Atlantic International Film Festival celebrates 45 years next month

The programming director of the Atlantic International Film Festival in Halifax shares this year's lineup.

The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is hosting its 45th annual festival next month in Halifax.

This year’s festival features 60 films, seven of which are world premieres.

To honour the 45th year celebration, the festival is offering several free films for viewers.

“We are going to be kicking things off with some free programming for the first weekend and that includes free screenings of some Atlantic classics,” Lisa Haller, AIFF director of programming, told CTV Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett.

The free screenings will be for Atlantic films such as the Anne of Green Gables mini-series, Closet Monster and Parsley Days, which are all celebrating milestone years of their own.

The AIFF takes place at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane in Halifax from Sept. 10-17.

“We have three days of industry programming that we are opening up for free to the public,” Haller said.

The public will be able to see what happens at a film festival and all those who are involved.

The Opening Night Gala will premiere the film Sk+te’kmujue’katik (At the Place of Ghosts), a film from Bretten Hannam, a Two-Spirit L’nu writer-director.

“What’s really exciting about a film festival in my mind, is that it’s the first place you get to see a film,” Haller said. “These films have not been premiered and in many cases, this is the only time you get to see them.”

The film festival has a variety of films ranging from comedies to dramas to horror films.

The screenings will have Q and A periods with directors and actors as well as parties and other events following the screenings.

“It’s a big celebration, it’s a great gathering and to see something on the big screen is, I think, still really special,” Haller said.

Information on the schedule, tickets and more about each film is available of the AIFF website.

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