Diary of a Filmmaker (and Mom) on the Festival Circuit
Every year, WIFT-AT gives the Pamela Segger All Access Pass Award to a full member who receives travel support and full industry passes to the Atlantic Canadian fall film festival circuit. The participating festivals are Atlantic International Film Festival (Halifax), Lunenburg Doc Fest, Charlottetown Film Festival, St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, and Silver Wave Film Festival (Fredericton).
The 2025 winner was Brittney Gavin of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Brittney has experience working on documentaries, narrative films, corporate videos, and commercials. Brittney began in the film industry as an editor, but has since branched out to produce and direct her own films. In 2022, Brittney started A + B Roll Films with Amy Mielke with the mission of advancing the perspectives of equity-seeking groups through the stories we tell.
Here’s her festival journal.
This fall, I set out on a four-festival marathon thanks to WIFT-AT and the Pamela Segger All Access Pass Award. My partner and one-year-old came along, which meant every red carpet moment also involved a diaper bag. The trip was equal parts career milestone and family vacation.
Stop 1: Atlantic International Film Festival
We kicked things off in Halifax. AIFF felt like the perfect warm-up, familiar faces and minimal travel. A personal highlight was catching the opening film, Sk+te’kmujue’katik.
Stop 2: Lunenburg Doc Fest
Next came Lunenburg, a town so picturesque it feels like it was designed by Wes Anderson. Each morning started with a small black drip from No. 9 Coffee Bar and a babyccino for my son. Whoever came up with that menu item deserves an award. Two films that stuck with me were The Nest and The Granny and Fishes.
Stop 3: Charlottetown Film Festival
From there, we packed up the car and crossed the Confederation Bridge. I had only done that drive once before in my twenties, but this time I could actually appreciate how surreal it is to be driving in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The Charlottetown Film Festival was incredible. I screened my documentary Apex: The Black Masters and attended industry events that were as valuable as they were fun. The “absurdities” shorts program had me sprinting back to the Airbnb to tell my partner about every hilarious plot twist I had just witnessed.
Stop 4: St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival
After one brief day at home to switch out laundry, we flew to St. John’s. I never pass up an opportunity to hang out with Newfoundlanders. The festival delivered on every level: excellent programming, brilliant panels, and the kind of camaraderie you can only find among women filmmakers. The unexpected highlight was karaoke night. Apparently, everyone in attendance works part-time as a karaoke professional. I am already planning my debut for next year. Suggestions welcome.
This was my first time attending all of these festivals except AIFF, and I am so grateful to WIFT-AT for making it possible. Experiencing these festivals as both a filmmaker and a new mom gave me a new appreciation for creativity, community, and efficient packing. It was incredible to share these experiences with my son, and I hope to make festival season a yearly family tradition. —Brittney Gavin
Applications for the 2026 PSAAPA will open next summer. Click here for full information and eligibility.