CineSiege 2005

CineSiege 2005 is a juried showcase screening of outstanding productions of 2004-2005 by talented young filmmakers in AMPD’s Department of Cinema and Media Arts.

The program will feature seven short films: riveting dramas, cutting-edge experimental works and provocative documentaries, selected by five external jurors. The CineSiege picks were chosen from a shortlist of 22 productions, which were in turn nominated from the overall pool of 179 films made at York in 2004-05. Jurors will be on hand to introduce the winning films and explain why they were selected.

Jurors:

Kevin McMahon, documentary filmmaker; co-founder, Primitive Entertainment
Emily Morgan, VP Programming, Alliance Atlantis
Ingrid Randoja, movie critic; deputy editor, Famous
Lisa Steele, new media and video artist Sudz Sutherland, filmmaker

Program total running time: 150 min.

CineSiege is made possible through the generous support of

Jury

	Over the past decade, Kevin McMahon has built a reputation as one of Canada’s finest documentary directors and writers. A co-founder of Primitive Entertainment, McMahon’s credits include a long list of national and international award-winning non-fiction films on subjects ranging from Niagara Falls (The Falls, 1991), the nature of intelligence (Intelligence, 1998) and the insidious role of public relations in the media (Truth Merchants, 1998), to the legacy of Marshall McLuhan (McLuhan’s Wake, 2002), the Canadian fishing industry (Cod: The Fish that Changed the World, 2003) and the reclaiming of Haida cultural history (Stolen Spirits of Haida Gwaii, 2004).
	Emily Morgan is vice president, programming for IFC – The Independent Film Channel, Showcase Action and Showcase Diva. Prior to joining Alliance Atlantis four years ago, her career included programming The Movie Network and launching the classic pay-TV service Moviepix. In 1995 she moved to Australia to launch a successful start-up pay-TV company. Upon her return to Canada she consulted as a broadcasting policy advisor for Canadian Heritage. She has also considerable experience in the development of dramatic programming.
	Ingrid Randoja began her career as a movie critic in 1990, freelancing for Toronto’s NOW magazine. She served as NOW’s film editor from 1995 to 2001, and is currently deputy editor of the Canadian entertainment and lifestyle magazine Famous. Her film reviews have appeared in many other publications, including eye Weekly, Sight and Sound, Take One and Montage. Her broadcast credits include CTV’s Canada AM, @ The Movies, CBC Radio’s Definitely Not the Opera, CBC Newsworld and Talk 640 AM.
	One of Canada’s best known new media and video artists, Lisa Steele has risen to international prominence through her prolific solo and group exhibitions and curatorial projects over the past 30 years. A founding member of Toronto’s V tape, she has played a seminal role in the development of video in Canada. She is the recipient of the 1993 Bell Canada Award for Excellence in Video Art and, with Kim Tomczak, the 2005 Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts. Her work is found in the collections of many leading art museums, including MOMA, New York; Centre Pompidou, Paris; the Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston; and the National Gallery of Canada.

 

Nominees

	Wired 15 min. Director / Cinematography / Editor : Lisa Kennedy Music : David Stein & Robert Kingsbury Sound : Robert Kingsbury, Chris Nash, Lisa KennedyA handmade film project screened as a double projection and made so that it can be shown in multiple set-ups.
	Take ‘Er Easy 29 min. Director : aaRon van Borek Cinematography : Arwa Degroot, Jorge Rangel Editors : Jacqui Okum, Jacob Templin Sound : Lisa Cannon, Mark Toller, Sandy FalconiA hybrid essay-documentary that focuses on North American society’s obsession with comfort, consumerism and individuality, and the connections between them.
	Ruby Read 12 min. Director / Screenplay : Lara Mrkoci Producer : Lisa Cannon Cinematography : Jacqui Okum Editors : Jacqui Okum, Lara Mrkoci Music : Andrew Barker 1st Assistant Director : Pete AdamsNever underestimate the curiosity of an eight-year-old girl
	Rana 10 min. Director, Screenplay : Igor Drljaca Producer : Pearl Ball Harding Cinematography : Roland Echavarria Editor : Albert ShinFamily lies and secrets come to the forefront in the midst of the Bosnian war.
	Punctum 2:37 min. Director / Screenplay / Cinematography / Editor / Sound : Ya-Yin KoA woman’s fear of a particular flashing light.
	Outrun 15 min. Director / Screenplay : Zdravko Jovanovic Editor : Andrew Cromey Sound : Andrew Cromey, Zdravko JovanovicAn examination of the complexity of being forced to leave one’s country and accept new surroundings and a new culture, and how it shapes an individual, as well as the difficulty of going back and staying true to one’s own roots.
	Offscreen 5 min. Director / Editor : Evelyn Tchakarov Cinematography : Lisa KennedyA tour de force of love, sex and filmmaking, but without sex.
	Misspelled Weather 12 min. Director / Screenplay : Raha Esfahani Producers : Raha Esfahani, Matthew J. Lloyd Cinematography : Matthew J. Lloyd Editors : Matthew J. Lloyd, Raha Esfahani Sound : Darby McInnisA spelling competition can be an opportunity to win an award in the everyday life struggle.
	Marianne 7:20 min. Director : Will Beauchamp Cinematography : Russell Bell Editor : Lindsay Petric Sound : Brodie SpaullBehind the façade of a modest hot dog street vendor, there is a hero.
	Lonnie Johnson: Blue Monday 12 min. Director / Editor : John M. McNab Videography : Lisa KennedyA documentary about blues guitar legend Lonnie Johnson, who spent the last five years of his life living in Toronto.
	Klapp Trapp 10 min. Director / Screenplay / Producer : James Martin Cinematography : Roland Echavarria Editors : Stephen Broomer, James Martin Sound Designer/Mixer : Stephen Broomer Production Designer : Michelle Blore Music : David FedermanWhile trying to avoid an angry bill collector, a lonely man is magically transported into a mysterious void where he meets the love of his life.
	In A Perfect World 17 min. Director / Sound : Chelsea McMullan Cinematography : Matthew J. Lloyd Editor : Mark Talher”Maybe in a perfect world we’d all be naked and nobody would care what anyone looks like, but it’s not a perfect world.” – Kylie McMullan
	Homo High School 15 min. Director / Screenplay : Jonathon Rivait Cinematography : Tess Girard Editor : Ryan Neill Sound : Katie QuanzSchool’s out (of the closet).
	The Good Mother 12 min. Director / Screenplay : Rachael Schaefer Cinematography : Michael Schwartz Editor : Gordon Burkell Sound : Katie QuanzWhen a mother sends her son off to kindergarten for the first time she becomes obsessed with another child in his class, which leads her to learn who her son truly is.
	Good China 17 min. Director / Screenplay : Chelsea McMullan Cinematography : Alejandro Coronado-Cortez Editor : Luo Li Sound : Luo Li, Jorge Rangel, Alejandro Coronado-CortezA man finds it difficult to leave his apartment while dressed as a woman.
	God’s Goodness 24 min. Director : Marc Betsworth Screenplay : Katherine Collins, Marc Betsworth Cinematography : Pasha Patriki Editor : Ryan Neill Sound : Matt DaviesA terminal disease can sometimes become the beginning of a new life.
	Four Seasons 15 min. Directors : Maria Paraskevopoulou, Alejandro Coronado-Cortez Cinematography : Shannon Hanmer Sound : John McNab”The whole world’s a prison….. my only freedom is to choose my prisons”
	Fly 5:45 min. Director / Editor / Sound : Luo Li Cinematography : Alejandro Coronado-Cortes, Luo LiThrough ink, paintbrush and several experimental filmmaking techniques, the film presents the impression of the flight of birds, and draws a connection between the subject and Chinese calligraphy.
	The Fall of the Tree 10 min. Director / Screenplay / Cinematography / Editor : Nicolas Pereda Based on a short story by : Fabio MorabitoA man spends an afternoon decorating a Christmas tree with the mother of a childhood friend.
	Day of John 15 min. Director / Screenplay : Chris Nash Producer : Albert Shin Cinematography : Ioana Vasile Editor : Neil CavalierFor high school teacher John Travis, the worst year of his life started when his most promising student asked him to drive her to an abortion clinic – in plain view of the parent of another student. Sometimes the only way to see a way out is from the bottom.
	Benediction 11 min. Director / Cinematographer / Editor / Screenplay / Sound : Tess Girard Producers : Tess Girard, Bill Taylor Script Editing & Consultation : Bill Taylor Music : Neal Byrne and The Album LeafAn exploration of fleeting existence. Illustrated through a personal story, a filmmaker’s final attempt to pay homage to those things left and leaving.
	Autobiographical Film 10 min. Director / Screenplay / Editor : Brett Potter Cinematography : Brett Potter, Ryan Lintott, Andrea Johnston Original Music : Danny GeorgiThe story of a small boy growing up in a small town on a small planet.

Jury’s Selections

	Ruby Read 12 min. Director / Screenplay : Lara Mrkoci Producer : Lisa Cannon Cinematography : Jacqui Okum Editors : Jacqui Okum, Lara Mrkoci Music : Andrew Barker 1st Assistant Director : Pete AdamsNever underestimate the curiosity of an eight-year-old girl
	Misspelled Weather 12 min. Director / Screenplay : Raha Esfahani Producers : Raha Esfahani, Matthew J. Lloyd Cinematography : Matthew J. Lloyd Editors : Matthew J. Lloyd, Raha Esfahani Sound : Darby McInnisA spelling competition can be an opportunity to win an award in the everyday life struggle.
	Marianne 7:20 min. Director : Will Beauchamp Cinematography : Russell Bell Editor : Lindsay Petric Sound : Brodie SpaullBehind the façade of a modest hot dog street vendor, there is a hero.
	In A Perfect World 17 min. Director / Sound : Chelsea McMullan Cinematography : Matthew J. Lloyd Editor : Mark Talher”Maybe in a perfect world we’d all be naked and nobody would care what anyone looks like, but it’s not a perfect world.” – Kylie McMullan
	God’s Goodness 24 min. Director : Marc Betsworth Screenplay : Katherine Collins, Marc Betsworth Cinematography : Pasha Patriki Editor : Ryan Neill Sound : Matt DaviesA terminal disease can sometimes become the beginning of a new life.
	Fly 5:45 min. Director / Editor / Sound : Luo Li Cinematography : Alejandro Coronado-Cortes, Luo LiThrough ink, paintbrush and several experimental filmmaking techniques, the film presents the impression of the flight of birds, and draws a connection between the subject and Chinese calligraphy.
	Benediction 11 min. Director / Cinematographer / Editor / Screenplay / Sound : Tess Girard Producers : Tess Girard, Bill Taylor Script Editing & Consultation : Bill Taylor Music : Neal Byrne and The Album LeafAn exploration of fleeting existence. Illustrated through a personal story, a filmmaker’s final attempt to pay homage to those things left and leaving.

Award Winners

Best Alternative Film Awarded To – Luo Li	Fly 5:45 min. Director / Editor / Sound : Luo Li Cinematography : Alejandro Coronado-Cortes, Luo Li
Best Cinematography Kodak Award for Best Cinematography Awarded To – Matthew J. Lloyd	Misspelled Weather 12 min. Director / Screenplay : Raha Esfahani Producers : Raha Esfahani, Matthew J. Lloyd Cinematography : Matthew J. Lloyd Editors : Matthew J. Lloyd, Raha Esfahani Sound : Darby McInnis
Best Documentary Film Awarded To – Chelsea McMullan	In A Perfect World 17 min. Director / Sound : Chelsea McMullan Cinematography : Matthew J. Lloyd Editor : Mark Talher
Best Editing Awarded To – Jacqui Okum, Jacob Templin	Take ‘Er Easy 29 min. Director : aaRon van Borek Cinematography : Arwa Degroot, Jorge Rangel Editors : Jacqui Okum, Jacob Templin Sound : Lisa Cannon, Mark Toller, Sandy Falconi
Best Fiction Film Awarded To – Marc Betsworth	God’s Goodness 24 min. Director : Marc Betsworth Screenplay : Katherine Collins, Marc Betsworth Cinematography : Pasha Patriki Editor : Ryan Neill Sound : Matt Davies
Best Screenplay Awarded To – Katherine Collins, Marc Betsworth	God’s Goodness 24 min. Director : Marc Betsworth Screenplay : Katherine Collins, Marc Betsworth Cinematography : Pasha Patriki Editor : Ryan Neill Sound : Matt Davies
Best Sound Awarded To – Nicolas Pereda	The Fall of the Tree 10 min. Director / Screenplay / Cinematography / Editor : Nicolas Pereda Based on a short story by : Fabio Morabito