Invitation to Educators
October 8, 2009
Dear Educator,
We are writing to give you the details for the 5th annual 2010 Toronto Student Film Festival, to be held on one night only ---- Saturday, April 24.This student-inspired festival, again hosted by Crescent School, provides a venue for young filmmakers to tell their stories and have their voices heard --- on a wide range of topics and issues important to them. Students may submit completed curriculum-based projects on an individual or group basis, and personal media works are also encouraged. Since its inception in 2006, the TSFF has earned a reputation as one of North America’s top youth film festivals, and it has gained the support of the Canadian Film Center, the National Film Board, CTV, the City of Toronto Film Office, and many other leaders in the arts and film industry. Our judging panel consists of professionals from many of these organizations, as well as established Canadian filmmakers.
The Toronto Student Film Festival is all about youth achievement in media arts, providing a simple and FREE way for youth under age 21 to show their work and have it evaluated. Over the past four festivals, we have received hundreds of submissions from youth around the world, and we are increasingly linking the TSFF to other similar youth film festivals. By submitting their films, your students will have a unique opportunity to compete with other youth on an international basis. It is easy to enter and there is absolutely no charge. Short films of 1-6 minutes are encouraged and all films must be 6 minutes or less. It is very likely that your students who are taking/have taken a film or multi media course already have films which could be submitted.
The 2010 TSFF submission deadline is March 22. Full details about the festival and submission forms are available at the festival web site: www.tsff.com. Past winners have received opportunities to work on “internship” projects directly with professionals at CTV and Corus Entertainment, with other prizes including cash, tuition to a weeklong filmmaking workshop at the New York Film Academy, film editing software, and passes to industry symposiums. In addition, those films with a message of “social significance” have been featured on Canada’s own on-line media for social change--- CitizenShift.
For 2010, the top 25 films will again be featured in the TSFF NOMINEE SHOWCASE, and these winners will all receive personalized certificates of recognition. Specially-crafted TSFF acrylic awards (our version of the Oscar) will be awarded to the winners for achievement in: overall film excellence (1st, 2nd and 3rd place), editing, direction, screenplay, best documentary, “CitizenShift Film with Impact,” and the People’s Choice Award, chosen by the audience. Note: Prize categories on web site for the latest additions.
Please encourage your students or teachers to submit work by the festival deadline of March 22, 2010. The TSFF NOMINEE SHOWCASE will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2009 the Regent Theatre on Mount Pleasant Avenue. Festival tickets will be on sale in the new year for only $10.00 each. We encourage film and media classes to attend as a group.
If you have any questions or comments don’t hesitate to contact me by e-mail at tsff@live.ca. We look forward to receiving submissions from your students.
Sincerely,
Jamie MacRae
Executive Director,
tsff@live.ca
