Seventh Annual Jump Cuts Showcase Celebrates Socially Aware Films By Young People

Toronto – Now in its seventh year, Sprockets Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase, a programme that engages Ontario's youth from Grades 3 to 12, announced its finalists today. This year's programme features 27 films by 56 youngfilmmakers which tackle such diverse socially conscious topics as world peace, environmental concerns, school and internet bullying, and the impact of the media on teenagers. A full list and descriptions of the films are attached.
 
"This year’s Jump Cuts lineup is an incredibly diverse selection of films by talented young filmmakers,” said Allen Braude, Co-Director, Learning. “These films demonstrate young people’s understanding of the world around them, and their ability to communicate their ideas creatively through film.”
 
Jump Cuts films were submitted into one of three categories, based on grade level: Grades 3 to 6, Grades 7 to 9, and Grades 10 to 12. A selection committee assessed submissions and chose the final films to participate in Jump Cuts, based on proficiency in form, expression, experimentation and content. A jury of film-industry professionals views all finalists' films in advance and selects three films to be awarded prizes. This year’s jury consists of Shaun Hatton, Interactive Producer at TELETOON Canada Inc.; Joan Prowse, a documentary filmmaker with more than 15 years of industry experience; and Heather Findlay, a television producer and director. The following prizes will be awarded to the winning films: The Frederick Simpson Award for Best Film Grades 3to 6; The Veronica Herman Award for Best Film Grades 7 to 9; and The Gertrude Löwengren Award for Best Film Grades 10 to 12. The Frederick Simpson, Veronica Herman,and Gertrude Löwengren Awards are generously supported by Garrett Herman.
 
SprocketsToronto International Film Festival for Children offers children and youth the opportunity to learn about film and cultural perspectives from around the globe.  Through the power of film, Sprockets is helping to transform the way children and youth see the world.  The 11th annual Sprockets runs from April 12-18, 2008, and includes a Family Programme (April 12-13) for ages three and up, on-site activities and a week-long School Programme (April 14-18) for students in Grades 1 through 12. Family Programme tickets are $6.60 per child and $10.61 per adult; Reel Rascals, The Snow Queen screening and Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase tickets are $6.60 per person (does not include GST, building fund fee or service charges).  For more information visit sprockets.ca

TIFFG’s capital project to build Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario which have each contributed $25 million.
 
The King and John Festival Corporation, which is comprised of The Daniels Corporation, Ivan Reitman, and his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels, has donated a gift of more than $22 million. As well, numerous other individuals corporations have contributed to the Bell Lightbox campaign including, but not limited to: CIBC, The Copyright Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, VISA, Allan Slaight and family, Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, the TIFFG Board of Directors and our staff. The total raised to date is $137 million, two-thirds of the total campaign of the $196 million.
 

The Toronto International Film Festival Group is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image.
 
The Group embodies a passion for film and a commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. With an annual budget of nearly $20 million, the Group has grown exponentially from its roots as a modest “Festival of Festivals” expanding its breadth across the globe and reaching audiences of 900,000 per year. Currently, the Group employs more than 120 full-time staff, 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts on the largesse of more than 2,000 volunteers year-round.
 
For more information, please contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200 or email proffice@tiffg.ca

 

 
Grade 3 to 6

Arctic Conundrum, Rachel Allen (Toronto)
This film looks at the effects of disappearing sea ice on arctic wildlife. (Animation)
 
Greed, Saskia Van Es (Toronto)
This film addresses the problems resulting from 80 per cent of the world’s resources going to 20 per cent of the world’s population. (Animation)
 
One Step at a Time, Anika Pask, Merceds Simon-Lariviere, Keaton Beyer, Grace Li, Emma Baker, Jiyoon Moon, Zoe Trommer, Celeste Ringrose, Dexter Benson-Barnett (Toronto)   
Suzie tries to convince her friends to change the future after a visit from Mother Earth gives a glimpse of what the future holds if people continue polluting the planet.
 
Richard Long Story, Evan Fulford (Toronto)
The story of Richard Long, a top skier who survived an accident, is used to illustrate the importance of helmet safety. (Animation)
 
River Rocky vs. The Crocodile,  Emma Baker, Dexter Benson-Barnett, Hannah Gore, Domenica Iozzo, Maia Klee, Nuala Murray, Marcus Paulino, Celeste Ringrose, Leo Timmins, Hannah Watkins (Toronto)   
When a family suspects that there’s a crocodile in their toilet, River Rocky and his TV-show crew are called to investigate.
 
Snowing in Toronto, Sebastian Thomson-Jagoe (Toronto)
A young boy asks his father to take a break from shovelling snow to play with him. (Animation)
 
Wave Power, Liam Cummings (Toronto)
This film explores wave power as a potential clean energy source. (Animation)

 
Grades 7 to 9
 
Adventures of a Paper Head, Oscar Laliberte Else (Toronto)
A boy struggling to get out of bed in the morning allows his imagination to carry him away to places far beyond his bedroom.
 
A Canadian Hero, Mac Strachan, Jake Ludlow (Barrie)
This documentary chronicles Arnie Stewart’s struggles with illiteracy, and how he has dedicated his life to helping young people avoid the mistakes he made.
 
From Tucker’s to Luc’s, Tucker McLachlan, Luc Palombo (Toronto)
Animated characters and a stop-motion background combine to depict the lightheartedness that can be found in a walk to meet up with a friend.
 
Oblivious, Stephanie Joo and Chang Liu (Toronto)
This hand-drawn animation takes a look at the effect of air pollution on a child.
 
Peace of Mind, Ryan He (Toronto)
Fed up with staying up all night studying and being made fun of by other kids, a nameless character decides life isn’t worth living. (Animation)
 
Peace Begins, Slater Jewell-Kemker (Janetville)
A group of young people put their dedication to peace into action by hand-painting murals that will be part of 12 miles of murals from around the world. These images will encircle the Great Pyramids of Egypt in 2010 to commemorate the end of the United Nations’ decade of peace.
 
Super Stopmotion, Kate Gotziaman, Rachel Goss, Angela Maxwell and Isabella Parks (Toronto)
This film explores a full day, from dawn to dusk, in stop-motion animation.
 
Water Pollution, Jenni Sun, Jinny Tran (Toronto)
Various animation techniques are used to address the issue of water pollution.
 
Grades 10 to12
 
Alzheimer’s: A Family’s Journey, Katie Rastrick, Ayesha Khalid (Toronto)
This documentary explores the effects of living with a person with Alzheimer’s and the daily struggle for people experiencing the disease.
 
Guardian Angels, Danny DiGiovine, Elisia Mirabelli (Toronto)
Kari, a teenaged artist struggling with the recent death of her mother, learns that those we think are gone will always be with us.
 
In Red, Em Xiao (Toronto)
In a world dominated by blue, a red character desires to fit in with the crowd. (Animation)
 
iPerceive, Chloé Hung (Toronto)                                          
A teenaged girl who discovers the world outside her narrow, media-crazed existence realizes that people would rather be told the “truth” than discover it for themselves.
 
SIT, Josh Kaplan (Toronto)
A man overwhelmed by routine questions what his life has come to in this visually experimental film.
 
Small Fry, Jordan Samuels, Varun Sarangapani, Calvin Winter, Carlson Hoang, Jonathan Lochan (Toronto)
A teenager attempts to overcome a school bully by becoming a stronger person.
 
Take a Look, Claudine Tran (Toronto)
Through interviews with girls and young women, this documentary looks at women’s concerns about body image and how this fuels the cosmetics industry.
 
Take Out the Garbage, Nathanael Shelton-Richards (Ajax)
Nathanael continuously procrastinates to avoid taking out the garbage. After he dozes off several times rather than completing his chore, Nathanael learns that sometimes the only way to escape responsibility is to escape reality.
 
The Truth About Honesty, Stephanie Baird (Erin)
Gabriella, a high-school student, becomes a victim of bullying through the anonymous Honesty Box found on Facebook.
 
Tuned Out, Chris Crane, Danny Voicu (Toronto)
Waking up after a party, a teen finds a different song playing in each room of his house. Enlisting the help of his best friend, the two must figure out how to turn off the music.
 
Victim?, Anna Mifsud-Sweeney (Erin)
This film asks the viewer to decide who deserves the title of “victim” in a school shooting.
 
Vie avec Charlie, Jackson Gray, Liam McNally (Toronto)
In this homage to the silent films of Charlie Chaplin, “Charlie” finds work running goods illegally between Canada and the United States.