Heineken Film Zones To Feature Non-Stop Shorts, September 11 - 20, 2009
Toronto, Canada [August 18, 2009] -- Toronto commuters can watch a continuous stream of 1-minute silent films during the 3rd annual Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF), part of an effort by Heineken Canada, ONESTOP Media Group and Art for Commuters to bring art to the masses in novel and entertaining ways. Over 75 TUFF films will air uninterrupted on digital screens located on the north and south platforms of the Bloor subway station. The Heineken Film Zones will feature vinyl wrappings and be visible during the entire run of the festival. The Bloor station is the busiest stop on the TTC, with over 377,000 commuters passing through its turnstiles, daily.
“Heineken remains committed to the arts, through our participation in art, film, fashion, and lifestyle events at both the national and local levels, says Tom Vella, Business Development Manager, Heineken Canada. “We’re very proud to partner with the Toronto Urban Film Festival on the Heineken Film Zones and hope the public takes advantage of this unique setting to enjoy this year’s TUFF films.”
“ONESTOP is very excited to offer the Heineken Film Zone as a continuation of our efforts to weave art into the social fabric of the daily commute,” says Michael Girgis, CEO of ONESTOP Media Group, co-producers of the event.
"This year it's not just about catching a film as you wait for your train. Now, people can go to the Film Zones and see all the day’s films in about 15 minutes,” says Festival Director Sharon Switzer.
Over 240 films were submitted to this year’s festival, up from last year. Finalists will be announced at a press conference at The Drake Hotel, Wednesday, August 26 at 11:00 AM.
TUFF finalists are selected by a jury with the top three films chosen by a guest judge; this year it’s writer/director/actor Don McKellar. In addition to acting as ambassador for TUFF, McKellar will be appearing at TIFF for the gala screening of his latest movie, Cooking with Stella. TIFF will also screen Imaginary Lovers, a multi-film installation directed by McKellar and shot on cellphone.
Winners are eligible for a number of cash and in-kind awards, including:
* 1st place – 4.5 star trip for two to the Dominican Republic sponsored by BelAir Travel. * 2nd place – $2,500 cash award sponsored by Heineken Canada.
* 3rd place – $2,000 cash award sponsored by Heineken Canada.
* Naish McHugh Award for Emerging Filmmakers - $2,500 cash award for the film that best captures the unique qualities of Toronto, created by an emerging filmmaker living and/or working within the GTA. Sponsored by the City of Toronto.
* Most Ambitious Film by a Female Director -- Awarded by Women in Film & Television Toronto; includes a complementary one-year membership to WIFT, a $1,200 WIFT programming pass, plus a $1,500 equipment rental credit and 15% rental discount from Videoscope.
* The Drake “Audience Choice” Award -- a complimentary screening and reception at The Drake Hotel's “Underground” to support the launch of a new film; valued at $3,800. * Best in Category Awards -- sponsored by CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, Images Festival, etc.
The Toronto Urban Film Festival is a project of Art for Commuters and the ONESTOP Media Group. TUFF takes place September 11 - 20, 2009 on subway platforms across the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
About Art for Commuters (A4C) - http://www.art4commuters.com
Art for Commuters is a non-profit arts collective that initiates unique, thought-provoking projects in the public realm. As ONESTOP Media Group’s community arts programming partner, they bring urban art festivals and competitions to over 1 million people daily on the ONESTOP network of screens throughout the TTC subway system. Projects include: Contacting Toronto (May 2009) The Toronto Urban Film Festival (September 2009) and Words Travel Fast (part of Nuit Blanche). Art for Commuters was founded in 2007 by Sharon Switzer.
About ONESTOP Media Group - http://www.onestopmediagroup.com
ONESTOP Media Group (OMG) is an internationally recognized, award winning, Out-of-Home Digital (OHD) media company. OMG is a world leader in the development, operation, and innovation of OHD networks for the mass transit, retail, hospitality, education and conference industries. ONESTOP's expertise is recognized by clients such as Toronto Transit Commission, Queen’s University, The Hilton Family of Brands, Sporting Life and The Wall Street Journal.
- END -
For more information, contact:
Lorne M. Simon, Michael Communications Media Group
Tel: 416-785-5037
E-mail: lorne@michaelcommunications.com