2023 Atlantic Award Winners

After a highly successful festival of well-attended screenings and events, the 43rd edition of the Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) is pleased to announce its 2023 award winners.

Best Atlantic Editor
Sponsored by the Canadian Cinema Editors
Winner: Justin Oakey
THE KING TIDE

David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance
Sponsored by Sky Talent
Winner: Susan Kent
WHO’S YER FATHER?

Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Performance 
Sponsored by Sky Talent
Winner: Briar Ainslie 
MOTHER’S SKIN 

Best Atlantic Original Score
Winner: Devon Ross
EVELYN

Best Atlantic Cinematographer
Winner: Desmond Simon
MITATA - GRANDFATHER

Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriter
Winner: Christian Sparkes
SWEETLAND

Best Atlantic Short Documentary
Sponsored by 902 Post and DOC Atlantic
Winner: SONGS OF UNAMA'KI
Directors: Dawn Wells and Jeff Miller
Producers: Donna Davies, Ann Bernier and Victoria Germain

Best Atlantic Short
Sponsored by 902 Post 
Winner: MOTHER'S SKIN
Director: Leah Johnston
Producers: Jason Buxton, Leah Johnston

Honourable Mention for Best Atlantic Short
For Achievement in Experimental Filmmaking
Winner: FATHER ARCHIE
Director: Todd Fraser

Best Atlantic Documentary
Sponsored by the Directors Guild of Canada and DOC Atlantic
Winner: CELESTIAL QUEER: THE LIFE WORK AND WONDER OF JAMES MACSWAIN
Directors: Eryn Foster, Sue Johnson

Best Atlantic Director
Sponsored by William F. White International
Winner: Christian Sparkes
SWEETLAND

Gordon Parsons Award for Best Atlantic Feature
Winner: THE KING TIDE
Director: Christian Sparkes
Producers: Allison White, Will Woods

The Atlantic Film Festival Association maintains the sole right to determine if submissions meet the eligibility requirements in each category.


AIFF acknowledges that the lands on which we gather are the traditional territories of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaw, and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples, and the homelands of the Innu and Inuit of Labrador.