AIFF2026 ANNOUNCES OPENING NIGHT GALA WORLD PREMIERE
111 Echoes From Halifax to open AIFF 2026, a powerful dramatization rooted in a defining moment in Nova Scotia’s history
Early Bird Passes and Ticket Packages on Sale July 22
July 22, 2026 (Halifax, NS) – The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) announces its Opening Night Gala film for the 2026 festival, running September 16–23 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, alongside the launch of its Early Bird ticket packages.
AIFF is proud to present the World Premiere of 111 Echoes From Halifax, directed by Mauro Mueller and produced by Nova Scotia-based producer Ann Bernier. The film will open the festival as this year’s Opening Night Gala presentation and will be featured as part of the World Cinema program. The Switzerland-Canada co-production project brings together award-winning AIFF alumni.
“We are honoured to open this year’s festival with a film that is both globally resonant and deeply connected to Halifax,” said Lisa Haller, Director of Programming at Atlantic International Film Festival. “Mauro Mueller brings a thoughtful and human-centred perspective to a story that continues to shape this region, and we are proud to share its World Premiere with our audiences.”
111 Echoes From Halifax is a dramatization of the 1998 Swissair Flight 111 crash off the coast of Nova Scotia and its aftermath. The film follows intersecting stories of grief and resilience through the lives of a surgeon, a flight attendant, a stepfather and daughter, and a father-daughter team of lobster fishers in the wake of the tragedy. Grounded in real events and shot in the film approaches its subject with care, focusing on the human connections and emotional landscapes that emerge in the aftermath of loss.
Director Mauro Mueller is a Swiss-Mexican filmmaker whose work has been recognized internationally. His short films, including Lee and A World for Raúl, have received numerous accolades including the Student Academy Awards and the CINE Golden Eagle Award. His feature debut Copenhagen won the Audience Award at Slamdance 2014 and went on to become a global indie success, distributed in over 90 territories. Mueller is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
PASS & TICKET PACKAGE INFORMATION
Early Bird festival passes and ticket packages (available in sets of 4, 6, or 12) will be available starting Wednesday, July 22, at 1PM AST for a limited time. This year, Early Bird pricing will apply to festival passes, ticket packages, and select offerings across the 2026 program.
All single tickets for screenings and special events, along with regular-priced passes and packages, will go on sale on August 14 at 11 AM through the AIFF Online Box Office at atlanticfilmfestival.ca.
The full 2026 program of films and events will be announced on August 12, with the complete schedule available online. Follow AIFF on social media for ongoing updates.
ABOUT AIFF
The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is an eight-day celebration of cinema from around the world, featuring screenings of over 100 films, Q&As, receptions, panels, and industry events. The festival champions both emerging and established filmmaking voices from Atlantic Canada and beyond, helping audiences discover new artists, uncover fresh perspectives, and connect through the power of storytelling.
Founded as a grassroots initiative in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1981, AIFF moved to Halifax the following year. For over four decades, it has grown into one of Canada’s premier film festivals and continues to be a strong advocate for Atlantic Canadian filmmakers. AIFF is a registered charity and presents year-round programming, including AIFF Kids and other partnered screenings and events.
The 46th annual Atlantic International Film Festival will take place from September 16 to 23, 2026, inviting film lovers, industry professionals, and curious audiences to come together in celebration of cinema.
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