AFCOOP Updates - February 13th, 2025

Love (snow) is in the air! Early office closure today

February 13, 2025

We’re closing up shop at the co-op early today at 12:30 PM due to weather ❄️ Stay safe and stay cozy out there!
Trainee Program is now full and Assistant Camera Workshop is being condensed to one-day due to the impending Sunday storm.
christmas vacation snow GIF

TRAINEE SPOTS SOLD OUT, WORKSHOPS STILL OPEN TO PUBLIC

Weekend, February  15 –  Camera Assistant Intensive – 10am – 5pm ($150) *Workshop condensed to one day due to weather
Instructor: Kevin Kumar-Misir
Register here

Weekend, February 22 & 23 –  Art Department Intensive – 10am – 5pm ($150)
Instructor: Jessica MacDonald
Register here

Weekend, March 1/2 –  Lighting & Grip Intensive – 10am – 5pm ($150)
Instructor: Stuart Rankin
Register here

Have questions? Contact the programs coordinator, Henry at [email protected]

TAYLOR OLSON’S LOOK AT ME SCREENS TONIGHT AT CARBON ARC

After a fantastic festival run that included screenings at Slamdance, Canadian Film Festival (CFF), and Athens International Film Festival, as well as multiple awards including Audience Choice Awards from Tallahassee Film Festival and Film Invasion LA, the independent feature Look at Me is hitting the big screen for special one-night-only theatrical screenings in Halifax, Toronto, and Saskatoon! Written and directed by Taylor Olson, Look at Me has exceeded all expectations, resonating with audiences and critics alike. This deeply personal and powerful film explores themes of eating disorders, identity, and self-acceptance, earning recognition not just for its storytelling but also for its standout performances—Taylor Olson and Stephanie MacDonald have both been honoured with performance awards on the festival circuit.

The screening will take place at Carbon Arc Cinema on Thursday, Feb. 13th at 6:30 PM and will be followed by a panel Q&A moderated by Carsten Knox with Olson, Dr. Jamie Farquhar of Coastal Psychology, and Erin Rafuse of Risework Therapy.

Check out the trailer and book your tickets

Keep posted on Carbon Arc’s website and Instagram for weather updates!

“MOURNING RITUALS” FILM 5 TEAM FUNDRAISER!

Grab your cutie and cement your affections in a set of beautifully captured portraits. Whether it’s for Valentine’s, Galentine’s, Palentine’s, Pawlentines, or just to celebrate yourself!

As part of a fundraiser for our Film 5 project [Mourning Rituals], we are offering pre-booked sweetheart sessions on Saturday, February 22nd, and Sunday, February 23rd.

A 30-minute session includes two retouched portraits for $60, with the option to purchase additional images for $15 each.

The sessions are limited, so early booking is encouraged. To book email us at: [email protected]

FOR ENTRY + FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 

Submissions for the 45th Atlantic International Film Festival are now open! Accepting Canadian and international films, feature and short length. AIFF screens in Halifax, NS from September 10-17, 2025.

Early Bird Deadline: March 21st, 2025

Alumni discount available, contact [email protected]

Call for Submissions: Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival
HIFF SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Apply now on Film Freeway!

SJIWFF36 Submissions are Open

Submissions for the 36th St. John's International Women's Film Festival are open! Women (trans and cisgender) and gender-diverse people from anywhere in the world are welcome to submit their short and feature-length films for consideration via Film Freeway.

Submission Deadlines
Earlybird Deadline: March 17
Regular Deadline: April 21
Late Deadline: May 19
Extended Deadline: June 2

Call for submissions to the Academy’s Executive Residency Program, deadline is Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6PM AST.

The Executive Residency Program is a Canadian Academy initiative dedicated to providing industry access for mid-career professionals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or persons of colour, in order to influence a change in the next generation of executives and decision makers. The eight-month national program matches high-level Advocates (such as VPs, Executive Producers, Development/Production Executives) with emerging leaders, providing insight into how creative and business decisions are made on an executive level.

SJIWFF: Breaking Into Branded Panel

Beyond shorts, features and TV, directors are expanding their film work into a lucrative and creative medium: branded content. Join SJIWFF for a free virtual panel about breaking into the commercial business, including demystifying demo reels. Featuring Deanne Foley (Son of a Critch), Jordan Canning (Schitt’s Creek) and Aleysa Young (Workin’ Moms), moderated by Vicki Murphy (Creative Director at M5).

Mon, Feb 24
12:30 - 2pm NST
Virtual, Free

FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Sending your film for processing? AFCOOP mails a package to our partnered lab on the first Tuesday of every month.

You can drop the film off anytime to our technical coordinator, Cody at anytime! The next mail day is March 4th!

For more information on getting your film processed, email Cody: [email protected]

AFCOOP’s Filmmakers Job Board is a place to connect with filmmakers and film crews looking for work, or volunteers looking to gain experience in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

Submitting to the AFCOOP Job Board is totally free! All posts are subject to approval by AFCOOP staff and will be reviewed before they appear on the site.

Note: You don't have to create an account to post a job. If you wish, simply enter your email to sign up at the time of job submission.

See it all HERE!

ABOUT AFCOOP: Established in 1974 the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP) is a non-profit, community organization dedicated to supporting the production and presentation of independent film and moving-image-based work in a collaborative, learning environment.

AFCOOP acknowledges that we are located and operate in Kjipuktuk, in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq, Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaw and Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. We are all treaty people.