80 Films Shortlisted To Win Over $10,000 in Awards and Other Prizes
Toronto, Ontario [August 26, 2009] - The finalists for the 3rd annual Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF) were announced today at a press conference hosted by The Drake Hotel and attended by filmmakers, media -- and the judge and jury for this year’s festival. Director/writer/actor Don McKellar was the star of the event speaking about his role with TUFF. McKellar, who appears in the new Dilip Metha film, Cooking with Stella, is this year’s TUFF Guest Judge. He will chose the top three films of the festival as well as the winner of the Naish McHugh Award for Emerging Filmmakers. That announcement will be made on September 20th. Peter Finestone, Film Commissioner for the City of Toronto also spoke on behalf of TUFF as did juror Jennifer Chen of Channel Zero.
Over 245 submissions from 11 countries were received this year with 80 films shortlisted to screen during the 10 day festival. All TUFF films are 1-minute in length and silent. Films are organized thematically and run every 10 minutes on the over 270 digital screens, which are part of the ONESTOP network within the TTC subway system. They also run in a continuous loop on the Heineken Film Zones at Bloor Station. Additionally, all films are available on the TUFF website for viewing and voting, starting on the first day of the festival.
The complete list of finalists are listed on the TUFF Website at:
http://www.torontourbanfilmfestival.com/watch-vote.html.
Animation remains a popular TUFF genre it is well represented again this year. Among the animated selections are CRAiNED by Merlin Crossingham, an artist at Aardman Studios (Wallace and Gromit) in Bristol, England. Other recognizable names include avant-garde filmmakers Dennis Day, Chris Kennedy, Annette Mangaard, David Rendall and Paul Wong.
Some of the more unique films in the running to win over $10,000 in TUFF awards and other prizes, include:
EmBodying Toronto by Joyce Wong and Sonia Hong -- What would Toronto look like on the body of a woman?
I Can, Can You? by Neal Cumming -- A man travels through the city with -- and by canoe -- showing that the way we travel and conduct ourselves in the city can be enjoyable in many ways.
Renaissance Men by Linda Matarasso -- Two business men wrap-up a business meeting and decide to explore the city. They experience it as if it's for the first time.
Tara and Terry's Summer Vacation by Tara Cooper -- This film examines the potential wonder found in explorations closer to home. Based on true events, the hand-rendered one-minute documentary is also a photographic souvenir of a Toronto staycation.
The Clothes Make the Man by Owen Eric Wood -- A comment on fashion's powerful influence over the way people perceive each other. By dressing up in a variety of outfits, the artist examines how identity can be a social construct.
Tuan by Nguyen-Anh Nguyen - In this beautifully told simple story, a young Vietnamese boy adjusts in subtle ways to Western life. He meets a girl at his new school and befriends her.
Under Construction by Melissa Levin -- Over 45 people came together to help construct the panoramic puzzle of Toronto for this time-lapse film.
Urban Jungle by Joe Pascale -- A playful take on the relationship between the sprawling urban metropolis of Toronto and Mother nature.
The 2009 list of TUFF finalists was selected by a jury that included: Pablo de Ocampo (Curator and Artistic Director, Images Festival), Christina Battle (experimental filmmaker), Jennifer Chen (Director of Acquisitions and Programming at Channel Zero), Dara Gellman (video artist), Ali Kazimi (documentary filmmaker and Professor in the Department of Film at York University), Janine Marchessault (Professor in Cinema and Media Studies at York University and Co-Director of the Visible City Project + Archive), and Lisa Steele (video artist and Chair of the Department of Art at the University of Toronto).
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, Reel World, and Hot Docs among others.
The Toronto Urban Film Festival is a project of Art for Commuters and the ONESTOP Media Group. TUFF has a viewing audience of over 1 million commuters, daily. The festival opens Friday, September 11 and runs until Sunday, September 20, concurrent with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
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.
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