Jump Cuts Showcase Ontario's Up-And-Coming Young Talent
Toronto – Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children announces the finalists for the Sprockets Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase. Now in its ninth year, this programme engages Ontario's young people from grades 3 to 12 giving these emerging directors a forum for artistic expression and the opportunity to see their work on the big screen. This year's lineup features 34 films from 84 young filmmakers, ranging from imaginative animated shorts to films that tackle diverse socially-conscious topics, such as environmental concerns and self esteem. Sprockets takes place from April 17 to April 23, 2010
The 2010 finalists come from communities across Ontario, including Guelph, Uxbridge, Freelton, Norland, Woodstock, Janetville, Kingston and the Greater Toronto Area. A full list of the finalists and descriptions of the films are attached.
“We are delighted to showcase these films at Sprockets. It is incredible to witness young, talented people transform their thoughts and experiences into the medium of film. It speaks to their talent and imagination that they are able to create cinematic delights that people of all ages can enjoy,” said Allen Braude, Co-Director of Learning.
Elizabeth Muskala, Co-Director of Learning, added “For the past nine years we have been committed to providing a platform for youth to explore cinema and their cinematic voice. In our new home, TIFF Bell Lightbox, we will continue to encourage and offer opportunities for youth to participate in cinema and the filmmaking process.”
Jump Cuts film submissions were placed 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 all the submissions and chose the films in the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase, based on proficiency in form, expression, experimentation and content.
A jury of film-industry professionals will select the grand prize-winning film in each grade category, which is presented at Sprockets Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase weekend screening. This year’s jury includes filmmaker Dylan Reibling (Record, TIFF’09); founder of Never Too Short Productions Brent Orr; and Suzanne Wilson, General Manager of The Chocolate Liberation Front and the Program Coordinator and professor for Centennial College's new Children's Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management Post Graduate Program.
The 2010 Jump Cuts Grand Prizes are as follows:
The Fredrick Simpson Award for Best Film Grades 3 to 6
The Veronica Herman Award for Best Film Grades 7 to 9
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.
The 13th annual Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children offers children and youth the opportunity to learn about film and cultural perspectives from around the world through the power of the moving image. With a programme drawn from the best of Canadian and international cinema, Sprockets takes place from April 17 to April 23, 2010, with a Public Programme and a School Programme (April 19 to 23) for students in grades 1 to 12, designed with curriculum connections and teacher resources. For more information, visit the official Sprockets website at sprockets.ca.
Sprockets is generously supported by Bell, RBC, Cineplex Entertainment LP, the City of Toronto, Ontario Arts Council,
Garrett Herman and Shum Vourkoutiotis Fund at the Toronto Community Foundation.
TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. TIFF generates an annual economic impact of $135 million CAD and currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts upon the largesse of over 2,000 volunteers year-round.
Currently under construction, TIFF Bell Lightbox, a breathtaking five-storey complex located in downtown Toronto, will provide a permanent home for film lovers to celebrate cinema from around the world and will propel TIFF forward as an international leader in film culture. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, TIFF Bell Lightbox’s fluid structure encourages exploration, movement and play. The campaign to build TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the King and John Festival Corporation – consisting of the Reitman family and the Daniels Corporation – RBC as major sponsor and official bank, Visa†, the Copyright Collective of Canada, the Slaight Family Foundation, NBC Universal Canada, the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, the Harbinger Foundation, CIBC and BMO. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals and corporations have also contributed to the campaign. For more information on the TIFF Bell Lightbox campaign, visit belllightbox.ca.
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For more information, please contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200 or proffice@tiff.net
Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase Finalists 2010
Grade 3-6
The Amulet [Lili Coelho, Eluti Danzig, Raven Feldman, Myles Feng-Zhu, Adam Finkelman, Jiyoon Moon, Margaret Rose, Amber Jazz Stinton, Toronto, ON]
On a dare, three friends explore the attic. An artifact they find there leads them on an adventure that will change their lives and their friendship.
Anna’s New Coat [Duncan Chaudhari, Peter (Mick) Fleming, Anna Kis, Aidan Primrose, Toronto, ON]
This silent film based on the folk tale “The Woodcutter’s Coat” follows the fate of Anna’s new coat after a thief robs it from her.
Ban The Bag Brigade [Zak Ali, Jack Brown, David Cash, David Francis, Sophie Fraser, Thomas Freund, Shannon Grell-Aird, Kailey Kimsa, Noah Klein, Sabrina Leon Landegger, Grant Lillie, Matthew Lloyd, Gabi Piccininni, Arielle Rosen, Toronto, ON]
A group of committed eleven-year-olds successfully take on City Hall and the Plastics Industry to show the environmental impact of plastic bags in Toronto.
Healthy Eating, Active Living [Kirsten Douglas, Ashley Eldridge, Mark Grzegorzewicz, Heather Harris, Woodstock, ON]
The benefits of healthy eating and active living are explored when a young girl, who, after learning the dangers of living a ’couch potato’ lifestyle, decides to begin living in a healthier way.
The Magic Door [Xavier Rolland and Benjamin Tremblay-Twinem, Ajax, ON]
Two boys escape their boring babysitter to visit their grandmother and help her locate in a nearby forest the legendary “magic door”, known to possess the power to restore youth, encountering obstacles and challenges along the way.
Once Upon A Time [Dashiell Scully-Ashton, Toronto, ON]
Felix is a struggling writer seeking inspiration. One night he has an amazing dream filled with giant plants and talking food that could provide the inspiration he is seeking. (Animation)
The Treasure of Marcus [Jacob Poulin, Noah Poulin, Nelson Tremblay-Twinem, Dylan Webb, Ryan Webb, Ajax, ON]
Four brothers move to a new house where they discover a secret closet that transports them to an evil wizard’s world. Their only escape is to find the treasure that will lead them back home.
Grade 7-9
Bad Pup [Connor Sharp, Toronto, ON]
A man is lured out of his bed in the middle of the night by a strange squeaking noise. When he returns, he finds a surprise waiting for him in his bedroom.
Bloody Detention [Victoria Anderson, Graham Budgeon, Christopher Carlton, Sinclair Minshull, Luca Pollard, Uxbridge, ON]
Four students, who are not friends, are sent to detention for different reasons. When the supervising teacher leaves to run an errand, the students begin to “disappear” one by one.
Box Boy [Freddy Fitz, Toronto, ON]
Two friends follow an allegedly homeless boy through the neighbourhood to discover if he indeed lives in a cardboard box.
Camp Corpse [Jake Parr, Guelph, ON]
Four friends on a camping trip wake up to find one of them dead. The arrival of two detectives may save the day.
Choices II [Jonathan Chappell, Shauna Cromwell, Joshua Hatzenbuhler, Marissa Lalli, Aaron Laybolt, Woodstock, ON]
The difficult transition from elementary school to high school is explored by looking at the difficult choices that young people are faced with as they begin their high school career.
Connection [Katie Andrinopoulos and Kaitlin Gervais, Toronto, ON]
Through acting and visuals, the film replays the emotions experienced during a nightmare.
Good Beaver, Bad Beaver [Miko and Youkie Stagg, Norland, ON]
A tale of two different beavers – a hard working beaver that builds a dam and a lazy beaver that tries to claim the dam as its own. (Animation)
Mime Crime [Jesse Bostick, Toronto, ON]
When two mimes try to rob a convenience store, everything they mime becomes reality.
Oil Spill [Marios Vedouras, Nick Bakolias, Toronto, ON]
There’s an oil spill in the South Pole and the owner of the ship and oil does not want to clean it up. But a news story helps put pressure on the owner to change his mind. (Animation)
Overslept [Valerie Cameron, Toronto, ON]
A young, animated woman waking up in a real life world and realizes she is late for work. Thus begins a terrible day. (Animation)
What I’m Not Saying [Saskia van Es, Toronto, ON]
This mixed media films combines animation and live action to narrate a poem identity, and wearing masks to cover up who you really are.
What is Jungle? [Danielle McEwan, Cindy Tan, Toronto, ON]
This documentary looks at the Lawrence Heights community commonly referred to as “Jungle” and raises questions about Toronto’s proposed revitalization of the community.
The White Room [Emily Buday, Toronto, ON]
A lonely young boy is trapped inside a plain, white room. Looking across the room he notices something on the floor in the distance –
a paintbrush with the ability to bring his paintings to life. (Animation)
Grade 10-12
Base Time Height [Tucker McLachlan, Toronto, ON]
Math is hard. Whenever something that seems impossible comes up, there’s a lot to be said for doing something else entirely as you never know what will jump out and inspire you. (Animation)
Bicycle Built For Two [Albert Lim, Cam Munro, Matt Tucci, Newmarket, ON]
Matt’s girlfriend breaks up with him because she thinks that he is immature. With the help of a friend Matt tries to prove that he is mature, but is forced to choose between her and his bicycle built for two.
Clean Cut Man [Max Parr and Max Taeuschel, Toronto, ON]
A clean-cut man’s perception of reality gradually becomes distorted in a music video for Toronto’s indie-rock trio Broken Bricks.
Heartbeat [Alex Bailey, Toronto, ON]
This documentary explores the controversial topic of “end of life choice” from the perspectives of people who are involved in daily discussions with individuals suffering from chronic pain and illness.
Hip Hop: Ya Don’t Stop [Warren Harmon, Joshua Sevilla, Toronto, ON]
This documentary on Hip-hop culture and youth aims to clarify misconceptions about the culture by looking at its roots.
Jane vs. Jane [Kat Rush, Sierra Chaykowski, Kari Lynch, Kingston, ON]
While deliberating over what dress to wear for a date with her boyfriend, Jane is confronted by her reflection in the mirror who questions her about the nature of the relationship and the affect it is having on Jane and her self esteem.
My Grandmother’s Suitcase [Riley Weyman, Toronto, ON]
In this documentary, through the exploration of the photos she finds in her mother’s suitcase, Vanna Weyman tells the story of her unusual upbringing and sheds light on what it is like getting old.
Paper Motion Animation [Melissa Gabric, Toronto, ON]
Paper figures come to life in this epic tale of our hero saving the damsel in distress from the evil blob of Doom! (Animation)
Planting Season [Slater Jewell-Kemker, Janetville, ON]
A lonely man discovers his dreams are seeping into reality, bringing to light his deepest desires and secrets.
Please Give [Inna Crocetti Klos, Toronto, ON]
A 60-second film that expresses the hopes, desires, difficulties, suffering, dreams, and the realities of a homeless person.
Pudding Just Got Real [Max Parr, Toronto, ON]
Witness the consumption of a delicious gelatinous savoury dish like never before.
Sleeping Arrangements [Ryan Perry, Steve Henwood, Freelton, ON]
Steve sleeps over at Perry’s house and discovers that Perry has some odd sleeping disorders.
Speaking With Your Eyes [Kate Niemuller, Newmarket, ON]
This documentary explores the ways in which our eyes communicate more than we realize.
Watering [Jackson Mill, Toronto, ON]
A lonely creature on a dusty, grey planet inadvertently creates a clone of himself with a watering can-device. He finally has someone to spend his time with but find the situation begins goes out of control as his clones begin to producing clones of their own. (Animation)