ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Now in its 17th year, HIFF provides a unique venue for filmmakers and media artists to share their work in a forum dedicated to the celebration of independent cinema. Since its inception, HIFF has showcased the Atlantic region's most innovative works alongside the films of acclaimed visiting artists.

As a filmmakers’ festival, HIFF brings the directors of the works we show to Halifax in order to create opportunities for them to connect directly with audiences and local artists through hosted Q+A's, artist talks and workshops. HIFF also presents a number of professional development initiatives, designed to assist local filmmakers with improving their skills and getting their films programmed at festivals around the world.   

PROGRAMMING

The feature film and visiting artist content screened at HIFF is selected by a programming committee of filmmakers and cinephiles. The Atlantic Auteurs short films that HIFF screens are selected through an open call for submissions and a peer jury process. Meet the HIFF team.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In addition to the main festival content, HIFF includes professional development opportunities for local filmmakers and the public including annual Artist Talks.

AUDIENCE AND PARTICIPANT POLICY

The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP) and the Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival (HIFF) aim to foster a supportive, non-threatening and respectful environment at all our events. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any form. This includes but is not limited to: racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia, queerphobia, homophobia, sizeism, ageism, xenophobia, sexual harassment, or violence of any kind. We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses violations of this policy to speak with event volunteers and/or HIFF/AFCOOP staff who will address the situation immediately, and provide support and further resources. If you are found violating our policy, you may be asked to leave the space.

PRESENTED BY THE ATLANTIC FILMMAKERS COOPERATIVE

HIFF is run by the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP), a non-profit, community based organization dedicated to supporting the production and presentation of film and moving image work by independent artists. Since AFCOOP's formation in 1974, The co-op has been providing alternative screening opportunities for Nova Scotian filmmakers and audiences to experience the work of independent artists from the region and across the world.

HIFF was created in 2007 as a way to consolidate AFCOOP's presentation resources into an event capable of garnering recognition regionally and nationally.