What began in 2001 as a weekend event for local filmmakers to showcase their work has grown into a vital cultural institution that supports artists, builds community, and champions diverse storytelling across the province.
Our Mission
Our core mission is to present high-quality independent films, with a strong focus on showcasing work from Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic Canada, and filmmakers of Inuit, Innu, or Mi'kmaq descent. With a deep-rooted tradition of storytelling in our region, we provide a dynamic platform for emerging and established voices to share their stories. Between 2020 and 2024, over 40 per cent of our festival programming was local content.
Celebrating Independent Film
Alongside our friends St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, our festival is one of the few opportunities in our province for people to gather and see independent film work in Newfoundland and Labrador — especially short films and work by emerging local filmmakers. As a result we also focus on presenting inspiring work that people here would not otherwise have an opportunity to see. Over the years, and especially during the pandemic, the Nickel has helped to build a community of film enthusiasts, supported the growth of local talent, and raised the profile of independent film in the region. Today, the festival is recognized as a vital platform for emerging and established filmmakers alike, and a cornerstone of the cultural landscape here.
A Global and Local Perspective
The work we show spans a wide variety of styles and approaches and we seek innovative work that offers fresh perspectives. We also strive to create an inclusive platform that amplifies underrepresented voices and reflects the rich diversity of our community and beyond. In our 2024 festival, for example, we featured short films from Spain, France, Brazil, Portugal, Ireland, USA, Iceland, Palestinian Territory, Czechia and Poland often with experimental or unique approaches — including TIFF’s 2023 Short Cuts Award winner “Electra”, Oscar nominated animation “The Ice Merchants” from Portugal. Our aim with showing these works alongside local productions is to foster cross-cultural conversation, to expose our audience to a strong diversity of artistic visions and influences, and place local stories with a broader context.
Beyond the Screen
The Nickel is more than a film festival; we are committed to nurturing the local film community through engagement and education. Our filmmaking challenges, school outreach programs, and workshops encourage new voices to explore the art of cinema. We believe that storytelling is for everyone, and with today’s accessible technology, anybody can create compelling films—often all they need is an invitation.
Filmmaking has gone through a monumental technological shift since we were founded in 2001, and the technology required to make a film is quite often literally in everyone’s pocket. Even film editing software and the basic instructions required to develop your skills are easily accessible online. We know there is amazing potential for people to develop unique voices by creating their own work, and we also understand that creating work allows people to develop a deeper connection to and appreciation for the art of film.
Often the one thing missing is an invitation. In recent years in response to public demand we’ve expanded our roster of creative film challenges, including our flagship 48-Hour Horror Challenge, founded in 2011 and running every year since then. These challenges are aimed at inspiring people to pick up a camera and create without judgement, and they’ve inspired hundreds of people to do so.
Fostering New Voices
Growing film culture here to us means paying special attention to fostering voices that have been traditionally underrepresented in the art form. In 2018 we launched the Voices Project — a hands-on film education initiative focused on racialized people who have never created film before. Since then the program has paired professionals with seven participants, including Santiago Guzman and Jessica Brown. Guzman went on to win the Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival award in Halifax for Best Short Film for his followup film “Express Checkout”, and Jessica Brown has gone on to create a film and TV company, Ujarak Media.
Our Staff
The Nickel is driven by a passionate team of film enthusiasts and arts professionals. Festival Director Elling Lien, who has led the organization since 2017, brings extensive experience in arts and culture, including his work as former editor of The Scope and worldwide coordinator of the RPM Challenge. Sandy May, our Outreach Coordinator since 2017, has played a crucial role in expanding our educational programs and supporting underrepresented voices. Mike Fardy, our Programming and Communications Director since 2023, is an award-winning filmmaker with a strong background in community-based initiatives. Together, they collaborate with a board of directors to shape the festival’s artistic vision and strategic direction.
Join Us
At the Nickel Independent Film Festival, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform. Whether you are a filmmaker or supporter of the arts, we invite you to be part of our growing community. Join us in celebrating bold, independent filmmaking and discover new voices from Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.