The Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) has announced three Canadian films making their world premieres in September.

All three films hail from Atlantic Canada and mark the first programming announcement for the 2024 festival in Halifax.

Among the premieres is the Nova Scotia-shot coming-of-age feature Monica’s News (pictured). The film is the debut feature from Pamela Gallant and follows a young girl who seeks independence through running her own paper route.

Monica’s News is written and directed by Gallant and produced by Terry Greenlaw of Halifax’s Picture Plant. The film was a recipient of the Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) Feature Film Award, with WIDC co-creator Carol Whiteman serving as an executive producer.

Another feature from Nova Scotia is Lakeview, written and directed by homegrown talent Tara Thorne. The film takes place over a girls’ weekend where a group of exes reassess their relationship to one another following a divorce.

Lakeview is produced by Nicole Steeves and executive-produced by Ann Bernier of Auguste Content.

Rounding out the titles is the Newfoundland-set film Skeet from writer-director Nik Sexton. The film follows a man, played by Sean Dalton, who was recently released from prison and befriends a Syrian refugee, portrayed by Jay Abdo, that lives in his old neighbourhood. The film is produced by Mary Sexton under the banner Sexton & Son Productions

AIFF runs from Sept. 11 to 18.

Photo by Michael Tompkins