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.

The AIFF Kids School Tour offers FREE daytime film screenings, in both English and French, and hands-on workshops for school groups across Nova Scotia, Canada.

Each year, the AIFF Kids School Tour program presents the best in regional, national and international films for youth, tackling issues from multiculturalism and community to sustainability and creativity. Through engagement with short and feature films, as well as through workshops with professional working filmmakers and artists, AIFF engages students on curriculum-based subjects through the critical appreciation of film.

AIFF Kids is the first step in a life full of experiencing and celebrating the art of film and filmmaking.

The AIFF Kids School Tour will next take place in Spring 2027. The 2026 Tour included stops at Cineplex Entertainment and independent venues across Nova Scotia, Canada including: Amherst, Dartmouth, Truro, and Yarmouth.

The AIFF Kids Online program makes the film program widely available to schools across Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador).

Submissions for the 2027 edition will open in June 2026.

Rules & Terms

Submissions for the AIFF Kids School Tour are now Closed.

1. Works submitted in languages other than English must be subtitled or dubbed in English.

2. Submissions may be Fiction, Documentary, Animation of any length. All entries submitted must be suitable for children and youth ages 19 and under. We accept youth-made film submissions..

3. If selected for AIFF Kids, feature exhibition prints may be presented in DCP and all shorts will be compiled from digital files. You will also be asked to provide access to a download of your film file in the appropriate specifications for secure online streaming. Please also note that, while not yet mandatory, the inclusion of Closed Captioning is preferred and will become mandatory in future years.

4. Filmmakers will be notified of the selection committee’s final decisions by January 11, 2027.

5. All shipping costs to Halifax for accepted exhibition copies must be paid by the participant. The Festival will pay shipping costs for their return back to the participant after the Festival.

6. The Festival will make every effort to ensure the safe-keeping of all productions submitted for competition which are in its care or control. However, the Applicant in applying to the Festival agrees to release the Festival and its representatives from any and all claims arising in any way from the submission of materials by or on behalf of the Applicant, whether on disc, digital file or otherwise to the Festival.

7. The Festival retains the power to decide on all matters not specifically dealt with in these regulations.

8. Notice of participation implies recognition of these regulations. In any dispute, the decisions of the Festival will be final.

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
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  • Heidi Atter

    When considering applying to this festival, consider the youth that may see your short film. You don't entirely know where it will go and have to trust the organizers, and they deserve it. I am incredibly grateful to have a documentary short that was included and heard from some teachers directly that they had no idea about the cultural practice that was shown prior to this festival and the work they do. This is an important festival for connecting Atlantic Canada. Take a chance, and submit your short to them!

    May 2026
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  • Joe Chang

    I am happy with the participants in this film festival and of course proud that my film has been selected!

    December 2021
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