Video Contests, Film Festivals, and Awards

New Talent Shines at the Sixth Annual National Student Film Showcase

By Staff
posted May 19, 2009, 13:41

(Toronto)--To more accurately capture its year-round activities, TIFFG has changed its name. Under the newly launched master brand TIFF, the organization is pleased to announce its sixth annual Student Film Showcase. Featuring13 films from student filmmakers across Canada, the Student Film Showcase is presented in association with the Film School Consortium, a national group of 16 universities and colleges. The Student Film Showcase screens the finest in student films and celebrates the burgeoning talent of Canada's young filmmakers. Filmmakers included in past Showcases have subsequently had their work screened at the Toronto International Film Festival� and other notable festivals.

This year's Student Film Showcase will take place on Wednesday, May 27, at 7:30pm at the AMC Yonge & Dundas (10 Dundas Street East) in Toronto. Tickets are $8. For more information, call 416-968-FILM or visit tiffg.ca/studentfilmshowcase.

"Films in this year's Student Film Showcase feature an exciting range of mediums and genres and illustrate the immense talent present in our country," said programmer Magali Simard. "We are very proud to be a launching pad and forum for Canada's future generation of filmmakers and their work."

The scheduled lineup, in alphabetical order is:
0 (Zero) - Jace Kim (Emily Carr University of Art + Design)
The Art of Drowning - Diego Maclean (Emily Carr University of Art + Design)
Axel - Sara Bogh Jensen (Emily Carr University of Art + Design)
The Creative Process - Jeffrey Royiwsky (Ontario College of Art and Design)
Day One - Sarah Siddons (Ryerson University)
The Freshwater Plague - Jake Chirico (Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning)
Home Invasion 2007 - David Stewart (Nova Scotia College of Art & Design)
Humpty Dumpty Is Scrambled - Yuriy Sivers (Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning)
Nanu - Alex Donald (Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning)
The Net - Tim Clarke (Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning)
S'oublier (Forget Myself) - Mirek Hamet (Concordia University)
Toxic Ingredients - Kristyna Balaban (University of Toronto)
Whatever That Is - Inga Dievulyte (York University)

Programmed by TIFF programmers Magali Simard, Steve Gravestock and Alex Rogalski, the Student Film Showcase gives filmmakers an opportunity to screen their films before a public audience. Filmmakers also take part in panels and workshops with industry professionals and develop career-enhancing relationships with these professionals and with other emerging filmmakers.

A jury of film-industry professionals views all finalists' films and will select films for the juried prizes. This year's jury consists of film producer Stephen Hegyes (Fifty Dead Men Walking), director of the Atlantic Film Festival Lia Rinaldo, and filmmaker Laurie Lynd (Breakfast with Scot). On May 27, the Best Film (Live Action) and Best Film (Animation) will be awarded a Sales & Industry pass to the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the opportunity to screen their film for the public in several of the 164 Film Circuit communities across Canada. In addition, the Best Film (Live Action) will be awarded a 35mm DI Output of their film courtesy of Technicolor and Best Film (Animation) will be awarded a Wacom Tablet. New this year: each participating filmmaker will be invited to attend a special film workshop courtesy of Kodak Canada and will receive one free 400-ft. roll of 16mm film with their next purchase of Kodak color film stock.

The 13 titles were selected from over 500 possible films from universities and colleges that are part of the Film School Consortium. Since its first year with a membership of eight Ontario schools, the Film School Consortium has steadily grown and now boasts 16 member film schools from five provinces. The current member schools are Capilano College, Concordia University, Confederation College, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Langara College, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Ontario College of Art & Design, Queen's University, Ryerson University, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, University of Regina, University of Toronto and York University.

The Student Film Showcase is generously supported by Technicolor and Kodak Canada Inc.

About Bell Lightbox
Currently under construction in downtown Toronto, Bell Lightbox is soon to be the world's leading destination for film lovers. This major new cultural institution on the Canadian and international landscape will be structured around five state-of-the-art cinemas celebrating film from around the world. Bell Lightbox programming will give context to films through innovative cross-media exhibitions, lectures, and film-related learning opportunities for all ages. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, Bell Lightbox's fluid design encourages exploration, movement and play within its soaring atriums.

The campaign to build Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario each have contributed $25 million to realize Bell Lightbox. A gift of more than $22 million has been confirmed from the Reitman family - acclaimed filmmaker Ivan Reitman and his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels - and The Daniels Corporation, who together form the King and John Festival Corporation. The project is also supported by RBC as Major Sponsor and Official Bank, Visa�, Copyright Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, The Allan Slaight Family, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, CIBC, and many other individuals and corporations. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals have also contributed to the campaign. The total amount raised to date is $147 million, three quarters of the total campaign of $196 million. For more information on the Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca.

For more information, please contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200 or email proffice[at]tiffg[dot]ca.

Student Film Showcase 2009
0 (Zero) - Jace Kim (Emily Carr University of Art + Design)
Two samurais - one arrogant and experienced, the other seeking vengeance for his opponent's crimes - face off against each other in this exceptional piece, gorgeously animated in a style that recalls the work of fabled Canadian artist Ryan Larkin.

The Art of Drowning - Diego Maclean (Emily Carr University of Art + Design)
Fluid animation vividly illustrates an existential inquiry into a man's last moments under water. The film is based on Billy Collins's poem "The Art of Drowning."

Axel - Sara Bogh Jensen (Emily Carr University of Art + Design)
This restrained film essay explores solitude and memories through Axel and Karla's correspondence about what they once shared and why they parted.

The Creative Process - Jeffrey Royiwsky (Ontario College of Art & Design)
A student procrastinates on his film project in this wry, very funny self-reflexive piece, made all the more charming by the scruffy, deceptively simple animation techniques.

Day One - Sarah Siddons (Ryerson University)
In this reflective study on the process of healing, a grown son moves in with his father after a tragic accident leaves the young man trying to make amends to those he has harmed.

The Freshwater Plague - Jake Chirico (Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning)
A documentary focusing on the annual mayfly (or shadfly) invasion that takes place every summer in North Bay, blanketing the city in insects for a couple of weeks.

Home Invasion 2007 - David Stewart (Nova Scotia College of Art & Design)
Confined to their decaying apartment, a young couple attempts to keep an aggravated neighbour at bay while tensions in their relationship remain repressed.

Humpty Dumpty Is Scrambled - Yuriy Sivers (Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning)
Humanity's power trip of greed, war and world control bites back when its ultimate weapon decides to revolt in this stylish musical animation.

Nanu - Alex Donald (Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning)
A striking and luminous animation, Nanu depicts a red fox's position in the food chain and its quest for survival in a frozen land.

The Net - Tim Clarke (Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning)
Joe's insistence on keeping his beard freely flowing in his job as a cafeteria cook leads to awkward and comedic workplace tensions.

S'oublier (Forget Myself) - Mirek Hamet (Concordia University)
In this study of method acting, an actress plays the role of a hospitalized patient who in turn thinks of herself as an actress.

Toxic Ingredients - Kristyna Balaban (University of Toronto)
Consisting only of titles and a close-up of a young woman applying makeup the film explores our ignorance of the toxic materials we put in and on our bodies.

Whatever That Is - Inga Dievulyte (York University)
This film explores the individual experience of clandestine liaisons and the reality of secrecy among couples.