Introducing Our 2025 Summer Staff!
With the countdown to the festival officially on, our office is in full swing as we prepare to celebrate an incredible milestone — 45 years of championing regional and international filmmakers and bringing world-class cinema to Atlantic Canada.
From first-time participants to familiar faces, each member brings unique skills, creativity, and dedication to their work across the departments. This year, we’re excited to introduce them in a special way — through a personal item they’ve each chosen that represents their role or what their work at AIFF means to them.
Industry Department
The Industry team chose past AIFF Partners' Delegate Guides as tangible markers of the partnerships and programming they’ve built over the years.
Left to right: Deniz Multlu (Industry Assistant), Chrissy King-Lopez (Director of Industry Programs), Jamie Gregor (Industry Coordinator) and Adam Dickson (Industry Programs Assistant).
Programming Department
The Programming team picked vintage film reels, representing the many evolving formats they’ve reviewed to curate a diverse lineup every year.
Left to right: Lisa Haller (Interim Executive Director / Director of Programming), Jessica Gyll (Programming Manager), Joseph Jung (Programming Intern), Nathan Wisnicki (Programming Operations Coordinator) and Lauren Stevens (Programming Assistant).
Volunteer Department
The Volunteer team chose the classic AIFF button to symbolize the spirit, support, and community that power the festival — with a cat plush added for good luck (and a few smiles).
Left to right: Samuel Kennedy (Volunteer Coordinator) and Diego Guerrero (Volunteer Manager)
Development Department
The Development team showcased the 2007 Export Success Award to honour the festival’s strong business ties and long-standing impact across Atlantic Canada.
Left to right: Tori Fleming (Development Manager) and Kelsi MacMillan (Development Coordinator).
Operations Department
The Operations team selected gaffer tape, a behind-the-scenes essential that speaks to the foundational, often invisible work they do to keep things running smoothly.
Left to right: Rachelle Goulter (Operations Manager) and Kayza DeGraff-Ford (Operations Coordinator)
Marketing and Communications Department
The Marketing & Communications team has chosen the original 1981 AIFF poster, celebrating the festival’s storytelling roots and their role in shaping its evolving voice.
Left to right: Teo Kim (Director of Marketing & Communications), Shayna Young (Marketing & Communications Manager), Diyana Hamsani (Marketing & Communications Coordinator) and Eric Stephen Martin (Marketing & Communications Coordinator)
Box Office Department
The Box Office team presented the 2024 Festival Pass that provides all access to the eight days of unforgettable programming and screenings.
Left to right: Caitlyn Horne (Box Office Coordinator) and Noah Perry (Box Office Manager)