CineSiege 2012

CineSiege 2012 is a juried showcase screening of outstanding productions created in 2011-12 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 five external jurors. Their CineSiege picks are selected from a shortlist of 19 productions nominated from the total pool of 144 films made at York last year.

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

CineSiege is made possible through the generous support of 

Jury

Karen Gordon is a Toronto-based a writer, broadcaster, producer, story editor and film reviewer. Her credits as writer and story editor include numerous telelvision documentary and lifestyle series ranging from “The Nature of Things” (CBC) to “Ol Pej Diaries” (Knowledge Network) to David Rocco’s “Dolce Vita” (Food Network Canada). Her broadcast credits include a variety of CBC Radio One shows, notably “As It Happens” and “Fresh Air”. Currently she is the film critic for CBC Radio One’s flagship program, “Metro Morning”.

Rick Hancox grew up in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island, and all three locations have informed his finely crafted experimental documentaries, which fuse personal landscapes with issues of time, memory and history. His work demonstrates, through the cinematic image, how personal memory is mediated by social and historical contexts.Hancox often blends the poetic with the cinematic, as in his trilogy of “poetry films” – Waterworx (1982), Landfall (1983) and Beach Events (1985). He is also known for autobiographical documentaries such as Home for Christmas (1978) and Moose Jaw (1992), which hailed by Take One magazine as one of the ten best films made in Canada at the time.Hancox taught at Sheridan College for 12 years, where he influenced a generation of Canadian independent filmmakers including documentarians Alan Zweig, Janis Cole and Holly Dale, and experimental filmmakers Richard Kerr, Philip Hoffman, Mike Hoolboom and others, who, along with Hancox, have been recognized as belonging to a movement in Canadian cinema known as the Escarpment School. He has been professor of film in the Communication Studies Department at Concordia University since 1985.

In 1972, as a graduate student at McGill University, Robert Lantos co-founded the company that ultimately morphed into Alliance Communications, Canada’s largest film and television production/distribution company and a leading broadcaster. He served as chairman and CEO of Alliance, taking the company public in 1993 and selling his controlling interest in 1998. He currently makes films at his Serendipity Point Films shingle.Lantos has produced some 40 motion pictures. Highlights include: Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Barney’s Version; Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Eastern Promises; Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Being Julia; Golden Globe nominee and European Film Award and Best Picture Genie Award winner Sunshine; Cannes Grand Prix winner, Academy Award nominee and Best Picture Genie Award winner The Sweet Hereafter; Cannes Special Jury Prize winner Crash; Best Picture Genie Award winners Black Robe and Ararat. His long-running, award-winning television series include “Due South”, “E.N.G”, “North of 60”, “Counterstrike” and “Night Heat”.Lantos is a member of the Order of Canada and holds an honorary doctorate from McGill University. He sits on the board of directors of eOne.

Patricia Rozema‘s feature films include I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing, White Room, When Night is Falling, Mansfield Park, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl and Grey Gardens. I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival and that year was voted one of Canada’s ten best films ever as polled by 100 international critics.Rozema won an Emmy Award and was nominated for a Grammy for her film Six Gestures, part of the series Yo-Yo Ma: Inspired by Bach. Her work on the HBO movie Grey Gardens, starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore, earned her a PEN USA nomination and an Emmy nomination for outstanding writing.Other television credits include the The Beckett Film Project’s Happy Days, the pilot and two subsequent episodes of the HBO series Tell Me You Love Me, and most recently, an episode of the HBO series In Treatment. Most recently she directed several episodes of the CBC series Michael: Tuesdays & Thursdays. Projects in development including an adaptation of Robert Munsch’s beloved classic, The Paperbag Princess.

Documentarian Alan Zweig frequently uses film to explore his own life. In Vinyl (2000) he investigates what drives people to become record collectors, using his own experience to delve into the effects of this passion on a life. I, Curmudgeon (2004), a film about self-declared curmudgeons, shot on a camcorder with Zweig using a mirror to record his own experiences, won a Silver Hugo at the 2005 Chicago International Film Festival. Lovable (2007) addresses our (and his) preoccupation with finding romantic perfection.Zweig moved from autobiographical subject matter to explore the struggle of ex-convicts to lead normal lives in A Hard Name (2009), which received a Genie Award for best documentary. Many of Zweig’s films have premiered at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, which devoted its Focus On screening series to Zweig’s work in 2012.

Nominees I – externally juried 3rd & 4th year productions

A Slice of Life 15 min. Director/Writer: Emily Powell Producer: Emily Powell and Nancy Rutherford Director of Photography: Thaddeus Eng, Ada Guna, Matthew Kennedy, Jake McDowell Editor: James Elias Island Sound: Location: Trevor Chartrand,  Post: Andrew Bundas, Original Music: Daniel KornEvery year, the town of Warkworth, Ontario hosts The Perfect Pie Contest. This year, a filmmaker attempts to bake a pie worthy of the competition.

Bad Movie 13:30 min. Director/ Producer: Trevor Chartrand Director of Photography: Joel Varickanickal Editor: Reid Asselstine Sound: James Young and Martin KesslerA documentary tribute to films that fail.

Breaking Over Me 14:33 min. Director: Luise Docherty Writer: Luise Docherty and Kelly Paoli Producer: Luise Docherty and Mati Kuld Director of Photography: Mati Kuld Editor: Dylan Pouliot and Earl Oliveros Sound: Tanner ZurkoskiA story of loss and friendship.

The Daily Special 9:53 min. Director: Steffi Tupe Writers: Rodrigo Hererra and Steffi Tupe Producers: Steffi Tupe, Mark Baluk, Vibhuti Rathod, Alisha Vander Ahe, Andrew Bundas Director of Photography: Mark Baluk Editor: Alisha Vander Ahe Sound: Andrew BundasJames may be the coolest kid at school, but when his older-brother duties and drug dealing tasks get mixed up, he just doesn’t know how to handle it.

Erasermen 15 min. Director/Writer: Jeff Garneau Producers: Danny Di Giovine and Jeff Garneau Director of Photography: Marco Torralba Editor: Joel Varickanickal Sound: Nik BennAlex works at a company that erases online identities after death. He holds a prime position to turn this access into intimacy.

Free Parking 9:08 min. Director: Adrian Murray Writers: Adrian Murray and Marcus Sullivan Producer/Production Manager: Matthew Shoalts Director of Photography: Thaddeus Eng Editor: Aaron Keogh Sound: Tanner ZurkoskiAgainst his mother’s wishes, a young man drives to the big city in search of ‘the protest’.

Guerilla 15:50 min. Director/ Writer/ Producer/ Director of Photography: Saeid Zargar (Arya) Editor: Yasaman Gerami Sound: Saeid Zargar and Sadiar A. Babak Z.The story of two old Iranian men who were on opposite sides during Iran’s underground armed uprising in the 1970s.

Home 13 min. Director/ Producer/ Director of Photography/ Editor/ Sound: Matthew Kennedy Writer: Matthew Kennedy and Zhao Chun YanThis is a journey through the subconscious, exploring place and memory from the perspective of a newly landed Chinese immigrant in Canada. Travelling both physically and metaphorically, from China to Canada and from her past into the present, Chun Yan reflects on what she has given up while struggling to understand her place in the new world.

Josh Schonblum’s Currently Untitled 4th Year Film with Continuous Dolly Action 11 min. Director/ Writer/ Producer/ Editor/ Sound: Josh Schonblum Director of Photography: Andrea CudaDolly Action

Loss Together 12 min. Director: Earl Oliveros Writers: Rodrigo Herrera and Earl Oliveros Producers: Earl Oliveros and Lester Millado Director of Photography: Lester Millado Editor: Christine Wang Sound: Andrew BundasHow do you mourn for someone you don’t really know?

Nebula 9:30 min. Director/ Writer/ Producer: Rebecca Lugo Director of Photography: Lester Millado Editor: Ryan Haas Sound: Andrew BundasA dream in death, the search for meaning and a gentle caress.

The Neoist 10:05 min. Director/Producer/ Director of Photography: Nikita Mor Editors: Nikita Mor, Arnav Thadani Sound: Adam CzechowskiAre coat hangers really telepathic devices? The Neoist  provides the answer to this nervewracking question. You may just be inspired to set your steam iron on fire!

The Optimistic Sun 13 min. Director/ Writer/ Producer/ Director of Photography/ Editor: John Palanca Sound: Andrew Bundas & Matt DaileyA film in two parts which echo each other. Anne and James are near the end of their long and dreadful relationship. Illuminated by small gestures and changing spaces, The Optimistic Sun juxtaposes a young couple’s unfortunate reality and a dream that could never be.

Schedz. 9:30 min. Director/ Writer/ Producer/ Director of Photography/ Editor/ Sound: Abeer Qa’atySchedz. captures the world from the perspective of a young woman who suffers from schizophrenia.

Shadowboxing 13 min. Director/Writer: Eric McIntyre Producer: Jenna Elzein Director of Photography: Andrea Cuda Editor: Miguel Castillo Sound: James Young

Silence of the New 12:45 min. Director: Arnav Thadani Director of Photography: Vincent Pun Editor/Sound: Lester CallejaA feeling of the loss of home and overpowering silence. A personal account of culture shock, told from the point of view of four people.

Sticks and Wheels 9:30 min. Director/Editor: Arnav Thadani Director of Photography: Alexander Granger Sound: Lester CallejaPower hockey is a sport played in wheelchairs, devised for people who are paraplegic. The film focuses on the relationships of these players.

The Way of the Drum 12:48 min. Director/Producer: Nikita Mor Directors of Photography: Vibhuti Rathod, Nikita Mor Editor: Richard Powell SmithThe Way of the Drum rediscovers and celebrates the spirit of native culture in contemporary times, and for the future generations to come.

White 12 min. Director/ Producer/ Editor: Sam Alex Kay Director of Photography: Veronica Ladico Sound: Taylor BloomAn existential tale inspired by the paintings and subject matter of artist David Blackwood (featuring a somewhat optimistic vision of global warming).

Nominees II – internally juried

1st year productions

Asanam Karoti 5.14 min Directors: Rodrigo Michelangeli & Alec BellA young monk struggles with sacred practices in the shadows of a secret temple.

The Intruder 5.43 min Director: Andy KloskeIn-trud-er! Noun: A person who intrudes, esp. into a building with criminal intent.

Malachim 4.38 min Directors: Harrison Kozak & Ashlee MitchellWe looked to dance as a manner of conveying narrative.

2nd year productions

Break 8.55 min Director: Matthew Pannozzo Directors of Photography: Max Vlassenko Editor: Spencer Hahn Sound: Jennifer StorrarAn elementary school boy is pressured by his best friend to damage their teacher’s car.

Breaking Limits 9 min Director: Jillian Dobson Directors of Photography: Marta Portales Editor: Matt Pancer Sound: Matt PaivaSacrifice, effort and hopes are all there when training for performing gymnastics.

My Brother Michael 8.42 min Director: Gabrielle Bleyendaal Directors of Photography: Nikita Mor Editor: Erin Buelow Sound: Sarah PidgeonAn intimate look into the life of Michael, soon to be 17 and struggling with a drug addiction he developed at the age of 10.

Nominees II – Internally juried 1st & 2nd year productions

	Bathroom 3:50 min Directors/Producers/Editors: Victor Ostrovsky, Ros MacDonald Writer: Ros MacDonald Directors of Photography: Ros MacDonald Sound: Victor OstrovskyDreamy abstraction of a bathroom from an innocent, yet sinister point of view.
	The Forbidden Room 9:59 min Director/Writer: Kristina Mileska Producer: Andy Kloske, Kristina Mileska Director of Photography: Andy Kloske Editor: Mathew Murray Sound: Josh DevenyiWilliam is a curious boy with hemophilia.
	Generations 6:45 min Directors/Producers/Editors: Mathew Murray, Kristina Mileska, Jenn Lund Directors of Photography: Mathew Murray, Kristina Mileska Sound: Jenn LundA short documentary told through a series of interviews featuring people of The Silent Generation (born 1920s -1940s), who pass down their stories and wisdom regarding youth, morality, family, death and our ever-changing world.
	Noise: BOMB 3:32 min Director/Producer/Writer/Editor: Peter Howie Directors of Photography: Peter Howie, Christian Harrison Sound: Eric Swiatoschik A man who is plagued by night terrors is put through emotional and terrifying paces that never seem to feel routine.
	The Last Chapter 13:25 min Director/Producer/Writer: Esery Mondesir Director of Photography: Esery Mondesir Editors: Esery Mondesir, Layan Mahshi Sound: Esery Mondesir, Jessica TatWe lose a little bit of ourselves when a bookstore closes, but is the last chapter of the Toronto Women’s Bookstore also the last breath of feminism in the city?
	Persolus 3:45 min Director: Alanna Smith Producers: Madeleine Patton, Alanna Smith Writer: Madeleine Patton Director of Photography: Alanna Smith Editors: Madeleine Patton, Alanna Smith Sound: Alanna SmithIn an allegory of social anxiety disorder, the last person on earth reflects on the time before the apocalypse.
	The Redo 4:15 min Directors/Producers: Cristina DiGiulio, Adrian Cheung Writer: Cristina DiGiulio Director of Photography: Adrian Cheung Editor/Sound: Cristina DiGiulioSometimes once isn’t enough.
	Sit Boy Sit 10:45 min Directors: Julian Papas, Jesse Wyatt Writer: Akash Bansal Director of Photography: Ryan McIntyre Editor: Julian Papas Sound: Imaad BhattyA seemingly ordinary day takes an unexpected turn for two high school friends.

Award Winners

Outstanding First-Year Film	Asanam Karoti 5.14 min Directors: Rodrigo Michelangeli & Alec Bell
Outstanding Second-Year Film	Break 8.55 min Director: Matthew Pannozzo Directors of Photography: Max Vlassenko Editor: Spencer Hahn Sound: Jennifer Storrar
Best Fiction Film	Erasermen 15 min. Director/Writer: Jeff Garneau Producers: Danny Di Giovine and Jeff Garneau Director of Photography: Marco Torralba Editor: Joel Varickanickal Sound: Nik Benn
Best Documentary Film	Guerilla 15:50 min. Director/ Writer/ Producer/ Director of Photography: Saeid Zargar (Arya) Editor: Yasaman Gerami Sound: Saeid Zargar and Sadiar A. Babak Z.
Best Alternative Film	Home 13 min. Director/ Producer/ Director of Photography/ Editor/ Sound: Matthew Kennedy Writer: Matthew Kennedy and Zhao Chun Yan
Best Cinematography – Kodak Award	Andrea Cuda for Shadowboxing 13 min. Director/Writer: Eric McIntyre Producer: Jenna Elzein Director of Photography: Andrea Cuda Editor: Miguel Castillo Sound: James Young
Best Screenplay	Adrian Murray and Marcus Sullivan for Free Parking 9:08 min. Director: Adrian Murray Writers: Adrian Murray and Marcus Sullivan Producer/Production Manager: Matthew Shoalts Director of Photography: Thaddeus Eng Editor: Aaron Keogh Sound: Tanner Zurkoski
Best Sound	James Young for Shadowboxing 13 min. Director/Writer: Eric McIntyre Producer: Jenna Elzein Director of Photography: Andrea Cuda Editor: Miguel Castillo Sound: James Young
Best Editing	Christina Wang for Loss Together 12 min. Director: Earl Oliveros Writers: Rodrigo Herrera and Earl Oliveros Producers: Earl Oliveros and Lester Millado Director of Photography: Lester Millado Editor: Christine Wang Sound: Andrew Bundas