FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, taking place this September 16-23, has selected the film WILDHOOD - written and directed by Two-Spirit L’nu filmmaker raised in Kespukwitk, Mi’kma’ki (Halifax, NS) Bretten Hannam - as its 2021 Opening Night Gala Film.
Making its Atlantic Canadian premiere on Thursday, September 16, WILDHOOD is the story of Link and Travis, two Mi'kmaw brothers who embark on a Two-Spirit odyssey, reconnecting with culture and the territory of Mi'kma'ki (Nova Scotia) while trying to find Link’s mother. The film deals with themes of community, culture, and language, with a focus on Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ identity.
“FIN is thrilled to have Bretten Hannam, a FIN alum with 2015’s NORTH MOUNTAIN, return to open the 2021 Festival,” says Wayne Carter, Executive Director at FIN. “And we are so happy to be back in person this year. For us, the festival has always been about the films, filmmakers, and the communal experience our audience enjoys. The current public health landscape means that we won’t be hosting our usual parties and celebrations, but they will certainly be back next year.”
From September 16-23, FIN Atlantic International Film Festival will take place at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane, while FIN Stream will offer a curated program online. FIN is implementing a range of procedures to maintain the safety and security of attendees, staff and volunteers while bringing back the interactive cinematic experience.
Purchasing tickets and passes has never been safer or easier with the 2021 FIN Box Office available exclusively online at finfestival.ca starting Wednesday, August 25 at noon. To plan for social distancing, all seating for the FIN Atlantic International Film Festival in-cinema experience will be selected at the time of ticket purchase. Both ticket buyers and passholders will pick their desired seat location prior to their screening on a first-come, first-served basis, eliminating line-ups and rush ticket lines.
FIN Box Office Support will be available by telephone and online starting Wednesday, August 25 at noon, complemented by additional in-person counter support beginning Thursday, September 16 at Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane for the duration of the festival.
The 2021 FIN passes are simpler than ever, with the FIN AIFF Pass giving access to all in-cinema screenings and the FIN Stream Pass providing full access to our online streaming platform. Buy both and have a chance to binge on us like never before; spend all day in cinemas at Cineplex and go home to burn the midnight oil with FIN Stream to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Following anticipated public health protocols in September, screenings will have limited capacities, and attendees will be asked to always wear masks except when eating and drinking in their seats.
The online festival FIN Stream will be available exclusively in Atlantic Canada from September 16-23 and will feature a curated program of regional content.
“With the introduction of our FIN Stream experience in 2020, it allowed us to present our Atlantic Canadian content to the entire region for the first time,” says Carter. “We are excited to offer this regional program to all corners of Atlantic Canada once again as we continue to champion our East Coast filmmakers.”
FIN will be announcing its full program on Wednesday, August 25th and the FIN Program Guide will be available online that day. The user-friendly digital guide can either be viewed online, downloaded and opened on any device with no need for internet access, or self-printed to peruse and mark up as desired. To complement the Program Guide, FIN will once again offer FINpedia, film listings fully searchable by any keyword along with stills, trailers, film info and direct links to buy tickets and passes.
About FIN Atlantic International Film Festival
FIN Atlantic International Film Festival is an eight-day celebration of film and media from around the world. FIN is committed to supporting quality cinema in Atlantic Canada by offering a first look at the best international films of the festival season and by showcasing excellence in local filmmaking. FIN champions Atlantic Canadian filmmakers and hosts special events to celebrate and bring our community together.
A not-for-profit organization, FIN Atlantic International Film Festival thrives because of its strong ties to the arts community and its dedicated body of volunteers. FIN began as a tiny, grassroots operation in St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1981, relocating to Halifax the following year. Over four decades later, FIN Atlantic International Film Festival has evolved into one of Canada’s premier film festivals.
We acknowledge that the lands on which we gather are the traditional territories of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples, and the homelands of the Innu and Inuit of Labrador. We recognize the ancestral and continued ties of Indigenous Peoples to the lands and waters in the region known as Atlantic Canada.
Follow FIN Atlantic International Film Festival on:
Our website: finfestival.ca
Instagram: @finfilmfest
Twitter: @thefilmfest
Facebook: atlanticinternationalfilmfestival
YouTube: atlanticfilmdotcom
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