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- AFCOOP Updates - June 5th, 2025
AFCOOP Updates - June 5th, 2025
CMSE recap and upcoming screenings 🎞️
Another beautiful HIFF in the books! It was delightful to see everyone out at multiple sold-out screenings. Screen NS awards took place on Saturday evening, another great evening with the community. Reminder that Henry is currently on vacation until next week.  |
LIFT CANADIAN MEDIA SKILLS EXCHANGE RECAP WITH CODY CHANDLER
From May 22 to 26, film technicians and artists from across Canada gathered at the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) for the Canadian Media Skills Exchange, a national training program focused on repairing and maintaining analog film equipment. I was joined by representatives from 8 other artist-run film co-ops. We were able to get hands-on knowledge about tools like Bolex cameras, Steenbeck flatbed editors, film projectors, and darkroom gear (provided by AFCOOP’s own Dawn George). Each day was packed with workshops and screenings, much of which were regarding disassembling Bolexs, cleaning and calibrating projectors & optical sound readers, as well as learning to troubleshoot common mechanical failures on each of these devices. Much of the equipment we worked with is no longer manufactured, so the training emphasized repair skills that are hard to find elsewhere. Beyond the technical related knowledge, the exchange gave me a chance to connect with others doing similar work across the country. | We shared comparative stories of how each of our locals operate, and how our analog equipment was benefiting modern filmmakers. We also have many opportunities to chat and mingle on a personal level, and I feel as if they are all now folks that I can reach out to at any time, keeping our co-ops in close relation. Not only was I provided with info on the ground in Toronto, but I was also given educational documents from the workshops, so I can continue sharing knowledge with AFCOOP’s membership. The exchange highlighted how maintaining analog equipment is not just to preserve old machines, but to help introduce the tech to new filmmakers.  |
“The Canadian Media Skills Exchange (CMSE) was a wonderful weekend, connecting many technicians from all over Canada to learn and share skills pertaining to analogue equipment maintenance and repair. It was an honour to host everyone in Toronto, connect with everyone, and build a network for our organizations. It was great to have Cody Chandler as a representative of AFCOOP. It was also an honour to have Dawn George facilitate a Darkroom Practises workshop, a crucial workshop for centres looking to build and/or maintain their darkroom. The analogue film world feels a lot smaller now!”
WHAT’S SCREENING IN THE CITY?
CARBON ARC CINEMA Lucid Toons presents: |  FLEAPIT CINEMA PRESENTS: |
The Disability Screen Office wants to hear from everyone in the Canadian film and television industry! Take ten minutes to fill out this survey that can change the industry for years to come. |  |
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES & SUBMISSIONS
 Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC) Indigenous ResidencyDARC is proud to once again partner with the Hnatyshyn Foundation to present the DARC Indigenous Residency. New this year, the DARC Indigenous Residency will be open to Indigenous artists from across Canada! This one-month intensive on-site artist residency is offered to mid-career Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) artists who are seeking to develop their current practice, experiment with a new medium, or continue an existing project. | Artists in residence are provided with access to DARC’s facilities, including the DARC Microcinema, Soundstage, Digital Edit Suite, and Recording Studio. Artists also have access to an array of audio-visual equipment and up to 16 hours of advisor time for the duration of their residency. Additionally, artists in residence are provided with an artist fee for their work as well as for an artist talk or presentation following the residency period and free access to cultural events and workshops with DARC and partnering organizations. Out-of-town artists will receive subsidies for both housing and travel expenditures. Learn more about the residency by going to DARC’s website. Deadline to apply is June 30th, 2025. Info Session on Tuesday, June 10th at 12PM EST/1PM AST Sign up now to attend the info session at: https://amsnetwork.ca/partners/darc/programs/4-9860 |
Fee Waiver from the Dufferin Film Festial
| They understand that filmmaking is already a major financial investment, and submission fees can be a real barrier—especially for emerging or independent creators. To help reduce that pressure, they are offering free submission waivers to Atlantic Canadians. Waiver Code: DFFWAVE2025 Submit via: FilmFreeway |
The Parrsboro Film Festival [PFF] is inviting Atlantic Canadian filmmakers to submit films for the 15th Annual Parrsboro Film Festival short film competition.
There are two categories of films to choose from:
Films must have been completed within the past 24 months. All genres of film will be accepted.
| The short film competition will take place Saturday morning, October 4th, between 9am and 1pm. The audience will vote for their favourite film at the end of each category. Cash awards for The Audience Favourite in each of these two categories will be presented Saturday at the end of this portion of the Film Festival. Submission deadline is Monday, August, 4th, 2025. Applicants will be advised by Monday, September, 8th, 2025 if their submissions were selected or not. Short films will be jury selected. |
Mosaic International Film Festival: Call for Submissions
Submissions close May 31, 2025—don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this vibrant celebration of independent cinema! Why Submit? A forum for bold, unique storytelling A global stage connecting filmmakers and audiences Nova Scotia residents: Email [email protected] for submission vouchers! |  Founded in 2019 as a local showcase, Mosaic has grown into an international festival, uniting cultures through film while fostering education and creativity in the industry. Submit today and be part of the mosaic! |
SENDING FILM FOR PROCESSING?
AFCOOP mails a package to our partner lab on the first Tuesday of every month!
You can drop the film off anytime to our technical coordinator, Cody at anytime!
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.