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- AFCOOP Updates - Feb 20th, 2026
AFCOOP Updates - Feb 20th, 2026
Screenings, events, opportunities, and more!
🖥️ The editing suite has been busy this year! Book early! |  |
Do you have a fiction feature film script that you’re really excited about but it’s hard to share in a short pitch? Are you thinking of applying to Talent to Watch? Are you uncomfortable talking about yourself and why you are the right person for the project? How can you set yourself apart from so many other great ideas?
Apply for “Perfecting the Project, Perfecting the Pitch” with Jan Miller! In an interactive 3-hour online workshop, everyone where everyone will present their video version of their first pitch, Jan will ask questions to help clarify your story, characters and tone. She will then follow up with 1-2-1 consultations offering further insightful feedback to structure your 5 minute video pitch so that it is at its very best when presenting to the Talent to Watch jury. Workshop: Sat. March 21 Be prepared to show your five-minute pitch video at the workshop. | Materials: |
Jan Miller:
From early in her career, Jan committed to celebrating films from 'regional' filmmakers around the world. She launched the seminal Local Heroes International Screen Festival which led to Canada’s first film school, the National Screen Institute. Through the NSI, she started several of its flagship training programs. In Halifax, through the Atlantic Film Festival, she designed and produced Strategic Partners (SP), a go-to annual international co-production market. With German partners, she co-created and led TAP, Trans-Atlantic Partners, a co-production training program that established lasting partnerships between Canadian and international producers. She followed this up as lead for the CMPA's International Co-production Accelerator Program. And, throughout her journey, Jan has served as an international Pitch consultant, trainer and mentor to many.
Committed to supporting women and gender diverse creatives working in the industry, Jan established Women in Film and Television-Atlantic (WIFT-AT). She served as the Founding Chair for six years, followed by serving many years on the WIFT-AT Board. She launched and co-led programming for its annual Making Waves Conference, the WAVE Awards, the Pitch Competition and the Shadow Project for Atlantic women directors. Serving on the Executive of Women in View, Jan designed and delivered the industry component and pitch training for Women in View’s unique Five in Focus programs including her role as co-creator of the Disabled Producers Lab, finding a home for it at the NSI. She continues in her role as trainer and consultant for the Women in Animation’s national Animation Career Eccelerator (A.C.E.) program which began as a Five in Focus program.
ADVOCATE FOR ARTS FUNDING!Call for action from all of us involved in the arts and culture community in Halifax and the entire province. Arts funding at BOTH the Municipal and Provincial levels are under threat. Budget season for both municipalities and the province is upon us and there has been talks of a 10% reduction in funding, including in project grants, in an effort to cost-save and the talks are similar on a provincial level. Please take the time to send two letters, one to the mayor & councillors, and one to your MLA. |  |
 BAM BAM: THE SISTER NANCY STORY |
*directing attending via video-link! . |
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WHAT WE DREAMED OF THEN
Taylor Olson | Canada | 2025 | 104m
A passionate swim coach and dedicated father navigates the turbulent reality of invisible homelessness when he is forced to live out of his van. |
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 THE LOVE THAT REMAINS |
Tenderly and hilariously captures a year in the life of an Icelandic family of five, as the parents navigate their separation. Come for the charming story, stay for the dreamlike soundtrack—and prepare to be won over by the Cannes ‘Palm Dog’ winner Panda, the scene-stealing Icelandic sheepdog. |
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THE SECRET AGENT
Kleber Mendonça Filho | Brazil | 2025 | 158m
In 1977, a technology expert returns to his Brazilian hometown, fleeing a mysterious past. A thematically rich and visually arresting political thriller, The Secret Agent blends grindhouse stylization with biting social commentary to weave a vividly dangerous yet darkly human tale. |
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LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARDCelebrate African Nova Scotian Heritage Month with Nova Scotia Archives and a new exhibit of selected documents, photographs and other meaningful archival material reflecting centuries of history and heritage. |  |
Do you know someone that’s an educator? Send them a link to the AIFF School Tour! Click on the image to learn more.
 | NIFCO’s Grant Writing with Creative Focus Workshop Newfoundland filmmaker, Devin Shears, who was in Halifax in November for a sold-out screening and workshop, is leading a virtual workshop on grant writing with NIFCO. |
VANS: Writing for Accessibility in the ArtsVANS is offering an online info session for arts organizations to help make your art and communications more accessible to audiences. Participants will learn how to craft inclusive, engaging descriptions that honour artistic intent while improving accessibility. Topics include best practices for: |  Wed, Feb 25, 2 - 3:30pm (virtual) |
WAVE AWARDS Do you know a remarkable woman or gender-diverse person in the Atlantic Canadian screen industry? Recognize their contributions with a nomination! |  |
 | MAKING WAVES VOLUNTEERSWIFT-AT's annual Atlantic Canadian screen industry conference is happening April 10-11, 2026 at the Prince George Hotel in Halifax, and they are looking for looking for volunteers! ✅ Flexible shifts |
LINDALEE TRACEY AWARD Every year, White Pine Pictures presents the Lindalee Tracey Award to honour an emerging Canadian filmmaker working in the spirit of Lindalee Tracey, whose films reflect a passionate point of view, a strong sense of social justice and “a joie de vivre”. Lindalee Tracey was an award-winning filmmaker, author, entertainer and also a beloved wife and mother. |  |
FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS
Emerging Lens Cultural FF | Lunenburg Doc Fest | AIFF |
Inspiring, educating, empowering, and recognizing African Canadian and other cultural filmmakers. | Lunenburg Doc Fest celebrates a diverse slate of international documentaries — and we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring for our 2026 edition! | Submissions are now open for the 46th Atlantic International Film Festival! Accepting shorts & features. |
Regular Deadline: March 15th | Early Bird Deadline: March 13, 2026 | Early Bird: March 20th |
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Viewers discretion advised, must be 18+ to join. |
