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- AFCOOP Updates - December 12, 2025
AFCOOP Updates - December 12, 2025
FILM 5 Trainee Schedule, Weekend Workshops, Grants for Filmmakers due Monday!
🏋️♀️ FILM 5 Trainee Schedule Below! 🎞️ Analog Artist-in-Residence: Jenna Marks is hosting her workshop this weekend! We’re very close to selling out, so grab your tickets right now! 🌀 Grants for Filmmakers are due on Monday, December 15th! 🎁 AFCOOP staff are taking an extended lunch next Thursday on Dec. 18th! They will be back by 3pm to wrap things up before the holiday closure. |  |
❄️ AFCOOP HOLIDAY CLOSURE ❄️
OUR LAST DAY IN OFFICE IS THURS. DECEMBER 18TH
AND WE REOPEN ON TUES. JANUARY 6TH
Analog Artist-in-Residence
PHYTOGRAMS & ANALOG-DIGITAL HYBRID ANIMATION WORKSHOPS!
Saturday, December 13th, 10am - 12pm: Intro to Analog with Phytograms Phytograms are a cameraless film technique that transfers plant material onto film strips and photo paper from direct contact of plant matter onto photochemical emulsion. Instructor Jenna Marks will provide a hands-on demonstration of the techniques and discuss her recent experiments with eco-processing during her residency with pine and ash! The workshop is open to the public and ideal for all skill levels. No previous experience with photochemical processes is required. Materials will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring any exposed film or photopaper you have lying around. This workshop also provides a great reason to head outdoors before the date to collect some fall foliage around a park or your home to experiment with. | Sunday, December 14th, 10am - 12pm: Analog-Digital Hybrid Animation Using materials made during hands-on instruction on Saturday, Jenna will lead a classroom-style presentation on Sunday showcasing ways to transfer analog film into your future projects. She will break down ways to apply your analog experiments into digital animation with After Effects. Whether you’re interested in alternative processes or animation, come hear our analog artist-in-residence, Jenna Marks, one of our region's most accomplished and innovative independent animators, share tips and tricks of blending analog and digital methods to help inspire the creation of your next film! No previous animation or analog experience required. It is NOT mandatory that you take the Saturday workshop to attend the Sunday workshop, but it is strongly recommended. |
Questions about the grants and eligibility? Send Henry an email at [email protected]!
FILM 5 TRAINEE SCHEDULE — REGISTRATION OPENS IN THE NEW YEAR!
The FILM 5 Trainee Program is a hands-on training program for aspiring technical crew. Paralleling the Creative Team component of FILM 5, the trainee program provides participants with high-quality classroom training, practical on-set instruction and networking opportunities.
On the FILM 5 sets, trainees work under key crew-members from the local film industry. Keys are industry professionals responsible for running their departments, and for providing guidance and leadership to the trainees. Trainees leave the production having networked with industry crew, practical experience and resume references. To become a trainee crew member, you must take the required workshops for your desired position, pay the application fee (which includes the mandatory Set Etiquette Course), come to the Trainee/Team Meet and Greet and submit a resume, cover letter and application form to Henry.
This year, each FILM 5 production is required to have a minimum of seven trainees on set. FILM 5 productions will take place from approximately late March to late April. The workshops will run from mid January until March 2026.
To register as a trainee, please complete the APPLICATION FORM.
Pay ($60) registration fee HERE
Weekend, January 17 – Production Managers Intensive – 10am – 5pm ($75) |  Weekend, February 28 & March 1st – Art Department Intensive – 10am – 5pm ($150) |
AFCOOP’s FILM 5 Workshop Access Policy
AFCOOP recognizes there are systemic inequities that create barriers for people in accessing film training. In an effort to address and recognize historical and present-day inequities, while trying to balance the hard costs of running a program like FILM 5, we will continue to offer last year’s lower base cost and have introduced a reduced rate too. Please feel free to sign up for whatever price-point you are most comfortable with. No questions asked. If the cost is still a barrier please contact us and we will make our best efforts to ensure you can attend.)
 Become a member! |  Make a donation! |  Get involved at the co-op! |
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER!
When you rent gear over the holiday closure, you will receive an additional 50% off! YES, this half-off stacks with 75% membership discount!
rent from December 18th - January 6th, and receive an additional 50% off the rental (On top of the Full Members usual 75%).
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
When you purchase a 100ft Roll of Kodak Color Neg or 2× 100ft of 3378 stock, you receive a 16mm camera rental FOR FREE (this offer applies to the Bolexes & Scoopic ONLY. It excludes the ARRI SR-3. Light meter not included).
Questions? Reach out to Tech Coord, Cody Chandler, [email protected] / 902-405-4474.
 CLAIRTONE |  ZODIAC KILLER PROJECT |
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There, There tells the parallel stories of Ruth, an elderly woman with dementia obsessed with feeding the neighbourhood birds, and Shannon, her young homecare worker who is pregnant and has been deserted by the baby’s father. The two women find comfort in one another at these very different stages in their lives. Location: |
 Attention arts and crafts lovers of Halifax! | Mark your calendars for the HOLIDAY SUPER MARKET at Radstorm! Come sip on some hot apple cider and shop til you drop from local vendors of art, craft, curated vintage, and more! It’s all happening on Saturday, December 13, 10-3pm @ Radstorm, 2177 Gottingen Street. Free hot apple cider! |
FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS
HIFFHalifax Independent Filmmakers Festival wants to see your film! Submissions for HIFF 2026 are NOW OPEN. We're seeking bold, boundary-pushing works from new and unique voices. HIFF 2026 will take place May 27–30 at the Bus Stop Theatre in Halifax’s north end. Send us your latest work in the following categories:
Early-bird Deadline: January 12, 2026 Regular Deadline: February 16, 2026 Late Deadline: March 16, 2026 Find more info and submit at filmfreeway.com/halifaxindependentfilmmakersfestival. | Anifest HalifaxAnimation Festival of Halifax 2026 submission deadlines! Hot DocsSubmissions are open for North America’s biggest documentary film festival! |
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Viewers discretion advised, must be 18+ to join. |
Updated: I'm looking for a small film crew to help put together a show I have in mind. If the show is sold to a TV station or played on YouTube we can negotiate pay. Otherwise this is a volunteer position. The show may run for a year. Dedicated crew only. I'm looking for film crew: script writer, editor, camera, lighting, and logistics assistant. Anyone else? Let me know. The show is an important project to help bring inspiration, education & | awareness to all people who want to get physically fit but who deal with mental health conditions. 1-3 people filmed who disclose their condition and want to get fit. We will follow their unique journey to achieving a healthy body with supports in place; trainer, nutritionist, friends/family and therapist. If your interested please contact me. Thanks, EM |
