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- AFCOOP Updates - March 6th, 2026
AFCOOP Updates - March 6th, 2026
Screenings, events, opportunities, and more!
All AFCOOP staff were present at the Arts & Culture rally at the Province House on Wednesday, where we felt the joy and power of being with our fellow arts and culture workers and allies. We want to remind everyone to keep their ear to the ground and continue to fight against the provincial budget cuts against arts, culture, and community. Premier Tim Houston did not provide any answers to the crowd. We are disappointed with the lack of response and refusal to sit with communities affected by these cuts. It is important now more than ever that we continue to put pressure to have our voices heard and respected by the individuals in positions of power — our MLAs, councillors, the mayor, and the premier. We are looking for answers. | Reach out to friends and family in other parts of the city. Ask them if they’ve spoken with their MLAs. Every voice matters. Remember to keep diligent and stay positive.  |
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.
NOW OPEN!
As an Industry Partner, AFCOOP has the ability to nominate one production in the main component and one production in the Indigenous component 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 Thursday, April 2nd, 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 at these times: French Market English Market |
✰ = filmmakers in attendance
 GANGSTERISM + SHORT ✰ |
Fleapit Cinema presents GANGSTERISM, with special guests writer & director, Isiah Medina, and producer, Kelley Dong! As he mulls over the budget for his new film, director-gangster Clem sends his artist cronies after an old comrade rumoured to be a leaker. Featuring a cast of artists and filmmakers (including Fleapit favourite Kalil Haddad), Gangsterism finds Isiah Medina strikingly reimagining the gangster picture in this profound and ironic examination of both depiction, endorsement, and the morality of making and consuming cinema. |
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AISHA’S STORY ✰
Elizabeth Vibert, Chen Wang | Canada | 2025 | 62m
Aisha Azzam and her husband started their family grain mill in Baqa’a refugee camp, Jordan, nearly 40 years ago. She treasures her role in safeguarding culture by milling the grains and herbs essential to Palestinian cuisine. Through food, Aisha traces the story of Palestinian displacement and rebuilding family and community in exile. Harvesting, milling, cooking, and feasts ground the film’s arc of displacement, longing, steadfastness and resistance. Filmmakers in attendance. Screening followed by Q&A. |
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 MONICA’S NEWS ✰ |
Set in 1970s small-town Nova Scotia, MONICA’S NEWS follows Casey Richards (Polly Gallant-Maclean), a young girl carving out her independence with a newspaper route-until her idealism is shattered by the murder of her older cousin Monica (Elisa Paszt). A moving coming-of-age story about resilience, loss, and finding your voice. . Stay after the screening for a Q&A with director Pamela Gallant (Winner, WIFT-AT Best Director, Screen Nova Scotia Awards 2024), hosted by Jackie Torrens. . |
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MONTRÉAL, MA BELLE
Xiaodan He | Canada | 2025 | 118m
Feng Xia, a 53-year-old Chinese immigrant and mother living in Montreal, has spent her life shaped by duty — to her family, her culture, and a loveless marriage. But when she meets Camille, a spirited young Québécoise, a long-buried desire is awakened. In the balmy and joyful Montreal summer, Feng Xia takes the radical step of choosing herself — embarking on a journey of forbidden love and long-overdue self-discovery. Her awakening becomes a profound reckoning with identity, exile, and the steep cost of liberation.. |
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 | MAKING SPACE DOCUMENTARY SCREENINGAsbestos, bulldozers and property evaluations threaten space for the arts in a growing city. Delve into the stories of Halifax’s iconic art spaces as they fight for their future. Catch the feature length documentary Making Space on March 10th at the Bus Stop Theatre. Tickets $10 at the door. Turret Arts Space will be at the screening to give a project update along with filmmaker Gareth Wasylynko. |
DAL FILM SOCIETY SHORTS SCREENINGThis event will showcase 12 original short films created by Film Society members throughout the winter semester. It will take place on Dalhousie Campus at the Joseph Strug Concert Hall — 1385 Seymour Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3M6. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with the screenings running from 7:00 to 9:30 PM. |  |
 | ONETAKE OPEN HOUSE MIXER!Onetake Rentals is hosting an open house mixer. The newest rental house located on the pennisula and a partner of AFCOOP wants to meet you! Swing by the studio on Saturday, March 14th between 7 PM - 9 PM. Refreshments and light fare provided. 5687 West St - UNIT 265 |
 | Screen NS Awards Gala Nomination ExtensionThe Screen NS call for nominations has been extended until March 9th. This annual event celebrates the incredible talent, creativity, and passion that are the trademarks of the screen industry. Submit your film by March 9th. |
CBC Short Film Face Off SubmissionsShort 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 March 20th. |  |
 | 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. |
