Aimee Gasparetto, of Nourish Nova Scotia, present three awards at the Devour! Food Film Fest on Oct. 22. They went to the winner Amber Gaetz while honourable mentions went to Ever Hare Wright and Cohen Vardy. From left are Gaetz, Gasparetto, Hare Wright and Vardy. Photo by ContributedArticle contentThe 15th annual Devour! Food Film Fest celebrated the best in culinary cinema and took viewers on a journey beyond the plate with 47 films and the Nourish Nova Scotia Film Challenge.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThis year’s jury, comprised of acclaimed food critic and writer Lesley Chesterman, Destination BC chairperson Ingrid Jarrett, and Nova Scotia filmmaker Scott Simpson, awarded six Golden Tine Awards. Four of the winning films were created by Canadian female directors.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“This year’s selections reminded us that food is memory, identity, and resistance,” Jarrett said in a news release. “We were deeply moved by the authenticity and heart in every story. The Devour! team watched over 300 films to curate a lineup that challenges how we see food – not just as sustenance, but as a lens through which to explore culture, justice, and human connection.”Article contentFestival co-chairperson Michael Howell said viewer numbers were up at the Al Whittle Theatre. The first gala film, a recent Newfoundland feature called Blueberry Grunt, attracted more than 300 people.Article contentEvery year, Devour! and Nourish Nova Scotia host a youth film challenge. This year’s challenge had more than 30 submissions, and the winning films were showcased during Devour!’s Big Picture Program and during the opening gala film reception.Article contentThe winner was Zero Waste & Local Food, directed by Ember Gaetz, who is a student at the Booker School in Port Williams. The runner-up films were Apples, directed by Cohen Vardy, who also attends the Booker School, and Celebrating the Backyard Harvest, directed by Ever Hare Wright, a Northeast Kings Education Centre student.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentFour of the six award winners are Canadian films directed by women.Article content“From the poetic textures of Agatha’s Almanac to the cultural layers of Le Dernier répas and The Chef and the Daruma, Canadian filmmakers dominated the 2025 awards,” Lia Rinaldo, Devour! managing partner, said in the news release. “Their films prove that Canadian food storytelling is among the most emotionally resonant and globally relevant in the world today.”Article contentThe 16th Devour! Food Film Festival will take place from Oct. 19-25, 2026, in Wolfville. Devour! Studios, a year-round cultural and culinary space, will host seafood cooking courses and more events throughout the year.Article contentArticle contentAward winnersArticle contentGolden Tine Awards were presented during Devour! Food Film Fest in Wolfville. The winners were:Article contentBest short animation – Fille de l’eau. Directed by Sandra Desmazières (France).Article contentBest short drama – The Feast. Directed by Rishi Chandna (India).Article contentBest short documentary – Ekbeh. Directed by Mariah Eli Hernandez-Fitch (U.S./Indigenous filmmaker).Article contentBest feature drama – Le Dernier repas (The Last Supper). Directed by Maryse Legagneur (Quebec).Article contentBest feature documentary (tie) – Agatha’s Almanac (directed by Amalie Atkins) and The Chef and the Daruma (directed by Mads Baekkevold).Article content
Gaetz wins youth film challenge at Devour! in Wolfville
