2025 Events

AIFF Industry Programming Days

Join us for 3 days of free public industry events featuring panels, talks, and special sessions open to all. Highlights include filmmaker dialogues, production insights, artist conversations, awards, and screenings.

  • Post Production: Beyond the Edit, Presented by PurpleDog Post Production

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Friday, Sept. 12, 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

    From dailies to final deliverables, attendees will gain an insider’s view into what really happens after picture lock.

    Free and open to all.

  • Northern Lights: A Co-Production Dialogue

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Friday, Sept. 12, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Join Solveig Ræstad (President, Nordic Film Commissions), Julie Blondin (Directrice Nationale, Relations d’affaires & Coproductions – National Director, Business affairs & Coproductions

    Telefilm) and Laura Churchill (Chief Executive Officer & Film Commissioner at PictureNL) for an insightful conversation exploring international co-production opportunities between Canada and the Nordic region. Get practical advice on navigating partnerships, funding structures, and cultural collaboration.

    Free and open to all.

  • CBC Presents: Echoes from the Land, Sámi & Indigenous Stories On Screen

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Friday, Sept. 12, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

    This dynamic panel brings together: Melanie Hadley (VP, Industry, Partnership & Growth, Indigenous Screen Office), Silja Somby (Writer, Director, International Sámi Film Institute), Lisa-Marie Kristensen (Producer, Forest People), and Kati Eriksen (Producer, Home River Media) for a conversation on storytelling, sovereignty, and screen representation. Moderated by Stephanie Joline. 

    Free and open to all

  • Sunbelt Rentals Presents: The Partners Pitch Competition

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Friday, Sept. 12, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

    Five exciting film and TV projects will be pitched to a jury of industry experts. With $20,000 worth of prizes from Sunbelt Rentals and PurpleDog Post Production on the line, it’s a high-stakes showcase of standout talent. 

    Free and open to all.

  • Dream Weavers: Crafting Cinematic Worlds with Virtual Production

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Friday, Sept. 12, 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

    Explore how cutting-edge virtual production is transforming storytelling. From set design to post, this panel dives into the creative and technical possibilities shaping the future of filmmaking. Guests: Brian Nitzkin (VP of Business Affairs, Orbital Studios), Randall Okita (Lockpicker Productions), and Laura Coover (Director of Marketing, Orbital Studios). Moderated by Natalie Davey (VP, Ceres Productions).

    Free and open to all

  • Meet the Festivals Panel

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Saturday, Sept. 13, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Meet the leaders of regional film festivals! Featuring: Jenn Brown (St John’s Women’s Film Festival), Tori Fleming (Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival), Jenna MacMillan (Charlottetown Film Festival) and Walter Forsyth (Lunenburg Doc Fest). Moderated by Katie Bignell from Festival Formula.

    Free and open to all

  • IPF Info Session

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Saturday, Sept. 13, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

    Learn how to access funding and support for short-form digital series through the Independent Production Fund. This session will cover eligibility, application tips, and success stories. Hosted by Jon Taylor (IPF)

    Free and open to all

  • Artist to Artist: Stephen Dunn and Amy Trefry

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Saturday, Sept 13, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

    Join Stephen Dunn (Closet Monster, 2015) and Amy Trefry (Vermilion, 2025) as they discuss their creative processes and Queer stories on screen with AIFF Programmer and Writer: Kevin Chabot. 

    Free and open to all

  • CMF presents: In Conversation with bretten hannam

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Saturday, Sept 13, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

    Wildhood writer & director bretten hannam discusses the art of filmmaking and their new film Sk+te'kmujue'katik (At the Place of Ghosts). With John R. Sylliboy. 

    Free and open to all

  • The Stormy Haul: Little Lorraine Panel

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Sunday, Sept. 14, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

    Cape Breton icons Justine Williamson and Greg Vardy host the crew behind Little Lorraine including: Director, Andy Hines, Auden Thornton and Adam Baldwin. 

    Free and open to all

  • Making an Impact: How the NFB Produces and Distributes Docs That Drive Change

    Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Sunday, Sept 14, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    From programming to production to rollout, discover how the National Film Board of Canada brings impact documentaries to the right audiences. Liz Cowie (Producer) and Jamie Hammond (Senior Marketing Advisor) share case studies and real-world strategies from recent campaigns—offering practical insights for filmmakers, producers and changemakers.

    Free and open to all.

  • ACTRA Maritimes Presents: “Scripts! Out Loud!” 80’s Flashback Edition

    Cineplex Park Lane, Cinema 3 - Sunday, Sept. 14, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

    Get ready to rewind! This high-energy table read brings actors: Anthony L Jackson, Martina Kelades, Gil Anderson, and Reid Price on stage to breathe life into nostalgic scenes. Proudly sponsored by ACTRA Maritimes. 

    Free and open to all.

  • AIFF Filmmaker Lab Screening of ‘Works in Progress’

    Carbon Arc Cinema, 1747 Summer St. - Sunday, Sept. 14, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

    Check out bold new voices at Carbon Arc Cinema as participants from this year’s AIFF Filmmaker Lab debut their Q & A skills as they screen their ‘works in progress’.

    Free and open to all