Since 2002, AIFF Kids has offered unique programming for schools, youth organizations, communities, and families across Atlantic Canada. Formerly known as ViewFinders, the AIFF Kids mission is: to present curated movies and shorts exploring vast emotional journeys that engage, entertain and inspire Atlantic Canadians.

AIFF Kids brings young people and film together. One of our favourite ways to do that is through the AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition. Celebrating 15 years, the AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition showcases and awards films created by young people.

As Atlantic Canada’s largest youth film competition, the AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition is a free challenge for youth to develop skills as a filmmaker, regardless of previous filmmaking experience. The Competition celebrates short films being created across the Atlantic Canadian Provinces and provides a platform for finalist films to be celebrated. Youth can participate individually or as a group/class.

Finalist films are shown in-cinema at Cineplex to a public audience in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and are presented on the AIFF YouTube channel. All finalist films are also eligible for juried prizes, in varying categories.

New this edition, the AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition will take place in Spring 2024.

AIFF Kids is the first step in a life full of experiencing and celebrating the art of film and filmmaking, and the AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition is a proven launching pad for the next generation of screen arts talent.

Submissions for the AIFF Kids Youth Competition are now open. So what are you waiting for? Grab a camera, some friends and start making your film today!

Awards & Prizes

Selected films are eligible for the Youth Competition Jury Awards and People's Choice Award. Each award-winning film will receive a piece of film equipment that can be used to continue making movies. Past prizes have included camera stabilizers, microphones, tripods, and video lights.

Rules & Terms

Filmmakers MUST be a resident of one of the four Atlantic Canadian Provinces (NB, NS, NFLD and PEI).

Filmmakers must be 18 or under.

Film Submissions must be under 5 minutes.

Film Submissions must be suitable for all-ages. No mature subject matter (ie. murder, substance abuse, violence, coarse language).

Music must be original copyright, copyright with permission, or public domain.

Film Submissions must be an original work created by the filmmaker or a filmmaking group. The film must be completed without professional assistance (mentoring by an adult, whether professional or non-professional, is permitted, but all hands-on efforts must be completed by the submitting filmmaker.

Selected Finalists must have their respective parents or guardians complete a Declaration and Release form, which will be sent to them following acceptance.

AIFF Kids and the Atlantic International Film Festival reserve the right to use the film for the promotion of the competition and its activities.

Finalists receive two complimentary tickets to the AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition presentation in-cinema in Spring 2024 (Halifax, Nova Scotia).

If you have any submission questions, please contact the Festival:
Toll free: 877.611.4244
Telephone: 902.422.FILM
Email: submissions@atlanticfilm.ca

For general questions about our programming, please email: programming@atlanticfilm.ca

For more information on the Atlantic International Film Festival kids and youth initiatives please visit: www.aiffkids.ca