Work With AIFF!

The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is currently accepting applications for several seasonal contract roles to join the core festival team in planning this year’s edition. These positions are funded through Employment Nova Scotia’s Job Creation Partnership Program and are meant to be skills development positions which assist with job readiness or career advancement. We are currently seeking applicants for coordinator-level positions in departments including: 

  • Marketing & communications

  • Programming / Print Traffic

  • Operations

  • Office Administration

  • Development / sponsorship

  • Volunteer management

  • Box office 

  • Industry

As a member of the AIFF team you will work closely with your department manager or team lead and gain valuable experience and connections in the film and arts community. Many former JCP contract staff members have gone on to work in the film industry and other arts related roles. As a benefit of employment you will receive a free full pass to AIFF 2026 and staff are encouraged to attend screenings as their work schedule allows during the festival. 

2026 Seasonal Contract Positions - funded through the Job Creation Partnership Program

  • Employment Contracts: June - October 2026 (18wks)
    Remuneration: Paid through EI
    Work hours: 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday (evenings and weekends during events)
    Location: AIFF Office, 1888 Brunswick Street, Halifax, NS. These positions are not suitable for remote work or work from home.

    Deadline for applications: May 4, 2026

  • Job Creation Partnerships is an employment program of Employment Nova Scotia that supports projects that provide Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) eligible individuals with work experience leading to enhanced employment-related skills. In order to ensure you qualify for this program, you must meet the following criteria:

    • EI Status: Have an active EI claim, an EI claim that ended within the past 60 months, received benefits under the EI emergency response benefit within the previous 60 months OR have been employed with gross insurable earnings of $2,000 or higher annually in at least 5 of the past 10 years.

    • Citizenship: Be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who is legally entitled to work in Canada

    • Employment Status: Be currently unemployed or working less than 20hrs / week (on average over the past 6 months).

    • Student Status: Must not be currently in school nor planning to return to full time studies in the fall. Additionally, there must have been a 24 month period during which you were not a student and were part of the workforce. In other words, you must have spent at least one year in the workforce, following your studies.

  • ABOUT AIFF: The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is an eight-day festival featuring screenings of 100+ films; Q&As, receptions, industry events and gatherings. The festival celebrates new and established filmmaking voices from Atlantic Canada and around the world, helping audiences discover new artists, uncover new perspectives and better understand the world through the medium of cinema. The festival presents films that cover a broad range of topics and genres, and is dedicated to presenting and elevating work from creators who are female-identified, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ and Deaf and Disabled. The 46th AIFF will take place September 16 - 23 2026, at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane in downtown Halifax.

    ABOUT AIFF Partners: Running concurrently with AIFF is our co-production / co-financing market, AIFF Partners. AIFF Partners brings together film and television industry professionals and decision makers for three days of business meetings, panels and talks. AIFF Partners will take place September 16 - 19, 2026. 

    YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: In addition to AIFF, the festival presents numerous programs throughout the year, designed to engage audiences, celebrate filmmakers and promote cinema. Other current programs include: AIFF Kids, AIFF Outdoor and CBC’s Reel East Coast.

  • Please fill out this google form and submit a cover letter and resume as PDFs through the form itself. 

    Deadline: May 4, 2026

    No phone calls or in person visits please. 

    The Atlantic International Film Festival welcomes applications from female-identified, non-binary, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ and Deaf and Disabled individuals. Please feel free to self-identify in your cover letter if you come from one of these priority communities. 

    Questions: Martha Cooley, Executive Director, marthac@atlanticfilm.ca

The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is currently accepting applications for four seasonal contract roles to join the core festival team in planning this year’s edition. Positions currently available include:
Volunteer Manager, Box Office Manager, and Marketing and Communications Coordinator.

Employment Contracts: June - October 2026
Remuneration: $1,700 - $1,900 biweekly
Office Hours: 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday (evenings and weekends during events with paid time off in lieu)
Location: AIFF Office, 1888 Brunswick Street, Halifax, NS. These positions are not suitable for remote work or work from home.

Deadline for applications: April 14, 2026 (Applications are now closed.)

General Qualifications:

  • 3 - 5 years of relevant festival or event experience, preferably in an arts context

  • Excellent administrative and organizational skills, with a keen eye for detail 

  • Strong project management skills 

  • Demonstrated leadership skills in managing staff and working with a team

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

  • Ability to work collaboratively within a dynamic environment and with multiple stakeholders

  • Strong computer literacy and database management skills and experience (internet research skills, Microsoft Office, social media platforms, Google Drive)

  • Demonstrated commitment to upholding professional and ethical standards

  • Articulated understanding of inclusive and anti-racist practices in the arts 

  • Knowledge of and experience in the film & television industries and a passion for independent film will be considered assets 

About AIFF: The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is an eight-day festival featuring screenings of 100+ films; Q&As, receptions, industry events and gatherings. The festival celebrates new and established filmmaking voices from Atlantic Canada and around the world, helping audiences discover new artists, uncover new perspectives and better understand the world through the medium of cinema. The festival presents films that cover a broad range of topics and genres, and is dedicated to presenting and elevating work from creators who are female-identified, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ and Deaf and Disabled. The 46th AIFF will take place September 16 - 23, 2026, at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane in downtown Halifax.

Year-Round Programs: In addition to AIFF, the festival presents numerous programs throughout the year, designed to engage audiences, celebrate filmmakers and promote cinema. Other current programs include: AIFF Kids, AIFF Outdoor and CBC’s Reel East Coast.

How to apply: To apply for one or more of these positions, please forward a resume and cover letter to employment@atlanticfilm.ca
Please have the “JOB TITLE” you are applying for in the subject line. (No phone calls or in-person visits, please.) 

The Atlantic International Film Festival welcomes applications from female-identified, non-binary, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ and Deaf and Disabled individuals. Please feel free to self-identify in your cover letter if you come from one of these priority communities. 

Questions: Martha Cooley, Executive Director, marthac@atlanticfilm.ca

2026 Seasonal Contract Positions (Closed)

  • Contract Length:  June 22 - Sept., 2026 (2 days/wk June, full-time July - Sept.)

    Salary: $1,900 biweekly

    Overview:

    Volunteers play a key role in the Atlantic International Film Festival, helping with key festival tasks like greeting filmgoers, scanning tickets, setting up events and transporting festival guests. With over 150 active volunteers, AIFF provides a welcoming atmosphere for volunteers from all different communities looking to learn more about the festival and meet like-minded film fans. The Volunteer Manager is responsible for overseeing our 2026 AIFF Volunteer Program to ensure a positive and successful experience for our volunteers and the Festival.

    Key Areas of Responsibility:

    • Manage and plan for the volunteer needs for the Festival and AIFF Partners

    • Training and supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator

    • Management for the delivery of all aspects of the Volunteer Program cycle including:

      • conducting a volunteer needs assessment with all departments

      • recruiting volunteers

      • training volunteers

      • maintaining an electronic database of volunteer information 

      • scheduling and ensuring volunteer shifts are filled

      • supervising volunteers 

      • helping to manage theatre crews and monitoring theatre capacity 

    • Contribute to final reports related to AIFF volunteers

    Contribute to the planning of a post-festival volunteer appreciation event

  • Contract Length: June 22 - Sept., 2026 (2 days/wk June, full-time July - Sept.)

    Remuneration: $1,900 biweekly

    Overview:
    The Box Office Manager is responsible for overseeing the ticketing and registration needs of the Atlantic International Film Festival. The Box Office Manager will work with the Management Team, Box Office staff and theatre staff to ensure a smooth registration and payment process for audience, filmmakers and guests.  

    Key Areas of Responsibility:

    • In collaboration with other management staff, develop the 2026 ticket and pass pricing, pass destinations and event / industry registration processes 

    • Oversee the workflow of ticketing and registration and work with other staff to refine the workflow as needed

    • Oversee the data input for ticketing and registration web-pages

    • Hire and supervise the core Box Office team including on-site staff as well as a Box Office Assistant

    • Address customer service issues and technical issues as they arise

    • Oversee logistics of the Box Office on-site and online during the sales period

    • Create Box Office sales reports during the AIFF

    • Compile and synthesize feedback, stats and other information for reports and post-event review

    Maintain the administrative requirements of the role including internal and external communication, databases, tracking sheets, agreements and reports

  • Contract Length: June 22 - Oct., 2026
    Salary: $1,700 biweekly

    The Marketing and Communications Coordinator supports the planning and execution of the Atlantic International Film Festival’s marketing, communications, and audience engagement initiatives.

    Working closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications, the Coordinator plays a key role in promoting festival programming, managing digital platforms, and supporting the delivery of marketing campaigns leading up to and during the Festival.

    This role involves a mix of digital content production, website and newsletter management, community outreach, and real-time festival communications.

    • Support the execution of AIFF marketing and communications campaigns across digital platforms

    • Maintain and update the AIFF website, including program announcements, festival updates, and SEO optimized content

    • Create and distribute Mailchimp newsletters and e-blasts, including audience segmentation and performance tracking

    • Develop and publish social media content across AIFF platforms, including real-time festival coverage such as screenings, red carpets, Q&As, and special events.

    • Produce and edit short form digital content including highlights, interviews, and live festival moments.

    • Coordinate marketing materials and promotional initiatives with community partners, local businesses, and cultural organizations

    • Support the promotion of AIFF year-round programs, including AIFF Kids, AIFF Outdoor, and CBC’s Reel East Coast

    • Monitor digital engagement and support reporting related to marketing campaigns and audience analytics.

    • Assist with the coordination and distribution of marketing materials, including posters, program guides, and promotional assets