Every September for the past 44 years, the Atlantic International Film Festival's eight-day celebration of film transforms the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia into an international arts hub.

The Atlantic International Film Festival is a non-profit, charitable organization with a mandate to celebrate, elevate, and advance the work of Atlantic Canadian filmmakers alongside a curated selection of films from around the globe. The Festival began as a tiny, grassroots operation in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 1981, relocating to Halifax, Nova Scotia the following year. Providing an immersive escape and experience for movie lovers, filmmakers, and industry professionals, the festival is Atlantic Canada’s premier curator of standout Canadian and international films, inspiring audiences with films that reflect a diversity of voices and perspectives.

With our yearly lineup of highly anticipated film screenings, informative industry panels, and one-of-a-kind co-production/co-financing market, AIFF is dedicated to continuing its legacy as a key Atlantic Canada destination for film lovers and industry professionals.

Awards & Prizes

Awards included:

The Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Feature
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian feature length films selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Best Atlantic Short
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian short films selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Best Atlantic Director
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian features selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

The Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriter
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian scripted features selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Best Atlantic Cinematographer
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian features selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Best Atlantic Editor
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian features selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Best Atlantic Original Score or Song
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian features selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Joan Orenstein Award & David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance in Acting
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian performers featured in films selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Best Atlantic Documentary
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian feature length documentaries selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

Best Atlantic Short Documentary
Award is open to all eligible Atlantic Canadian short documentaries selected to the Atlantic International Film Festival.

The Atlantic Film Festival Association maintains the sole right to determine if submissions meet the eligibility requirements in each category.

Rules & Terms

Film submissions to the 45th annual Atlantic International Film Festival (September, 2025) open in January 2025.

ELIGIBILITY: Submissions may be fiction, documentary, animation, or experimental of any length. Only films completed no more than 18 months prior to the Atlantic International Film Festival will be considered for admission.

Submissions distributed theatrically or broadcast on television in the Atlantic region prior to the Festival will not be eligible for the 2025 Festival. Entries already available publicly online, or previously submitted to the Atlantic International Film Festival will also not be considered.

Rough cuts or works-in-progress are accepted and reviewed. However, filmmakers are urged to submit as close to the final cut as possible. The Festival will not accept new versions of an entry unless requested by the programming staff. If you update the film link on your submission page after applying to AIFF, we cannot guarantee the new version will be considered.

ENTRY FORMAT & PRESENTATION FORMAT: Films with commentary or dialogue in languages other than English must be subtitled or dubbed in English for consideration. Preview copies of entries must be submitted on filmfreeway.com. If selected for the Festival, exhibition prints may be presented in DCP or .mov file. The Festival may accept other formats on a case-by-case basis and subject to availability of equipment. While not yet mandatory, the inclusion of Closed Captioning is preferred and will become mandatory in future years.

PROGRAM SELECTION: All entries are viewed and chosen by a Selection Committee appointed by the Director of Programming. Final selections are at the sole discretion of the Festival. Due to time constraints, the Selection Committee will not be able to provide individual feedback to filmmakers if your film is not accepted.

NOTIFICATION: Entrants will be notified of the decisions of the Selection Committee by August 8, 2025.

CUSTOMS, SHIPPING & HANDLING: A member of the Programming Department will contact all accepted submissions with specific shipping instructions. Exhibition copies must be delivered to the Festival by August 20, 2025. If applicable, the participant must pay all shipping costs to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Festival will pay the cost of shipping exhibition copies back to the participant.

FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS: The Atlantic International Film Festival will not handle any customs clearances. The Customs Declaration on your submission package should state, “Duty Free Temporary Admissions Permit.”

INSURANCE: The Festival will make every effort to ensure the safekeeping of all productions submitted for consideration that are in its care or control. However, the Applicant assumes all risk of loss or damage. The Festival retains the power to decide on all matters not specifically dealt with in these regulations. Submission of your application shall constitute acceptance of these regulations. In any dispute, the decisions of the Festival shall be final. The Applicant releases the Festival, its Officers, Directors and all other employees and representatives, from any and all claims relating in any way to your application or the submission of materials to the Festival by or on behalf of the Applicant, whether on film, video, or other media.

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 please visit:
www.atlanticfilmfestival.ca

Thank you for your interest in AIFF. We look forward to seeing your film!
34 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Stacy Gardner

    September 2024 was my second year in a row at AIFF as a filmmaker (lucky me), last year with my short doc, The Gaze, and this year with my short narrative, 73 Seconds. This year definitely hit the Sweet Spot, as last year was interrupted by a hurricane. Nevertheless, both experiences positive, but this year was most memorable with the Directors' Dinner and Luncheon, which were great events for meeting peers in the industry, and of course, the socials and parties were fun, too. But moreover, the volunteers, the staff do their utmost to ensure everyone is taken care of. I love that the city is drawn to the shorts programme, as my film had a full house, which was really great. Special shout outs to: Sean Galway (amazing with the Q&A's and overall cool person), Lisa Haller (warm, accessible, savvy - festival programmer), and there was a fella named Travis that I met as part of staff, and he was super lovely. Hope to be part of again in the near future!

    September 2024
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  • Julia Elihu

    We had an amazing experience at AIFF. The programming team is lovely. It is such a warm environment that really champions indie filmmakers.

    September 2023
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  • Ella Morton

    I wasn't able to make it out in person, but was very happy to have The Great Kind Mystery screen at AIFF! Staff were communicative, warm and professional. I will submit again!

    September 2023
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  • Jody Racicot

    FIN Festival was well organized and a good experience as a filmmaker. The staff were excellent to work with. My short documentary played within a curated group of first films and had the excited energy of a cast and crew screening. The cinema was packed. Next time, I'll stay a few days and take advantage of more networking and workshop opportunities. Halifax is a bustling small city and the festival takes place at a perfect time of year for visiting. The cinemas and events are in the heart of downtown where there's plenty of restaurants and hotels.

    June 2023
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  • Simon Garez

    Thank you for the amazing festival!

    November 2022
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