Join us for the final day of HIFF 2018!

Today may be the final day of HIFF 2018 but it is not over yet! It's triple play Saturday at the Neptune Scotiabank Stage Theatre with screenings at 3pm, 7pm, and 9pm.

We start at 3pm with an eclectic program of international short films. Every year, HIFF invites programmers from leading Canadian and International film festivals to Halifax to watch films and network with local filmmakers. The HIFF 2018 visiting programmers have selected their favourite short films from their respective festivals to screen for you. Today's Programmers Picks screening at 3pm showcases a variety ofoutstanding international works, and visiting programmers will be present at the screening to talk about their choices. This means you get to see the very best from 4 international film festivals while learning what programmers look for when choosing films to screen at their festivals! 

This evening we turn the spotlight on Atlantic Canada starting with short films by Atlantic Canadian filmmakers in the Atlantic Auteurs Program Two presentation. HIFF 2018 officially wraps up with Mass for Shut-Ins by Winston DeGiobbi at 9pm, a feature made in Cape Breton which The Georgia Straight calls “A weirdly engrossing little murmur from the underside.” Don't miss out on this exciting day of programming!

imagineNATIVE VR will also be available once again for free in the lobby before and in-between screenings. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already! 

ABOUT THE PROGRAMS

Programmers Picks
Every year film festival programmers watch thousands of shorts from all over the world to select what plays at their festivals. HIFF’s visiting programmers will screen some of their favourites and provide a glimpse into the kind of work that is making an impact on the international festival circuit. Guest programmers will be at the screening to introduce the films and answer questions about their respective festivals. HIFF’s 2018 visiting programmers are Curtis Woloschuk (Vancouver International Film Festival), Alejo Franzetti (Berlinale Shorts / Berlin International Film Festival), Gabriela DiNobile (Rhode Island International Film Festival), and Brennan Tilley (Calgary International Film Festival & The Calgary Underground Film Festival). 

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Atlantic Auteurs Program Two
The diverse selection showcased in Atlantic Auteurs - Program Two includes Wintering, a thoughtful take on beekeeping made by Keelin Jack through the CFAT Media Arts Scholarship program, as well as new work from HIFF alumni Josh Owen, Billy’s Behemoth Blast - an astonishingly detailed, mind-bending animation. The Importance of Dreaming by Tara Audibert is another animation with a completely different but just as effective style, playfully immersing the viewer into a lush world of woodland creatures. Featuring natural and complex performances by the young cast, Daniel Boos’ Thug tells the thought-provoking story of how far an actor will go to get a role. In contrast to this drama, the subversive dark horror/comedy Dogged by Nicole Steeves & Struan Sutherland will surprise and shock you with its twisted ending! There is something for everyone in this exciting collection of new shorts.

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Mass for Shut-Ins
Twentysomething Kay Jay lives a sheltered existence with his co-dependent grandfather Loppers. Kay Jay can’t drive, and when his computer breaks down, he staves off his ennui with small acts of pyromania, eating 5-cent candies, and aimlessly wandering the streets of New Waterford. Evoking comparisons to early Harmony Korine and Gus Van Sant, Winston DeGiobbi’s accomplished debut feature uses unflinching realism, tempered by strokes of the surreal, to capture an original and compassionate portrait of the white underclass in post-industrial Cape Breton.
 

HIFF TIPS

We'll have boxes set up today where you can recycle your HIFF 2018 pass. Please help us recycle by depositing your pass in the boxes or giving it to someone at the box office.

TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased online at any time, or at the box office 60 minutes prior to each showtime for $12/$10 student/underwaged.

TOTE BAGS: This year we have HIFF tote bags available for $10. They’ll be on sale in the Neptune lobby prior to or in between screenings. We also have a few vintage HIFF t-shirts available for $10.

CONCESSION: Arrive early to get your free popcorn in the lobby at Neptune. Good Robot Brewing will be a HIFF feature at Neptune’s bar. New this year: you’re allowed to bring your drinks into the theatre with you!

DISCOUNTS: It's the last day to show your pass at the following establishments for a discount:

World Tea House- 15% off
Dee Dee’s Ice Cream- 10% off
Seven Bays Bouldering- $2 espresso drink // $5 bouldering

SOCIAL MEDIA: You are welcome and encouraged to post about HIFF on social media. Please use hashtag #HIFF2018 and tag us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. If you would like to post a photo which includes the face of another person, please ask that person before posting.

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY: Neptune's Scotiabank Stage Theatre has wheelchair accessible entrances, seating, and gendered washrooms. If you have any other accessibility related questions or if you'd like to pre-arrange assistance, do not hesitate to call the Neptune Box Office at (902) 429-7070 or reply to this email.

SAFER SPACES: The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP) and Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival (HIFF) Safer Space policy is intended to help create a supportive, non-threatening environment at HIFF 2018.  AFCOOP is currently undergoing an extensive review of our processes and Code of Conduct, and in the interim will operate in accordance to this policy.

AFCOOP wants to ensure our visitors, members, and staff feel safe, welcome, and comfortable in our spaces, on our film sets, and at our events. We require a respectful environment at all times, and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment in 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 witness violations of this policy to speak with identified safe volunteers or AFCOOP staff (identified by wearing safe buttons) who will address the situation, and provide support and further resources. We are striving to be survivor oriented and our response will be to support the survivor.

If you are found violating our policy, you may be asked to leave the space. If this should happen, we ask that you respect our policy and self-exclude yourself from the event. It is AFCOOPs responsibility to follow up with persons involved in an incident, and an appointment can be made with our director Martha Cooley or a board member after the festival is over.

We understand that survivors may have hesitation about attending public events or visiting our spaces, if so please feel free to contact Ruby Boutilier (Safer Spaces Committee chair and board member) rubysue241@gmail.com and we will make every effort to support your participation.

About HIFF: HIFF is a boutique festival dedicated to showcasing bold, innovative film and media art from the Atlantic region and around the world. The festival includes screenings, receptions, celluloid installations and one-on-one meetings between local filmmakers and guest programmers from Canadian and International festivals.

HIFF is produced by the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative with the generous support of The Province of Nova Scotia, Arts Nova Scotia, Canada Council for the Arts, Canada Department of Heritage, City of Halifax, Telefilm Canada, Screen Nova Scotia, The Coast, and NSCAD University.

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 operates with generous support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of Nova Scotia and the City of Halifax.

HIFF