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| The new NFB short Big Mouth is one of 244 films playing at WSFF 201 |
The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) unveiled the programming and
film selections for the 2012 edition of the annual Worldwide Short Film
Festival (WSFF) today! It looks like there are plenty of short little goodies
headed to Toronto soon. Taking place June 5-10, WSFF offers 244 short films from
35 countries and a mix of live-action, animation, documentary, and experimental
films alike. It’s a great chance to see some films that one might not have the
chance to see otherwise; additionally, WSFF is a good way to get a head start
on your award predictions for next year, since the festival is one of the few
festivals where winners become eligible for Academy Awards and the awards
formerly known as Genies. (It’s the shorts that usually make or break an Oscar
score sheet!)
There is a mix of the old and the new in the programming of
#wsff12. Back again is the opening night gala Award Winners From Around the World, which kicks off the festival with a handful of the most
prestigious and acclaimed shorts of 2012. Date
Night is also back after being one of the festival highlights in 2011 – see
some movies with the one you love at the CN Tower and then discuss them over
dessert! (How romantic!) Also returning is the music video series Scene Not Herd, which lets festival
goers get their groove on before moseying on over to the best party in town.
New this year is a pair of outdoor screenings, Christmas in June and Shorts
for Shorties: Flick-Nic. The only thing better than enjoying some films in
the warm summer air is the fact that these screenings are free – yes, FREE! And the only thing better than
outdoor screenings is a Master Class with acclaimed filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée
(Café de Flore) as part of the BIG Ideas Symposium.
Here is the full list of programmes for the 2012 Worldwide
Short Film Festival:
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| Dripped is one of the award winners that opens the fest. |
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.
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| See Emmanuel Béart in Withing Love as part of the Official Selection program "Creative Control" |
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.
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| Michael Fassbender in Pitch Black Heist, a highlight of "Celebrity Shorts" |
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! Among the A-listers in this year’s fest are Michael
Fassbender, Anna Paquin, and Dame Judi Dench.
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| Lisa Jackson's Parkdale is one of four productions from the CFC. |
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.
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| Margo Lily - another reason to attend the free screening of "Christmas in June" |
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.
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| Feel the love on "Date Night" with films like I Could've Been a Hooker |
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.
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| Big John's Breakfast Croissant Sandwich 1 serves up "Shorts & Giggles" |
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.
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| Reviewed during OIAF, Mulvar is Correct Candidate! is a reason to see "Laughter Without Borders" |
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!
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| Rabbid is one of many films that'll keep you up all night after "The Night Shift" |
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.
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| Fleet Foxes' The Shrine/ An Argument appears on the "Scene Not Herd" playlist |
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.
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| Films like Sedare are for sci-fi fans who like films that are "Out There" |
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…
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| A sequel to last year's Audience Award winner, The Gruffalo's Child plays at "Flick-Nic" |
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.
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| Kids young and old will enjoy films like The Little Bird and the Leaf in "Shorts for Shorties". |
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!
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| Cougar Lesbians Go to College is part of the raunchy fun of "Slap 'N' Tickle". |
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.
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| The doc Good Bye Mandima is one of many Swiss films in the "Spotlight" |
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.
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| Rubicon displays the latest in animation from "Studio Film Bilder". |
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.
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| The "Film School Spotlight" offers films like Dennis by up-and-comers. |
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.
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| Jean-Marc Vallée, director of Café de Flore (pictured), offers a Master Class. |
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.
Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 runs from June 5 to June 10.
See www.shorterisbetter.com
for the full list of films, screening schedules, and ticket information.
