Editor

After a highly successful festival of well-attended screenings and events, the 43rd edition of the Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is pleased to announce its 2023 award winners.

Best Atlantic Editor 
Sponsored by the Canadian Cinema Editors
Winner: Justin Oakey 
THE KING TIDE

David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance
Sponsored by Sky Talent
Winner: Susan Kent
WHO’S YER FATHER?
 
Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance 
Sponsored by Sky Talent
Winner: Briar Ainslie 
MOTHER’S SKIN 
 
Best Atlantic Original Score 
Winner: Devon Ross 
EVELYN 

Best Atlantic Cinematographer 
Winner: Desmond Simon
MITATA - GRANDFATHER
 
Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriter 
Winner: Christian Sparkes 
SWEETLAND
 
Best Atlantic Short Documentary 
Sponsored by 902 Post and DOC Atlantic 
Winner: SONGS OF UNAMA'KI
Directors: Dawn Wells and Jeff Miller
Producers: Donna Davies, Ann Bernier and Victoria Germain
 
Best Atlantic Short 
Sponsored by 902 Post
Winner: MOTHER'S SKIN
Director: Leah Johnston
Producers: Jason Buxton, Leah Johnston
 
Honourable Mention for Best Atlantic Short
For Achievement in Experimental Filmmaking
Winner: FATHER ARCHIE
Director: Todd Fraser
 
Best Atlantic Documentary
Sponsored by the Directors Guild of Canada and DOC Atlantic 
Winner: CELESTIAL QUEER: THE LIFE WORK AND WONDER OF JAMES MACSWAIN
Directors: Eryn Foster, Sue Johnson

The Atlantic Jury noted, “CELESTIAL QUEER: THE LIFE WORK AND WONDER OF JAMES MACSWAIN celebrates the film oeuvre of one of Nova Scotia’s most iconic artists. Johnson and Foster uphold an indie spirit in this loving portrait of MacSwain and welcomingly remind us of the vitality of self expression, culture jamming, and queer archives.”

Best Atlantic Director
Sponsored by William F. White International
Winner: Christian Sparkes
SWEETLAND

The jury praised director Christian Sparkes for his “assured hand with the soulful and humane storytelling in SWEETLAND. His commitment to character, place, and cinematic expression breathes throughout the careful camera choices and evocative soundscape.”

Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Feature
Winner: THE KING TIDE
Director: Christian Sparkes
Producers: Allison White, Will Woods

“THE KING TIDE creates a cloistered world and yet refuses to be pinned down by its regionality. It marks a shift in Atlantic Canadian cinema toward more conceptual storytelling and uncompromising aesthetics that demand a larger palette.”

The winners were selected by jury members Liane Cunje, Ashley McKenzie and Kiel McNaughton.

Liane Cunje is a Canadian producer and film programmer for Aspen Shortsfest and TIFF’s Midnight Madness Presents… series. Her first feature as Associate Producer was the 2023 AIFF title FITTING IN (Directed by Molly McGlynn) which premiered at the South-by-Southwest film festival. She also works in production and acquisitions for Vinegar Syndrome Pictures, the new release label for home entertainment restoration and distribution company Vinegar Syndrome.

Ashley McKenzie is one of Atlantic Canada’s most acclaimed filmmakers, based in Unama’ki/Cape Breton, writes and directs films in collaboration with people in her community, compelled by stories near to her that may otherwise be overlooked. She won numerous awards at last year’s Atlantic International Film Festival, including Best Director & Best Atlantic Feature, for their film Queens of the Qing Dynasty. Their feature debut Werewolf earned awards at AIFF and around the world.

Kiel McNaughton is a (Māori/Chinese/Pākehā) director and producer based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (Auckland, New Zealand). Kiel developed the framework for and co-produced the critically acclaimed Waru, which premiered at TIFF and sparked a trilogy of feature films including Vai (2019) and Kāinga (2022). His first film as a director The Legend of Baron To’a was acquired for release in the US in Dec 2020 by Gravitas Ventures and was the closing night film at Fantasia Film Festival 2020.

Prizes were generously provided by our partners and supporters.

About AIFF
The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is an eight-day celebration of film and media from around the world, turning Halifax into an international destination for movie-lovers and filmmakers alike. Discover a variety of regional, national, and international films that explore all corners of life, culture, entertainment, and the global human experience. All film selections are chosen with our audience in mind and our special events are designed to bring our community together. A not-for-profit organization, AIFF began as a tiny, grassroots operation in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1981, relocating to Halifax the following year. Over four decades later, the Atlantic International Film Festival has evolved into one of Canada’s premier film festivals and a champion of Atlantic Canadian filmmakers. Whether for unabashed film-lovers, industry folks, or curious onlookers, AIFF is the place to engage and connect through the love of movies. AIFF is now a year-round celebration of film, growing beyond our cornerstone event in September to include AIFF Partners, AIFF Kids, and AIFF Outdoor. The 43rd annual Atlantic International Film Festival took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia from September 14 - 21, 2023.

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