Happy First Day of Spring! A little cleaning has already been checked off the list with a freshly dusted newsletter design. ✨

The first FILM 5 of the season shoots next weekend! Best of luck to director Mel Hennigar & producer Ellie Rideout of SHIRT! 👚🎬

Congrats to this year’s FILM 5 producer mentor, Melani Wood, who produced THE SNAKE, directed by Jenna MacMillan, which just won the SXSW Special Jury Award for Performance 🎭

Regarding the cuts, what comes next? Let’s get together for “Beyond the Rallies” on Tuesday, March 24th from 7-9 PM at the All Saints Cathedral (1330 Cathedral Lane).

Working artists, organizations, supporters, and many others are getting together to connect, share what’s next, and keep building. Bring a friend, talk with others and take action!

Doors open at 6:30 PM for snacks and socializing.

Mark your calendars- we will be holding a large, multi-sector rally at the Nova Scotia Legislature (Province House) on:
Friday, March 27th at Noon.

Details will follow, but this "All Hands On Deck" rally will be a culmination of advocacy work at every level by hundreds of volunteers since February 23rd.

Did anyone notice the polling released today? Premier Houston's popularity has plummeted by 11%. In a multi-party system, this is the equivalent of falling off a cliff.

Our voices and our efforts are having an impact, and this news is proof.

Don't forget- you can still call to speak at Public Bills by calling 902-424-8941. This process is currently taking longer than usual owing to the large volume of people who are demanding to be heard. Keep it up!

We have time to plan, to organize and to rally our friends and neighbours to join us. Students are anxious to stand shoulder to shoulder with us. The people of this province want us to succeed.

As an Industry Partner, AFCOOP has the ability to nominate one production in the narrative stream and one production in the documentary stream of the Telefilm Talent to Watch program.

This national program supports emerging filmmakers with producing their first feature films (narrative or documentary) by providing funding and mentorship support throughout the process.

Teams nominated by AFCOOP will then re-apply to Telefilm to be considered in the national competition.

The deadline to apply for consideration of a nomination from AFCOOP is extended to Monday, April 6th, 2026 by 11:59 PM AST.

Our guidelines for the application are now live. Please see here.

Please note that Telefilm Canada will be hosting an info session on the program. Register by clicking on the titles below:

French Session 
March 26 @ 11:00 a.m.
English Market
March 26 @ 3:00 p.m.

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HIFF FUNDRAISING: VERMIN
SHORTS + FEATURE + Q&A

YI YI
Edward Yang | Taiwan | 2000 | 173m

MIROIRS NO. 3
Christian Petzold | Germany | 2025 | 86m

SPARE MY BONES, COYOTE!
Jonah Malak | Canada | 2025 | 84m

CFAT MEDIA ARTS SCHOLARSHIP OPENING

This years exhibition, titled Here and Now, will open Friday, March 20th at 6pm. Come check out some immersive media art projects and hang out with some wonderful people! The Exhibition will run from March 20th until April 3rd and feature works by four different artists.

For more information about the exhibitors and their work click here.

TURRET OPEN HOUSE

Saturday 21st March: 10am - 2pm Sunday 22nd March: 2pm - 5:45pm, then we're off to @stardustbarhalifax for the Variety Show at Stardust,

There will be tea, coffee, and merch! Plus Turret will have guests from our community coalition TAKE BACK THE TURRET stopping by.

Want to chat about the building and its history? Learn about our plans for the space? Just want to walk through an incredible historic building in the heart of downtown - come on down!

+ UPCOMING EVENTS!

Take Back the Turret is a community coalition-led campaign working to stop HRM from repurchasing 1588 Barrington Street from the TASS.

Join in Sunday, March 22 at Stardust for a queer variety show and community fundraiser featuring drag, poetry, live music, karaoke, raffle prizes, and more.

Entry by donation.
Doors at 6PM.

Read more about the event here.

Check out details on their Mar. 27th event at Rumours here!

FILM SET SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP

You're invited to our 2nd annual Sustainability event from our 'How Green is Our Scene?' series called - Empowering A Sustainable Future Workshop

This is a free event open to all local TV/Film industry crew, producers, partners, writers, students, etc. All local unions are in support of this event.

There will be food/drink and prizes!

Where: 22 Minutes Studio - 1800 Argyle St. Halifax

When: Tues March 24th 08:30am - 12:30pm

UPCOMING MUSICAL PRODUCTION

Based on lived experience, Someplace Believing: The Musical, with a backdrop of original 80's style pop/rock songs, tells a funny, deeply human story about mental illness, resilience, and connection, focusing on everyday life rather than advocacy language. Mental Illness is The New Normal. Live. Laugh. Love. Succeed!

April 4th at 2 PM & 6:30 PM

Learn more about the show and purchase your tickets here.

AIFF IS HIRING

Looking to be part of a film festival? Know someone who would love this? AIFF is now hiring for the 2026 Festival team.

Find more information on the jobs here!

CBC Short Film Face Off Submissions

Short Film Face Off showcases the best in Canadian short films from across the country. Nine filmmakers face-off for the chance to win a cash award towards their next project.

Submit your film by TONIGHT!

Click here to read the guidelines and submit your film!

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR FILMMAKERS AT TIFF

NEW Creators’ Labs as part of the TIFF: The Market happening September 10–16, 2026 in Toronto, Canada.

Canadian and international emerging directors, writers, series creators, and more can get access to professional development workshops, receive tailored mentorship to refine their craft, and project guidance from internationally acclaimed industry professionals.

All programmes below are accepting applications until April 9, 2026:
◖ Directors’ Lab
◖ Writers’ Lab
◖ Series Creators’ Lab
◖ Sloan Science & Technology Writers’ ◖ Fellowship ($35,000 CAD award)
◖ Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch ($15,000 CAD award)

Read more here!

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.

Read more about the award and how to submit here!

FILM RADIO SHOW!

Bonnie and Freeman of the Dalhousie Cinema Society have a new film-themed radio show at CKDU!

You can listen on 88.1 fm at 5 PM on Fridays, and hear about films new and old, local and international, with guests from the CMS society and the Halifax film scene.

Tune in!

FREAK CLUB CANCELLED TODAY!

FREAK CLUB IS CANCELLED TONIGHT. FREAKS WILL BE AT THE HIFF FUNDRAISER SCREENING!

FREAK CLUB is a weekly gathering of losers, weirdos, creeps, etc. who watch free movies at AFCOOP.

Interested? Talk to Anna (call 250 580-7645), or try your luck getting a spot on the orange couch on Fridays at 5pm.

Viewers discretion advised, must be 18+ to join.