CFC celebrates strong presence at TIFF '07
August 29, 2007

CANADIAN FILM CENTRE CELEBRATES STRONG PRESENCE AT TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

WORLD PREMIERE OF INTERACTIVE FEATURE FILM; DRAMATIC SHORTS AND CFC ALUMNI SHOWCASED

Toronto, August 29, 2007 – An outstanding collection of CFC-produced films and films created by CFC alumni have been selected for the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), September 6th – 15th. Two CFC shorts – Cursing Hanley and Burgeon and Fade - created through the CFC's Short Dramatic Film Program will screen in the Short Cuts Canada program, while CFC's commitment to innovation in cinema takes centre stage with the world premiere of Late Fragment, screening as part of TIFF's Future Projections program. More than 30 CFC alumni will showcase their exceptional work across several diverse programs at TIFF exemplifying CFC's dedication to launching Canada's top creative talent.  

Experimentation and innovation merge in the revolutionary interactive feature film Late Fragment. Produced by the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Late Fragment is the inaugural project of the CFC Media Lab's Interactive Narrative Feature Program (INFP).  Launched in 2003, the INFP was designed to create, develop, produce, finance, market and distribute interactive feature films.

Late Fragment, created by Daryl Cloran, Anita Doron, Mateo Guez, Anita Lee and Ana Serrano, addresses a new language for filmmaking in the 21st century, where viewers can impact the way the story unfolds by navigating the interlocking narratives of the film with a simple click of their remote. Late Fragment's multi-plot, non-linear and interactive narrative lets audiences discover the stories of three strangers - Faye (Krista Bridges), Kevin (Michael Healey) and Théo (Jeff Parazzo), who are drawn together as participants in a restorative justice process, where victims and offenders share their stories.

This interactive film is an important model of collaboration in leading-edge experimental dramatic content and format that will be engrained into Canada's filmmaking history.  Six two-hour presentations of this powerful and unique interactive film will take place at Toronto's CAMERA BAR & SCREENING GALLERY (1028 Queen Street West), where interactive screenings will be performed live, premiering September 10th at  7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.. A second series will take place on September 12th at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The performances will be followed by a Q&A with the creators.  Personal viewing stations will be set up where viewers can “play” their own version of the film, and discover this new and innovative cinematic experience.

Burgeon and Fade, produced through the 2007 CFC Short Dramatic Film Program will screen in the Short Cuts Canada program on September 11th at 9:45 p.m. and September 12th at 3:45 p.m. at the CUMBERLAND CINEMA 3.  A delicate drama of aging and love, Burgeon and Fade (Director: Audrey Cummings ('06), Writer: Bonnie Fairweather ('06), Producer: Anneli Ekborn ('05), Producer/Editor: Michael Mason (‘06) stars Vickie Papavs as a widowed middle-aged Mom whose insecurities surface while attending a party and threaten the close relationship she has with her daughter (Sarah Gadon), whose burgeoning beauty has managed to swivel every head in the room.  Also produced through the 2007 CFC Short Dramatic Film Program, Cursing Hanley, (Director: Kelly Harms ('06), Writer: David Bradley Halls ('06), Producer: Kerry Young ('06), Editor: Pamela Bayne (‘06) stars actor, filmmaker and former CFC alumus Jim Allodi (Directors' Lab ‘97), Michelle Nolden and Stephen McHattie.  Suspecting his ex-fiancée of placing a curse upon him, a doltishly charming man seeks to reverse his steadily mounting and comedic misfortunes. Screens September 10th at 6 p.m. and September 11th at 4 p.m. at the CUMBERLAND CINEMA 3.

This year at TIFF, an impressive group of CFC alumni are credited in feature and short films and as talent lab participants.  Congratulations go out to over 35 former CFC alumni, including Industry Initiative Talent Lab participants Shernold Edwards ('03), Danishka Esterhazy ('05), Mary Lewis ('99), Sean Reycraft ('99), Jeffrey St. Jules ('04), Jessica Joy Wise ('07) and Talent Lab governor Don McKellar ('92).

Additional alumni films in this year's Short Cuts Canada program include: Can You Wave Bye Bye? (Director: Sarah Galea-Davis (‘05), Editor: Stephen Philipson ('02), Congratulations Daisy Graham (Director: Cassandra Nicolaou ('03), Producer: Larissa Giroux ('03), Editor: Stephen Philipson ('02)Hirsute (Director A.J. Bond (‘05), Loudly, Death Unites (Director Sheila Pye (‘05) & editor Matthew Hannam (‘05), No Bikini (Director Claudia Morgado Escanilla ('00) and Smile (Director Julia Kwan ('01).

Shown as a Special Presentation is alumni-directed feature Poor Boy's Game (Director: Clement Virgo ('92), Producer: Damon D'Oliveira ('92). Gracing the Contemporary World Cinema Program are All Hat (Director: Leonard Farlinger ('90), Breakfast With Scot (Director: Laurie Lynd ('91), Writer: Sean Reycraft ('99)) and Normal (Writer: Travis McDonald ('05).  Premiering in the Visions Program is The Tracey Fragments (Producer: Paul Barkin ('96), Associate Producer: Kryssta Mills (‘05), Editor: Gareth Scales ('03), Assistant Editor: Matthew Hannam ('05).

Canada First! opens with Young People F*cking (Producers: Steve Hoban ('91), Tracey Boulton ('00)  and finally, Emotional Arithmetic (Producer:  Anna Stratton ('90) will screen as the prestigious Closing Night Gala Presentation.

And finally, Max von Sydow will be holding an exclusive Master Class at the CFC on Friday, Sept. 14th for our current residents. TIFF patrons will be able to attend Max von Sydow's presentation of The Virgin Spring in the Dialogues: Talking With Pictures program, made possible thanks to the support of the CFC.

ABOUT THE CFC

The CFC is Canada's largest institution for advanced training in film, television and new media. A leader in the rapidly changing entertainment landscape, the CFC is committed to promoting and investing in Canada's diverse talent; providing exhibition, financial, and distribution opportunities for top creative content leaders from coast to coast. The CFC makes a significant cultural and economic contribution to Canada by launching the country's most creative ideas and voices in film, television and new media to the world. For more information please visit: www.cfccreates.com .