The Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival is turning 20 — and it needs your help!

As we enter this milestone year, it's a time to celebrate the wonderful films we've shared and incredible community that has formed around this festival in the past two decades. But at the same time, cuts to our funding are presenting major challenges to hosting HIFF at all.

That's why we're reaching out to you! Your support is crucial in aiding HIFF through its 20th year and helping it thrive in the future.

HIFF is Atlantic Canada's annual celebration of arthouse cinema. Every year we present bold, experimental works by new and exciting voices from Canada and around the world. At HIFF, audiences see acclaimed films that would not otherwise screen in Atlantic Canada, and can connect with the filmmakers directly through intimate artist talks and Q+As.

Your contributions will allow HIFF to:

• Continue paying IMAA-recommended artist fee rates to HIFF filmmakers

• Continue providing travel and accommodation for visiting artists

• Pay festival staff

• Cover the venue rental at the beautiful Bus Stop Theatre

HIFF's scrappy and dedicated community has always been what makes this festival special. Every year, our visiting filmmakers are blown away by the enthusiasm and deep love for film in our area. No matter the contribution, each donation goes so far in keeping independent film alive in our region. See you in May! We love you.

RECOGNIZING YOUR DONATION

HIFF will recognize donations at or above these benchmarks during the 2026 festival season as follows:

$250 or more: Donors will be thanked on the HIFF website

$500 or more: Donors will be thanked on the HIFF website and on the sponsor pre-roll before every HIFF 2026 screening