Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 Preview



It's June which means it's time for the Worldwide Short Film Festival! I can't tell you how excited I am, it's one of my favourite festivals and last year I happened to be out of town for the exact timing of the festival so missed out seeing anything live. Although I still covered the festival ahead of time I much prefer seeing the films live and being able to be in the audience, feel the reactions in the room and of course hear from the filmmakers in attendance on the experience of making their shorts. Thankfully this year I'll be covering it as it happens and it looks like another stellar year for short film.

The festival started early with outdoor screenings on Sunday June 3, 2012 and then tonight we have the Opening Gala: Award Winners from Around the World at the Bloor, which is always a great program and a great way to get into the festival spirit. There are many exciting Official Selections to choose from including Iron Ladies featuring women running the world, exploring fandom in Superfans, getting visual deeper with X-Ray Spex and letting the creative juices run wild with Creative Control.

On Thursday June 7, 2012 we have Celebrity Shorts a crowd pleasing program and I suspect this year will be a lot of fun with many a familiar face with short films starring Judi Dench, Tom Hiddleson, Anna Paquin, Charlotte Rampling, David Duchovny, Michael Fassbender and Liam Cunningham.

On Saturday June 9, 2012 which have one of the programs I look forward to each and every year: SCI-FI: Out There and this year it's on the same night as their new to the festival 4 hour overnight extravaganza of The Night Shift comprised of three programs: Dependants, Co-Dependence and Independence that run back-to-back-to-back at The Bloor. That is one epic night of short film!

The festival also features programs from around the worlds and this year there is a Country Spotlight on Switzerland with programs called Near and Far; plus the school focus of choice Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino centred on the Copenhagen school that's run without any administration. Wow. We also have the Canadian Film Centre Short Dramatic Film program featuring homegrown talent.

That is just a sampling, be sure to check out listings of all the programs here to find out more about the 244 films from 35 countries in this years festival.

I highly recommend checking out the festival, it's so much fun to watch short films with an audience and it's a festival that tends to have tons of filmmakers in attendance for Q&A's. I know I'll be there!

For more information, check out the Worldwide Short Film Festival website, Program Descriptions, Film Schedule, Symposium Details, Location Information and Box Office Information.

You can also find the festival on Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.

Festival Trailer:


The Worldwide Short Film Festival runs from June 5 - 10, 2012 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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