ONTARIO S LEADING YOUNG FILMMAKERS SHINE AT THE TIFF KIDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Finalists selected for the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase

Transcription

1 ONTARIO S LEADING YOUNG FILMMAKERS SHINE AT THE TIFF KIDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Finalists selected for the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase March 25, 2015.NEWS RELEASE. The TIFF Kids International Film Festival has chosen the finalists for the 14 th annual Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase. The selected films will screen during the TIFF Kids Festival on Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. (Grades 4 to 6) and 1:15 p.m. (Grades 7 & 8) at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Following the screenings, the winners of the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase will be announced at the TIFF Kids Awards Ceremony, which takes place on Sunday, April 19 at 3:15 p.m. Open to Ontario youth in two categories, Grades 4 to 6 and Grades 7 & 8, the Jump Cuts competition encourages young filmmakers to use film as a medium for self-expression and provides them the opportunity to view their work on the big screen. This year s selection showcases 27 short films from finalists in communities across Ontario. The lineup explores many topics that impact young people today, such as fitting in, bullying, and battling stereotypes or racism, and explores such themes as the power of friendship, music, adventure and imagination. The films include stop-motion, live-action, and computer animation and range from inspiring documentaries to creative dramas and historical period pieces. Finalists were chosen based on proficiency in form, expression, experimentation and content. A jury comprised of film industry professionals will select the grand prize-winning film in each grade category. This year s jury includes film writer and programmer Kier-La Janisse; animator and filmmaker Sol Friedman (Day 40); and Marie McCann, Executive in Charge of Production for Giselle s Big Backyard on TVO. The 2015 Jump Cuts Prizes are as follows: The Frederick Simpson Award for Best Film (Grades 4 to 6) The Veronica Herman Award for Best Film (Grades 7 & 8) TVOKids Choice Award for Grades 4 to 6 TVOKids is also proud to support young filmmakers of Ontario. The TVOKids Choice Award for Grades 4 to 6 in the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase will be presented to the short film in that age category that best represents TVOKids values. Kids can watch the top three nominated short films at tvokids.com and vote for their favourite. The winning film will air on TVOKids. The Frederick Simpson and Veronica Herman Awards are generously supported by Garrett Herman. The TIFF Kids International Film Festival takes place at TIFF Bell Lightbox from April 7 to 19. Tickets for the TIFF Kids Festival are on sale now. Ticket prices: Adult $13, Student/Senior $10.50 and Children (13 and under) $9. Premium Screenings (Opening Night Film and Party, Closing Night Film, and the Pancakes, Waffles and Bugs Bunny! event) $25 per person. Some activities are free. Tickets for digiplayspace are on sale now for educators, TIFF Members and the general public. Entry to digiplayspace is $10, and TIFF Members see it free. For more information on screenings and activities, or to purchase tickets, please visit tiff.net/kids call TIFF (8433) or TIFF, or visit the Steve & Rashmi Gupta Box Office at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

2 The 2015 Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase Finalists Grades 4 to 6 Three Skeletons, dir. Maya Makhmud Three groovy skeletons shake, rattle and roll in this dance party! Ice for Everyone, dirs. Amy Cohen, Victoria Santos, Sophie Daumt A documentary exploring the world of figure skating. The Acadian Expulsion of 1755, dirs. Amalia Acharya, Sophia Andru, Emeline Bespalov, Betty Charles, Ieuan Dunstan, Milo Fowler, Brighid Fry, Grace Kakarelis-Bowen, Maxx Koladich, Ben Kyle, Kai Luk-Laughton, Lucas Marrotte, Kira Navarre, Finnoula O'Neal-King, Grady Shin, Kate Snider, Willow Solowoniuk, Sophia Thompson, Gus Woods Pneumaticos, Zachary Gan, Finn Joyce This short offers a moving historical reenactment of a charged moment in Acadian history. The Way to Life, dirs. Anna Choulova, Maya Makhmud, Oleg Yurchenko, Vicky Yurchenko A brilliant stop-motion animation on the passage of time. Racism: Changing the Mindset, dirs. Clayton Bigras, Mia Wayne, Sophie Espinosa, Ebuka Uzochukwu, Landon Nicholls, Aiden Collette, Kiel McLeod, Andrew Force, Josh Morris, Erin Wheeldon,, Seth Bender, Logan Wheeldon, Nick Hiscox, Peyton Braun, Caitlyn Young, Julius Repasy, Mason Maher, Martha Katarzynski, Chevonne D Souza, Cameron Moniz A look at the ugliness of racism. The Rewards of Music, dirs. Maria Radivojevic, Ann Derham,Jacqueline Chen,Mila Gagovic This documentary essay highlights the challenges and rewards of mastering a musical instrument like the piano. The Evil Queen of Egypt, dirs. Mireille Botros, Elizabeth Sheehan, Carla Ghali, Elaina Botrus, Lina Zamar, Karmina Messiha, Nadine Bissada, Mirette Mina, Isabelle Barker, Julia Faltas, Chantelle Guorgui, Melissa Tadros The evil queen of Egypt has trapped the local villagers so that they can compete in nasty challenges for her amusement! Friends Help, dirs. Graydon Bebbington, Owen Burns-Craze, Arif Rahman, Alicja O'Keeffe, Dakota Myran, Mac Brabandar Good friends can make a big difference in life. Bird City, dirs. Theo Lam, Matthew Cummings, Callum Spellman, Dillon Robert Filmed from the perspective of a bird, this documentary explores the impact humans have on the animals that live in urban ecosystems.

3 Coming to Canada, dirs. Chukwuebuka Uzochukwu, Onyeka Uzochukwu, Chiamaka Uzochukwu, Ijeoma Uzochukwu, Clayton Bigras, Landon Nicholls, Aiden Collette, Kiel McLeod, Seth Bender, Caitlyn Young, Lucas Dempsey This is the story of the Uzochukwu family, who leave their home in Nigeria and move to Canada. The Path of an Artist, dirs. Levi Schaffer-Hooper, Jehna Sinamban, Beatrice Smith, Joshua Parker This documentary short follows a group of aspiring artists as they attend OCADU. The New Kid, dirs. Sarah Rorison, Cali Besseling, Marina Ibrahim, Suhani Mehra, Isabella Tartaglia, Ellery Turner, Ben Turner, Ignacio Corral, Ben Conick, Jonah Grigsby, Michael Papadopoulos, Quinn Fennema Burlington On her first day of school, Sarah daydreams about making new friends. BBN (Ban Bullying News), dirs. Gurleen Rangi, Amrit Mandeir, Abhay Ratti, William Dao, Jasmeh Deol, Rachel Adams, Sahib Johar, Harjot Minhas, Sonyia Minhas, Shrisanth Chandirakumar, Aravend Thavakumaran, Gurlal Sidhu, Farah Tokhi, Anmol Dhaliwal Brampton Ban Bullying News is a documentary investigation into school bullying. Losing Breath, dirs. Edwin Hegge, Annie Heard, Sammie Rogers, Daelyn Erion, Arianna Jones, Evan Coughlin A girl feels isolated and alone at school until she makes a special new friend. Where You Live is How You Live, dirs. Harriet Wilkinson, Maggie Chong, Alison Gilchrist, Felix Masemann-Gray Told through a variety of interviews, this short explores how urban, suburban, and rural communities shape the lives of the people who live there. School Fool, dirs. Nevins Beauvent, Jessica Bozanac, Giancarlo Haidar, Ivy Langdon, Carla Lepadatu, Derrian Cole-McFarlene, Mikaela Moshonas, Owen Sexton, Daniel Silc, Ellen Unan, Nathan Wood Scarborough All of the students are late for school... or are they? Grades 7 & 8 Blood, Cells and Viruses, dir. Jaxzen Sandell A quirky animated mockumentary about the midlife crisis of a red-blood cell. Forth to War, dirs. Emma Bobrovskis, Graysen Bernard, Paige Smith, Praveen Perera As soon as their teacher leaves the classroom, students transform into warriors preparing for battle. The Beacon of Pawer, dirs. Emma Proud, Julia Graham Agent Graham and Agent Proud must complete a mission to rescue "The Beacon of Pawer."

4 Même, dirs. Lillian Jacobs, Emily Wiljer, Zoe Lebel-Pantazaopoulos A lonely square sets out on a journey to find love. K.I.A. Kid Investigation Agency, dirs. Noah Gehman, Aran Winter Need a case solved? Call the 13-year-old masterminds of Kid Investigation Agency! Labels, dirs. Caroline McCall, Allison Schroh, Zaheen Noor A look at how cruel and ridiculous stereotypes can be. Memoria, dirs. Diego Romero, Evan Kotsopolous, George Karabelas This sensitive short follows a teen as he deals with the loss of his best friend. The Run, dirs. Bridget Campbell, Jamie Peddle, Hannah Phillips A girl tries to get home to see her sister in a world that has been overrun by chaos. All About That Bass, dirs. Spencer Couch, Declan Walsh, Kidus Leul It's not easy being a musician when your instrument is the heavy upright bass! The Test of Confederation, dirs. Adrian "Adi" Tanjala, James Lee When Misha falls asleep while studying for his history test on the Canadian Confederation, he is transported to the1864 Charlottetown Conference. THE TELEPORTER, dirs. Kai Korven, Sam Pike, Simon Bezanson After discovering the missing alien files from The Roswell Incident, a boy builds a teleportation device. #TIFFKids Facebook.com/TIFF #digiplayspace About TIFF TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $189 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the City of, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net. TIFF is generously supported by Lead Sponsor Bell, Major Sponsors RBC, L'Oréal Paris, and Visa, and Major Supporters the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of

5 The TIFF Kids International Film Festival is supported by The City of and the Ontario Arts Council. Media Partners of the TIFF Kids International Film Festival are TVO and Metro. TIFF prefers Visa For information, contact the Communications Department at or