CineSiege 2008

 

CineSiege 2008 is a juried showcase screening of outstanding productions of 2007-2008 by talented young filmmakers in AMPD’s Department of Cinema and Media Arts.

The program will feature a selection of short films – riveting dramas, cutting-edge experimental works and provocative documentaries – chosen by four external jurors.

The CineSiege picks were selected from a shortlist of 22 productions nominated from the overall pool of 198 films made at York last year.

Jurors will be on hand at CineSiege to introduce the winning films and explain why they were selected.

Jurors:
Hussain Amarshi, president and founder, Mongrel Media
Susan G. Cole, senior entertainment editor, NOW Magazine
Deirdre Logue, development director, Vtape
John Paizs, director-in-residence, Canadian Film Centre

CineSiege is made possible through the generous support of

Jury

	Hussain Amarshi is the president of Mongrel Media, one of Canada’s leading film distributors. Founded by Amarshi in 1994, the company specializes in art house, foreign and independent feature films and documentaries, and is also the exclusive Canadian theatrical distributor for Sony Pictures Classics. Feature releases include the Academy Award-winning Lives of Others and The Counterfeiters; Sarah Polley’s multiple Genie-winner Away From Her; Deepa Mehta’s Bollywood/Hollywood, Water and Heaven on Earth; and Ian Rashid’s Touch of Pink and How She Move. Celebrated documentary titles include Jennifer Baichwal’s Manufactured Landscapes and Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott’s The Corporation. Mongrel Media established a Writer’s Unit in 2007 in association with Sienna Films and Foundry Films to promote the development of new scripts. Prior to Mongrel Media, Amarshi founded the Kingston International Film Festival, managed the art-house Euclid Theatre in Toronto and worked on Atom Egoyan and Jeremy Podeswa’s earlier films.
	Susan G. Cole is senior entertainment and books editor at the Toronto news and entertainment weekly, NOW Magazine. She also writes about music, theatre, politics and cultural criticism, and has recently expanded her film writing duties. She is the author of two books on violence against women and pornography (Second Story Press) and is a regular columnist for Herizons, Canada’s quarterly feminist magazine. She writes a weekly blog at www.nowtoronto.com and is heard on radio on AM 640’s panel “The Media and the Message” broadcast every Thursday morning at 9am.
	Min Sook Lee is a documentary filmmaker. Her feature productions Hogtown (2005), Tiger Spirit (2008) and My Toxic Baby (2009) have been screened at the Hot Docs festival (where Hogtown won the Best Canadian Feature Documentary Award) and broadcast by the CBC, Global, TVO and internationally. She has also been a programmer for Planet in Focus Film Festival.
	Daniel MacIvor is a director, actor and Governor General’s Award-winning playwright. His plays, which have been produced across Canada and toured internationally, include See Bob Run, House, Here Lies Henry, Monster and Marion Bridge. He wrote and directed the feature films Past Perfect, in which he co-starred with Rebecca Jenkins, and Wilby Wonderful, which stars Paul Gross and Ellen Page.

 

Nominees

	Tuko We Are 17 min. Directors : Owen Sheppard, Charles Omondi Production Coordinators : Titus Kasamba, Kioko Peter Dokta, Babu Muraya Sound : Jessica Wu”Tuko watu, tuko pamoja, tuko kila mahali. TUKO…” / “We are human, we are one, we are everywhere. WE ARE…”
	The Myth of Persephone 10 min. Director : Matthew Yipchuck Director of Photography : Tess Marie Garneau Sound : Shannon Fewster Editor : Janna Jeffrey”It’s not easy being a Greek goddess, especially when your life is a movie musical.” Based on an original piece written and composed by Tom Kerr.
	Seize the Day 16 min. Director / Writer : Symone Roper Producer : Alessia Domanico Director of Photography : Mehran Jabbari Editor : Stephanie Law Sound Editor : Maria-Saroja PonnambalamA young man faces an incredibly daunting day attempting to manage his own interests while supporting his family.
	Scarecrow 11 min. Director : Sarah Blevins Production Manager : Nazanin Azari Director of Photography : Matthew Nayman Sound : John Hooper Picture Editor : Coung Ngo Sound Editor : Lena Duong Composers : Ethan Pipher, George ZwielBattling leukemia, with three months to live, eight-year-old Autumn escapes into a world of abundance and freedom led by her new friend Scarecrow.
	Red Envelopes 10 min. Director / Writer / Director of Photography / Sound Design : Frances Lai Lighting : Kiran Singh, Alejandro Muñoz-Hernandez Editor : Alejandro Munoz-Hernandez Production Designer : David Frankovich Composers : Joannes ChanA film about strangers who have everything in common.
	Outpost 62 6 min. Director : Luke Van Osch Director of Photography : Alejandro Munoz Producer : Matt Nayman Sound : Dan Reis, Brandon Lane Editor : Mike Boers, Matt NaymanA war veteran is haunted by the past.
	No One Thinks about the Garden 7 min. Director / Director of Photography / Editing / Sound Editing : Tara Khalili Script Assistance : Pouyan Jafarizadeh Dezfoulian Gaffer : Mehran Jabarri Makeup : Vala Sharavi Sound Engineering : Siamak Janjaali Visual Effects : Kajeh MehriziA day in the life of an isolated and ill grandmother.
	Morning Will Come 15 min. Director / Writer / Editor : Pouyan Jafarizadeh Dezfoulian Director of Photography : Mikhail Petrenko Sound : Alex UngerThis story about a hero with a thousand faces deals with gender identity against the backdrop of traditional cultural values and expectations.
	Lead Us Not Into Temptation 16 min. Director / Writer : Joshua Demers Producers : Cameron MacLaren, Joshua Demers Director of Photography : Tyson Burger Sound : Lena Duong Editor : Matthew ShoychetA Catholic priest struggles with social stigma when one of his students accuses him of sexual harassment.
	La Consecuencia de La Lluvia 17 min. Director / Director of Photography: : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam Editors : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam, Aliyyah FazilSince the presidency of Hugo Chavez, the poor in Venezuela have received more attention than ever before. A journey through an impoverished barrio of Caracas explores the communication gap between the community’s inhabitants and their Communal Council leaders.
	Happenstance 16 min. Director : Steven Ng Director of Photography : Jillian Harper Producers : Chad Hawn, Fiona Wong, Jessica Wu Sound : Alejandro Munoz Hernandez, Andrew Thomson, John Hooper Editors : Stephanie Law, Steven NgTwo strangers. Two choices. A chance encounter.
	Frozen Roads 17 min. Director / Writer : Mark Pariselli Director of Photography : Laura Notarianni Production Manager : Christopher Sanchez Sound : Ashley Monti Editor : Patricia PhilipopoulosTwo teenaged boys struggle with their feelings for each other in a small, conservative town.
	Fort Severn 16 min. Director / Sound : Danielle Hebscher Director of Photography : Kirk Holmes Producers : Danielle Hebscher and Ian Campbell Editor : Ian CampbellAn intimate exploration of Ontario’s northernmost community told through the stories of its Cree inhabitants.
	Forgiveness 14 min. Director / Editor : Mina Sewell Mancuso Director of Photography : Sarah Blevins Production Manager : Patricia Philipopoulos Sound : Emiliano PaternostroA woman gives her right arm to prove her love for her partner.
	Demise 10 min. Director : Daniel McIntyre Composer : Mark Savoia Additional Music : Johnathan Isaac, Aaron Ritchie Animators : Daniel McIntyre, Aaron RitchieGraffiti takes over the city as a man finds it taking over his dreams. When it disappears from reality, he finds himself haunted by its imprint.
	Criterion Cell 15 min. Director : Aliyyah Fazil Director of Photography : Noah Bingham Sound / Composer : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam Editors : Samantha Shute, Aliyyah Fazil Sound Editor : Brandon LaneImprisonment through two different perspectives.
	Canadian Anus 10 min. Director / Producer / Additional Cinematography : Nikki Saltz Director of Photography : Jill Harper Picture Editor : Daniel Reis Sound : John HooperIn a nation where people are dying of embarrassment, this production is a deeply probing analysis of Canada’s deepest, darkest body part.
	Brasil, I Love You 15 min. Director / Director of Photography / Sound Design / Editor : Daniel Reis Online Editor : Eric Wiegand Sound Editor : Scott ShepherdMoments captured from a journey through Brazil.
	Between Us 11 min. Director : Toni van Eeden Writer : Toni van Eeden Director of Photography : Alexandra Byers Sound : Joey Christopher Editor : Vu Van Franco NguyenA brother and sister explore how they grew apart through differing sexual experiences growing up.
	A Thousand Words 14 min. Director : Brianna Brown Director of Photography : Stu Marks Sound Design : Jessica Wu Editor : Ashley MontiA photographer adopts his niece following his sister’s untimely death. His parenting skills need honing.
	A Stir in the Forest 16 min. Director / Adaptor / Producer : Madeleine Sims-Fewer Director of Photography : Joshua Fraiman 1st Assistant Director : Matthew Hotson Sound Design : Katie Halliday Editor : Joshua Fraiman Composer : Ryan Carr Visual Effects : Michael BoersOn a trip to a country manor, Penny revisits haunting memories of her childhood evacuation from London during World War II. Based on the short story “The Thing in the Forest” by A.S. Byatt.
	“…….” 7 min. Director : Alex Unger Director of Photography : Adam Crosby Sound : Matt Greyson Editor : Doug Nayler Sound Editor : Alex UngerA young couple living in an abandoned farm house receives a visitor who strains their relationship.

Jury’s Selections

	Seize the Day 16 min. Director / Writer : Symone Roper Producer : Alessia Domanico Director of Photography : Mehran Jabbari Editor : Stephanie Law Sound Editor : Maria-Saroja PonnambalamA young man faces an incredibly daunting day attempting to manage his own interests while supporting his family.
	No One Thinks about the Garden 7 min. Director / Director of Photography / Editing / Sound Editing : Tara Khalili Script Assistance : Pouyan Jafarizadeh Dezfoulian Gaffer : Mehran Jabarri Makeup : Vala Sharavi Sound Engineering : Siamak Janjaali Visual Effects : Kajeh MehriziA day in the life of an isolated and ill grandmother.
	Morning Will Come 15 min. Director / Writer / Editor : Pouyan Jafarizadeh Dezfoulian Director of Photography : Mikhail Petrenko Sound : Alex UngerThis story about a hero with a thousand faces deals with gender identity against the backdrop of traditional cultural values and expectations.
	La Consecuencia de La Lluvia 17 min. Director / Director of Photography: : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam Editors : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam, Aliyyah FazilSince the presidency of Hugo Chavez, the poor in Venezuela have received more attention than ever before. A journey through an impoverished barrio of Caracas explores the communication gap between the community’s inhabitants and their Communal Council leaders.
	Fort Severn 16 min. Director / Sound : Danielle Hebscher Director of Photography : Kirk Holmes Producers : Danielle Hebscher and Ian Campbell Editor : Ian CampbellAn intimate exploration of Ontario’s northernmost community told through the stories of its Cree inhabitants.
	Criterion Cell 15 min. Director : Aliyyah Fazil Director of Photography : Noah Bingham Sound / Composer : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam Editors : Samantha Shute, Aliyyah Fazil Sound Editor : Brandon LaneImprisonment through two different perspectives.

Award Winners

Best Alternative Film Honourable Mention Awarded To – Tara Khalili	No One Thinks about the Garden 7 min. Director / Director of Photography / Editing / Sound Editing : Tara Khalili Script Assistance : Pouyan Jafarizadeh Dezfoulian Gaffer : Mehran Jabarri Makeup : Vala Sharavi Sound Engineering : Siamak Janjaali Visual Effects : Kajeh Mehrizi
Best Alternative Film Awarded To – Pouyan Jafarizadeh Dezfoulian	Morning Will Come 15 min. Director / Writer / Editor : Pouyan Jafarizadeh Dezfoulian Director of Photography : Mikhail Petrenko Sound : Alex Unger
Best Cinematography Kodak Award for Best Cinematography Awarded To – Joshua Fraiman	A Stir in the Forest 16 min. Director / Adaptor / Producer : Madeleine Sims-Fewer Director of Photography : Joshua Fraiman 1st Assistant Director : Matthew Hotson Sound Design : Katie Halliday Editor : Joshua Fraiman Composer : Ryan Carr Visual Effects : Michael Boers
Best Documentary Film Awarded To – Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam	La Consecuencia de La Lluvia 17 min. Director / Director of Photography: : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam Editors : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam, Aliyyah Fazil
Best Documentary Film Honourable Mention Awarded To – Danielle Hebscher	Fort Severn 16 min. Director / Sound : Danielle Hebscher Director of Photography : Kirk Holmes Producers : Danielle Hebscher and Ian Campbell Editor : Ian Campbell
Best Documentary Film Honourable Mention Awarded To – Aliyyah Fazil	Criterion Cell 15 min. Director : Aliyyah Fazil Director of Photography : Noah Bingham Sound / Composer : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam Editors : Samantha Shute, Aliyyah Fazil Sound Editor : Brandon Lane
Best Editing Awarded To – Mike Boers and Matt Nayman	Outpost 62 6 min. Director : Luke Van Osch Director of Photography : Alejandro Munoz Producer : Matt Nayman Sound : Dan Reis, Brandon Lane Editor : Mike Boers, Matt Nayman
Best Fiction Film Awarded To – Symone Roper	Seize the Day 16 min. Director / Writer : Symone Roper Producer : Alessia Domanico Director of Photography : Mehran Jabbari Editor : Stephanie Law Sound Editor : Maria-Saroja Ponnambalam
Best Sound Awarded To – Daniel McIntyre	Demise 10 min. Director : Daniel McIntyre Composer : Mark Savoia Additional Music : Johnathan Isaac, Aaron Ritchie Animators : Daniel McIntyre, Aaron Ritchie
Creative Courage Award Awarded To – Matthew Yipchuck	The Myth of Persephone 10 min. Director : Matthew Yipchuck Director of Photography : Tess Marie Garneau Sound : Shannon Fewster Editor : Janna Jeffrey