Free info session with Toronto film festival programmers

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is holding a free information session for filmmakers on Thursday at 7pm. They will have the opportunity to listen to festival programmers talk about their work and in particular, they will discuss the future of independent filmmaking.

Toronto is fortunate to have some of the best film festivals in North America and the world – not just the giant Toronto International Film Festival, but all others have been pulled along in its wake. Just as TIFF is the biggest International film festival in North America, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is the largest documentary festival in North America and the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival is the largest short film festival, etc.

This is an excellent opportunity to hear programmers from six different Toronto festivals give their take on the current film scene.

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is an artist-run charitable organization dedicated to facilitating excellence in the moving image through media arts education and production resources. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist-residencies; and a variety of other services. Founded in 1981 by a small collective, LIFT has since grown to become one of the foremost centres of its kind globally.

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INFORMATION SESSION WITH TORONTO FESTIVAL PROGRAMMERS
Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Join us for an informal panel discussion with programmers from Toronto’s most prestigious film festivals. Curators from Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Images Festival, Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival will talk about the future of independent filmmaking.

Lynne Fernie, Senior Canadian Programmer
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market. Each year, the Festival presents a selection of more than 150 cutting edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe. www.hotdocs.ca

Scott Miller Berry, Executive Director
Established in 1987, the Images Festival is the largest festival in North America for experimental and independent moving image culture, showcasing the innovative edge of international contemporary media art both on and off the screen. www.imagesfestival.com

Kathleen Mullen, Director of Programming
Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival is Canada’s leading not-for-profit environmental media arts organization. As the producer of Canada’s largest environmental film festival, Planet in Focus showcases a wide range of outstanding films and filmmakers from across Canada and around the world. www.planetinfocus.org

Magali Simard, Short Cuts Canada Programmer, TIFF
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema to film lovers. What began as a ten-day film festival has grown to embrace programming 365 days a year. www.tiff.net

Angie Driscoll, Programming Manager
CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF) is the premier venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America. WSFF is dedicated to celebrating the quality and creative range of short films. www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com