A Shorts Report Deadline Reminder...
Saguenay, Monday November 2nd – You forgot to send your work to REGARD – Saguenay International short film Fest? You are panicked? Here's your chance to make it up north! We extend our call for entries deadline for our next edition until November 13th 2009.
Adding to the opportunity of being screened in one of the numerous competitive and special programs, Quebec's short filmmakers' works can be a part in SODEC's short film compilation DVD gathering the province best and newest shorts of 2009. Edited by the festival's team and distributed by Prends ça court, Danny Lennon, this DVD will promote Quebec's talent worldwide to distributors, buyers and festivals programmers by the end of January 2010.
AN INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM MEETING-PLACE
REGARD – Saguenay International short film Festival, one of the six biggest festivals in North America dedicated exclusively to short films, is a landmark event that encourages up-and-coming filmmakers and film industry professionals to exchange ideas and present their films to a large, enthusiastic public.
REGARD hosts a national and international competition where, last year, over $ 30,000 in cash awards and in-kind services were awarded. The Festival also features various special programs and events such as retrospectives and a « carte blanche ».
In addition, REGARD holds the only Short Film Marketplace in Quebec: discussion workshops, master classes, public script readings, and happy hours. Plus, all the films submitted to the festival have been catalogued to provide easy access for film industry professionals, programmers, buyers, journalists and short film fans to view the films at our viewing stations, making the event more user-friendly. Over five days, the 2008 edition of the Festival received near 30,000 attendees and over 200 film industry professionals.
Don't forget ! You have until November 13 5PM to read the rules and to register online by filling in our application form on the Saguenay International Short Film Fest's website, www.caravane.tv <http://www.caravane.tv>
NOTE: Every short film that has already been submitted to the Festival will be considered for the DVD. There are no entry fees for the compilation. Also make sure to clearly write "ONLY FOR THE DVD" on the application form.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Short of the Week
A couple of months back, this Shorts Reporter started a little series I liked to call Short of the Week. Catchy. Helpful.
Choosing your favorite short then letting you all know about it is actually...a heap of work. Then Festada came along and got in the way, which was really just going from one heap to work to a mountain...but I digress.
Still I wanted a place for readers to go and find a quick reference to awesome.
Then I actually found a site called 'Short of the Week'. Super helpful!
These smart guys outta Seattle have done exactly what most sites are starting to realize, highlight!
There is a glut of shorts films on the market and you really can spend most of your free time searching through, or slogging through a whole heap of crap. So these guys have made it easier, highlighting the best of the best from around the world.
Also, keep your eye out for a new site coming from Propeller UK. I've seen an early version of the site and once it's launched, it'll be another portal into the best of the best online.
Having had my short online for just over a week now, I can tell you that the audience for the online short experience is amazingly robust. If your film has done it's festival circuit, I do now encourage the online distribution as a means to get your film out there.
I suspect we're going to see a change in the way all short film distributors get their films to audience in light of the availability of high speed connections today.
Choosing your favorite short then letting you all know about it is actually...a heap of work. Then Festada came along and got in the way, which was really just going from one heap to work to a mountain...but I digress.
Still I wanted a place for readers to go and find a quick reference to awesome.
Then I actually found a site called 'Short of the Week'. Super helpful!
These smart guys outta Seattle have done exactly what most sites are starting to realize, highlight!
There is a glut of shorts films on the market and you really can spend most of your free time searching through, or slogging through a whole heap of crap. So these guys have made it easier, highlighting the best of the best from around the world.
Also, keep your eye out for a new site coming from Propeller UK. I've seen an early version of the site and once it's launched, it'll be another portal into the best of the best online.
Having had my short online for just over a week now, I can tell you that the audience for the online short experience is amazingly robust. If your film has done it's festival circuit, I do now encourage the online distribution as a means to get your film out there.
I suspect we're going to see a change in the way all short film distributors get their films to audience in light of the availability of high speed connections today.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New Festival lifts off in Vancouver
Welcome to the new and improved Shorts Report...comments welcome!
Speaking of new things, I had the pleasure of enjoying most of yesterday at the 1st annual Vancouver Short Film Festival. A festival that took up only a weekend, appropriatley brief.
It was exciting to look around and see full houses at both major screenings and a healthy house at the panel I moderated. Festival Director Sandra Garcia did a stellar job programming two rounds of excellent films from around the world and here at home.
Kicking off the World's Best Shorts with a shorts report favorite Next Floor, Garcia also introduced Vancouver audiences to some gorgeous gems from Australia like Small Change and Jerrycan, as well as some UK fest favorites like the lonely space speciman comedy Subject #164 (reminded me of District 9), the hilarious oscar nominated This Way Up and the ethereal September. Canada's About Face was a lovely, unexpected comedy.
In the Pro Shorts category, Garcia tipped her hat to this beautiful city by screening a variety of films that celebrated Vancouver in all her glory. The State of Yo, Postcards and Tofu Meets Greens really shimmered off the glimmer of our emerald city. A delightful suprise was the perfectly brief For The Birds by Victoria's Malcolm Johnston. While the festival ended with the truly great Centrigrade, Colin Cunningham at his finest both in front and behind the camera, the real stand out for the night was the beautiful Light of the Family Burnam.
Bit of a curiosity about this film. As you well know, this Shorts Reporter has been keeping an eye on which films get into what festivals in Canada. Family Burnam was the inaugral winner of BC Film's MPPIA award a few years back. While I hadn't yet seen the film, I noticed that it just wasn't getting into a lot of festivals. Naturally, I figured it must not have a lot of quality to it.
This film is spectacular. Shockingly young Writer/Director/Editor Marshall Axani delivers a poignant slice of life in the journey of a sick kid, and almost more importantly, the people the sick kid is forced to leave behind. Far beyond a sad tale, this is a tale that inspires and encourages...lightness. Truly. Axani gets just the right note out of the always solid gold David Lewis, finds in Doug Price a recklessly compassionate grandfather and gives little Alex Ferris a performance to build a career on.
Why this film didn't light up more festivals programs is beyond me. With a 2008 date on it's tail, there's still opportunity for it to make it to some second/third tiers fests, but I hope the producers are looking at internet sales now, as it might experience a better life there.
That the new Vancouver Short Film Festival had the smarts to program it speaks volumes to why this little festival might grow in to something very big.
Not surprising, The Light of Family Burnam swept the awards with almost all of them going to Axani and his team. Well deserved.
Speaking of new things, I had the pleasure of enjoying most of yesterday at the 1st annual Vancouver Short Film Festival. A festival that took up only a weekend, appropriatley brief.
It was exciting to look around and see full houses at both major screenings and a healthy house at the panel I moderated. Festival Director Sandra Garcia did a stellar job programming two rounds of excellent films from around the world and here at home.
Kicking off the World's Best Shorts with a shorts report favorite Next Floor, Garcia also introduced Vancouver audiences to some gorgeous gems from Australia like Small Change and Jerrycan, as well as some UK fest favorites like the lonely space speciman comedy Subject #164 (reminded me of District 9), the hilarious oscar nominated This Way Up and the ethereal September. Canada's About Face was a lovely, unexpected comedy.
In the Pro Shorts category, Garcia tipped her hat to this beautiful city by screening a variety of films that celebrated Vancouver in all her glory. The State of Yo, Postcards and Tofu Meets Greens really shimmered off the glimmer of our emerald city. A delightful suprise was the perfectly brief For The Birds by Victoria's Malcolm Johnston. While the festival ended with the truly great Centrigrade, Colin Cunningham at his finest both in front and behind the camera, the real stand out for the night was the beautiful Light of the Family Burnam.
Bit of a curiosity about this film. As you well know, this Shorts Reporter has been keeping an eye on which films get into what festivals in Canada. Family Burnam was the inaugral winner of BC Film's MPPIA award a few years back. While I hadn't yet seen the film, I noticed that it just wasn't getting into a lot of festivals. Naturally, I figured it must not have a lot of quality to it.
This film is spectacular. Shockingly young Writer/Director/Editor Marshall Axani delivers a poignant slice of life in the journey of a sick kid, and almost more importantly, the people the sick kid is forced to leave behind. Far beyond a sad tale, this is a tale that inspires and encourages...lightness. Truly. Axani gets just the right note out of the always solid gold David Lewis, finds in Doug Price a recklessly compassionate grandfather and gives little Alex Ferris a performance to build a career on.
Why this film didn't light up more festivals programs is beyond me. With a 2008 date on it's tail, there's still opportunity for it to make it to some second/third tiers fests, but I hope the producers are looking at internet sales now, as it might experience a better life there.
That the new Vancouver Short Film Festival had the smarts to program it speaks volumes to why this little festival might grow in to something very big.
Not surprising, The Light of Family Burnam swept the awards with almost all of them going to Axani and his team. Well deserved.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
NFB makes friends with IPhone
In an effort to make their films more accessible to this hand held generation (that's not a euphamism, swear) the National Film Board of Canada launched it's IPhone application today.
Here's there bumpf on it:
True, and enhances the NFB's already stellar rep as Canada's home of quality short films. Way to go, NFB.
Here's there bumpf on it:
The iPhone application is easy to use and loaded with features. It lets you:
*WATCH hundreds of NFB films
*CHOOSE your viewing time: users can preload a film on their iPhone to view at a later time; up to 24 hours later, even without a network connection
*SEARCH the entire collection of films available online at NFB.ca
*EXPLORE films by theme (films for kids, documentaries, animation, etc.)
*SAVE a favourite films list
*TARGET films viewed by people nearby
This new application makes the NFB one of the leaders in the field of digital accessibility.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Awards Report #2 - The Full Festada
Ah, Festada. How did those bright sunny days of August melt into the blustery, rainy days of October so quickly? While this Shorts Reporter doesn't seem to age a second, it seems time just hurries past in a wink.
As we begin to bundle our little selves back into the hearty Canadians that we are (well, most of us anyway), it's important to reflect on which short films KICKED ASS throughout our great land in 2009.
This year will, without question, go down as the year of the Danse Macabre. I've already embarrassed myself with gushing praise of this beautiful film and agree that Pedro Pines' win at TIFF, Festival du Nouveau Cinema and the Outstanding Achievement award at CIFF (Calgary International Film Festival) are all so well deserved. I hope his producers are scrounging up entry fee for the Genies.
The rest of the Festada award winners are a delightful hodge podge of what Canada had to offer this year.
While most every Festada festival was sure to throw a bone towards a Canadian filmmaker, it seems Calgary found it hard to award it's local talent. Even though they had quite a selection of some of the best Canadian shorts, they just couldn't find a single one to crown king. Instead, they handed their best short film awards to films from Denmark, France and Australia. They did, however, nod towards Danse Macabre, but only with an 'outstanding achievement'. Tough crowd.
When we're wrong, we're wrong, hope this makes that right...and now back to the rest of the original blog...
Edmonton Int'l Film Festival (EIFF) did a much better job of recognizing Canadian talent, with a best short film award going to Paramita Nath's 'Found', and a Best Alberta Short going to Mitch Baraby's 'City of Noise'.
The Atlantic Film Festival (AFF) also got into the national/regional trophy handing out with a Best Canadian Short award going to Lindsay Connell's 'The Big 1-0' and the Best Atlantic Short going to Joel MacKenzie's 'Super Science'.
Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) just recently closed with the announcement of the Most Promising Canadian short filmmaker award (for first timers only) going to The Last Act, an adorable 'what if' parable out of Quebec. First time filmmakers Jan Binisse and David Tougas should be encouraged to keep mining their talents.
Tonight, the last of the Festada, Festival du Nouveau Cinema made their announcement of their short film award going to Macabre, with a special jury mention of Emile Proulx-Cloutier's La Vie Commence.
Seems the fine folks at Locomotion Films in Quebec should be mighty proud of all of their award winners.
For those playing at home, here's the final Festada Awards Run Down:
As we begin to bundle our little selves back into the hearty Canadians that we are (well, most of us anyway), it's important to reflect on which short films KICKED ASS throughout our great land in 2009.
This year will, without question, go down as the year of the Danse Macabre. I've already embarrassed myself with gushing praise of this beautiful film and agree that Pedro Pines' win at TIFF, Festival du Nouveau Cinema and the Outstanding Achievement award at CIFF (Calgary International Film Festival) are all so well deserved. I hope his producers are scrounging up entry fee for the Genies.
The rest of the Festada award winners are a delightful hodge podge of what Canada had to offer this year.
While most every Festada festival was sure to throw a bone towards a Canadian filmmaker, it seems Calgary found it hard to award it's local talent. Even though they had quite a selection of some of the best Canadian shorts, they just couldn't find a single one to crown king. Instead, they handed their best short film awards to films from Denmark, France and Australia. They did, however, nod towards Danse Macabre, but only with an 'outstanding achievement'. Tough crowd.
Blogger's Note: After this was posted, smart Jennifer Cecconi, Lead Programmer at the CIFF swiftly sent me this note:
"Hi Kellie,
I am really enjoying your blog. I love that you are devoting a blog to shorts – especially Canadian short films! I just read your blog about awards and wanted to offer a correction. We actually celebrated two Canadian short films in our awards, The Outstanding Achievement award for DANSE MACABRE (a specially created award due to the outstanding nature of DANSE MACABRE) and the Best of Alberta which went to Karen Hines’ amazing film A TAX ON POCHSY. In fact our closing Gala was our Best of Alberta short film program!
Cheers,
Jenn"
Cheers,
Jenn"
When we're wrong, we're wrong, hope this makes that right...and now back to the rest of the original blog...
Edmonton Int'l Film Festival (EIFF) did a much better job of recognizing Canadian talent, with a best short film award going to Paramita Nath's 'Found', and a Best Alberta Short going to Mitch Baraby's 'City of Noise'.
The Atlantic Film Festival (AFF) also got into the national/regional trophy handing out with a Best Canadian Short award going to Lindsay Connell's 'The Big 1-0' and the Best Atlantic Short going to Joel MacKenzie's 'Super Science'.
Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) just recently closed with the announcement of the Most Promising Canadian short filmmaker award (for first timers only) going to The Last Act, an adorable 'what if' parable out of Quebec. First time filmmakers Jan Binisse and David Tougas should be encouraged to keep mining their talents.
Tonight, the last of the Festada, Festival du Nouveau Cinema made their announcement of their short film award going to Macabre, with a special jury mention of Emile Proulx-Cloutier's La Vie Commence.
Seems the fine folks at Locomotion Films in Quebec should be mighty proud of all of their award winners.
For those playing at home, here's the final Festada Awards Run Down:
Atlantic Film Festival
Best Canadian Short: The Big 1-0
Best Atlantic Short: Super Science
Calgary International Film Festival
Outstanding Achievement in a Short Film: Danse Macabre
Best Alberta Short: A Tax on Pochsy
Best Alberta Short: A Tax on Pochsy
Montreal World Film Festival:
Best Short Film: Losing It (Surmenage)
Toronto International Film Festival:
Best Short Film: Danse Macabre
Special Mention: The Armoire
Edmonton International Film Festival
Best Short Film: Found
Best Alberta Short Film: City of Noise
Vancouver International Film Festival
Most Promising Short Filmmaker: The Last Act
Festival du Nouveau Cinema
Best Short Film: Danse Macabre
Special Jury Mention: La Vie Commence
So those are the films to watch for during Genie nomination time (there's always a couple surprises too, so it's not the complete list).
I guess this means that Festada is done for the year. It was a fun journey this Festada. This shorts reporter looks forward to seeing what happens with these films as they continue their award gathering outside of Canada.
A special thanks to Dan Montgomery for his special Festada coverage at TIFF. That was an added bonus to our readers. Thank you Dan.
Until next Festada!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
