CineSiege 2015

Now in its 13th year, CineSiege presents a collection of short films – riveting fiction, cutting-edge alternative works and provocative documentaries – selected by leading lights of the Canadian film and media scene.

Screening one night only, this juried showcase features the best productions created in 2014-2015 by talented young undergraduates in AMPD’s Department of Cinema & Media Arts. The films selected for CineSiege 2015 were chosen from a shortlist of 32 nominees, culled from 137 productions made last year.

The jury:

• director, producer and cinematographer Nicholas de Pencier
• media artist Gisèle Gordon
• filmmaker Keith Lock
• Charlotte Mickie, president of Mongrel International at Mongrel Media
• Jason Ryle, executive director and programmer at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

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

CineSiege is made possible through the generous support of:

	Nicholas de Pencier is a director, producer and cinematographer working in documentary, performing arts and dramatic film. His credits include Let It Come Down: The Life of Paul Bowles (International Emmy), The Holier It Gets (Best Canadian, Hot Docs), The True Meaning of Pictures (Gemini, Best Arts), Hockey Nomad (Gemini, Best Sports) and Manufactured Landscapes (TIFF best Canadian feature; Genie best doc). He produced the feature drama The Uncles (TIFF Top Ten) and shoots factual TV series and documentaries which he often also directs. De Pencier’s feature doc Four Wings and a Prayer won the Grand Prix Pariscience, a Banff Rockie and the Jules Verne Nature Award, and was nominated for three Geminis and an Emmy. He shot the documentary adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s Payback, which was released theatrically in North America, and was producer and director of photography for the feature doc Watermark, which premiered at TIFF and Berlin, won the Toronto Film Critics Award for Best Canadian Film and the CSA for Best Documentary, and is in theatrical release worldwide. De Pencier was admitted as a full member to the Canadian Society of Cinematographers in 2012.
	Gisèle Gordon is a media artist with an interest in exploring enigmatic connections. Her video installations and single channel films have shown internationally including at the 2013 Moscow Biennale; Toronto’s Nuit Blanche; the Marshall McLuhan Salon at the Canadian Embassy in Berlin; the Art Gallery of Edmonton; and the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Kingston. She has also been collaborating with Canadian Cree artist Kent Monkman on film and video projects since 1996. Gordon is currently working on Listening to the City, an interactive, reality-based narrative.
	Keith Lock holds an MFA in film from York University. He worked as Claude Jutra’s assistant as well as Michael Snow’s cinematographer on a number of productions. He was a founding member and first chair of the Toronto Filmmaker’s Co-op, which later morphed into LIFT. His TIFF screenings include the experimental film Everything Everywhere Again Alive and the dramatic feature Small Pleasures. His production A Brighter Moon was nominated for a Gemini Award for Best Short Drama. Credited by Cinemaya as the first Chinese-Canadian filmmaker, Lock was the first recipient of the Chinese Canadian National Council’s Media Applause Award (1998). His TV documentary The Road Chosen: The Lem Wong Story received the NFB Innoversity Conference Award in 2002 and his short The Dreaming House (2005) won the Best GTA Filmmaker Award at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. His short film Magical Coincidence was the winner of Reel Asian’s ‘So You Think You Can Pitch’ competition in 2011.
	Charlotte Mickie has been instrumental in bringing some of the most iconic independent films and directors to the world’s attention. She is president of Mongrel International, an operating division of Mongrel Media. Previously she served as EVP at eOne Films International, a company she joined in 2008 when it acquired Maximum Films, where she had been managing director. During her tenure at eOne, Mickie oversaw sales on Beasts of the Southern Wild, Animal Kingdom, Incendies and The Babadook, among others. Prior to Maximum Films, she was managing director of Celluloid Dreams, selling films by Jacques Audiard, the Dardenne brothers, and Michael Haneke. She oversaw sales at Alliance Atlantis and founded the Alliance Independent division.
	Jason Ryle is the executive director and a programmer at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival. He also serves on the board of directors for Vtape, an independent video distributor, and is a script reader for The Harold Greenberg Fund, which provides financial aid to Canadian filmmakers. An award-winning writer, Ryle has written for the Smithsonian Institution and numerous publications throughout North America.

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

	A Woman Departed 9 min. Director: Steven Czikk Cinematographer: Jonathon Elliot Editors: Steven Czikk and Julian Papas A letter to a loved one, now lost.
	Asteroid 12.10 min. Director: Kristina Mileska Cinematographer/Editor: Andy Kloske Sound: Emmerek Vanleur A young girl’s fantasy adventure with her grandfather allows her to come to terms with his illness.
	Breach 15.50 min. Director/Producer/Sound: Connor Johnstone Editor: Gebriel Balcha Cinematographer: Peter Howie A documentary about the faults of a friend, and the degree to which an audience can judge his actions.
	Built On Water 4.20 min. Director: Alec Bell Archetypes through artifice.
	Cupid 14 min. Director: Maria De Sanctis Writer: Devon Bain Producers: Maria De Sanctis, Devon Bain, Megan Berg, Rany Naser, Nathan Street, Lina Evans Cinematographer: Megan Berg Editor: Rany Naser Sound: Nathan Street The typical story of boy meets girl, except the boy is a magical figure sent from above and a complete f****** baby.
	Fear 7 min. Director/Writer/Producer/Editor/Sound: Gebriel Balcha Cinematographer: Marco Lamera and Rany Naser The story of Tyler and his inevitable descent into the gruesome world of drugs and gang violence.
	The Gift 14.35 min. Director: Esery Mondesir Writer: Kyle Francis Production Manager: Lesley Myers Cinematographer: Abdul Malik Editor: Dylan MacVicar Sound: Josh Devenyi Production Designer: Kayla Wemp Based on a story by Edwidge Danticat, this film tells the story of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti through a couple’s chaotic relationship in Toronto.
	Haunted by Presence 16 min. Director/Cinematographer: Jack Weisman Editor: Ashlee Mitchell and Jack Weisman Sound: Kieran Sherry “You have no control.”
	Jew Girl #2 16 min. Director, Writer: Adam Singer Production Manager: Robert Murdoch Cinematographer: Gabriela Osio Vanden Editor: Alanna Smith Sound: Emmerek Vanleur Assistant Director: Cristina DiGiulio Production Designer: Lina Evans In this musical comedy, Jodie Blondelle wants nothing more than to play the lead in her high school’s Jewish version of the musical “Hairspray”. But the director has other plans in mind for her.
	Knots 12 min. Director: Kristina Wong Writer: Kristina Wong. Developed by Nikki Foy Producers: Kristina Wong, Jessica De Los Santos, Mong Tho Mach Cinematographer: Jessica De Los Santos Editor: Vanesa Chow and Kevin Luttman Sound: Joelle Leboutte A grieving father must accept his persistent father-in-law’s heritage in order to mend his relationship with his distant daughter.
	Lola 13 min. Director: Mathew Murray Production Manager: Nathan Street Cinematographer, Editor, Sound: Dmitry Lopatin Music: Spencer Creaghan A young waitress faces a potentially life-altering decision after a violent confrontation with her sleazy boss.
	Muna 12.35 min. Director: Lekeeya King Cinematographer: James Poremba Editor: Maria Todorov-Topouzov, Lekeeya King Sound: Phoebe Sequino Production Designer: Mong Tho Mach The story of a girl soldier.
	Only For the Afternoon 15.30 min. Director: Julian Papas Production Manager: Gordie Rogers Cinematographer: Ryan McIntyre Editor: Jesse Wyatt Sound: Imaad A. Bhatty Production Designer: Steven Czikk Leigh and Jonathan meet up in a hotel room.
	Rough housing 7.30 min. Director/Cinematographer/Editor: Jeffrey Holiday Memories of growing up with brothers.
	Shot in the Dark 15 min. Director: Alanna Smith Writer: Tyya Emberley Production Manager: Meagan Webb Cinematographer: Nicole Ng Editor: Michael Maddeaux Sound: Michael Holz Assistant Director: Lane Proto When the power goes out in their hotel room, a dysfunctional young couple must face the awkwardness of their dead-end relationship.
	Tiny Mighty Tenma! 14.10 min. Director: Maria Todorov-Topouzov Writer: Grahame Hinton-Barber Production Manager: Kevin Luttman Cinematographer: Aaron DiMaria Editor: Kevin Luttman Sound: Peter Nielsen Production Designer: Erica Orofino “Tenma, Tenma, Tenma…Ah!!!”
	The Urban Hive 15 min. Director: Alex Brock Cinematographer: Gabriela Osio Vanden Editor: Peter Howie, Alex Brock Sound: Emmerek VanLeur A look into the lives of bees in the city.
	Waya 15 min. Director: Adrian Cheung Writer: Daniel Gennara Production Manager: Stefan Jablonski Cinematographer: Nicolas St-Amour Editor: Carlie Macfie Sound: Megan Webb Two bickering brothers venture into the forest with their father’s hunting rifle in an attempt to catch their first prey.
	What If He Lives 17.30 min. Director: Peter Nielsen Cinematographer: Jeffrey Holiday Editor: Josh Devenyi Sound: Kevin Lutttman A mother’s struggle to ensure her son has a normal life.
	Woven Together 12.50 min. Director/Producer/Editor: Nathan Street Cinematographer: Megan Berg, Maria DeSanctis, Abdul Malik, Spencer Maurice, Nathan Street Sound: Joelle LeBoutte Sex takes many forms. Love takes many forms. A fragmented view of sex, intimacy, connection and love.

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

	The Departure 11.29 min. Director: Sarah Aminuddin Cinematographer: Christian Harrison Editor: Mina Beronja Sound: Marianna Urrutia Writer: Omar Bishir The story of a woman attempting to get her son out of an abusive home, in hopes of a better future.
	In Between Words 5 min. Director/Writer,/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor/Sound: Samira Kia A man covered in newspaper tries to find a key to a locked box. Opening the box, he finds a mirror his mother had put into it. Finding the mirror makes him see his face and find his true self.
	Lumps 9.44 min. Director/Writer: Aaron Fauteux Producers: Aaron Fauteux, Ted Sakowsky, Ramona Caprariu Cinematographer: Ted Sakowsky Editors: Aaron Fauteux and Ted Sakowsky Sound: Ramona Caprariu Writer: Aaron Fauteux When Neil, whose face is covered in unusual lumps, meets Lola at a bus stop, he learns to see the world in a different way.
	Missing Pieces 8:24 min. Director: Mariana Urrutia Cinematographer: Tamara Moos Editor: Van Loc Sound: Lucas Treleaven A short look into Sergio’s routine as he goes through life with autism.
	No Say 3.30 min. Director: Sarah Aminuddin Editor: Marianna Urrutia Sound: Karly Ruesen A glimpse inside the mind of a child bride.
	Omnom 3.17 min. Director: Nancy Asiamah-Yeboah Editor: Adam Schurman Cinematographer: Rachel D’Ercole We are what we eat.
	One Nice Stand 10.48 min. Director: Eric Bizzarri Writer: Connor Savage Cinematographer: Elston Wong Editor: Alexia Daila Rosa What happens when your grandmother sets you up on a blind date?
	One Step at a Time 8.03 min. Director/Producer: Aaron Fauteux Editor/Cinematographer: Christophe Vaugeois Sound: Ted Linden A documentary about a family’s struggle with the debilitating disease, ataxia.
	The Pleasure Principle 8.10 min. Director: Ted Sakowsky Cinematographer: Andrew Morel Editors/Sound: Andrew Morel and Ted Sakowsky Reflexive documentary following a “Lady Azelle” while drawing attention to the filmmaking medium.
	Recondite 4.11 min. Director: Jess Paquette Writer: Conner Emans Cinematographer: Will Christiansen Editor: Daniel Blium Sound: Elana Emer The interconnected passage of time.
	Staple 4.20 min. Director: Danielle Beckford Writer/Producer/Editor/Sound: Danielle Beckford and Brandon Tang Cinematographer: Brandon Tang The dangers of miscommunication between mothers and daughters.
	Withdrawal 4.08 min. Director/Writer: Alex Ketchum Producer/Sound: Alex Ketchum and Eric Schweiger Cinematographer: Eric Schweiger Saturday morning withdrawal

Outstanding First Year Film

Withdrawal 4.08 min. Director/Writer: Alex Ketchum Producer/Sound: Alex Ketchum and Eric Schweiger Cinematographer: Eric Schweiger Saturday morning withdrawal

Outstanding 2nd year Alternative film

No Say 3.30 min. Director: Sarah Aminuddin Editor: Marianna Urrutia Sound: Karly Ruesen A glimpse inside the mind of a child bride.

Outstanding 2nd year Fiction film

Lumps 9.44 min. Director/Writer: Aaron Fauteux Producers: Aaron Fauteux, Ted Sakowsky, Ramona Caprariu Cinematographer: Ted Sakowsky Editors: Aaron Fauteux and Ted Sakowsky Sound: Ramona Caprariu Writer: Aaron Fauteux When Neil, whose face is covered in unusual lumps, meets Lola at a bus stop, he learns to see the world in a different way.

Outstanding 2nd year Documentary

The Pleasure Principle 8.10 min. Director: Ted Sakowsky Cinematographer: Andrew Morel Editors/Sound: Andrew Morel and Ted Sakowsky Reflexive documentary following a “Lady Azelle” while drawing attention to the filmmaking medium.

Best Fiction Film & Best Sound Award

Asteroid 12.10 min. Director: Kristina Mileska Cinematographer/Editor: Andy Kloske Sound: Emmerek Vanleur A young girl’s fantasy adventure with her grandfather allows her to come to terms with his illness.

Best Alternative Film (2 winners)

Fear 7 min. Director/Writer/Producer/Editor/Sound: Gebriel Balcha Cinematographer: Marco Lamera and Rany Naser The story of Tyler and his inevitable descent into the gruesome world of drugs and gang violence.

Best Alternative Film (2 winners)

Rough housing 7.30 min. Director/Cinematographer/Editor: Jeffrey Holiday Memories of growing up with brothers.

Best Documentary Film

Haunted by Presence 16 min. Director/Cinematographer: Jack Weisman Editor: Ashlee Mitchell and Jack Weisman Sound: Kieran Sherry “You have no control.”

Best Screenwriting Award & Best Script

Jew Girl #2 16 min. Director, Writer: Adam Singer Production Manager: Robert Murdoch Cinematographer: Gabriela Osio Vanden Editor: Alanna Smith Sound: Emmerek Vanleur Assistant Director: Cristina DiGiulio Production Designer: Lina Evans In this musical comedy, Jodie Blondelle wants nothing more than to play the lead in her high school’s Jewish version of the musical “Hairspray”. But the director has other plans in mind for her.

Best Cinematography Award & Special Jury Citation for Production Design

Tiny Mighty Tenma! 14.10 min. Director: Maria Todorov-Topouzov Writer: Grahame Hinton-Barber Production Manager: Kevin Luttman Cinematographer: Aaron DiMaria Editor: Kevin Luttman Sound: Peter Nielsen Production Designer: Erica Orofino “Tenma, Tenma, Tenma…Ah!!!”

Best Editing Award

Muna 12.35 min. Director: Lekeeya King Cinematographer: James Poremba Editor: Maria Todorov-Topouzov, Lekeeya King Sound: Phoebe Sequino Production Designer: Mong Tho Mach The story of a girl soldier.

Honourable Mention for the Fiction Film

Cupid 14 min. Director: Maria De Sanctis Writer: Devon Bain Producers: Maria De Sanctis, Devon Bain, Megan Berg, Rany Naser, Nathan Street, Lina Evans Cinematographer: Megan Berg Editor: Rany Naser Sound: Nathan Street The typical story of boy meets girl, except the boy is a magical figure sent from above and a complete f****** baby.

Honourable Mention for the Documentary

What If He Lives 17.30 min. Director: Peter Nielsen Cinematographer: Jeffrey Holiday Editor: Josh Devenyi Sound: Kevin Lutttman A mother’s struggle to ensure her son has a normal life.