from vk & associates

TORONTO, May 11, 2011 – CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF), presented by TELUS, North America’s largest short film festival, proudly returns for its 17th annual edition from May 31st to June 5th 2011. Showcasing the best short films from home and around the world, the WSFF will present an unparalleled line-up of contemporary short films in 33 programs specially selected from a record-breaking 4,200 submissions.

Presenting festival-goers with a wide-ranging collection of 275 shorts from 36 countries, the WSFF offers something for everyone. From a diverse array of live action, documentary, animation and experimental films, each 90-minute program screens 5 to 20 films, allowing viewers a rare opportunity to see some of the finest short films on a large screen format.

“This year the WSFF has really come into its own, “ says Festival Director Eileen Arandiga. “Short films have never been more popular. The record number of submissions received is clearly a testament to the growing popularity and importance of short film. This is a very exciting time for shorts, and we have never seen so many recognizable faces both in front of and behind the camera. We are also pleased to bring programming to places that might not traditionally be viewed as a screening venue – for example the CN Tower and our Shorts Bus, a mobile theatre that allows Torontonians and visitors to our city to experience short films in a unique way.”

This year’s festival features a strong lineup of auteurs and stars. Directors with shorts appearing include: Spike Jonze (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH), Michel Gondry (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), Neil Labute (IN THE COMPANY OF MEN), Taika Waititi (TWO CARS, ONE NIGHT), Sima Urale (COFFEE & ALLAH), Jonathan Caouette (TARNATION) and Harmony Korine (TRASH HUMPERS), as well as the directorial debut of Rachel Weisz. Starring in shorts are: Colin Firth, Antony Hopkins, Tom Hardy, Chloë Sevigny, Scott Thompson, Jeremy Irons, Max von Sydow, Steve Coogan, Joseph Fiennes, Ian McKellan, John Slattery, Gerard Depardieu, Rosemary DeWitt, Selma Blair, Jeremy Davies, Julia Stiles, Debra Winger and Keira Knightley.

Kicking off this year’s festival, WSFF is throwing a Square Party on May 29th at Yonge Dundas Square – a public launch to the 6-day event, featuring video mash-ups and live bands beginning at 8 p.m. An unmissable giant cube will display live visuals, created by image wizards Justin Broadbent and Alex Kurina, with musical entertainment provided by DJ Tlo, Kids & Explosions and The Wooden Sky. Also new this year, the WSFF will feature a day of TOWERING SHORTS! programming at the CN Tower – and admission gets you to the top of the tower. In addition to the screenings, an increasing number of international buyers, delegates and industry professionals will attend the WSFF to participate in a full slate of conference and market events. Festival goers can plan their festival experience in advance with the WSFF app collaboration with Shortz!, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Android Market. Get the low-down and latest updates on films and events. Watch film trailers, listen to filmmaker podcasts and much more. Please refer to www.shorterisbetter.com or the 2011 WSFF Program Book for film and screening details on the following programs.

OPENING GALA: AWARD-WINNING SHORTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Hailing straight from some of the film world’s most competitive forums The Worldwide Short Film Festival Opening Gala offers a selection of the most celebrated films from Canada and across the globe.

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Our competitive programming debuts the films that become the world’s most critically acclaimed short films. The 12 programs of selected shorts featured in the 2011 Official Selection competition are a diverse blend of 95 engaging live action, animation, documentary and experimental films from Canada and 25 countries across the globe.

SHORTS FOR SHORTIES

Visit the CN Tower’s theatre and watch some of the best short films for kids. These two colourful collections of animated tales from far and wide will entertain both the young and young-at-heart. After the screening, kids can participate in the NFB Mediatheque’s hands-on 3-D animation workshops. Experienced NFB workshop facilitators will introduce children aged 3-13 to stop-motion animation, before helping them create their own original films. Ticket holders are also welcome to take a ride to the top of the tower to take in Toronto’s best view.

DATE NIGHT!

Looking for love? The CN Tower is the perfect place to take your date! Tickets include a special screening of romantic short stories and a trip to the top of the tower for dessert and coffee at Horizons Restaurant.

SPOTLIGHT ON ITALY

Each year the Worldwide Short Film Festival focuses on a region or country. This year we shine the spotlight on Italy, showcasing contemporary shorts in two programs.

YORK UNIVERSITY RETROPSPECTIVE

Honouring one of the best film schools in Canada, WSFF presents a retrospective of recent shorts in celebration of forty years of filmmaking at York University’s Film Department. This program is free for students (18+) and seniors with valid I.D.

STRAIGHT8

See what no-budget, guerilla filmmakers can do with only one cartridge of film. A 10-year “Best of” retrospective from the Straight 8 filmmaking challenge: one Super 8 cartridge, no editing.

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY FILM SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Each year, the WSFF highlights the work being made at an exceptional film school, giving local film students a chance to see what’s coming out of other academic institutions. This year, the WSFF present a spotlight on Tel Aviv University’s (TAU) film School. Israel’s oldest and biggest film school, has launched the careers of a generation of filmmakers. Boasting a multitude of awards and some very successful graduates, TAU is internationally respected for the work it produces. This program is free for students (18+) and seniors with valid I.D.

LAUGHTER WITHOUT BORDERS

This fresh crop of comedy shorts from home and abroad is proof that comedy is truly a universal language.

INDIE COMEDY SHOWCASE:

FOR SHORTS & GIGGLES brings the funny to both screen and stage with a side-splitting showcase of comedians and comedic short films. The brightest, weirdest and wildest emerging comedians from Toronto, New York and L.A. gather for this red-hot combination of laugh-inducing live performances and crazy-indie-cool comedy shorts.

CFC SHORT DRAMATIC FILMS

Don’t miss the opportunity to screen an eclectic crop of award-winning films created by the residents of the Canadian Film Centre’s Short Dramatic Film Program in 2010. This program is free for students (18+) and seniors with valid I.D.

SCENE NOT HERD

A snapshot of the hottest and most creative music videos from around the world – this cinematic treasure chest of short film gems give music and sound a starring role.

Two Programs of CELEBRITY SHORTS

Hollywood stars love short films: they’re a playground for trying out new characters as actors, or testing new roles behind the camera. This year, a record number of A-listers perform, write and direct in these two programs of truly star-studded short films.

SCI-FI: OUT THERE

This global array of animation and live action sci-fi shorts is always a great bet for fantastically imaginative works and a taste of sharp parody.

TRILOGY OF TRILOGIES: NEW ZEALAND’S GOT TALENT

This year’s trilogy program turns the spotlight on the many and varied talents of some of New Zealand’s most unique filmmaking voices – Taika Waititi, Jason Stutter and Sima Urale

SLAP ‘N’ TICKLE and introducing SLAP ‘N’ TICKLE: HARDGORE

Featuring two programs of titillating shorts, this selection of true stories, naughty animations, seductive dramas and saucy comedies are guaranteed to satisfy.

MIDNIGHT MANIA

Our two midnight programs – Freaky and Creepy is a mélange of the most unsettling, eerie and flat-out frightening shorts the world has to offer laced with the occasional dose of comic relief.

WSFF AWARD-WINNERS SCREENING

The jury has deliberated and the verdict is in! The festival wraps up with this one time only screening of the 2011 WSFF award-winners along with the TELUS Audience Choice Award winner.

SYMPOSIUM 2011

Short Film BIG IDEAS a four day symposium on the art and commerce of short filmmaking presents the largest short film marketplace in North America and features a variety of panels which will cover a diverse range of topics including: funding, self packaging, casting, finding and working with an agent digital distribution, music licensing and more. New this year is The Feedback Loop, where selected filmmakers can have their short film critiqued by industry professionals in front of a live audience with the aim of helping filmmakers to monetize their shorts.