Official Press Release – Published September 15, 2025
The 45th edition of the Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) boasts a growth in audience attendance and community engagement as they announce the 2025 award winners on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Coming together to celebrate the best in Atlantic film, award winners were selected by a jury; winners include feature film, and short film categories.
The juries include industry veterans, producers, and programmers. The feature film jurors are Atlantic-based filmmaker and award-winning producer Ann Bernier; former TIFF programmer and film journalist, Steve Gravestock; and, Indigenous-Sami filmmaker Siljá Somby. The short film jurors are Inga Diev of Toronto-based sales and distribution company Ouat Media; Canadian producer Lindsay Blair Goeldner; and, Atlantic-based actor and public speaker Martina Kelades.
The full list of the 2025 AIFF Award Winners is as follows:
The Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Feature
The winner of this award will receive a 20k credit from Equifilm.
Winner: Sk+te’kmujue’katik (At the Place of Ghosts)
Directed by bretten hannam
Produced by Marc Tetreault, Jason Levangie, bretten hannam, Martin Katz, Diana Elbaum
“For its powerful and hypnotic tale of two estranged brothers rediscovering their people’s history and confronting the demons of their past together, the jury gives the Best Atlantic Feature prize to Bretten Hannam’ s Sk+te’kmujue’katik (At the Place of Ghosts).” – 2025 Jury
Best Atlantic Director
Winner: Sherry White, Blueberry Grunt
“For her confident, layered work on a portrait of a marriage facing a crisis, the jury gives the Best Atlantic Director Prize to Sherry White for Blueberry Grunt.” – 2025 Jury
The Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriter
Winner: Andy Hines, Adam Baldwin, Little Lorraine
“For its imaginative, captivating and complex portrait of a community in crisis, adapted from an unconventional source, the jury awards the Best Atlantic Screenwriter prize to Andy Hines and Adam Baldwin for Little Lorraine.” – 2025 Jury
Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance in Acting
Presented by Sky Talent Group, the winner of this award will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Mary Walsh, Dancing on the Elephant
“For her poignant, vital and raucously funny portrayal of a senior citizen struggling with dementia and memory loss, the jury awards the Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance to the legendary Mary Walsh in Dancing on the Elephant.” – 2025 Jury
David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance in Acting
Presented by Sky Talent Group, the winner of this award will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Winner: Stephen McHattie, Little Lorraine
“For his memorable performance as the villainous uncle who descends on a small community facing economic hardship, a portrayal which energetically and skillfully exploits almost every tool in a performers’ toolbox, the jury awards the David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance to Stepehen McHattie in Little Lorraine.” – 2025 jury
Best Atlantic Original Score or Song
Winner: Jeremy Dutcher, Sk+te’kmujue’katik (At the Place of Ghosts)
“For his stunning and essential score, which virtually functions as another character or chorus in the film, the jury gives the Best Atlantic Score prize to Jeremy Dutcher for Sk+te’kmujue’katik (At the Place of Ghosts).” – 2025 Jury
Best Atlantic Cinematographer
The winner of this award will receive a 10k credit from Equifilm.
Winner: Guy Godfree, Sk+te’kmujue’katik (At the Place of Ghosts)
“Even in a film notable for its technical audacity and breathtaking craft, this cinematographer’s stellar work stands out. The jury awards the Best Atlantic Cinematographer prize to Guy Goddfree for Sk+te’kmujue’katik (At the Place of Ghosts).” – 2025 Jury
Best Atlantic Editor
Presented by Canadian Cinema Editors, the winner of this award will receive a $500 cash prize and a one-year membership to Canadian Cinema Editors.
Winner: Angela Baker, Dancing on the Elephant
“For it smart, touching and sensitive use of editing to capture an aging woman’s shifting and evasive memories, the jury awards the Best Atlantic Editor prize to Angela Baker for Dancing on the Elephant.” – 2025 Jury
Best Atlantic Short Film
Presented by Sunbelt Rentals and Doug Woods. The winner of this award will receive $10,000 credit at Sunbelt Rentals, $1,500 of in-kind services from 902 Post.
Winner: FEED, directed by Nancy Urich
“With its meticulous execution and a surprising twist, this short film delivers a punchy entry in the reproductive horror genre, sure to thrill both horror fans and general audiences alike.” – 2025 Jury
Honourable Mention: Mourning Rituals, Directed by Annaka Gale
“A poignant reflection on love and loss, beautifully intertwining art and memory to capture the fleeting yet profound weight of grief – reminding us how creativity becomes a vessel for remembrance.” – 2025 Jury
Best Atlantic Short Documentary
Presented by 902 Post and Doug Woods. The winner of this award will receive $1,500 in-kind support from 902 Post, and a $500 cash award plus membership to DOC.
Winner: The Muse, directed by Wanda Nolan
“This short documentary, with its charming and uplifting portrayal of a beautiful friendship and artistic collaboration unfolding against the stunning Newfoundland landscape, perfectly captured the spirit of the East Coast, and left us moved and inspired.” – 2025 Jury
Honourable Mention: Imprint, Directed by Duncan Major
“The film was skilfully crafted and playful, while also being a touching homage to a mentor that made a lasting impression.” – 2025 Jury
For more information about the AIFF jurors and prizes winners, please visit www.atlanticfilmfestival.ca/awards.
The Atlantic International Film Festival is proud to be offering a free public screening of Blueberry Grunt to celebrate its win of the Best Atlantic Director award. This encore screening will take place on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:15 p.m. at Cineplex Park Lane. Reserve your seat!
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