The writer and director of the Nova Scotia-based film Little Lorraine says he is ‘mind-blown’ by its massive success.
The film is about coalminers turned lobster fishers who and got entangled in drug smuggling; and is selling out box offices across the country.
Andy Hines reflects on how you can lose yourself in the process, but then it is so validating when you see your project doing so well.
In an interview with Acadia News from California, he tells us the success is validating and winning the Michael Weir Award for Best Atlantic Screenwriter at the 2025 Atlantic International Film Festival was a special accolade of his work on this film.
“At times I’ve doubted myself and also had outside doubt of my abilities. So, it felt really good to receive an award, especially from my home province stating that my screenplay was memorable enough to receive that,” he reflects.
He says one of his favorite parts of the success is how it is bringing communities together.
The film was inspired by the music video Hines directed for Adam Baldwin’s song The Lighthouse in Little Lorraine.
Movie making in the Maritimes
He shares how the Maritimes have endless stories that can become productions.
“Nova Scotia is such a rich and lush place that’s full of such great stories to tell. And I hope that other filmmakers and writers are motivated by my film Little Lorraine to sort of dig into that world,” he expressed.
Hines hopes there can be more films made in Nova Scotia about Nova Scotia rather than pretending it’s some other place in the future.
He says making films that he calls “Easterns” is important because this is a very special part of the world that deserves to be showcased for its incredibly rich lore.
Currently, he’s in Northern California writing his next “Eastern” that he looks forward to shooting in his home province of Nova Scotia.
Screen Nova Scotia reflects on the film’s success
Screen Nova Scotia is also excited to see Little Lorraine is a breakout hit for a film made in Cape Breton.
That’s according to Executive Director, Laura MacKenzie who says this acclaimed movie highlights the benefits of making films in the province.
“I’m uniquely excited about Little Lorraine’s success because it is one of the first feature films of the size and scope that it is to not only film in Cape Breton, but get national attention,” shares MacKenzie.
She expresses the film was beautifully written and directed by Andy Hines who did a fantastic job portraying the story.
MacKenzie says the response from community selling out theatres is what really matters for a story that’s part of their history and ancestry.
“It’s priceless when it comes to eyeballs on Nova Scotia and underscoring the depth of talent that we have in this province and that it is an incredible place to come and make films,” she claims.
She says she’s very happy for the people of Cape Breton that they’re happy with the way that this story came out.
Little Lorraine is currently playing in theatres.
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