About Us
Our Programmers
Matthew McCarthy
Senior Progammer
Matthew McCarthy lives in Mi'kma'ki/Halifax after moving here from the uk. He used to program film events in his house, then gigs and clubs, then libraries and then open air venues for community screenings, before coming to LDF in 2020. You can find him in the deep deep background of most local films and tv shows. His favourite documentary film today is either Penelope Spheeris’s The Decline of Western Civilisation part 1: The Metal Years, or Wang Bing’s Crude Oil.
Matthew McCarthy
Senior Progammer
Matthew McCarthy lives in Mi'kma'ki/Halifax after moving here from the uk. He used to program film events in his house, then gigs and clubs, then libraries and then open air venues for community screenings, before coming to LDF in 2020. You can find him in the deep deep background of most local films and tv shows. His favourite documentary film today is either Penelope Spheeris’s The Decline of Western Civilisation part 1: The Metal Years, or Wang Bing’s Crude Oil.
Aisha Jamal
Senior Progammer
Aisha Jamal is a filmmaker and festival programmer whose work spans directing, producing, and curating films. Her short films and features have played festivals and venues worldwide. Aisha has been programming Canadian and International films for Hot Docs International Documentary Festival since 2016. She also curates special programs and series for various venues and organizations. Her experience making films shapes her approach to programming, where she enjoys discovering new voices, championing independent cinema, and creating opportunities for audiences to engage with diverse perspectives on screen.
Aisha Jamal
Senior Progammer
Aisha Jamal is a filmmaker and festival programmer whose work spans directing, producing, and curating films. Her short films and features have played festivals and venues worldwide. Aisha has been programming Canadian and International films for Hot Docs International Documentary Festival since 2016. She also curates special programs and series for various venues and organizations. Her experience making films shapes her approach to programming, where she enjoys discovering new voices, championing independent cinema, and creating opportunities for audiences to engage with diverse perspectives on screen.
Lorne Price
Senior Progammer
Lorne has over 20 years experience in the Canadian Film and Television industry in development, production and distribution. Early in his career he worked alongside pioneers John Dunning and Andre Link in a development role. He then worked with producer Ina Fichman at Rock Demers’ Productions La Fete in development and production of fiction and documentary. More recently, he ran Sphere Films International/WaZabi Films which he co-founded in 2019. This international sales company represented some of the best independent arthouse films from Quebec, Canada and around the world with films that played at prestigious film festivals such Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto. Prior to that Lorne was the Head of Sales and Market Development at the NFB/ONF for 14.5 years, responsible for all domestic and international sales and business development. Lorne has proudly served as an international mentor at the SXSW and has served on the board of several organizations in the film industry.
Lorne Price
Senior Progammer
Lorne has over 20 years experience in the Canadian Film and Television industry in development, production and distribution. Early in his career he worked alongside pioneers John Dunning and Andre Link in a development role. He then worked with producer Ina Fichman at Rock Demers’ Productions La Fete in development and production of fiction and documentary. More recently, he ran Sphere Films International/WaZabi Films which he co-founded in 2019. This international sales company represented some of the best independent arthouse films from Quebec, Canada and around the world with films that played at prestigious film festivals such Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto. Prior to that Lorne was the Head of Sales and Market Development at the NFB/ONF for 14.5 years, responsible for all domestic and international sales and business development. Lorne has proudly served as an international mentor at the SXSW and has served on the board of several organizations in the film industry.