SUNDANCE SHORTS

By Admin

The Sundance Institute today announced the films selected for the Short Film Program at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, taking place January 20-30, 2005, in Park City, Utah. The Festival selected 82 short films — dramatic, documentary, and animated — from a total of 3887 submissions from U.S. and international filmmakers. In addition to screening at the Festival in Park City, many of the short films will be available free-of-charge to film at the Sundance Online Film Festival starting January 20, for five months following the close of the Festival.

According to the release issued by the Festival, “This year’s short films take all the chances and push boundaries. From a compelling look at a former child star to a life lesson in infidelity; a satirical look at spelling bees and the conflict in the West Bank retold as West Side Story; a personal story about a young Inuit man who attempts to bond with his father; and the story of a love affair lasting 60 years — this collection of U.S. short films captivate the viewer as never before.”… Read the rest

CANADIAN SHORTS

By Admin

Eight short films funded by the Bravo! Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent (Bravo!FACT) have been selected to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival, September 9-18, as part of its inaugural Short Cuts Canada section “showcasing the originality and artistry of our Canadian short filmmakers.”

Among the films supported by Bravo!FACT, which finances short films in Canada, are two titles by Manitoba-based Guy Maddin, both produced by Rhombus Media:

Sissy Boy Slap Party: a micro-montage of mime with music and sound effects of seven slap-happy suntanning sailors;

and Sombra Dolorosa: a short featuring a widow who wrestles El Muerto for the ghost of her dead husband, a race against an eclipse, and an attempted suicide.

Among the other Bravo!FACT-financed films in Toronto are: Superhero Wannabe, directed by Patricia Harris Seeley, The Human Kazoo, directed by Fabrizio Filippo and co-written and produced by Karen Walton (Ginger Snaps), Boyclops, directed by Jay Dahl, Choke, directed by David Hyde, Trouser Accidents, directed by Semi Chellas, and Bad Luck, directed by Brad Peyton.

For the first time, the Toronto International Film Festival has also launched an interactive filmmaker blog on its Web site, called Director’s Dish. The blog will be written by filmmaker Rob Stefaniuk, whose debut feature Phil The Alien (in which he also stars) premieres in the festival’s Canada First section focusing on emerging filmmakers from north of the border.
… Read the rest