The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is excited to announce the award winners from the 2024 AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition. This longstanding event returned to an in-person format for the first time in 5 years, with the finalist screening and awards presentation taking place Sunday, May 26 at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane. All Finalist films were available to watch on the AIFF YouTube channel as of Tuesday, May 28 with Audience Award voting open until Sunday, June 2.

“We were thrilled to see many short films from across the Atlantic region compete in the AIFF Kids Youth Competition, and were proud to feature 16 Finalist films on the big screen.” says Lisa Haller, Director of Programming. “From documentary, drama, thriller, comedy, and sci-fi, the Finalists showcased their enthusiasm and talent, and we encourage them to keep creating and telling their stories.”

After careful consideration, the jury - consisting of Halifax-based filmmakers Seán Maheux Galway and Induk Lee - selected the winners of the 2024 Youth Film Competition.

Audience Choice Award

ROSES: A VISUAL POEM

Directed by Rae Steeves

Audience Choice Award Runner Up

THE ABSENCE

Directed by Desmond Henry Robert Smyth

Award for Best Fiction Film

ROSES: A VISUAL POEM

Directed by Rae Steeves

Honorable Mention for Best Fiction Film

WELCOME TO OUR PLANET

Directed by Finn Paster

Award for Best Documentary

VISIBLE

Directed by Eli Izaak Arsenault

Honorable Mention for Best Documentary

ZORA

Directed by Kiya Wing-Matie

Films by all Finalists, can found on YouTube.

Each award-winning film received a piece of film equipment, including camera stabilizers, microphones, and clapboards, that can be used to continue making movies.

About AIFF Kids

Since 2002, AIFF Kids has grown into an Atlantic Canada-wide youth initiative that brings the film festival experience to school groups and communities across the region. Originally known as ViewFinders, the AIFF Kids mission has remained the same: to present curated movies and shorts exploring vast emotional journeys that engage, entertain, and invigorate young Atlantic Canadians; and to encourage them to tell their own stories through film. The AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition is Atlantic Canada’s largest youth film competition and provides a free platform for young filmmakers to exhibit their work. It is a proven launching pad for the next generation of talent, with filmmaking equipment prizes being awarded to further support their future film projects. Additionally, each year the AIFF Kids School Tour presents the best in regional, national, and international films for youth, tackling issues from multiculturalism and community to sustainability and creativity. The program’s activities introduce students to the wonderful world of filmmaking through hands-on media workshops and aim to inspire them to make their own movies to submit to the annual AIFF Kids Youth Film Competition.