The 16th edition of North America’s largest short-film festival kicks off today, offering some 281 shorts from 34 countries – among them, 34 world premieres and more than 200 Toronto premieres.
Returning programmes include the always popular Sci-Fi: Out There (self-explanatory), Slap ‘n’ Tickle (the racier R-rated shorts), Shorts For Shorties (kids’ flicks) and Celebrity Shorts, which this year features work starring the likes of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell and Don Cheadle. The annual film-school showcase trains its lens on Mexico this year, with a collection of shorts from the Centro De Capacitación Cinematográfica, and the national spotlight for 2010 is Poland, with two programmes of films on the sked.
Among the new programmes added to the roster this year are Lunafest (showcasing films by and for women), DORIS (offerings from a women-centric Swedish collective) and When All Is Said and Sung (all musicals, all the time).
Festival director Eileen Arandiga says 2010’s fest is an exceptional one, both in terms of its scope and its films. “We have more premieres than ever before, more diverse programming, and an incredible line-up of films directed by women,” she says. “A real treasure trove of the best short films and videos from Canada and around the world.”
Heck there’s even a free iPhone app for anyone who might be interested! So what are you waiting for? Get thee to some shorts!
For more info on the festival, to buy tickets or just browse the schedule, visit the official website.
