentary film written and directed by Bryan Friedman, taking viewers on a journey into the subculture of geriatric bodybuilding as the filmmaker tries to reconnect with his father. The film is ...
'' was named best Canadian documentary.
2008
'' Down to the Dirt'' won Best Atlantic Feature and Jason Eisener received the award for Best Editing for his short film ''
Treevenge
''Treevenge'' is a 2008 List of Christmas films, Christmas Horror film, horror short film written and directed by Jason Eisener, and produced by Yer Dead Productions. Shooting started in November 2007, and ended in February 2008. Post-production w ...
Trigger
Trigger may refer to:
Notable animals and people
;Mononym
* Trigger (horse), owned by cowboy star Roy Rogers
;Nickname
* Trigger Alpert (1916–2013), American jazz bassist
* "Trigger Mike" Coppola (1900–1966), American gangster
;Surname
* Bru ...
''Charlie Zone'' won Best Atlantic Feature and Best Director (Michael Melski) and Thom Fitzgerald's ''
Cloudburst
A cloudburst is an extreme amount of precipitation in a short period of time, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder, which is capable of creating flood conditions. Cloudbursts can quickly dump large amounts of water, e.g. 25 mm of prec ...
'' won the People's Choice Audience Award. A number of high-profile actors, including Brenda Fricker, Billy Boyd,
Adam Sinclair
Adam Antony Sinclair (born 29 February 1984) is an Indian field hockey player and athlete from Tamil Nadu. Among other leading sporting events he was a member of the Indian field hockey team at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and at the 20 ...
Cory Bowles
Cory Bowles (born August 27, 1973) is a Canadian actor, director and choreographer. He is best known for his portrayal of Cory in the series ''Trailer Park Boys''.
Life and career
Bowles was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in Truro, Nova Sc ...
and
Christian Sparkes
Christian Sparkes is a Canadians, Canadian film director and screenwriter from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. He is most noted for his film ''Cast No Shadow (film), Cast No Shadow'', which was a Cana ...
.
2012
'' Blackbird'' was awarded Best Atlantic Feature and Best Director (
Jason Buxton
Jason Buxton is a Canadian film director and screenwriter. He wrote and directed three short films, ''A Fresh Start'', ''The Garden'' and ''The Drawing'', before debuting his first full-length feature film, '' Blackbird'', in 2012.Roaming
Roaming is a wireless telecommunication term typically used with mobile devices, such as mobile phones. It refers to a mobile phone being used outside the range of its native network and connecting to another available cell network.
Technical ...
'', the first film produced through Telefilm Canada's First Feature Program, '' The Disappeared'', and
Paul-Émile d'Entremont
Paul Émile d'Entremont is a Canadian documentary filmmaker, best known for his 2012 film about LGBT refugees, '' Last Chance''.Last Chance''.
2013
''There Are Monsters'' was awarded Best Atlantic Feature and Best Director (Jay Dahl).
2014
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: '' Cast No Shadow''Andrea Nemetz, "Newfoundland film casts big shadow at festival". ''
Halifax Chronicle-Herald
''The Chronicle Herald'' is a broadsheet newspaper published in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada owned by SaltWire Network of Halifax.
The paper's newsroom staff were locked out of work from January 2016 until August 2017. ''Herald'' management cont ...
'', September 15, 2014.
*Best Atlantic Documentary: ''Bounty: Into the Hurricane'' — Edward Peill, Geoff D'Eon
*Best Atlantic Canadian Director:
Christian Sparkes
Christian Sparkes is a Canadians, Canadian film director and screenwriter from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. He is most noted for his film ''Cast No Shadow (film), Cast No Shadow'', which was a Cana ...
, '' Cast No Shadow''
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting:
Joel Thomas Hynes
Joel Thomas Hynes (born September 29, 1976) is a Canadian writer, actor and director known for his irreverent, oftentimes dark and uproarious characters and a raw, unflinching vision of modern underground Canada.
Career
His 2017 novel ''We'll A ...
, '' Cast No Shadow''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer: Scott McClellan, '' Cast No Shadow''
*Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress: Mary-Colin Chisholm, '' Cast No Shadow''
*David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor:
Percy Hynes White
Percy Hynes White (born October 8, 2001) is a Canadian actor. He is known for his roles in films such as '' Edge of Winter'' and ''A Christmas Horror Story'', for his role in the television series '' Between'', and for his starring role as And ...
, '' Cast No Shadow''
*Best Atlantic Canadian Short Film: ''Transfer'', Christopher Spencer-Lowe
*Best Atlantic Canadian Short Film, Honorable Mention: ''Ox'',
Ben Proudfoot
Ben Proudfoot (born October 29, 1990) is a Canadian filmmaker. He is most noted as director of ''The Queen of Basketball'', winner of the 2021 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject; as well as codirector with Kris Bowers of the short ...
*Best Atlantic Canadian Animation: ''Suo Tower'', Siloen Daley and Dylan Edwards
*Best Atlantic Canadian Score:
Tanya Davis
Tanya Davis is a Canadian singer-songwriter and poet, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her style is marked primarily by spoken word poetry set to music.
Background
Born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, she moved to Ottawa for a time after h ...
, ''Heartbeat''
*Best Atlantic Canadian Sound Design: Eric Leclerc, ''The Toll''
*First Feature Project: ''Your Money or Your Wife'', Brittany Amos and Iain MacLeod
*Telefilm Canada Script Pitch:
Seth A. Smith
Seth A Smith (born 1977) is a Canadian artist, filmmaker and musician from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is the frontman for Dog Day and director of feature films '' The Crescent'' and ''Lowlife''.
Film
After directing a number of shorts and music v ...
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: '' Across the Line'' — Director X"Atlantic Film Festival winners". ''
Halifax Chronicle-Herald
''The Chronicle Herald'' is a broadsheet newspaper published in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada owned by SaltWire Network of Halifax.
The paper's newsroom staff were locked out of work from January 2016 until August 2017. ''Herald'' management cont ...
'', September 21, 2015.
*Best Atlantic Documentary: ''Strange and Familiar: Architecture on Fogo Island'' — Katherine Knight, Marcia Connolly
*Best Atlantic Short Film: ''4 Quarters'' —
Ashley McKenzie
Ashley McKenzie (born 17 July 1989) is an English judoka competing at the men's 60 kg division. He was a member of the Great Britain Olympic Judo Team at London 2012 but was defeated in the second round by Hiroaki Hiraoka of Japan. He als ...
*Best Atlantic Short Documentary: ''The Weir: Fishing Fundy's Giant Tides'' — Jerry Lockett
*Best Atlantic Animation: ''Alien Love Story'' — Ron McDougall
*Best Atlantic Canadian Director:
Stephen Dunn
Stephen Elliot Dunn (June 24, 1939June 24, 2021) was an American poet and educator who authored twenty-one collections of poetry. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his 2001 collection, ''Different Hours,'' and received an Academy Award i ...
, '' Closet Monster''
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting:
Stephen Dunn
Stephen Elliot Dunn (June 24, 1939June 24, 2021) was an American poet and educator who authored twenty-one collections of poetry. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his 2001 collection, ''Different Hours,'' and received an Academy Award i ...
, '' Closet Monster''
*Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress:
Moonlight
Moonlight consists of mostly sunlight (with little earthlight) reflected from the parts of the Moon's surface where the Sun's light strikes.
Illumination
The intensity of moonlight varies greatly depending on the lunar phase, but even the ful ...
''
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: '' Maudie''
*Best Atlantic Documentary: ''Perfume War'' – Michael Melski
*Best Atlantic Short Documentary: ''My Life So Far'' – Alan Collins
*Best Atlantic Short Film: ''Hustle & Heart'' - Koumbie
*Best Atlantic Animation: ''Rubbed the Wrong Way'' – Struan Sutherland
*Best Atlantic Canadian Director:
Ashley McKenzie
Ashley McKenzie (born 17 July 1989) is an English judoka competing at the men's 60 kg division. He was a member of the Great Britain Olympic Judo Team at London 2012 but was defeated in the second round by Hiroaki Hiraoka of Japan. He als ...
, ''
Werewolf
In folklore, a werewolf (), or occasionally lycanthrope (; ; uk, Вовкулака, Vovkulaka), is an individual that can shapeshift into a wolf (or, especially in modern film, a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature), either purposely or ...
''
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting:
Sherry White
Sherry White is a Canadian film and television actress, writer and filmmaker, best known for her work as a producer and writer for the television series ''MVP'', ''Rookie Blue'' and ''Saving Hope''Maudie''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer: Craig Norris, ''Kokota: The Islet of Hope''
*Best Atlantic Editor: Brad Sayeau, ''We're From Here''
*Best Atlantic Original Score or Song: Hillsburn, ''Hillsburn: A Band Becomes''
*Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress: Bhreagh MacNeil, ''
Werewolf
In folklore, a werewolf (), or occasionally lycanthrope (; ; uk, Вовкулака, Vovkulaka), is an individual that can shapeshift into a wolf (or, especially in modern film, a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature), either purposely or ...
''
*David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor: Andrew Gillis, ''
Werewolf
In folklore, a werewolf (), or occasionally lycanthrope (; ; uk, Вовкулака, Vovkulaka), is an individual that can shapeshift into a wolf (or, especially in modern film, a therianthropic hybrid wolf-like creature), either purposely or ...
''
*Telefilm Canada Script Pitch: Mary Lewis, ''February''
2017
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: ''
Black Cop
''Black Cop'' is a Canadian drama film, which premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.Cory Bowles
Cory Bowles (born August 27, 1973) is a Canadian actor, director and choreographer. He is best known for his portrayal of Cory in the series ''Trailer Park Boys''.
Life and career
Bowles was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in Truro, Nova Sc ...
*Best Atlantic Documentary: ''In the Waves'' —
Jacquelyn Mills
Jacquelyn Mills is a Canadian documentary filmmaker. She is best known for her films '' In the Waves'' and ''Geographies of Solitude''.
Early life
Mills was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Career
In 2008, Mills' short film, ''For Wendy'', won 5 ...
*Best Atlantic Short Film: ''Thug'' — Daniel Boos, Simon Mutabazi, Emmanuel John
*Best Atlantic Short Documentary: ''Invading Giants'' — Melani Wood, Kevin A. Fraser
*Best Atlantic Animation: ''Him'' — Lorna Kirk
*Best Atlantic Canadian Director:
Cory Bowles
Cory Bowles (born August 27, 1973) is a Canadian actor, director and choreographer. He is best known for his portrayal of Cory in the series ''Trailer Park Boys''.
Life and career
Bowles was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in Truro, Nova Sc ...
, ''
Black Cop
''Black Cop'' is a Canadian drama film, which premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.The Crescent''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer:
Guy Godfree
Guy Godfree is a Canadian cinematographer. He is most noted for his work on the film '' Maudie'', for which he won the 2017 Canadian Society of Cinematographers award for feature film cinematography.
Originally from Pugwash, Nova Scotia, he is ...
Jacquelyn Mills
Jacquelyn Mills is a Canadian documentary filmmaker. She is best known for her films '' In the Waves'' and ''Geographies of Solitude''.
Early life
Mills was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Career
In 2008, Mills' short film, ''For Wendy'', won 5 ...
and Steve Wadden, ''In the Waves''
*Best Atlantic Original Score or Song:
Seth A. Smith
Seth A Smith (born 1977) is a Canadian artist, filmmaker and musician from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is the frontman for Dog Day and director of feature films '' The Crescent'' and ''Lowlife''.
Film
After directing a number of shorts and music v ...
, '' The Crescent''
*Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress: Danika Vandersteen, '' The Crescent''
*David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor: Simon Mutabazi, ''Thug''
*Telefilm Canada Script Pitch: Rebecca Babcock, ''Anew''
2018
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: ''
An Audience of Chairs
''An Audience of Chairs'' is a film directed by Deanne Foley and written by Rosemary House. It is adapted from the book by Joan Clark. It stars Carolina Bartczak as Maura, a beautiful woman suffering from mental illness. The film was theatrically ...
'' —
Deanne Foley
Deanne Catherine Foley is a Canadian director, writer and producer. She has directed both narrative and documentary films of feature and short length. Her films often centre around flawed female leads and are usually filmed in Atlantic Canada. S ...
Playback
Playback or Play Back may refer to:
Film
* ''Playback'' (1962 film), a British film in the ''Edgar Wallace Mysteries'' series
* ''Playback'', a 1996 film starring Shannon Whirry
* ''Playback'' (2012 film), an American horror film by Michael A. N ...
'', September 21, 2018.
*Best Atlantic Documentary: ''Shadow Men (Nos hommes dans l'ouest)'' — Renée Blanchar, Maryse Chapdelaine
*Best Atlantic Short Film: ''Duck Duck Goose'' —
Shelley Thompson
Shelley Thompson (born March 9, 1959) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her character Barbara Lahey on the hit mockumentary program ''Trailer Park Boys''.
Biography
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Shelley trained at RADA in London and w ...
*Best Atlantic Short Documentary: ''The Song and the Sorrow'' —
Millefiore Clarkes
Millefiore Clarkes (also called Mille Clarkes), is a Canadian filmmaker from Prince Edward Island. She has produced music videos, experimental shorts and documentary films, as well as commercials. She also owns and operates One Thousand Flowers P ...
Deanne Foley
Deanne Catherine Foley is a Canadian director, writer and producer. She has directed both narrative and documentary films of feature and short length. Her films often centre around flawed female leads and are usually filmed in Atlantic Canada. S ...
, ''
An Audience of Chairs
''An Audience of Chairs'' is a film directed by Deanne Foley and written by Rosemary House. It is adapted from the book by Joan Clark. It stars Carolina Bartczak as Maura, a beautiful woman suffering from mental illness. The film was theatrically ...
''
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting: Rosemary House, ''
An Audience of Chairs
''An Audience of Chairs'' is a film directed by Deanne Foley and written by Rosemary House. It is adapted from the book by Joan Clark. It stars Carolina Bartczak as Maura, a beautiful woman suffering from mental illness. The film was theatrically ...
''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer:
Philippe Lavalette Philippe Lavalette is a Canadian cinematographer, writer and documentary filmmaker from Quebec. He is most noted for his work on the 2012 film ''Inch'Allah'', for which he was a Canadian Screen Award nominee for Best Cinematography at the 1st Canad ...
, ''Shadow Men (Nos hommes dans l'ouest)''
*Best Atlantic Editing: Peter Giffen, Marie Wright and Meaghan Wright, ''The Social Shift''
*Best Atlantic Original Score or Song: Duane Andrews, ''
An Audience of Chairs
''An Audience of Chairs'' is a film directed by Deanne Foley and written by Rosemary House. It is adapted from the book by Joan Clark. It stars Carolina Bartczak as Maura, a beautiful woman suffering from mental illness. The film was theatrically ...
''
*Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress:
Shelley Thompson
Shelley Thompson (born March 9, 1959) is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her character Barbara Lahey on the hit mockumentary program ''Trailer Park Boys''.
Biography
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Shelley trained at RADA in London and w ...
, '' Splinters''
*David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor:
Taylor Olson
Taylor Olson is a Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia.Morgan Mullin"Trapped inside a Bone Cage" ''The Coast'', September 22, 2020. He is best known as the director, writer and lead actor of the 2020 film ''Bone Cage' ...
, ''Hopeless Romantic''
*Telefilm Canada Script Pitch: John Davie, ''The Lady Made of Light''
Playback
Playback or Play Back may refer to:
Film
* ''Playback'' (1962 film), a British film in the ''Edgar Wallace Mysteries'' series
* ''Playback'', a 1996 film starring Shannon Whirry
* ''Playback'' (2012 film), an American horror film by Michael A. N ...
'', September 23, 2019.
*Best Atlantic Documentary: '' Drag Kids'' - Megan Wennberg
*Best Atlantic Short Film: ''Little Grey Bubbles'' - Charles Wahl
*Best Atlantic Short Documentary: ''I Am Skylar'' - Rachel Bower
*Best Atlantic Canadian Director: Heather Young, '' Murmur''
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting: Heather Young, '' Murmur''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer: Jeff Wheaton, '' Murmur''
*Best Atlantic Editing: Andrew MacCormack, '' Gun Killers''
*Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress: Sophia Bell, ''Sunnyside''
*David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor:
Joel Thomas Hynes
Joel Thomas Hynes (born September 29, 1976) is a Canadian writer, actor and director known for his irreverent, oftentimes dark and uproarious characters and a raw, unflinching vision of modern underground Canada.
Career
His 2017 novel ''We'll A ...
, ''Body & Bones''
2020
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: ''
Bone Cage
''Bone Cage'' is a 2020 Canadian drama film written and directed by Taylor Olson. Adapted from play of the same name by Catherine Banks, the film stars Olson as Jamie, a forestry worker whose ethical conflicts about participating in clearcutting, ...
'' —
Taylor Olson
Taylor Olson is a Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia.Morgan Mullin"Trapped inside a Bone Cage" ''The Coast'', September 22, 2020. He is best known as the director, writer and lead actor of the 2020 film ''Bone Cage' ...
Taylor Olson
Taylor Olson is a Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia.Morgan Mullin"Trapped inside a Bone Cage" ''The Coast'', September 22, 2020. He is best known as the director, writer and lead actor of the 2020 film ''Bone Cage' ...
, ''
Bone Cage
''Bone Cage'' is a 2020 Canadian drama film written and directed by Taylor Olson. Adapted from play of the same name by Catherine Banks, the film stars Olson as Jamie, a forestry worker whose ethical conflicts about participating in clearcutting, ...
''
*Best Atlantic Documentary: ''Bread in the Bones'' — Darrell Varga
*Best Atlantic Short Documentary: ''Queen of Chaos'' — Kaila Bolton
*Best Atlantic Short Film:
Taylor Olson
Taylor Olson is a Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia.Morgan Mullin"Trapped inside a Bone Cage" ''The Coast'', September 22, 2020. He is best known as the director, writer and lead actor of the 2020 film ''Bone Cage' ...
, ''Inceldom, or Why Are the Angry Men Angry''
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting:
Taylor Olson
Taylor Olson is a Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia.Morgan Mullin"Trapped inside a Bone Cage" ''The Coast'', September 22, 2020. He is best known as the director, writer and lead actor of the 2020 film ''Bone Cage' ...
, ''
Bone Cage
''Bone Cage'' is a 2020 Canadian drama film written and directed by Taylor Olson. Adapted from play of the same name by Catherine Banks, the film stars Olson as Jamie, a forestry worker whose ethical conflicts about participating in clearcutting, ...
''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer: Kevin Fraser, ''
Bone Cage
''Bone Cage'' is a 2020 Canadian drama film written and directed by Taylor Olson. Adapted from play of the same name by Catherine Banks, the film stars Olson as Jamie, a forestry worker whose ethical conflicts about participating in clearcutting, ...
''
*RBC Script Development: ''It's the Fear That Keeps Me Awake'' — Scott Jones
2021
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: ''
Wildhood
''Wildhood'' is a 2021 Canadian coming-of-age romantic drama film, written, produced, and directed by Bretten Hannam.Steve Gow"Nova Scotia's film industry restarts with 'Wildhood'" ''Halifax Today'', August 25, 2020.
An expansion of Hannam's ear ...
'' —
Bretten Hannam
Bretten Hannam is a Canadian screenwriter and film director.Jordan Parker"Two-Spirit filmmaker puts queer representation first in films" ''Halifax Today'', June 12, 2018.
A Two-Spirit, non-binary Mi'kmaq person, Hannam was born and raised in Nova ...
Bretten Hannam
Bretten Hannam is a Canadian screenwriter and film director.Jordan Parker"Two-Spirit filmmaker puts queer representation first in films" ''Halifax Today'', June 12, 2018.
A Two-Spirit, non-binary Mi'kmaq person, Hannam was born and raised in Nova ...
, ''
Wildhood
''Wildhood'' is a 2021 Canadian coming-of-age romantic drama film, written, produced, and directed by Bretten Hannam.Steve Gow"Nova Scotia's film industry restarts with 'Wildhood'" ''Halifax Today'', August 25, 2020.
An expansion of Hannam's ear ...
''
*Joan Orenstein & David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance in Acting: Avery Winters-Anthony, ''
Wildhood
''Wildhood'' is a 2021 Canadian coming-of-age romantic drama film, written, produced, and directed by Bretten Hannam.Steve Gow"Nova Scotia's film industry restarts with 'Wildhood'" ''Halifax Today'', August 25, 2020.
An expansion of Hannam's ear ...
Nalujuk Night
''Nalujuk Night'' is a Canadian short documentary film, directed by Jennie Williams and released in 2021. The film documents the tradition of "Nalujuk Night" among Inuit of Nunatsiavut, an annual event in which Nalujuit—"startling figures that ...
'' — Jennie Williams
*Best Atlantic Short Film: ''Baduk'' — Induk Lee
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting:
Bretten Hannam
Bretten Hannam is a Canadian screenwriter and film director.Jordan Parker"Two-Spirit filmmaker puts queer representation first in films" ''Halifax Today'', June 12, 2018.
A Two-Spirit, non-binary Mi'kmaq person, Hannam was born and raised in Nova ...
, ''
Wildhood
''Wildhood'' is a 2021 Canadian coming-of-age romantic drama film, written, produced, and directed by Bretten Hannam.Steve Gow"Nova Scotia's film industry restarts with 'Wildhood'" ''Halifax Today'', August 25, 2020.
An expansion of Hannam's ear ...
''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer: Kevin A. Fraser, ''
Tin Can
A steel can, tin can, tin (especially in British English, Australian English, Canadian English and South African English),
steel packaging, or can is a container for the distribution or storage of goods, made of thin metal. Many cans re ...
''
*Best Atlantic Editor: Mathieu Bélanger and Jonathan Keijser, ''
Peace by Chocolate
Peace by Chocolate is a Syrian-Canadian chocolatier company, based in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. Prior to being forced to flee from Syria during the country's civil war in 2012, the company's CEO and Founder Tareq Hadhad’s father, Es ...
''
*Best Atlantic Original Score:
Seth A. Smith
Seth A Smith (born 1977) is a Canadian artist, filmmaker and musician from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is the frontman for Dog Day and director of feature films '' The Crescent'' and ''Lowlife''.
Film
After directing a number of shorts and music v ...
, ''
Tin Can
A steel can, tin can, tin (especially in British English, Australian English, Canadian English and South African English),
steel packaging, or can is a container for the distribution or storage of goods, made of thin metal. Many cans re ...
''
*RBC Script Development: Justin O’Hanley, ''The Secret of the Ridgemoor Resort''
2022
*Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Canadian Feature: ''
Queens of the Qing Dynasty
''Queens of the Qing Dynasty'' is a Canadian experimental drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Ashley McKenzie. It premiered on February 15, 2022, as a part of the Encounters program at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival, and ...
'' —
Ashley McKenzie
Ashley McKenzie (born 17 July 1989) is an English judoka competing at the men's 60 kg division. He was a member of the Great Britain Olympic Judo Team at London 2012 but was defeated in the second round by Hiroaki Hiraoka of Japan. He als ...
Ashley McKenzie
Ashley McKenzie (born 17 July 1989) is an English judoka competing at the men's 60 kg division. He was a member of the Great Britain Olympic Judo Team at London 2012 but was defeated in the second round by Hiroaki Hiraoka of Japan. He als ...
, ''
Queens of the Qing Dynasty
''Queens of the Qing Dynasty'' is a Canadian experimental drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Ashley McKenzie. It premiered on February 15, 2022, as a part of the Encounters program at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival, and ...
''
*Joan Orenstein & David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance in Acting: Andy Jones, ''Grown in Darkness'' and Sarah Walker, ''
Queens of the Qing Dynasty
''Queens of the Qing Dynasty'' is a Canadian experimental drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Ashley McKenzie. It premiered on February 15, 2022, as a part of the Encounters program at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival, and ...
''
*Best Atlantic Documentary: ''
Bernie Langille Wants to Know What Happened to Bernie Langille
''Bernie Langille Wants to Know What Happened to Bernie Langille'' is a Canadian documentary film, directed by Jackie Torrens and released in 2022.Courtney Small"Bernie Langille Wants to Know What Happened to Bernie Langille Review: A stranger tha ...
'' — Jackie Torrens
*Best Atlantic Short Documentary: ''Grandmothers'' —
Millefiore Clarkes
Millefiore Clarkes (also called Mille Clarkes), is a Canadian filmmaker from Prince Edward Island. She has produced music videos, experimental shorts and documentary films, as well as commercials. She also owns and operates One Thousand Flowers P ...
*Best Atlantic Short Film: ''Coin Slot'' — Scott Jones
*Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriting:
Taylor Olson
Taylor Olson is a Canadian actor, writer and filmmaker from Halifax, Nova Scotia.Morgan Mullin"Trapped inside a Bone Cage" ''The Coast'', September 22, 2020. He is best known as the director, writer and lead actor of the 2020 film ''Bone Cage' ...
and Koumbie, ''Bystanders''
*Best Atlantic Cinematographer: Jeff Wheaton, ''The Year Long Boulder''
*Best Atlantic Editor: Sarah Byrne, ''
Bernie Langille Wants to Know What Happened to Bernie Langille
''Bernie Langille Wants to Know What Happened to Bernie Langille'' is a Canadian documentary film, directed by Jackie Torrens and released in 2022.Courtney Small"Bernie Langille Wants to Know What Happened to Bernie Langille Review: A stranger tha ...
''
*Best Atlantic Original Score: Century Egg, ''Little Piece of Hair''
*RBC Script Development: Nikki Martin, ''The Space Between''
2023
AIFF Partners
AIFF Partners (formerly known as "Strategic Partners") is an annual international film co-production market, held in Halifax,
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland".
Most of the population are native Eng ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
. The event has been held annually since its inception in 1998, and is held simultaneously with the first three days of the Atlantic Film Festival. The 25th edition of the event will take place in September 2022.
Every year, the AIFF Partners organizers accept a robust and curated roster of delegates from around the world, in a bid to provide a 'one-stop shop' for film and TV producers and early-stage projects. Similar in format to International Film Festival Rotterdam's Cinemart, the European Film Market's co-production forum, and Independent Film Week's No Borders, AIFF Partners is Canada's premiere film and television co-production event. While the event attracts a strong core attendance from Canada, the US and the UK, it also focuses on an annual group of spotlight countries.
Spotlight countries
2020/2021:
Benelux
The Benelux Union ( nl, Benelux Unie; french: Union Benelux; lb, Benelux-Unioun), also known as simply Benelux, is a politico-economic union and formal international intergovernmental cooperation of three neighboring states in western Europe: B ...
,
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
,
the Republic of Ireland
Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island. A ...
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries (also known as the Nordics or ''Norden''; literal translation, lit. 'the North') are a geographical and cultural region in Northern Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic. It includes the sovereign states of Denmar ...
and the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
Latin America
Latin America or
* french: Amérique Latine, link=no
* ht, Amerik Latin, link=no
* pt, América Latina, link=no, name=a, sometimes referred to as LatAm is a large cultural region in the Americas where Romance languages — languages derived f ...
and the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
2013:
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
and
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
2012:
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
and the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
2011:
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
,
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
and
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
2009:
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
and
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
2008:
Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
,
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
and
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
2007:
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
2006:
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
,
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
and
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
2005:
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
2004:
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...