Kids Should See This

Toronto – Sprockets is delighted to host Kids Should See This: Tackling Challenging Content in Children’s Media on Monday April 19, to be followed by an Industry Networking Cocktail.

Designed for professionals working in the film, television and new media industries, this Sprockets industry panel explores issues and practices surrounding producing and exhibiting challenging content for children and youth in feature films and television, nationally and internationally. The event is open to all registered industry delegates. For accreditation information visit sprockets.ca/industry. Sprockets takes place from April 17 to April 23, 2010

“Producers, distributors and broadcasters consistently face the challenge of defining what constitutes appropriate content when producing and showing programming for young audiences. We’re thrilled to offer an opportunity for industry to meet with their peers and share ideas,” said Elizabeth Muskala, Co-Director of Learning for TIFF.

Allen Braude, Co-Director of Learning, added “Hosting this event during Sprockets confirms TIFF’s continued commitment to cultivating dialogue among industry professionals and offers a glimpse of future Sprockets industry programming in TIFF Bell Lighbox.”

Kids Should See This: Tackling Challenging Content in Children’s Media panellists include Deborah Ellis, author; Linda Schuyler, producer (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Instant Star, Riverdale); Charles Falzon, Co-Chairman, CCI Entertainment; Kim Gibson, Program Consultant, Interactive Digital Media, Ontario Media Development Corporation; and Amy Friedman, Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Creative Director, The N (Nickelodeon’s teen focused brand).

Special thanks to the Children’s Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management program at The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College

for its support with this event.

Sprockets is generously supported by Bell, RBC, Cineplex Entertainment LP, the City of Toronto, Ontario Arts Council, and Telefilm Canada.

The 13th annual Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children offers children and youth the opportunity to learn about film and cultural perspectives from around the world through the power of the moving image. With a programme drawn from the best of Canadian and international cinema, Sprockets takes place from April 17 to April 23, 2010, with a Public Programme and a School Programme (April 19 to 23) for students in grades 1 to 12, designed with curriculum connections and teacher resources. For more information, visit the official Sprockets website at sprockets.ca.

TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. TIFF generates an annual economic impact of $135 million CAD and currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts upon the largesse of over 2,000 volunteers year-round.

Currently under construction, TIFF Bell Lightbox, a breathtaking five-storey complex located in downtown Toronto, will provide a permanent home for film lovers to celebrate cinema from around the world and will propel TIFF forward as an international leader in film culture. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, TIFF Bell Lightbox’s fluid structure encourages exploration, movement and play. The campaign to build TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the King and John Festival Corporation – consisting of the Reitman family and the Daniels Corporation – RBC as major sponsor and official bank, Visa†, the Copyright Collective of Canada, the Slaight Family Foundation, NBC Universal Canada, the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, the Harbinger Foundation, CIBC and BMO. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals and corporations have also contributed to the campaign. For more information on the TIFF Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca.