The 25th anniversary Atlantic Film Festival took place over 10 days on September 15-24, 2005, in Halifax, NS. The 26th Atlantic Film Festival will take place on September 14-23, 2006

The Atlantic Film Festival announced a 24 per cent attendance increase from last year with 29,400 in overall attendance that includes 28 sold-out screenings and events and an increase in audience spread over all events.

“We’re extremely happy with this year’s results,” said Gregor Ash, Executive Director. “The jump in attendance has really shown that there is strong support for the Festival from our audiences and the industry. We are especially happy to see them embrace the entire program.”

One of the highlights was the red-carpet, black-tie Opening Night Party on Argyle Street where 3,000 film-goers mixed and mingled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Atlantic Film Festival and the Opening Gala film 3 Needles with special guests, actor Chloë Sevigny, director Thom Fitzgerald and producer Bryan Hofbauer. Other highlights include special guests actor Ed Burns and director Nick Willing in attendance for the screening of The River King, which was received with a standing ovation, and the awarding of the The Movie Network People’s Choice Award to C.R.A.Z.Y., Canada’s submission to the Academy Awards® for Best Foreign-Language Film.

"We had a very strong year, particularly with the new programs introduced and a much wider reach in terms of audience – not just in the diverse film, music and industry offerings, but in the theatres we actually expanded to outside of the downtown core in Bedford, Dartmouth and Bayers Lake," said Lia Rinaldo, Festival Director. “Audiences have also really discovered and latched on to our Rogers Presents program, which contains the true sleeper hits of the Festival.”