Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 Coverage

Pre-Festival Coverage
Festival Preview

Daily Festival Coverage
Tuesday June 5, 2012: Vlog, Write Up
Wednesday June 6, 2012: Vlog, Write Up
Thursday June 7, 2012: Vlog, Write Up

Reviews by Program
Award Winners from Around the World
Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino
Official Selection: Creative Control
Official Selection: The Family Compact

Reviews by Film
Armadingen
Belly
Cool Girl
Dennis (review from WSFF 2008)
The Elaborate End of Robert Ebb / La mysterieuse disparition de Robert Ebb
The Fisherman / El pescador
Gravity of Center
Hellion
Liar
Lifetripper
Long Distance Information
Luminaris
The Maker
Me Without You / Mig uden dig
A Shadow of a Doubt / Skyggen af tvivl
Thor's Hammer / Thorshammer
To All My Friends / Til alle mine venner
Trotteur
Withering Love / Les amours perdues

Post-Festival Coverage
Wrap Up
Awards

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

Worldwide Short Film Festival Award Winners 2012

Image from: The Maker, winner of Best Animated Short

Now that the 2012 Worldwide Short Film Festival has come to a close it's time to take a look at the festival award winners for both the jury award winners and audience choice awards. I actually saw a few of them this time round, which is really nice! Usually I pick other films to see but this time I saw Armadingen, The Maker and the formidable short Gravity of Center which won not just one, but two awards! Now let's have a look at all of the award winners.

2012 CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival Award Winners Are...

The Bravo!FACT Award for Best Canadian Short:
Edmond was a Donkey

The Deluxe Award for Best Live-Action Short:
The Factory / A FÁBRICA

The Deluxe Award for Best Performance in a Live-Action Short:
Miss Ming in My Sweetheart

The Kodak Award for Best Cinematography in a Canadian Short:
Gravity of Center, cinematography by Christophe Collette

The Panasonic Award for Best Documentary Short:
Eighty Eight, directed by Sebastian Feehan

Best Animated Short:
The Maker, directed by Christopher Kezelos

Best Experimental Short:
Gravity of Center, directed by Thibaut Duverneix

Screenplay Giveaway Prize goes to:
Tanya Lemke for Static

Top 10 for the Audience Choice Award:
1) Unravel
2) Armadingen
3) The Little Bird And The Leaf
4) My Sweetheart
5) Ernesto
6) The Twin
7) Lunch Date
8) Out Of Erasers
9) On The Line
10) Friend Request Pending & Under (tie)

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


Image from: Gravity of Center, winner of Best Experimental Short and Best Cinematography in a Canadian Short at 2012 Worldwide Short Film Festival

Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 Day 3: Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino

I am continuing to enjoy the Worldwide Short Film Festival and continue to brave the rain and am so glad I did as on Day 3 I had the pleasure of getting to see the Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino program that showcased films from the anarchist film school founded in Copenhagen that runs without any administration, and makes freaking awesome films! Let's have a look at all 5 films in the program.

Rather watch than read? Check my Day 3 Vlog here (I even try out speaking a little Danish!)

Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino

Cool Girl
Dir: Julie Bille
Cast: Christina Larsen, Stanislav Sevcik, Sara Ullner
Denmark, 11 minutes

This wild short has the power-synth flavour of the 80's blended with a magical fairy tale story all set in and around a night club with young love. It's a wild mix of wacky and wonder all rolled up in one.


Image from: A Shadow of a Doubt / Skyggen af tvivl

A Shadow of a Doubt / Skyggen af tvivl
Dir: Esben Tønnesen
Cast: Nicolei Faber, Anders Hove, Neel Rønhold
Denmark, 19 minutes

I adored this short film. Absolutely adored. It follows 2 people on the tip of falling for each other, one with strong memories and holds in the past and another who has eyes more set on the future, and that's when they aren't eyeing each other of course. A beautiful play with magical realism moments as well as wisps of wonderful possible futures, this one works strongly on both an emotional and intellectual level. And the chemistry between the two leads is positively delightful. Loved it.


Image from: Thor's Hammer / Thorshammer

Thor's Hammer / Thorshammer
Dir: Fenar Ahmad
Cast: Trine Dyrholm, Sebastian Saxton, Lærke Winther
Denmark, 21 minutes

This was one of the more challenging films in the program filled with the haunting power of emotional overwhelm, but it was done so well and brought out so much with the young cast. Truly haunting.


Morten Holst and Nikolaj Dencker Schmidt in To All My Friends / Til alle mine venner

To All My Friends / Til alle mine venner
Dir: Behrouz Bigdeli
Cast: Morten Holst, Nikolaj Dencker Schmidt, Molly Egelind
Denmark, 29 minutes

Racked with intensity and the power of unhealthy imbalanced relationships, this short film had me engaged and on edge for the entire time. Intense doesn't even feel like a strong enough word to describe the visceral, volatile friendship between the Mark and Sonny who have formed a bond that both holds them together, but keeps them apart from the rest of the world. It certainly wasn't an easy watch, but it is a truly formidable film with astounding performances by both Nikolaj Dencker Schmidt as Mark and Morten Holst as Sonny. This one will sit with me for a very long time.


Image from: Dennis. See my review of Dennis from when I originally saw it at the Worldwide Short Film Festival in 2008 here.

See more about the Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino program here

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

Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 Day 2 - The Family Compact and Creative Control

Day 2 at the festival was a rainy one, but it was worth braving the rain to check out the Official Selection programs of The Family Compact and Creative Control. I realize that being a family of creative, I was particularly drawn to both programs although there was a fair amount of pain and challenges in both of the programs, as well as joy, love and a fair dash of regret.

Rather watch than read? Check out my Day 2 Vlog!

Official Selection: The Family Compact


Image from: Liar

Liar
Dir: Adam Garnet Jones
Cast: Aidan Green, Tiona Johnson, Rachelle White Wind
Canada, 8 minutes

This was one of the more challenging films in the program to watch as it dealt with homophobia and bullying, and the intensity of both of them felt at times overwhelming. I often find it alarming the realism that can be conveyed on this subjects, and Liar really made it feel and I believed every moment.

Hellion
Dir: Kat Candler
Cast: Arthur Dale, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars
USA, 6 minutes

Another challenge short, this one dealt with abuse in a family perspective with a trio of kids and their father who was unimpressed with their pranks. I was very impressed that this one not only got the intensity of the moments but also managed to weave in some humour and startlingly real family dynamics. Very impressive.


Image from: Long Distance Information

Long Distance Information
Dir: Douglas Hart
Cast: Peter Mullan, Caroline Paterson, Alan Tripney
UK, 8 minutes

Wow, this was a great short film. The trying emotional distance of the holidays paired with family obligation and the pain of going through the motions. Very well done and clever to boot.


Image from: Belly

Belly
Dir: Julia Potts
Animated
UK, 7 minutes

This film showcases exactly why animation can freak me out with creatures morphing into other creatures, having odd or too many parts, and just in general totally creepy. I was freaked. But I loved the sweet story that threads the short that shows that family bonds aren't the only bonds out there, and the power of persistence and loyalty come in many forms.


Image from: Me Without You / Mig uden dig

Me Without You / Mig uden dig
Dir: Aage Rais-Nordentoft
Documentary
Denmark, 21 minutes

Absolutely charming documentary short about a family where one person is leaving home to go to Japan, and we see this mostly from the perspective of her 8 year old brother. A genuinely loving and wonderful short about love and family.

Official Selection: Creative Control


Image from: The Maker

The Maker
Dir: Christopher Kezelos
Animated
Australia, 6 minutes

Awesome creepy short animated film rich with ingenuity and a wild sense of the oppression of time and the power of creative. Really enjoyed this one as it has tones of both sweet and slightly sinister.


Image from: Gravity of Center

Gravity of Center
Dir: Thibaut Duverneix
Cast: Victor Quijada, RUBBERDance troupe
Canada, 14 minutes

It was so exciting to see Gravity of Center, the festival trailer has an clip from it and every time I see it I think "I want to see that!" and here it is! A gorgeous and alive movement based piece that features 5 people who seem to be interconnect and literally unable to break and be far apart from each other yet always are moving to and on the edges of those boundaries. Absolutely extraordinary and inspiring, I loved it.


Image from: Lifetripper

Lifetripper
Dir: Graeme Joyce
Cast: Rob Benedict, Kaden Billin, Aleksandra Kaniak
USA, 14 minutes

This was one of the more traditional narrative in the program as it follows a funny mechanic that tells jokes and chats with fellow bus patrons, but doesn't often step up or out in other areas of his life. I really enjoyed this one especially the fabulous timing and comedy of Rob Benedict in the film, and afterwards I had the big a-ha moment that I am familiar with film from his role of Chuck on 'Supernatural'. Fabulous to see him here, and it's a great short film filled with tragic comedy.


Image from: Withering Love / Les amours perdues

Withering Love / Les amours perdues
Dir: Samanou Sahlstrøm
Cast: Emmanuelle Béart, Denis Lavant
Denmark, 29 minutes

Oh wow. Wow. This short film was extraordinary as it chronicles the haunting power of love lost. Both Emmanuelle Béart and Denis Lavant are amazing in this long short that really goes in to deep and complicated places of relationships and the intertwined lives and challenge of repeating, avoiding, owning or reject the mistakes of ones past. Positively fearless and beautiful.

See more about the The Family Compact program (which screens again on Saturday June 9, 2012) and the Creative Control program.

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

Shinsedai Cinema Festival Movie Passes Giveaway to Hiroshima Nagaski Download

Image from: Hiroshima Nagaski Download

Want to attend the Toronto premiere of the documentary Hiroshima Nagaski Download at the Shinsedai Cinema Festival? I know you do! I have 3 double passes to giveaway for the screening. Here are the screening details:

Where: Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Avneue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
On: Sunday July 15, 2012 at 1:30 PM

How to Enter:

• Join anyone of Movie Moxie Mail Lists
• Email me at moviemoxie at gmail dot com and share your favourite Japanese film (Need help? Check out my list of reviewed Japanese titles here)
• Contest open to current subscribers who can reply to contest email with their response

Contest open until Thursday June 14, 2012 Midnight EST
Winners will be chose randomly from the submissions and will be contacted by email on Friday June 15, 2012!

See more about the screening of Hiroshima Nagaski Download at the Shinsedai Cinema Festival website.

Hiroshima Nagaski Download Synopsis:
"The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the world forever, but a walk through both cities today show how far the world has come since those tragic days. Those who survived the attacks, the hibakusha, or "explosion-affected people", can never truly move on from their experiences of August 6th and August 9th, 1945. A group of hibakusha attempted to start a new life in America and it is the stories of those people who artist and filmmaker Shinpei Takeda and producer Eiji Wakamatsu seek out in their documentary Hiroshima Nagasaki Download.

These two old school friends go on a road trip down from Vancouver through the United States speaking to 18 survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These people share not only their traumatizing experiences of August 1945, but also how they have tried to reconcile their Japanese heritage with the culture of their adopted homeland, the country which bombed Japan over 65 years ago. For their part, Takeda and Wakamatsu attempt to "download" the almost unbelievable stories of these men and women so that they can be communicated to Japan's current generation."

Advance tickets for the Shinsedai Cinema Festival 2012 go on sale on Thursday June 21, 2012, see more information on tickets here.

See more information about the 4th Annual Shinsedai Cinema Festival 2012 at their website, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Hiroshima Nagaski Download Trailer


The 4th Annual Shinsedai Cinema Festival 2012 runs from July 12 - 15, 2012 at the Revue Cinema in Toronto, Ontario Canada

Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 Day 3 Vlog

I had a great time (although again got rained on!) on Day 3 of the Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 getting to enjoy Danish short films from the Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino program.

I mention...

• I discuss all the films as a part of the Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino program: Cool Girl, A Shadow of a Doubt / Skyggen af tvivl, Dennis, Thor's Hammer / Thorshammer and To All My Friends / Til alle mine venner.
  
• See more about the Film School Spotlight: Super 16 Anarkino program here.
• I mention the Radio Lingua Network while doing my best to speak Danish.
• Worldwide Short Film Festival YouTube Page.
• See continuing coverage of the festival here.
• This vlog is posted on my You Tube Channel, see more vlogs there.

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

Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 Day 2 Vlog: The Family Compact and Creative Control

I am continuing to vlog my way through the Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012, today with the Day 2 programs of The Family Compact and Creative Control.

I mention...

• From The Family Compact program I discuss: Liar, Hellion, Long Distance Information, Belly and Me Without You
• The Family Compact program screens again on Saturday June 9, 2012
  
• From the Creative Control program I discuss: The Maker, How to Raise the Moon, Gravity of Center, Lifetripper and Withering Love
• Creative Control program screens again on Friday June 8, 2012
• In Long Distance Information I mention my love of Peter Mullan in (you can see him in Tyrannosaur, Boy A, True North and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1)
  
• I mention the animation style of Idiots and Angels
• I mention Rob Benedict who is in Lifetripper plays Chuck on Supernatural, a show I talk about extensively on my paranormal TV podcast Hexed: Sisterhood of the Supernatural
  
• Worldwide Short Film Festival YouTube Page.
• See continuing coverage of the festival here.
• This vlog is posted on my You Tube Channel, see more vlogs there.

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

Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012: Day 1

Festival time! The Worldwide Short Film Festival started off strong last night at the newly renovated Hot Docs Bloor Cinema with a great audience, lots of enthusiasm, a rush line (I hope everyone got it) and of course great, short, film. The festivals Opening Gala was a selection of award winners and filled with crowd pleasers (even teasing us with the great revisioning of Leeroy Jenkins as a short film) and works of artistic wonder. Without further adieu, with Let's look at a selection from the Opening Night program of Award Winners From Around the World.

Rather watch than read? Check out my Day 1 Vlog over at my new YouTube Channel.


Above image from Luminaris

Luminaris
Dir: Juan Pablo Zaramella
Argentina, 6 minutes

This ingenious short was a fabulous way to start off the program, highlight the power of visual storytelling and absolutely astounding creativity and inventiveness. I loved the unusual story of this quirky world of lightbulb-making, and truly was impressed by the technical feat that had me questioning and pondering the difference between live action and animation. Fascinating.

Armadingen
Dir: Philipp Kaessbohrer
Cast: Karin Graf, Gernot Hertel
Germany, 9 minutes

A charming slice of life of the rustic everyday that turns from normal to pre-Armageddon. Very clever idea and lovingly peppered with doses of comic relief, this look at the quiet positioning of a long-term relationship was also a good reminder to cherish those around us everyday.


Above image from Trotteur

Trotteur
Dir: Arnaud Brisebois and Francis Leclerc (Un été sans point ni coup sûr / A No-Hit No-Run Summer)
Cast: Kyle Gatehouse, Sophie Naubert
Canada, 9 minutes

Trotteur really caught my attention with it's beautiful art direction, especially the intensity and richness of black and white in a colour film - it was extraordinary to look at and had an intensity not just visually but also in tone. I have to admit I wasn't always entirely sure what was going on but I could feel the fierceness and the fight of the characters within an oppressive and expansive landscape of snow, with a locomotion and some not-very-nice kids. Intense.


Above image from The Fisherman / El pescador

The Fisherman / El pescador
Dir: Samantha Pineda Sierra
Cast: Cassandra Ciangherotti, Rubén Pablos
Mexico, 11 minutes

Absolutely touching short film using magical realism and visual storytelling to bring to life the memories of a fisherman for a night. I loved this one, it said everything it needed to with a beautiful sense of magic and wonder and longing. Beautiful.


Above image from The Elaborate End of Robert Ebb / La mysterieuse disparition de Robert Ebb

The Elaborate End of Robert Ebb / La mysterieuse disparition de Robert Ebb
Dir: Fx Goby, Matthieu Landour and Clément Bolla
Cast: Paul Hassall, Marjorie Blériot, Matt Downton
France/UK, 13 minutes

This one really got me! I loved how it played with expectations and blended the ridiculous into the believable and then some. I love monsters and this one was a really funny shout out to monster movies and a great way to end the night.

The Award Winners from Around the World program also screens on Sunday June 10, 2012 at 9:30PM at the Bloor, see details here.

Worldwide Short Film Festival Interim Festival Director Amy Butoiske and Interim Artistic Director Angie Driscoll at Opening Night Gala

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

Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012: Day 1 Vlog Award Winners from Around the World

Chatting about Worldwide Short Film Festival 2012 Day 1 including reviews of Opening Night Gala Program Award Winners from Around the World Films: Luminaris, Armadingen, Trotteur, The Fisherman / El pescador and The Elaborate End of Robert Ebb / La mysterieuse disparition de Robert Ebb.

I mention...

• The Award Winners from Around the World program also screens on Sunday June 10, 2012 at 9:30PM at the Bloor, see details here.
• I mention Un été sans point ni coup sûr / A No-Hit No-Run Summer, see my review of it here.
• See the Leeroy Jenkins short film.
• Worldwide Short Film Festival YouTube Page.
• See continuing coverage of the festival here.
• This vlog is posted on my You Tube Channel, see more vlogs there.

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

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.

Week in Film Vlog for May 13, 2012

I've decided to re-instate My Week in Film Vlog (possible written version also in the works too) to share the films I've new releases and films seen recently. This week I wrap up Hot Docs 2012 sharing thoughts on films seen at the festivals as well as chatting up my progress on my 2012 Owned/Unseen List.

Please note if you prefer just listening, the Week in Film Vlog are included in the Movie Moxie Podcast. Listen to this weeks episode here.

Mentioned in the Vlog:

• I mention that I will now be vlogging through My Week in Film, DVD Releases & Bondathon separately for visual enjoyment*; or for audio-only fans each of these vlogs will be compiled in the Movie Moxie Podcast. Listen to this weeks episode here.
  
• Hot Docs 2012: Hot Docs preview on last weeks podcast, plus reviews of G-Dog & Ballroom Dancer as well as the Hot Docs Awards
• Check out my 2012 Owned/Unseen List - I'm up to 3/20 seen!
  
• See my other vlogs this week: DVD Releases May 1 & 8, 2012 and The Bondathon: Dr. No
  

Up next week: Hoping to see and review of The Avengers, Dark Shadows and possibly more.

Hot Docs 2012 Award Winners

The Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival came to a close on Sunday May 6, 2012 and although we have to wait a whole year to enjoy the festival again, it does go out with the sweet news to the award winners from this year. I sadly saw no where near as many films as I'd like this year, but that never seems to effect the fact that I almost never see festival winners. I don't know how that happens but for almost every festival of any year, I see other films. Bizarre! At least that means I have an ample supply of titles for my 'to see' list and I did see G-Dog which landed #3 on the Audience Awards and The Boxing Girls of Kabul. At least there were a few!

Here's have a look and celebrate with this years winners including the 2012 Filmmakers Award:

Hot Docs 2012 People’s Choice Award Top Ten
voted on by audience ballot
1. CHASING ICE (dir: Jeff Orlowski)
2. BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!* (dir: Fredrik Gertten)
3. G-DOG (dir: Freida Mock)
4. WE ARE WISCONSIN (dir: Amie Williams)
5. LIFE IN STILLS (dir: Tamar Tal)
6. BROOKLYN CASTLE (dir: Katie Dellamaggiore)
7. 5 BROKEN CAMERAS (dir: Guy Davidi, Emad Burnat)
8. JASON BECKER: NOT DEAD YET (dir: Jessie Vile)
9. CALL ME KUCHU (dir:Malika Zouhali-Worrall, Katherine Fairfax Wright)
10. THE WORLD BEFORE HER (dir: Nisha Pahuja; Canada, Germany)

2012 Filmmaker Award: THE IMPOSTER (D: Bart Layton, UK)

Best Canadian Feature: THE WORLD BEFORE HER (D: Nisha Pahuja; P: Cornelia Principe, Nisha Pahuja, Ed Barreveld)

Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature: PEACE OUT (D: Charles Wilkinson; P: Tina Schliessler)

Inspirit Foundation Pluralism Prize: THE BOXING GIRLS OF KABUL (D: Ariel J. Nasr; P: Annette Clark)

Best International Feature: CALL ME KUCHU (D: Malika Zouhali-Worrall, Katherine Fairfax Wright; P: Malika Zouhali-Worrall; USA)

Special Jury Prize – International Feature: THE LAW IN THESE PARTS (D: Ra’anan Alexandrowicz; P: Liran Atzmor, B.Z. Goldberg; Israel)

Best Mid-Length Documentary: MY THAI BRIDE (D/P: David Tucker; Australia)
Honourable mention to NESSA (D: Loghman Khaledi; P: Katayoon Shahabi; Iran).

Best Short Documentary: FIVE FRAGMENTS OF THE EXTINCT EMPATHY (D: Anna Nykyri; P: Joonas Berghäll; Finland)
Honourable mention to FAMILY NIGHTMARE (D/P: Dustin Guy Defa; USA).

HBO Documentary Films Emerging Artist Award (tie): Bill Ross and Turner Ross for the film TCHOUPITOULAS (P: Bill Ross, Turner Ross; USA) and Benjamin Kahlmeyer for the film MEANWHILE IN MAMELODI (P: Boris Frank; Germany, South Africa)

2012 Hot Docs Outstanding Achievement Award recipient: Michel Brault

documentary’s Don Haig Award: Mia Donovan (INSIDE LARA ROXX, Hot Docs 2011 Official Selection)
Honourable Mention: Charles Officer (MIGHTY JEROME, Hot Docs 2011 Official Selection)

Lindalee Tracey Award: Jasmine Oore.

JURIES
The Canadian Feature Documentary Jury: Borislav Andjelic (film journalist; director of International Film Festival Belgrade), Maya Gallus (director, THE MYSTERY OF MAZO DE LA ROCHE), Dana O’Keefe (senior executive, Cinetic Media), Basil Tsiokos (programming associate, Sundance Film Festival; film journalist).

The International Feature Documentary Jury: Matthew Akers (director and cinematographer), Avril Benoît (director of communications, Doctors Without Borders - Canada), James Rocchi (film journalist), David Wilson (co-founder and co-director, True/False Film Fest).

The Shorts and Mid-Length Jury: Luis Ceriz (owner, Suspect Video), Marcelle Lean (executive director, Cinéfranco), Chi-hui Yang (film programmer, lecturer and writer).

And the Hot Docs People's Choice Award is determined by audience ballot.

The Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival 2012 ran from April 26 - May 6, 2012 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Hot Docs 2012 Day 5: G-Dog and Ballroom Dancer

Above Image: The crowd files in to the screening of G-Dog at the Cumberland

On Monday night I finally got out to Hot Docs to see my very first film at the festival (see podcast preview here!), and it was so exciting to be out there hitting the festival theatres, seeing fellow festivallers in and around everywhere in the Bloor/Avenue area as I shuffled back from The Bader to The Cumerland. Other people might have been grumpy that it was grey, cold and rainy (there is always one day that is), but was thrilled. Even with the weather tons of people were out and ready to enjoy great documentary film making, and I did just that when I sat down to see G-Dog as well as Ballroom Dancer. My only sad moment was knowing I had a slow start this year, usually I power through from the first Friday to the final Sunday, so to start on Day 5 was a bit strange, but the films were inspiring and insightful which cheered me right up.


Above: An image from G-Dog (with G-Dog himself in the centre)

G-Dog
Dir: Freida Mock
USA

I wasn't quite sure what to expect walking into G-Dog, a film centred on a leading gang interventionist known as G-Dog. Would it be hard to watch? Would there be tales of sorrow, challenges and conflict? Would I be left with a heavy heart? Much to my (joyful) suprize it is heartful, honest and inspiring as it trucks the viewer through the everyday operations and challenges of Homeboy Industries, a place where homeboys and homegirls are welcomed in to train, learn and contribute to enrich life lives. I thought it was interesting that the film worked more around where Homeboy Industries is now and how they run cafe, bakery and silkscreening alongside classes for previous gang members, as opposed to going totally chronologically from the roots to the current. I was surprized because it made me realize how many documentaries really do start at the very beginning, but jumping in in the row can totally work as well - this doubles in reinforcing the focus of the film and of G-Dog's really strong passion for putting the focus and face on the people who are learning from and given a chance by Homeboy Industries. Very inspiring and thoughtful showcase of the power of change and not only giving, but taking a chance to change.

G-Dog screens again on Saturday May 5, 2012 at 4pm at the Isabel Bader Theatre


Above: G-Dog director Freida Mock (left) and Hot Docs international programmer Eli Horwatt


Above Images from Ballroom Dancer: Slavik Kryklyvyy and Anna Melnikova (left) and Competition Performance (right)

Ballroom Dancer
Dir: Christian Bonke & Andreas Koefoed
Denmark

Any time I have the opportunity to see a dance film, I take that opportunity, because I love dance. I love to dance, I love watch dance, I love dance films and getting to see a documentary on dance always shoots to the top of any film festival lists so Ballroom Dancer was clearly a must-see for me. The film centres on partners (in dance and in life) Slavik Kryklyvyy and Anna Melnikova as they train for competition together. That's how I saw the film from watching, although from the title and from description in the program the energy of the film on paper feels like it's more focused on Slavik, especially in the context of the fact that the present world champion is ex-partner Joanna Leunis, but I really saw it about both Slavik and Anna. Their dance relationship, the life relationship, their challenges, thoughts and feelings that arise and swell through the tension and intensity of training and competition. In that light, it feels deeply personal and intimate portray of their relationship, I was impressed that if felt so respectful but maintained this intimate emotional quality where often the energy and emotion spoke volumes over words. There is a lot of interpretation and things going on beneath the surface, that were quite raw and real. That energy does at times can be more prominent that getting to see the dancing, so if you are heading in wanting to see start to finish competition & behind the scenes, fair warning that this isn't that. There is still is lots of dance, particularly rehearsals and training as well as some competition and performance as well, but it's the human drama that comes to the forefront. I had to at times remind myself it was a documentary, not because it didn't feel real but because it felt so real, the emotions were powerful and genuine and it reads through their dancing each and every time they dance together. Ballroom Dancer is an an astonishing film, a beautiful and respectful look into these dancers lives and I am so happy I had an opportunity to see it at this years festival.

Ballroom Dancer screens again on Wednesday May 2, 2012 at 11:00AM at the Isabel Bader Theatre


Above: Ballroom Dancer co-director Christian Bonke (left)

The Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival 2012 runs from April 26 - May 6, 2012 at various locations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Movie Moxie Podcast 69: Warriors of the Rainbow Seediq Bale & Hot Docs 2012

On this week episode of The Movie Moxie Podcast Shannon shares preview insight into Hot Docs and reviews theatrical release of Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale. More awesome included checking out April 24, 2012 DVD release and reviews of The Wicker Tree, The Divide and The Terrorist and as a special bonus podcast listeners are the first to hear of the upcoming epic marathon. It's over 20 films people. Did I say epic? Yes, I did. And it will be epic.

0:00 - 2:00 Intro
2:00 - 10:30 Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale Review
10:30 - 34:30 Hot Docs 2012
34:30 - 40:50 DVD Releases April 24 including reviews of: The Wicker Tree, The Divide, The Terrorists
40:50 - 46:30 Upcoming Marathon Announcement
46:30 - 48:45 Outro

• Hot Docs preview reviews into mini groupings of Euro-vision/Baltic Films (Breath, The Field of Magic and Women with Cows), Fighting Films (Boxing Girls of Kabul, Fists of Pride, Legend of a Warrior and Glow: The Story of the Glorious Ladies of Wrestling) and Activist (We Are Legion: The Story of Hacktivists)
• See more about Hot Docs at their website
• I talk about being Latvian, birth order personality traits and the idea of Persistent Identity
  
• I mention being foiled last year on the Summer of Sci Fi as well as announcing an Epic Upcoming Film Marathon (more details on the site later this week)
• I mention our May Book to Film Club selection Cosmopolis which will play at this years Festival de Cannes which runs this year from May 16 - 27, 2012.
• DVD review of The Divide here
  
• See more April 24, 2012 DVD releases here.
  
• Along with recent Theatrical releases in my weekly Film Fan Fridays also check out DVD Releases in my DVD Tuesdays Post

Movie Moxie Podcast - A 100% spoiler-free film review podcast
You can also subscribe to the Movie Moxie Podcast here:
Subscribe through iTunes here.

Up next week: More Hot Docs 2012, hopefully a theatrical release, more details on the upcoming marathon and more DVD review goodness.

Movie Moxie Podcast 65: Cinéfranco, The Raid, Being Elmo & Black Swarm

This week the Movie Moxie Podcast is chock full of awesome from a preview of the Cinéfranco Film Festival, celebrating The Raid: Redemption release with looking back to the afternoon screening from TIFF 2011 including the intro and Q&A with Gareth Evans, Iko Uwais & Joe Taslim (spoiler warning: they talk about the fights pretty in depth so be forwarded). Plus, I review the documentary Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey, chat about the new Bloor now Hot Docs cinema and have a look at DVD releases of the week including reviewing the fun b-horror film Black Swarm.

0:00 - 1:45 Intro
1:45 - 21:05 Cinéfranco 2012 Preview
21:05 - 27:20 Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey
27:20 - 34:35 The Raid Review from TIFF 2011
34:35 - 57:19 Intro and Q&A for The Raid from TIFF 2011 with dir Gareth Evans, actors Iko Uwais & Joe Taslim
57:19 - 59:10 Black Swarm DVD Review
59:10 - 1:00:30 DVD Release March 20, 2012
1:00:30 - 1:01:30 Upcoming Next Week
1:01:30 = 1:02:35 Outro

Show Notes

• Check out the Cinéfranco website here
• See my Cinéfranco Preview here
  
• See my vlog and review of The Raid from TIFF 2011 here
• See videos from the Intro and Q&A for The Raid from TIFF 2011 afternoon screening over at the Movie Moxie Facebook Fanpage and also this awesome vid of Iko Uwais in action!
• I mention my giveaway to passes to The Raid: Redemption, and remember for 1st shot at any giveaways join any of my mailing lists
• See DVD releases for March 20, 2012
• See recent Theatrical releases in my weekly Film Fan Fridays & DVD Releases in my DVD Tuesdays Post

Movie Moxie Podcast - A 100% spoiler-free film review podcast
You can also subscribe to the Movie Moxie Podcast here:
Subscribe through iTunes here.