Today is the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival, whose back to kick things off for the fall season. Despite being one of the world's biggest film festivals attended by a lot of high profile directors, producers, and stars, let's not forget that a festival at the end of the day is about the films.  And TIFF is never short on work from homegrown emerging talent.

TIFF has once again partnered with an online video platform to bring you their Short Cuts Canada program. Once the shorts have premiered at TIFF, you can view them on their Vimeo page.  There are six Short Cuts Canada programs and they even introduced an international batch of short films this year as well.

So if you're looking to watch something short and sweet until Toronto Youth Shorts comes along, go check it out!

Next Friday, June 13th, marks the beginning of the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI), an event which is as sweet as its name! TAAFI celebrates the art of animation from all over the world. I am happy to say that I will be volunteering once again for TAAFI, especially since this year’s festival is holding many exciting events, including the Animation Arts Maarket, a screening of brand new Mickey Mouse Shorts, and an exclusive Q&A with the creators of Phineas and Furb!

The event I am most excited about is the Student Shorts showcase, which is being co-presented by Toronto Youth Shorts, and featuring animated shorts from across the globe, including Canada, Hungary and South Africa! This year’s line-up reflects the unique ability of animation to present the world from an endless array of perspectives, which cannot be portrayed as well through live action. For example, the film Amoeba (Bronwyn Horne) presents the isolation of a single-celled organism; Ramus (Danica Parry) follows a tree branch separated from its mother tree; and then there is Backwards Cat Goes to the Vet (Tanya Kozak) a strange phenomenon which can only be conveyed through animation!

So whether you are an avid animation fan, or are just looking for a new appreciation of this art form, check out Student Shorts on June 15th, 4:30 p.m. at George Brown College (Waterfront Campus). Visit the TAAFI website for the full line-up of Student Shorts. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the website for the full schedule of Screenings, Parties and Workshops!

-Julia

Toronto Youth Shorts was lucky enough to sponsor the Toronto Student Film Festival last Friday night and let me tell you, these students did not disappoint. Taking place at the Isabel Bader Theatre on U of T Campus, the films ran the gamut of Canadian and international talent -- From macro-lens docs and experimental black and whites, to emotional looks into fictional and real lives alike. A personal fave was a claymation short by Australian filmmaker Carolyn Duchene titled Wanda. Wanda is a lipstick in want of a family. But where to find one?

Special mention goes out to the winners of the Best Toronto Award given out by Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival Director Henry Wong. Henry and the team couldn't decide on just one, so three of the local films were given official invitations into TYSFF:

1) Jessie MacAlpine: A Story of Youth and Science by Nicole Cedic
"The film focuses on Canadian science prodigy, Jessie MacAlpine. She has recently discovered an inexpensive treatment for Malaria and has filed for patent, the kicker being that she has accomplished all of this by the young age of 18. The fact that she is brilliant is amazing in its own right, but being a humanitarian is what makes her story especially unique."

2) Criterion by Dylan Vogel
A black and white experimental film that has already won National Gold Medal and Best in Grade 11 at the 2014 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and Best Animation in the TIFF 2014 Jump Cuts.

3) My Last Day at Work by Sean Singh
A look into the life of an ex-rail driver's heart-breaking experience with post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety.

**SUBMISSIONS ARE STILL OPEN FOR TORONTO YOUTH SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2014. SUBMIT! SUMBIT! SUBMIT!**

- Maggie

TIFF Kids brings a range of films, exhibits, and workshops to entertain kids and parents.

TIFF continues to engage with children through the various events and programs they hold year-round. As technology evolves, children are becoming active users and TIFF provides an excellent platform for them to utilize their creativity and curiosity in a cinematic atmosphere.

The TIFF Kids International Film Festival takes place April 8-12 and offers a range of Canadian and international films that children can enjoy and relate to. Check out the trailer to view their excellent line up of films

The digiPlaySpace is another example of how TIFF engages and teaches children about emerging media technologies. The fun and interactive environment allows them to learn and share their artistic experience with family and friends.

It is great for kids to learn more about cinema and be interested in actively involving in some way. It contributes to their imagination and provides them with different perceptions. I hope that TIFF continues to extend their kids programming and I look forward to seeing what next year will bring.

- Michelle