CFC Worldwide Short Film Fest

TORONTO, May 26, 2009 – Presented by TELUS, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, North America’s largest short film festival, proudly returns for its 15th annual edition from June 16th to June 21st. 

Showcasing the best shorts from around the world, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival will screen an unprecedented number of contemporary short films in 31 programs specially selected from a record-breaking 3966 submissions.

An economic downturn doesn’t mean you can’t still travel the world. You may just need to do it from the comfort of a theatre seat!  Presenting audiences with a wide-ranging collection of 295 shorts from 46 countries around the globe the WSFF offers something for everyone. From film festival winners to premieres, each 90-minute program screens from 5 to 22 films allowing viewers a rare opportunity to see some of the finest short films on a large screen format.  In addition to the screenings, an increasing number of international buyers, delegates and industry professionals will attend the WSFF to participate in a full slate of conference and market events held throughout this 6-day event.

“This has been an extraordinary year for short filmmaking as a whole. The overwhelming number of submissions we received this year is definitive proof that the short film form continues to be a tour de force in the world of moving pictures,” said Eileen Arandiga, Festival Director.  “Indeed short film is not just a stepping stone to a feature film, it is a fully formed genre in its own right and filmmakers are choosing to use this powerful platform in realizing their cinematic visions. Our programming team watched films from all four corners of the globe and we were – once again - astounded by the sheer volume and quality of work being made not just here in North America but from places as far as Bangladesh, Cuba, Burkina Faso and Peru. I feel very confident in saying that this year’s Worldwide Short Film Festival is shaping up to be the very best ever! “

CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival is the leading venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America and one of the premier short film festivals in the world.  Offering more than 198 Premieres, 70% of the festival’s films are being screened in Toronto for the first time; including an incredible 32 World Premieres. From Official Selection competition screenings of Canadian and International Shorts, to unique retrospectives, special presentations and an award-winning gala, this year’s spectrum brilliantly showcases the incredible talent and creativity pervading the genre.

Please refer to http://www.shorterisbetter.com or the 2009 WSFF Program Book for film and screening details on the following programs.

OPENING GALA: AWARD-WINNING SHORTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

The Worldwide Short Film Festival Opening Gala offers a selection of the world’s most celebrated films.  Enjoy the year’s most acclaimed live-action, documentary, experimental and animated shorts from festivals across the globe.

OFFICIAL SELECTION
Our competitive programming debuts the films that become the world’s most critically acclaimed short films, and we discover brand new filmmaking talent from home and abroad along the way.  This year, the 12 programs of selected shorts featured in the 2009 Official Selection competition are a diverse blend of live action, animation, documentary and experimental films from Canada and 26 countries across the globe.  Manon on the Asphalt which screened in 2008’s Official Selection qualified for its 2009 Oscar® nomination here at the WSFF by taking home the ‘Best Live Action’ Award.

8

In 2000 the United Nations set out eight millennial development goals to be achieved by 2015. Eight commissioned short films directed by some of the worlds most accomplished directors take these development goals and craft them into an outstanding omnibus program.

STORIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

These 22 short films were commissioned to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  22 filmmakers and video artists from around the world have lent their unique and inspiring vision to the themes of culture, development, dignity & justice, environment, gender and participation.

Spotlight on belgium

Each year the Worldwide Short Film Festival shines the spotlight on a region or country. This year we shine the spotlight on Belgium, showcasing twelve contemporary shorts in two programs.

CFC short dramatic films

Don’t miss the opportunity to screen an eclectic crop of award-winning films by Canada’s best and brightest emerging talent.  Join us for a screening of the five works created as part of the Canadian Film Centre’s Short Dramatic Film Program in 2008. This program is free for students (18+) and seniors with valid I.D.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART SPOTLIGHT

Each year, the WSFF highlights the work being made at an exceptional film school, giving local film students a chance to see what’s coming out of other academic institutions.  This year, the WSFF is proud to present a ten year retrospective of the Royal College of Art’s illustrious animation program.  This program is free for students (18+) and seniors with valid I.D.

Oh Canada! CANADIAN COMEDY SHORTS

A sold-out success at its inaugural presentation, this fresh crop of home-grown comedy shorts reveal some talented new voices in Canadian comedy.

SHORTS FOR SHORTIES

This family-friendly program features a fun-filled collection of eye-popping animation hailing from a diverse range of countries – including Cuba and South Africa.  As part of the program, kids will be able to participate in a hands-on drawing workshop with guest animator Jon Izen, co-creator of CBC’s “Yam Roll” series.

Picture is up!

Don’t miss this unique ode to the cinematic elements from writing and editing to performance and cinematography.  This program features the Canadian premiere of I Knew It Was You, director Richard Shepard’s documentary on John Cazale’s Hollywood acting career.  Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert DeNiro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Steve Buscemi remember the person behind the performance.

ACCIDENTALLY FUNNY: HOLIDAY IN THE SUN

A special program bringing blasts from the past, Accidentally Funny returns with a collection of archival gems that age with a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’.

TRILOGY OF TRILOGIES

Academy Award®-winning writer/director Adam Elliot (Harvie Krumpet, Mary and Max), British Academy Award nominated director Osbert Parker (Film Noir, Yours Truly) and two-time Oscar® nominee Bill Plympton (Your Face, Guard Dog) make up this animation extravaganza with their varied yet visually stunning triptychs. 

SCENE NOT HERD

Our annual cavalcade of music video madness is sure to delight and amaze fans of cutting-edge visuals and amazing new music alike. Join us after the show at The Mansion, 180 St. George Street for a special appearance by DJ Squeak E Clean and DJ collective: Super Fantastic Sound System.

CELEBRITY SHORTS

Jam-packed with A-List stars, our Celebrity Shorts program features Natalie Portman, Courteney Cox and 3rd Rock From the Sun’s Thomas Gordon-Levitt directing Hollywood heavyweights Lauren Bacall, Laura Dern, Eric Stoltz and Carla Gugino.  Audiences will also enjoy performances by Sir Derek Jacobi, Anna Faris (Observe and Report), and Tom Everett Scott (Southland).

SCI-FI: OUT THERE

This unique array of science-fiction shorts from around the globe promises a tour de g-force of animation, live action and experimental works that will thrill sci-fi fans and film buffs alike.

SLAP ‘N’ TICKLE

It’s our most popular program! Get your giggle on with all things flirty, cheeky and downright naughty with this year’s SLAP ‘N’ TICKLE program, an unforgettable collection that will certainly pique your interest.

MIDNIGHT MANIA

Our annual selection of spine tingling, bone-chilling shorts should only be seen after dark. Spawning two programs - the bizarre, twisted madness of Freaky, and the hair-raising, sinister mayhem of Creepy.

WSFF AWARD-WINNERS SCREENING

The festival wraps up with this one time only screening of the 2009 WSFF award-winning films on Sunday evening. Announced earlier in the day at the WSFF Awards Picnic, this screening showcases the best of the fest.

SYMPOSIUM 2009

Short Film BIG IDEAS symposium on the art and commerce of short filmmaking presents the largest short film marketplace in North America featuring: funding, pitching and screenplay workshops, digital distribution, music licensing and more.

Now in its 15th year, the Canadian Film Centre’s Worldwide Short Film Festival is the leading venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America and is one of the premier short film festivals in the world. Taking place from June 16th to 21st, 2009 the WSFF will present 295 films from 46 countries. Offering one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world, top WSFF winners are eligible for both Academy Award® and Genie Award consideration. The WSFF Short Films, BIG IDEAS Symposium offers renowned professional development, while the WSFF Business Centre is home to the largest short film marketplace in North America. For more information please visit: http://www.shorterisbetter.com

For tickets and further information, please visit the Festival Box Office at shorterisbetter.com