Atlantic film fest jury is split in 2 groups

The 24th Atlantic Film Festival (AFF) announced today that Brett Hendrie, Michael Melski and Stephen Reynolds have been selected for the Atlantic Jury and Charles Bishop, Duncan Hall and Paul Quinn have been selected for the Canadian Jury for this year’s Festival, September 17-25, 2004. The Atlantic Jury chooses 11 Atlantic awards while the Canadian Jury chooses two awards.

“We made the decision to divide the jury into two this year because the intensive jury process for such a large program of films was becoming too consuming for one group to handle,” said Lia Rinaldo, Festival Director. “This is a very exciting time for us now with these two prestigious juries.”

24th Atlantic Film Festival Atlantic Jury:

Brett Hendrie – Brett Hendrie is the Managing Director of Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. Since joining the Toronto-based festival in 2001, Brett has helped develop Hot Docs as a calendar event for both local audiences and industry professionals. Previously, Brett worked for the Toronto International Film Festival. He has also developed film properties at a prominent Toronto-based literary agency, and consulted on marketing and outreach development projects for corporate clients. Brett holds a Specialist BA in Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto, and has produced several award-winning short films and documentaries. Brett currently serves as a volunteer Executive Board Member on the University of Toronto’s Hart House Film Board.

Michael Melski – Michael Melski is an award-winning writer and director from Cape Breton who has achieved success in film, television and theatre. Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad (nominated for both Merritt and Dora awards) was a smash hit at Toronto's Factory Theatre in 2003, and named one of the Top Ten Plays of the year by the Toronto Star. Melski has also written extensively for film and television including Straight Up, Blue Murder and Snakes and Ladders. His first feature film as screenwriter, the Vancouver-produced Mile Zero, was an internationally acclaimed drama, and has screened at festivals worldwide. His second, the dramatic comedy Touch and Go, was a sell-out hit at the 2002 Atlantic Film Festival. His first film as director, the half-hour drama Serenade, premiered at the 2000 Atlantic Film Festival where it won the Best First-Time Director award. Michael recently directed an episode of the CTV series Robson Arms. His current projects include Smashed, with Toronto's Alcina Pictures, which is anticipated to shoot next year, Glow Dog, a black-comedy feature with Sienna Films, and the MOW adaptation of Miles From Home with Creative Atlantic and CBC.

Stephen Reynolds – Gemini Award-winner Stephen Reynolds began his film and television career after graduating with an Honours BFA in Photography and Mixed Media from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 1984. Since then, he has developed an impressive list of credits working as an Assistant Director and Line Producer and Director for several television series and films including CBC’s Made In Canada, Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion and CTV’s The Eleventh Hour. Reynolds made his feature film-directing debut with the award-winning The Divine Ryans.

24th Atlantic Film Festival Canadian Jury:

Charles Bishop – Charles Bishop’s producer credits include the Academy Award-winning feature documentary Bowling for Columbine and numerous television series such as the highly acclaimed CBC pre-school series POKO. Operating his own production company until 1998, Bishop merged with Salter Street Films and began managing the company's production slate, including the notable series Made in Canada and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. In 2001, he took on the job of overseeing television series (fiction) worldwide for Alliance Atlantis Entertainment. He has two Gemini Awards and numerous international awards to his credit. Bishop co-founded The Halifax Film Company this past year.

Duncan Hall – A former journalist and recovering lawyer, Duncan Hall is Deputy Director of the Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF). Now in its eighth year, the festival has been named Best Cultural Event in Bermuda for two years running. Duncan is involved in most aspects of the festival, including programming, press relations, fundraising and marketing. He manages the festival’s international advisory board and co-ordinates its industry panel series. A Canadian, Duncan graduated with a degree in law from the University of Victoria before re-locating with his Bermudian wife Bonnie. He joined BIFF in 2000.

Paul Quinn – Director, writer, producer and actor Paul Quinn returns to the Atlantic Film Festival after his first visit six years ago. Quinn directed his brother Aidan Quinn in the 18th Atlantic Film Festival People’s Choice Award-winning film This is My Father. Quinn’s follow-up was 2002’s Never Get Outta the Boat, executive produced by John Cusack. Quinn is currently working on a number of projects with his company Awake Films.

The 24th Atlantic Film Festival takes place September 17-25, 2004, in Halifax, NS. Full program and online ticketing available at www.atlanticfilm.com, starting at 12:00 Noon on August 31. Aliant Film Festival Box Office, also opening at 12:00 Noon on August 31, is located at 1599 South Park Street. Printed programs will be distributed in HRM starting September 7.