Presented by TELUS, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, North America’s largest short film festival, proudly returns for its 16th annual edition from June 1st to June 6th. Showcasing the best shorts from around the world, CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival will present an unparalleled line-up of contemporary short films in 33 programs specially selected from a record-breaking 4046 submissions.
You don’t need a passport to travel the world. From the comfort of a theatre seat, WSFF festival goers can travel from South Korea to Bosnia in 90 minutes for only $10 a ticket. Presenting festival goers with a wide-ranging collection of 281 shorts from 34 countries around the globe the WSFF offers something for everyone. From a diverse array of live action, documentary, animation, and experimental films, each 90-minute program screens from 5 to 20 films allowing viewers a rare opportunity to see some of the finest short films on a large screen format. Offering more than 213 Premieres, 75% of the festival’s films are being screened in Toronto for the first time; including an incredible 34 World Premieres. 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 year really represents a tour de force in shorts programming,” says Festival Director Eileen Arandiga. “We have more premieres than ever before, more diverse programming and an incredible line-up of films directed by women – we are really seeing a shift in who’s standing behind the camera. We are incredibly excited to be sharing 281 spectacular shorts with Toronto audiences, a real treasure trove of the best short films and videos from Canada and around the world – be sure to look out for this year’s documentary programming, it’s bigger and better than ever before.”
Also new this year, festival goers can download the official WSFF iPhone application free at the iTunes app store. Get the low-down and latest updates on films and events. Watch film trailers, listen to filmmaker podcasts and much more. Please refer to www.shorterisbetter.com or the 2010 WSFF Program Book for film and screening details on the following programs.
OPENING GALA: AWARD-WINNING SHORTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Hailing straight from some of the film world’s most competitive forums The Worldwide Short Film Festival Opening Gala offers a selection of the most celebrated films from Canada and across the globe.
OFFICIAL SELECTION (Programs 1 – 12) Our competitive programming debuts the films that become the world’s most critically acclaimed short films. This year, the 12 programs of selected shorts featured in the 2010 Official Selection competition are a diverse blend of engaging live action, animation, documentary and experimental films from Canada and 28 countries across the globe.
LAUGHTER WITHOUT BORDERS Proving comedy is truly a universal language, this fresh crop of comedy shorts from home and abroad reveals some talented new voices in filmmaking.
Date night! Looking for love? Bring a hankie and your sense of humour to watch this collection of romantic shorts featuring true and tall tales of love.
PRENDS ÇA COURT! For ten years now, Prends ça court! (take this short!) has been giving Quebecers something to write home about. This program of nine shorts is a not-to-be-missed retrospective of recent Québécois cinema at its best.
Spotlight on POLAND Each year the Worldwide Short Film Festival shines the spotlight on a region or country. This year we shine the spotlight on Poland, showcasing contemporary shorts in two programs.
Spotlight on POLAND: platige image This year’s animation spotlight is a not-to-be-missed retrospective of multi-award winning works from Poland’s well-known animation house Platige Image.
ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SHOWCASE Presented in collaboration with Laugh Sabbath, a Toronto based Alternative Comedy Collective, don’t miss this loot bag o’ laughs combining 13 wildly wicked comedy shorts and laugh inducing live performances at Annex Live, 296 Brunswick Ave.
Lunafest Short Films By, For, About Women Lunafest films are renowned for celebrating the talents and stories of women. Hailing from Australia, Bulgaria, USA and the UK, this collection of live action, documentary, experimental and animated shorts are sure to captivate audiences, compel dialogue and even motivate.
DORIS With the goal of encouraging and empowering female filmmakers, Sweden’s Doris collective was founded in 1999. This omnibus of seven recent shorts was created in accordance with the Doris Manifesto – films must have at least one female lead, scriptwriters are female, the score is composed by a woman; and all key creative positions are filled by women.
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 2009. This program is free for students (18+) and seniors with valid I.D.
Mexican film school 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 spotlight on Mexico’s premiere film school, Centro De Capacitación Cinematográfica (CCC). This program is free for students (18+) and seniors with valid I.D.
WHEN ALL IS SAID AND SUNG Calling all Gleeks, karaoke crooners, and shower singers. This hit list of musical movies uses song and dance to reach emotional high and low notes that lie beyond words.
SHORTS FOR SHORTIES This vibrant collection of animated family films features a fun-filled collection of kooky characters hailing from a diverse range of countries – including Switzerland, South Africa and China. After the screening, kids can join celebrated animator Jon Izen, co-creator of CBC’s “Yam Roll” series, for a drawing workshop.
SCENE NOT HERD A visual journey celebrating the unique fusion of sight and sound, these music videos feature works from well-known and obscure artists, as well as established and up-and-coming filmmakers. Join us after the show at Resistor Gallery, 284 College St. from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. featuring a DJ set by Super Fantastic Soundsystem.
CELEBRITY SHORTS Top Hollywood stars headline or helm our Celebrity Shorts program and this year, a record number of A-listers perform, write or direct in these truly star-studded short films featuring Robert Pattinson, Will Ferrell, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Kristen Wiig, Liane Balaban, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Hollywood legend Dick Van Dyke.
SCI-FI: OUT THERE Blast off and explore galaxies of the truly unknown with this cosmic collection of science-fiction shorts. This global array of animation and live action works is always a great bet for fantastically imaginative works and a taste of sharp parody.
SLAP ‘N’ TICKLE Our annual selection of late-night, humorous and sexy shorts is guaranteed to satisfy. From hot robot maids who do more than suck the carpets clean to grandma’s dirty jokes, these naughty pieces of tale will leave you begging for more.
MIDNIGHT MANIA Our two midnight programs – Freaky and Creepy are guaranteed to make you shake with shock and awe. From a speed-dating disfigured man dressed like Mr. Peanut to a Bruce Lee action figure busting out of his box, ready to take on the outside world, you’ll find the most unsettling, eerie and flat out frightening shorts the world has to offer laced with the occasional dose of comic relief.
WSFF AWARD-WINNERS SCREENING The festival wraps up with this one time only screening of the 2010 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 along with the TELUS Audience Choice Award.
SYMPOSIUM 2010 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 16th 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 1st to 6th, 2010 the WSFF will present 281 films from 34 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: www.shorterisbetter.com