The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is soon set to wrap up for another year, with the final screenings continuing through September 18. In the meantime, organizers have announced this year’s Atlantic award winners.
The Halifax-shot Sharp Corner, from Nova Scotia-based director Jason Buxton, is among the top winners. Based on the short story by Russell Wangersky, the film tells the story of a man obsessed with saving car accident victims at the sharp road corner near his home.
Buxton’s second feature film, Sharp Corner, won Best Atlantic Feature Film and Best Atlantic Director prizes. Presented by the AIFF, the feature film award receives a $2,000 cash prize, while Buxton will also receive a $2,000 cash prize sponsored by the Director’s Guild of Canada.
Cinema-goers will be able to see Buxton’s Sharp Corner in a free public screening on September 18 at 5:15 pm at Cineplex Park Lane in Halifax. Director Jason Buxton will be in attendance for a Q&A.
Atlantic Short Film jury members Claire Peace-McConnell, Stewart Young, Desmond Simon, and Atlantic Feature Film jury members Deanne Foley, Noah Pink, and Victoria Dabbs selected the AIFF Atlantic Award winners.
A complete list of winners follows:
Best Atlantic Short Documentary
welima’q | Directed by shalan joudry
Presented by 902 Post, the winner of this award will receive $1,500 in-kind support from 902 Post, $1000 in-kind from Sunbelt, $500 cash prize and membership from DOC Atlantic.
Best Atlantic Short Animation
Bloody Mess | Directed by Megan Wennberg
Presented by the Atlantic International Film Festival, the winner of this award will receive a $500 cash prize from the Atlantic International Film Festival and a complimentary 2025 AIFF Festival Pass.
Best Atlantic Short
Pearls | Directed by Mike Simms
Presented by 902 Post and Sunbelt Rentals, the winner of this award will receive $1,500 in-kind from 902 Post and $10,000 in-kind from Sunbelt Rentals.
Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance
Mary-Colin Chisholm | The Kitchen Sink
Presented by Sky Talent Group, the winner of this award will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance
Sean Dalton | Skeet
Presented by Sky Talent Group, the winner of this award will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Honourable Mention: Polly Gallant-McLean, Monica’s News
Best Atlantic Editor
Kim McTaggart | Monica’s News
Presented by Canadian Cinema Editors, the winner of this award will receive a $500 cash prize and a one-year membership to Canadian Cinema Editors.
Best Atlantic Original ScoreÂ
Siobhan Martin | Lakeview
Best Atlantic Cinematographer
Nigel Markham | Skeet
The Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriter
Melanie Oates | Sweet Angel Baby
DGC Award for Best Atlantic Documentary
Seguridad | Directed by Tamara Segura
DGC Award for Best Atlantic DirectorÂ
Jason Buxton | Sharp Corner
The Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Feature
Sharp Corner | Directed by Jason Buxton | Produced by Paul Barkin, Marc Tetreault, Jason Levangie