Industry
Atlantic Momentum Program
Overview
Atlantic Momentum Program
Atlantic Momentum Program
Atlantic Momentum Program
Meet our three Atlantic Momentum Program mentors:
Aisha Jamal
(she/her)
Aisha is a filmmaker and festival programmer whose work spans directing, producing, and curating. Her short and feature films have screened at festivals and venues worldwide. Since 2016, she has programmed Canadian and international films for Hot Docs International Documentary Festival. She also curates special programs and series for various venues and organizations. Drawing on her filmmaking experience, Aisha approaches programming with a focus on discovering new voices, championing independent cinema, and creating opportunities for audiences to engage with diverse perspectives.
Aisha Jamal
(she/her)
Aisha is a filmmaker and festival programmer whose work spans directing, producing, and curating. Her short and feature films have screened at festivals and venues worldwide. Since 2016, she has programmed Canadian and international films for Hot Docs International Documentary Festival. She also curates special programs and series for various venues and organizations. Drawing on her filmmaking experience, Aisha approaches programming with a focus on discovering new voices, championing independent cinema, and creating opportunities for audiences to engage with diverse perspectives.
Mariam Zaidi
(she/her)
Mariam Zaidi is a Toronto-based film programmer, producer, and arts manager. She is an International Programmer for TIFF Short Cuts and the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and Senior International Shorts & Canadian Programmer for Hot Docs. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Breakthroughs Film Festival and Managing Director of Toronto Animated Image Society. Zaidi also produces films and has worked on distribution and impact campaigns for Canadian films, including Academy Award-nominated To Kill a Tiger and An Unfinished Journey.
Mariam Zaidi
(she/her)
Mariam Zaidi is a Toronto-based film programmer, producer, and arts manager. She is an International Programmer for TIFF Short Cuts and the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, and Senior International Shorts & Canadian Programmer for Hot Docs. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Breakthroughs Film Festival and Managing Director of Toronto Animated Image Society. Zaidi also produces films and has worked on distribution and impact campaigns for Canadian films, including Academy Award-nominated To Kill a Tiger and An Unfinished Journey.
Maya Annik Bedward
(she/her)
Man Long “Norman” Ho is a Hong Kong born writer and director based in Nova Scotia. He is an alum of ReelWorld Emerging 20, RBC YFF Mentorship, and DOC Atlantic Breakthrough Program, as well as a 2025 writer in residence at Eyelevel Artist Run Centre. His debut short documentary, Spud Island?, was nominated at the 76th Yorkton Film Festival. His works have received the 2026 Charles R. Saunders Prize, the 2025 ScreenCraft Family Screenplay Competition Grand Jury Prize, and the 2022 IRSA Newcomers to Canada Award.
Maya Annik Bedward
(she/her)
Man Long “Norman” Ho is a Hong Kong born writer and director based in Nova Scotia. He is an alum of ReelWorld Emerging 20, RBC YFF Mentorship, and DOC Atlantic Breakthrough Program, as well as a 2025 writer in residence at Eyelevel Artist Run Centre. His debut short documentary, Spud Island?, was nominated at the 76th Yorkton Film Festival. His works have received the 2026 Charles R. Saunders Prize, the 2025 ScreenCraft Family Screenplay Competition Grand Jury Prize, and the 2022 IRSA Newcomers to Canada Award.
Building on Lunenburg Doc Fest’s DOC Atlantic Breakthrough and The Launch initiatives, the Atlantic Momentum Program (AMP) supports six mid-career Atlantic Canadian IBPOC filmmakers who are ready to move their one-off feature documentaries from development into production.
AMP is designed for filmmakers with strong projects who face barriers accessing national funding, industry networks, and professional support. Through mentorship, funding guidance, and industry access, the program helps participants strengthen their projects and build a pathway toward production.
Building on Lunenburg Doc Fest’s DOC Atlantic Breakthrough and The Launch initiatives, the Atlantic Momentum Program (AMP) supports six mid-career Atlantic Canadian IBPOC filmmakers who are ready to move their one-off feature documentaries from development into production.
AMP is designed for filmmakers with strong projects who face barriers accessing national funding, industry networks, and professional support. Through mentorship, funding guidance, and industry access, the program helps participants strengthen their projects and build a pathway toward production.
Press Release 09/24/2024:
The Launch 2024 Winners Announced