Atlantic Canada’s annual celebration of arthouse cinema returns as HIFF turns 20 this year!

The Halifax Independent Filmmakers Festival is back for its 20th edition from May 27–30, 2026, at the Bus Stop Theatre. Features from around the world, short film programs, audience Q&As and nightly soirees will make for four unforgettable days and nights of bold, boundary-pushing cinema.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW — or see it all with a $50 Festival Pass!

HIFF 2026 PROGRAM

 LEVERS

dir. RHAYNE VERMETTE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 AT 7 PM

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 DRY LEAF

dir. ALEXANDRE KOBERIDZE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 AT 9 PM

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 DRINKING AND DRIVING

dir. AVALON FAST AND JILLIAN FRANK

THURSDAY, MAY 28 AT 7 PM

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MADDIE’S SECRET

dir. JOHN EARLY

THURSDAY, MAY 28 AT 9 PM

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CANADIAN SHORT FILMS FOR LATE AT NIGHT

SHORTS PROGRAM

THURSDAY, MAY 28 AT 11 PM

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DEBUT OR
OBJECTS OF THE FIELD OF
DEBRIS AS CURRENTLY CATALOGUED

dir. JULIAN CASTRONOVO

FRIDAY, MAY 29 AT 5:00 PM

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PUNKU

dir. J.D. FERNÁNDEZ MOLERO

FRIDAY, MAY 29 AT 6:30 PM

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ATLANTIC AUTEURS

SHORTS PROGRAM

FRIDAY, MAY 29 AT 9 PM

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 BURY US IN A LONE DESERT

dir. NGUYÊN LÊ HOÀNG PHÚC

SATURDAY, MAY 30 AT 2 PM

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REMAKE

dir. Ross McElwee

SATURDAY, MAY 30 AT 4 PM

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CASTRATION MOVIE ANTHOLOGY II.
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

dir. LOUISE WEARD

SATURDAY, MAY 30 AT 7 PM

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 HIFF 2026 TRAILER