Message from the Director
Message from the Director,
CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival
This past year has flown by and short film continues to play a central role in the changing global media landscape. I am very pleased to report that this year we received an avalanche of submissions – more than 4,700! We are delighted to be showcasing 244 films from 35 countries at the newly refurbished Bloor Hot Docs Cinema and the Isabel Bader Theatre on the U of T campus. We hope to not only welcome back short film aficionados to the festival this year, but also a whole cohort of neophytes eager to discover some of the most innovative shorts on the festival circuit today.
Our six-day festival is once again bursting at the seams, presenting programming in a variety of interesting and innovative ways in the run-up to the festival. Be sure to keep an eye out for our mobile movie theatre – the SHORTS BUS – as it hits the streets of Toronto to entertain and delight you. It’s going to feature a fantastic collection of short films to whet your appetites for the festival proper. Be sure to check out our Facebook page and Twitter feed for all the details.
Join us for a pre-festival extravaganza at Dufferin Grove Park on the 3rd of June where we’ll be screening two programs of exciting shorts and presenting fun activities for families and Christmas lovers – yes, you read that correctly! We’re going to be celebrating Christmas in June with a special program of short films and some interactive visuals. Be sure to stayed tuned for further updates and announcements closer to the date. It’s going to be a day to remember. Be sure to mark your calendars now!
Last year we presented a full day of programming at the CN Tower and I am thrilled to announce that TOWERING SHORTS is back – bigger and better than ever! If you’re looking for a fun morning for the entire family be sure to check out our Shorts for Shorties program and animation workshop. We’re also bringing back Date Night and, new this year, our Laughter Without Borders comedy program to the CN Tower.
For all the Midnight Mania fans out there, fear not – the program hasn’t disappeared – it’s just been reimagined as THE NIGHT SHIFT – a four-hour midnight movie marathon which will be sure to terrify, bamboozle and creep you out! Get ready for a night of sensory overload full of surprises, but whatever you do... don’t fall asleep!
Stay up-to-date with what’s happening at the festival wherever you are. Download our festival app created in collaboration with SHORTZ! Look for it on the iTunes Store and the Android Market.
Organizing a festival takes a small village of collaborators. I would like to thank my colleagues at the WSFF – especially Amy Butoiske and Angie Driscoll, who are dedicated and enthusiastic champions of the festival and the art of short film. Thank you also to all the staff, interns and volunteers at the WSFF – your energy is infectious! A very big thank you to our CFC colleagues who are always supportive of the festival’s activities, and last but not least, I would like to acknowledge the tireless support of our funders and sponsors who really believe in supporting emerging talent. We couldn’t do it without you!
Enjoy the shorts!
Eileen Arandiga
Festival Director