44th Atlantic International Film Festival

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Stephanie Beaumont

What follows is the official press release as issued by the team behind the 44th Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF).

(Halifax, NS) – The 44th Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is proud to announce the 2024 program, showcasing 97 feature and short films at Halifax’s Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane from Wednesday September 11 to Wednesday September 18. AIFF 2024 celebrates the accomplishments of a booming Atlantic Canadian film and television industry, and the program reflects the diverse stories coming out of Atlantic Canada, alongside award-winning cinema from around the world.

Program highlights include the Atlantic-made feature film SHARP CORNER, directed by Nova Scotia’s Jason Buxton and starring Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders; THE TRAGICALLY HIP: NO DRESS REHEARSAL, the four-part documentary directed by Mike Downie; the highly anticipated body-horror THE SUBSTANCE featuring a stand-out comeback from Demi Moore; and Cannes hit and Palme d’Or winner ANORA closing out the festival.

“With new and expanded partnerships with the Canadian Media Producers Association and Music Nova Scotia, and FREE public events, AIFF 2024 promises to be a vibrant event for both industry and audiences,” says Martha Cooley, AIFF Executive Director. “We are proud to celebrate the flourishing film and television industry in Atlantic Canada and offer audiences the buzz-worthy films from around that world that they are hungry for.”

This year, AIFF boasts an outstanding number of films directed and made by women, non-binary and BIPOC filmmakers with approximately 61% of the festivals’ films listed as directed and made by women-identifying and non-binary filmmakers. Of the 97 films showcased this year, an estimated 36% are BIPOC-made (self-claimed) with 30% of the program comprising Atlantic-made film.

The 2024 festival will present four Gala Presentations:

SHARP CORNER, directed by Nova Scotia’s Jason Buxton

The Opening Night Gala, taking place on Wednesday, September 11, 7 p.m., is the highly anticipated SHARP CORNER, directed by Jason Buxton and starring Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders. The Opening Night Gala Celebration will follow the screening at Pacifico, beginning at 9 p.m.

From St. John’s, Newfoundland writer and director Melanie Oates, this year’s Atlantic Gala is SWEET ANGEL BABY. The stirring drama centers on compelling performances by Michaela Kurimsky and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and solidifies Oates as a Canadian talent on the rise. The Atlantic Gala will take place on Saturday, September 14, 7 p.m.

The Reel East Coast Shorts Gala, taking place on Sunday, September 15, 7 p.m., will elevate festival alumni and exciting new talents to watch from the Atlantic region. The program boasts the World Premieres of the lyrical, AN IMPRESSION OF EVERYTHING by Millefiore Clarkes (PEI) and the charming animation, HAIRY LEGS by Andrea Dorfman (NS).

Spanning from Portugal to China, the World Cinema program highlights feature films from around the world, including brand new works from Canadian talents, cinema auteurs, and critically acclaimed international films making waves on the festival circuit. This program includes the World Premiere of Kevin Hartford’s (NS) sophomore feature comedy TO THE MOON, the award-winning animation FLOW, internationally acclaimed auteur Jia Zhangke’s CAUGHT BY THE TIDES, and the epic retelling of the Alexandre Dumas classic THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO.

This year’s Documentary program offers illuminating perspectives, personal reflections, and behind-the-scenes access to musical icons. The 2024 line-up will include the intimately story from Newfoundland-based filmmaker Tamara Segura, SEGURIDAD; a vivid spotlight on ground-breaking CNN camerawoman NEVER LOOK AWAY, directed by New Zealand actor Lucy Lawless; and a marathon four-part series deep dive into Canadian music legends in THE TRAGICALLY HIP: NO DRESS REHEARSAL, directed by Mike Downie and featuring never-before-seen performances.

DO I KNOW YOU FROM SOMEWHERE_ Directed by Arianna Martinez

Narrative New Waves spotlights debut features from around the world and has everything from coming-of-age drama to post-apocalyptic thriller. This stream includes New Brunswick’s surrealist drama/romance DO I KNOW YOU FROM SOMEWHERE? directed by Arianna Martinez, comedy thriller SEEDS written, directed, and starring Kaniehtiio Horn, World Premiere of hip-hop-infused BOXCUTTER directed by Canadian Reza Dahya, and international breakout and Cannes Competition Grand Prix winner ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT, directed by Payal Kapadia.

THE SUBSTANCE Directed by Coralie Fargeat

For the delight of genre fans, AIFF’s Late Night Visions program brings weird, wild, and boundary-pushing films to the big screen, including THE SUBSTANCE by writer-director Coralie Fargeat, who follows up her blood-soaked cult favorite REVENGE with this award-winning, jaw-droppingly grotesque body-horror, with a major comeback role from Demi Moore.

Celebrating seminal work, the Classics program will feature work by Taiwanese master Edward Yang, including the 30th anniversary 4K restoration of A CONFUCIAN CONFUSION (1994).

The In Focus program, created to honor the career of a filmmaker or icon, will highlight the work and impact of NS director and animator Andrea Dorfman, who’s film HEARTBEAT is celebrating its 10th anniversary. All Classics and In Focus screenings will be FREE for the public to enjoy.

The Short Programmes include a selection of films from Canada and around the world, celebrating a variety of genres and styles, including documentaries, animation, international award winners, and more. There are six programs, 45 short films, with 20 films representing Atlantic Canada. The selection includes new drama PAPER from Dartmouth-based filmmaker Charles Wahl, the international premiere of award-winning comedy TERMINALLY ILL by Chris Cole, animation MAYBE ELEPHANTS from Oscar winner Torill Kove, and sport documentary MOTORCYCLE MARY executive produced by Oscar winner Ben Proudfoot and seven-time Formula One World Champion, Lewis Hamilton.

Cannes Competition Palme d’Or winner ANORA, directed by trailblazing American director Sean Baker (Tangerine,The Florida Project) and starring Mikey Madison will close the festival as the Closing Night Gala on Wednesday September 18, 7 p.m.

Join us for events at AIFF 2024:

In addition to an incredible selection of films, AIFF is proud to offer a series of special events for 2024. Public industry events this year feature five events held at the Halifax Central Library, which are FREE and open to the public, as well as two ticketed events in cinema featuring special guests. Events of note include panel “Representation In Genre” with Katie Bignell (Festival Formula), Pasha Patriki (Hangar 18 Media), filmmaker Stephanie Joline and moderated by Sean Gallway; an “In Conversation” event with reporter Nicola Seguin and a very special guest to be announced soon; table read “Live! Scripts Out Loud!”- 90s Rom Com Edition, featuring comedy stars Katelyn McCulloch, Heidi Brander, Bob Mann, and Eugene Sampang; and “Artist to Artist” with filmmakers Andrea Dorfman and Pamela Gallant, led by Stephanie Joline. As well, info sessions “NFB, Work With Us!”, “CBC, Create With Us!” hosted by Natalie Dobbin, and panel “Creating Sustainable Productions in Atlantic Canada’s Screen Industries” presented by Screen Nova Scotia.

The 2nd annual AIFF Filmmaker Lab, in partnership with RBC Foundation, returns to support the careers and artistry of 10 new Atlantic Canadian emerging filmmakers representing Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and PEI, featuring exciting new work spanning all genres.

Following the screening of SHARP CORNER, the festival’s most anticipated gathering of the year, the AIFF Opening Night Gala Celebration, will be a suitably moody cinematic evening of food, beverage and musical offerings from Aquakultre at Pacifico in their historic building on George Street. Starting at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, the Opening Night Gala Celebration is not-to-miss.

On the second evening of the festival, AIFF announces a new partnership with the Canadian Media Producers Association to co-host their annual Indiescreen Awards. These national awards celebrate emerging and established Canadian producers and will be presented at a glitzy cocktail reception at the Lord Nelson Hotel, Thursday, September 12, at 5 p.m.

Festival Music House makes its grand return to the festival this year, thanks to the support of its presenting partner, Music Nova Scotia. This special concert will star: aRENYE, Loviet and Rich Aucoin, exclusively playing for our AIFF Partners Delegates, VIPs and Festival Pass Holders. The stars will be out and shining, as music and screen industries intersect at this special event.

The Atlantic Gala Party will take place on Saturday, September 14, at 9 p.m. in The Garden Halifax on Queen Street. A unique and sumptuously decorated space, this is sure to be a well-attended evening celebrating our Atlantic Canadian filmmakers.

Capping off the weekend of screenings and events, our AIFF & Linda Joy Awards Ceremony returns to FAB on Granville Street on NSCAD University’s Fountain campus, Sunday, September 15, at 4:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative, the awards are a laid-back daytime celebration of filmmaking in Atlantic Canada.

Partnered receptions with WIFT-AT, DOC Atlantic and AFCOOP are interspersed throughout the festival week, showcasing the festival’s loyal industry partners and their communities.

For those outside Halifax, select Atlantic Canadian features and shorts will be available to stream in Atlantic Canada via AIFF Online from September 18-22, giving online patrons an extra five days after the in-person festival is over to catch up on any films they may have missed. Tickets can be purchased for individual feature films, while the shorts can be accessed with the AIFF Online Shorts Pass.

Tickets and Passes:

This year, AIFF is excited to offer a new pass for film goers called The Weekender. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 13 until our last screening on Sunday night, September 15, this new pass type will give you access to all AIFF’s weekend programming, including panels and live events (with the exception of Gala screenings and AIFF Online).

This year the full Festival Pass gives passholders access to everything offered in person (excluding the Opening Night Gala Screening), and everything on AIFF Online.

Tickets for screenings and special events along with festival passes go on sale today, Wednesday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at: atlanticfilmfestival.ca.

The festival’s physical box office will be open in the upper lobby of Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane from September 9-10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and September 11-18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Continuing our support of the local industry, AIFF is pleased to once again offer a discount to film industry professionals through ACTRA, IATSE 667, IATSE 849, DGC Maritimes, Screen Nova Scotia, Film PEI, NIFCO, NB Film Coop and AFCOOP.

AIFF Partner Spotlight on Aetoera and New Zealand returns:

The 27th year of AIFF film & television market AIFF Partners returns with year two of Spotlight on Aeotera and New Zealand. 130 international, national and regional delegates will attend the CMPA Indiescreen Awards, three Project Showcases including the CMF-backed “Indigenous Voices” moderated by APTN’s Danelle Granger and ISO’s Kerr Sugiyama, as well as “What’s Happening in Nova Scotia?” a look at some top Nova Scotia produced projects. As well, a Case Study on global sustainability efforts, a Case Study on Sook Yin Lee’s new film: Paying For It, and a special Producer Spotlight on Executive Producer, Actor, and Writer: Meredith MacNeill. Delegates will partake in the usual roundtables, 1-2-1 meetings, and close out this year’s conference with lobster & a sunset sail on the Tall Ship Silva.

Partners welcomes back delegates from spotlight region, New Zealand for its second year of a two-year theme. Producers will be attending with more than 70 creative and commercial projects in development, spanning all genres, with the goal of moving their projects to the next level. For more information, visit: aiffpartners.ca

WATCH all the fun we’ve have at the ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL over the years – Click HERE!

About AIFF
The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is an eight-day celebration of cinema from all over the world featuring screenings of close to 100 films, Q&As, receptions, panels and industry events. The festival celebrates new and established filmmaking voices from Atlantic Canada and around the globe, helping audiences discover new artists, uncover new perspectives and better understand the world through the medium of cinema. Founded as a small grassroots organization in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1981, AIFF moved to Halifax the following year. For over four decades, AIFF has grown into one of Canada’s premier film festivals and continues to be a strong advocate for Atlantic Canadian filmmakers. AIFF is a registered charity and offers year-round programming including AIFF Kids and other partnered screenings and events. The 44th annual Atlantic International Film Festival will take place from September 11 to 18, 2024, inviting film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious onlookers to connect and engage through a shared love of cinema.

Follow #AIFF24 and #LoveFilm on:
Our website: atlanticfilmfestival.ca
Facebook: @atlanticinternationalfilmfestival
Instagram: @atlanticfilmfest
Twitter/X: @thefilmfest
TikTok: @atlanticfilmfest
YouTube: @atlanticfilmfest

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Stephanie Beaumont

Storyteller/Creative Director/Producer/Host/Writer/Marketer/Designer/Dreamer/Coffee Lover/Movie Maniac/Red Sox Fan

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South Shore Tourism Cooperative

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Chester Playhouse Theatre

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Co-Owner of The Village Emporium Chester NS

44th Atlantic International Film Festival