VOLUNTEER
Fun, Film and Community
Volunteer Spotlights
Thank you for your hard work!
The Volunteer Spotlight series highlights AIFF’s most valuable resource: its dedicated community of volunteers and their role in making the Atlantic International Film Festival the premier event it is today. Our volunteers are incredibly diverse and from all walks of life: they include professionals, retirees, students, recent immigrants, film industry crew members, and more.
Meet Chloë
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“The Halifax film community is small but tight-knit, so you may see a few familiar faces as you're making new friends. I bumped into my Cinema Studies professor, the amazing Shannon Brownlee, while I was volunteering last year. She was hosting the screening for The Double Life of Veronique and gave an insightful, captivating introduction to a gorgeous film.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Crystal
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“When I was a volunteer driver taking people to and from the airport. This gave me the opportunity to have some really interesting discussions with filmmakers who had travelled to Nova Scotia for the festival.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Manoela
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“It was a day when I felt very comfortable speaking English and talking with other volunteers and spectators. It was a big achievement for me.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Kevin
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“The excitement of volunteering for the opening night of the 2022 festival. After two years of COVID isolation, the return of in-person screenings and events was met with a palpable energy and joyousness among audiences and filmmakers alike. It was a delight to greet people at Park Lane and welcome them back to the festival. This was truly a unique circumstance to start my volunteer journey!”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Elanor
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“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.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Ruth
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“I learnt new things, made new friends, and had the firsthand experience of meeting with new and veteran actors, film makers and so on. I was particularly impressed by how everything moved like clockwork. Every volunteer knew what to do at the right time and the organizers made it very easy for the volunteers to fit into the schedule of things.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Angamuthu
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“Definitely, I would say, getting to know the different types of movies that FIN offers—documentaries, shorts, features, special presentations. And getting to know new people, that makes happy memories.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Pamela
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“I did the set-up for the lobster dinner. It was a beautiful location; it was crazy how they went from a hall to looking really good! But I liked all parts of it—the people, the theatre.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Angie
How did you get involved with AIFF? How long have you been a volunteer?
“Well, working in politics, it was a grueling job; it really becomes all-encompassing. So, about three years ago, I was looking to just expand my own personal network and looking at ways to become more involved in the community. I had a real interest in the Festival, I’d taken in a show here and there. The first time I reached out I got involved in FIN Partners checking in people, coordinating meetings, making sure everyone had their schedule. I’ve now moved into theatre managing, which I also really enjoy. I like being in the theatre.”
Read the full interview here.
Meet Caitlyn
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“My favourite Festival memory would have to be the closing night gala about two years ago; it had such an incredible energy. It was the first year we started using the FIN brand. Everyone was so excited. After being up in the Transport office, it was so incredible to be able to join the people I had been working with and speaking with over the phone.
Also, being able to do a tech review for the shorts program last year. I was just me in the theatre during the entire program, making sure all the audio and video were in sync.”
Read the full interview here
Meet Andrea
What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
“I think Gord Downie’s brother Mike Downie’s movie, FINDING THE SECRET PATH.
When he was there previewing his movie and talking about it, it was just very heartfelt and emotional. I really like hearing from the people involved before the movie, just to get their insight and to know where they’re coming from. That one was like, “I’ve got to tell everybody to watch this!”
Read the full interview here
Meet Logan
N: What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
L: There was a movie called THE TRIBE. It was a movie out of the Ukraine, I believe, that was done entirely in sign language. So there was no talking, no subtitles, just the movie. That in and of itself was a really profound movie experience; you’re able to follow along and realize we don’t actually need talking and dialogue as much as we think we do. But it was also a very, very powerful movie. I actually ended up fainting during it.
Read the full interview here
Meet Michael
N: Last question! What’s your favourite movie snack?
M: Oh, it would have to be popcorn, obviously. I do get the popcorn with the fake butter and the fountain pop. The fountain pop is unhealthy, the fake butter is unhealthy, but it doesn’t matter, because when you’re at the theatre you do it anyway!
Read the full interview here
Meet Renata & Humberto
N: How did you get involved with AIFF? How long have you been a volunteer?
R: It was my idea! I remember that a friend of mine posted on Facebook that she was interested in watching a movie because she knew the director, and she invited me to go. And then, I started learning about the festival. It was our first year here, so I was trying to get more involved in the community. And because I love movies, I thought, “I’ll try to volunteer with them.” And then, I invited Humberto!
Read the full interview here
Meet Cathy
N: What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
C: Well, to tell you the truth, there hasn’t been any one specific thing, but I have to say I really love working with people. I’ve been able to make connections with people, so, when I go somewhere to do something with FIN, I know everybody! So it’s not anything specific as much as it is just being with the people; I’m there for human connection.
Read the full interview here
Meet Liz
N: What is your favourite Atlantic International Film Festival memory?
L: Well, it’s kind of a silly memory. I think it was my second year. I’d gone on a date with a guy and then, a few days later, I ended up accidentally running into him and his parents while I was scanning tickets into Theatre 8. And… that guy is now my fiancé!
Read the full interview here
Meet Tina
N: What do you most look forward to every year at AIFF?
T: You know what, it’s reconnecting with the other volunteers, because it tends to be a lot of the same people from year to year and sometimes you only see them once or twice a year. You might see them on the bus or passing through, and you see them at the Festival. They’re people that I don’t get to see much but have great relationships with otherwise.
Read the full interview here
Meet Liz
C: Why do you volunteer, generally?
L: The chance to see things I might not be able to see if I had to buy a ticket is one reason, but there is so much more. You get to meet people you might not otherwise; you feel that you have made a difference, helped in some way. You feel appreciation and get to a side of things that you wouldn’t by buying a ticket. I also enjoy the camaraderie of working with other volunteers and staff. I am an empty nester and am often alone at my office, so being around so many other people is a good change.
Read the full interview here
Meet Majoh
A: What part of AIFF would you recommend to someone who’s never gone before?
M: Pretty much just come out to the movies! Funny thing is, since I’ve been doing this, I’ve never watched one movie! I never have time – I literally just volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. I never have time to watch any – not one movie! I gave away all the passes! My biggest thing for me, it’s meeting people and socializing.
Read the full interview here
Meet Bernie
A: What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had while volunteering with AIFF?
B: I had a moving experience. The moving experience was the appreciation film last year was [Gord] Downey, LONG TIME RUNNING. And, I looked around and people… [a man] was bawling, tears streaming down his face, so emotional! I think that’s what sticks out in my mind when you ask me, the emotional impact that film had on some of the volunteers.
Read the full interview here
Meet Annie
C: So how did you start volunteering with AIFF?
A: A lady who lives across the street… she volunteers for quite a few things. She told me one day about it, so I applied and I’ve been here since! I think this is my sixth year, I believe. I believe, six or seven, I’ve lost count now, I should have kept count.
Read the full interview here
Meet Margaret
C: Most vibrant memory from the film fest.
M: There’s just so many. I think what sticks out the most, because it’s the most challenging, was when we had the awards banquet… [There were] …like 2 picnic tables together full of vegetables we had to wash, chop and … some volunteers to go at that and bring it to full presentation. [T]hat, to me, was always such a challenge, because there were mounds, I’m telling you MOUNDS of vegetables… To see that materialize, that was something we needed to [work together to achieve], to bring that to life.
Read the full interview here
Meet Jason
C: What would you recommendations would you make if you are speaking with a first-time AIFF festival-goer?
J: If you can get to the Opening Night Gala, that is a pinnacle. The energy, the excitement, the enthusiasm, and the celebrity that comes with it, it’s just so much fun to be a part of. It’s a huge deal, it’s at a great venue, generally it’s easily accessible, and yeah, it just kind of sets the tone for the week. [I]t’s a must-see, a must-do.
Read the full interview here
Meet Joan
C: How long have you been volunteering with Atlantic International Film Festival?
J: You know what, I don’t know. I would say maybe about 7 – I never really put a date or a time… I’ll say 7 [years]. I’m trying to think back to what made me start, which was the red carpet on Oxford Street. I said, “What’s going on there?” and they said, “A red carpet!” and I said, “A red carpet in Halifax?” And the next year I signed up!
Read the full interview here
Meet Rodin
C: What’s your favourite film?
J: Hmmm, oh boy. I think one that’s always stuck with me over the years is IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER. It’s about the Irish Republican Army and the Guilford Five, who were wrongfully accused of this famous bombing in Guilford, England and their fight for basically understanding and freedom. It’s the kind of film that told a deep and meaningful story and really shows how politics and the need to blame someone often clouds fact… it was just a really powerfully-made film and a really great story.
Read the full interview here