CRACKING THE FILM FESTIVAL CODE

By Paul Rossiter

The film industry can be tough to break into, and making sure that your film finds its audience is quite a challenge in its own right when you’re starting out. The connections one forges while making and promoting their first few films can be some of the most important in their career though, and can serve as the basis for future collaborations, or even lifelong friendships.

With that in mind, the Atlantic International Film Festival is proud to introduce the AIFF Filmmaker Lab, a program designed to foster the career development and sense of community among Atlantic Canada’s emerging film artists.

This program is explicitly intended to help filmmakers continue building the momentum they have generated after completing other emerging filmmaker programs and ensure that their work is seen by as many audiences as possible—locally, nationally, and even internationally. It represents a next step for filmmakers at this level, and is meant to be as accessible as possible for them.

Long-term, we want this program to help further develop the filmmaking talent that already exists in the Atlantic provinces, assist them in achieving at AIFF and other festivals, create a feeling of inclusivity by showcasing a diverse array of voices from our region, and make AIFF more hospitable to all levels of filmmakers. Essentially, we want to warmly welcome and nurture our next generation of Atlantic Canadian film artists as they make their debut.

If you are a producer, director, or writer from the Atlantic provinces with a completed short film that has been or will be released in 2023/2024, you’re exactly who we’re looking for! Successful entrants will become part of a cohort who will attend three virtual workshops with industry professionals over the summer that will cover topics ranging from marketing and financing to festival strategy, and even making the transition to feature film. Each filmmaker will also meet with a festival strategist who will help them develop a plan for submitting their film to future festivals in a one-on-one session. 

Additionally, a $300 travel stipend will be provided to help filmmakers make their way to the Festival, taking place from September the 14th through to the 21st. At the Festival, filmmakers will have access to a wide array of industry events and screenings, including galas, panels, keynotes, parties, networking events, and a private dinner specifically for members of the Filmmaker Lab. The goal is to ensure that each member of the Lab benefits from the cohort’s diverse perspectives, skills, lived experiences, and ideas which is why the program will hold 50% of the seats for filmmakers who self-identify as QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Color), deaf, disabled/differently abled, neurodiverse or coming from another marginalized community.

Once accepted, filmmakers are encouraged to find opportunities to connect with other members of the Lab, and create shared memories by touring the festival together. The program will be overseen for its duration by a dedicated Lab Coordinator who will be available to answer any questions, suggest shops, restaurants, venues based on one’s needs, and facilitate camaraderie amongst the group.

Submissions for the Lab are due no later than June 18th, so if you fit the bill and are interested and available, please feel encouraged to submit, and we’ll see you at the Festival!

The AIFF Filmmaker Lab is designed to welcome emerging filmmakers from Atlantic Canada to the world of festivals and film distribution, helping to demystify the festival experience and forging connections with established members of the film industry. Presented in partnership with RBC Emerging Artists and the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative as well as Warner Brothers Canada. Learn more on how you apply to the program here.