Nadine: How did you get involved with the festival? How long have you been a volunteer?
Elanor: Being a self-taught special effects makeup artist who is extremely passionate about the film industry, I made my research for events and gatherings that are within that context, and the Atlantic International Film Festival showed up at the top of my search.
I was officially accepted as a volunteer just 2 weeks before the festival’s 2022 edition! So, it’s only been 5 months, but my fellow volunteers always make me feel that I’ve been around for much longer!
N: What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
E: Oh my goodness! I have a whole list of “Favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memories,” but if I were to choose one it would be when I was covering a whole day shift at the airport, greeting festival guests and partners, and collaborating with volunteer drivers. I had a blast welcoming the different directors and making their arrival to Halifax as warm and inviting as the maritime culture is.
N: What part of the film festival would you recommend to a first-time festival goer?
E: Well it depends on how outgoing they are, if they’re more introverted I would highly recommend the option of checking out all of the movies with a good friend (there’s a super cool ticket that gets you in the movie theatre to watch all of the festival’s film selections during the entire festival’s duration); however if they’re on the more extroverted (let’s meet some new friends) type, I would enthusiastically encourage the amazing social gatherings that happen around the love of film, culture and vision like the Opening Gala and the awards ceremony.
N: What do you most look forward to every year at FIN?
E: I am of course looking forward to being around my fellow volunteers again whom I love so much! As well as helping out behind the scenes to always deliver the best experience to our filmgoers and the hard-working bright creators, hence the festival.
N: What is your favourite film?
E: ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Tim Burton.
N: What is your favourite movie snack?
E: Plain popcorn with 0-calorie white cheddar powder and watermelon sparkling water (0 calories). (It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle.)