The sixth annual University of Toronto Film Festival may have been scaled back in size from prior years, but the wide scope and diverse subject matter presented at this student showcase has not suffered for the decision.
A glance at this year’s lineup makes it apparent that these filmmakers have an affinity for exploration. The films and programs exhibit a range of genres, experiment with a variety of media and forms, and deal with everything from the deeply personal to international issues.
The event kicks off Thursday evening at Hart House Theatre with a screening of Horror 101, a collection of shorts from the 101-Hour Horror Competition, where contestants were assigned a title, a mystery ingredient, and an imminent deadline to deliver a succinct and nuanced horror film.
On the final evening, attendees will have a chance to view Super 8 installations, dubbed Lobby Loops, created by film board members, before taking a nostalgic trip to the pre-sound era with the annual Super 8 Circus. The sound will be provided by both live musical accompaniment from the band GUH, and (as festival organizer Rick Palidwor describes it) “the clackity clack” of the projector. This will all lead up to night’s cinematic climax: The Hart House Film Board Gala, a juried selection of the best films from the last year by the film board’s members.
It’s a hefty schedule, which hopes to deliver everything previous festivals had to offer on a trimmed three-day timeline. “We’ve refined it more,” said festival coordinator Paul Templin, who described the streamlining of the festival as “going back to its roots.” This refers to the original festival from six years ago, which focused on the films of U of T students and alumni, something that has been lost in the crush of other films showcased over the last couple of years, after the festival relaxed its submission policy.
“[The festival] is a chance for U of T students to get the exposure that they really desire, and really focus on a much more concentrated student film festival,” said Palidwor. “This makes it unique within the city.”
For more information, visit www.uoftfilmfest.ca.
-Radheyan Simonpillai
