2012 FESTIVAL TAKES TORONTO BY STORM JUNE 5-10
Toronto, May 15, 2012 – CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF), North America’s largest short film festival, is pleased to announce the line-up of films for its 18th annual edition. Showcasing the best short films from around the world, WSFF presents a selection comprised of 244 films from 35 countries. This year’s programming was chosen from over 4,700 submissions, surpassing 2011’s total of 4,200. As the premier venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America, WSFF is dedicated to celebrating quality and creative range in short film.
This year’s collection of short films is comprised of 207 premieres; with 38 World Premieres (an increase over 2011’s 24 World Premieres). Programming includes a variety of genres, made up of live-action, animation, experimental, documentary and music videos.
“With a record number of submissions this year, and films representing 35 different countries, it is clear that WSFF is an established, sought out destination for filmmakers globally,” said Eileen Arandiga, Festival Director. “With thousands of distinctive stories and viewpoints to choose from, our team has selected some of the very finest offerings and brought them to Toronto audiences. Don’t miss out - it may be your only chance to see them on the big screen.”
Not short on talent or celebrity, this year’s festival offerings will feature an all star cast of famous faces including: Michael Fassbender (Shame), John Malkovich (Burn After Reading), Scott Thompson (“The Kids in the Hall”), Chad Michael Murray (“One Tree Hill”), Peter Mullan (War Horse), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), Pierre-Luc Brillant (C.R.A.Z.Y.), Rainn Wilson (“The Office”), Emmanuelle Béart (Mission: Impossible), Rita Wilson (Sleepless in Seattle), comedienne Margaret Cho, Tom Hollander (The Hobbit), Stellan Skarsgård (The Avengers), David Duchovny (“Californication”), Rachel Wilson (“The Republic of Doyle”), Aaron Poole (“Living in Your Car”), Charlotte Rampling (Melancholia), Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech), John Hurt (Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy), Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton), Dave Franco (21 Jump Street), Dave Foley (“The Kids In The Hall”), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Superbad), and Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain), as well as Academy Award winners Judi Dench (Casino Royale), Anna Paquin (“True Blood”), and Christopher Plummer (Beginners). Appearing behind the camera are such celebrated talents as Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich), Errol Morris (Tabloid), Theodore Ushev (Lipsett Diaries), and Anne Émond (Nuit #1).
Festival venues include the newly revamped Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, as well as the Isabel Bader Theatre with special programming also taking place at the CN Tower and at The Garrison. For the first time, festival films will be projected via digital format during the festival, offering filmmakers added flexibility and financial benefits. This evolution in exhibition technology allows filmmakers to showcase their work in the best possible way, ensuring quality projection at every screening.
Expanding on last year’s popular introduction of the TOWERING SHORTS program, WSFF will host a full day of activities at the CN Tower. “Shorts for Shorties” will pair a screening with an animation workshop from the National Film Board of Canada, the “Date Night: Towering Shorts Edition” will couple a screening with a trip to the top of the tower to Horizon’s restaurant for dessert and coffee, while attendees to the “Laughter Without Borders: Towering Shorts Edition” enjoy at post-screening drink and an appetizer at Horizon’s. All tickets to Towering Shorts programs include access to the Look Out and Glass Floor levels of the CN Tower.
Screenings at the 2012 CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival include:
OPEN GALA: AWARD WINNERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Pop the champagne and don your fancy pants, it’s time to put your best foot forward and walk the red carpet in celebration of this past year’s most renowned and acclaimed short films from around the globe.
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Presented in 12 programs, the best short films from every corner of the world are represented in the Official Selection. These films push buttons, boundaries and elevate the art of short filmmaking to new heights. Made by the trailblazers, the originals and the masters of their craft, these shorts are sure to light up the screen with their originality, beauty and finesse.
Presented in 12 programs, the best short films from every corner of the world are represented in the Official Selection. These films push buttons, boundaries and elevate the art of short filmmaking to new heights. Made by the trailblazers, the originals and the masters of their craft, these shorts are sure to light up the screen with their originality, beauty and finesse.
CELEBRITY SHORTS
Easily (and obviously) our most star-studded line-up of the year, Celebrity Shorts is back and better than ever. Always a festival crowd pleaser, we’ve rounded up a veritable who’s who of some of the most talented people working in film and television today and put them into one big, enjoyable evening!
CFC SHORT DRAMATIC FILMS
Here’s your chance to see the works of the 2011 CFC Short Dramatic Film Program in one complete sitting. Representing four distinct stories and voices from some of today’s brightest emerging storytellers, the CFC Short Dramatic Film Program is not to be missed.
CHRISTMAS IN JUNE
Feeling that yuletide withdrawal? Not to worry! We’ve collected a special stocking stuffer of short films that will put you in the holiday spirit, no matter how high the thermometer gets. Fruitcake not included.
DATE NIGHT
Forget speed dating. Come and see people fall in and out of love again and again. Take a trip around the world with unexpected encounters, eternal promises and intimate moments. Love truly knows no bounds or boundaries in this eclectic collection of shorts that redefine romance.
INDIE COMEDY SHOWCASE - FOR SHORTS & GIGGLES
Toronto’s hottest comedians come together for an evening of live comedy and short films that’s sure to bust a few guts! From Hollywood’s Walk of Fame to Ancient Egypt, and everywhere in between, this night promises to be chock full of jokes you won’t want to miss.
INTERNATIONAL COMEDY – LAUGHTER WITHOUT BORDERS
This year’s comedy offering serves up a healthy dose of confused identity, bumbling Irish bank robbers, politicians caught up in their own spin, scrabble games gone to hell and a hammered underage drinker. Get ready to lose your mind laughing!
THE NIGHT SHIFT
Pull an all-nighter in a dark room full of strangers while the rest of the world sleeps. Presented in three parts, indulge in four hours of depraved insanity. A midnight movie marathon for those who dare, but whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.
SCENE NOT HERD
The 9th edition of the ever-popular Scene Not Herd program is back with a snapshot of the most theatrical music videos being produced around the world today. Leave the iPod at home and sit back for the ultimate onscreen playlist.
SCI-FI: OUT THERE
Hold on tight time travelers! Grab a seat and shuttle back and forth in time through the magic of storytelling. Time may stand still for an alien abduction and spreading infections, but when the clock resumes, it’s in reverse – back to the 80s, the American Civil War and the Viking age. Who knows how far the rabbit hole will take you…
SHORTS FOR SHORTIES: FLICK-NIC
Family members young and old will love this day at the park with a series of enchanting shorts to serve as the perfect backdrop to your day together. Relax and sit back with this collection of whimsical shorts that will bring to life all the things you love most about spending a day outside.
SHORTS FOR SHORTIES: MISSION TO THE MILKY WAY
Pack your bags and voyage near and far, for adventures big and small, in this collection of animated shorts that will take you on all sorts of journeys from rollercoaster rides to intergalactic space travel!
SLAP ‘N’ TICKLE
WSFF gets down and dirty with the most NSFW program to hit the festival. In an evening filled with penises and popsicles, cougar lesbians, and hot babes with guitars, this year’s most scandalous shorts are sure to heat things up and tickle your funny boner.
SPOTLIGHT ON SWITZERLAND
Presented in two programs, this year’s country spotlight presents just a sample of the filmmaking talent that keeps the Swiss film scene ripe with culture and creativity.
STUDIO FILM BILDER (ANIMATION SPOTLIGHT)
This program shines the spotlight on eight award-winning, groundbreaking shorts from the celebrated Studio Film Bilder animation house. They blend traditional and cutting edge technologies to produce some of the world’s best-loved short animated works.
SUPER 16 ANARKINO (FILM SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT)
What happens when you combine anarchist values with boundless creativity? Super 16, that’s what! Founded in Copenhagen in 1999, Super 16 is a student-run film school operated without administration. The results are unbelievable production values, exceptional writing, and one-of-a-kind characters and stories that stay with you for the rest of your life.
WSFF 2012 FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS SCREENING
The jury has spoken! Come out and see which films are crowned “Best of the Fest” for 2012.
SHORT FILMS: BIG IDEAS SYMPOSIUM 2012
The Short Films: BIG Ideas Symposium is a four-day conference on the art and business of short filmmaking. This year’s big ticket is a master class with renowned filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée (C.R.A.Z.Y., Café de Flore). Returning for its sophomore presentation is the Feedback Loop, a rare opportunity for select filmmakers to get advice on their work from a panel of professionals and experts. Other highlights are panel discussions and power hours on a range of topics including: funding & crowd sourcing, the festival selection process, and translating a story from page to screen. The WSFF Symposium is a must-do event for any serious filmmaker.
Please refer to the festival program guide or shorterisbetter.com for full programming and symposium details.
About CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival
Now in its 18th 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 June 5th – 10th, 2012, the WSFF will present 244 films from 35 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 marketplace for the sale and acquisition of short films in North America. For more information please visit: www.shorterisbetter.com
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