2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection: Onion Skin

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection
Onion Skin

The YoungCuts Film Festival is pleased to announce that it has selected Joseph Procopio's short film Onion Skin as one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2011. The film is also shortlisted for consideration as Best Teen Film.

Onion Skin

*****

The Official Final Deadline of the YoungCuts Film Festival was June 15th. 

We are in the process of finalizing our Top 100. There is still an opportunity for films that we haven't received yet to trickle in after the deadline, we thought that we would begin announcing some of the films that we know will be included in our Top 100.

These won't be announced in any kind of order and they should not be interpreted as any kind of ranking, just that we have all the material for this particular film and that we do consider it one of the Top 100 short films by filmmakers 25 and under that we have seen (and will see) out of more than a thousand films that we have screened from more than 30 countries.

*****

Our Heroine

This week, we will be announcing some of our favourite Teen films leading to the announcement of all the films that will play in our Teen screening. 

Announced so far as Best Teen films:
Francesca Abbondanza-Bergeron's Switching Worlds
Jeremiah James' Send Me To Babylon 
Nic Weinfeld's The 36 
Phillip Bernardino-Gomez' MeJohn 

*****

With Friends Like These...

Onion Skin

Joseph Procopio

Directed and Written by Joseph Procopio


While maybe just a touch long, Onion Skin is an incredibly mature film from such a young filmmaker.

(Of course since this is Joseph's 10th film, he has a bit more experience than most 16 year old directors.)

The film is incredibly well-filmed and well-framed with a touch of magic realism.

Our judges especially liked the way that the friends of the two main characters acted as a disapproving opinionated Greek chorus.

*****

... Who Needs Enemies?

Runtime: 12 min: 27 sec

*****

The Rise of Thumbs...

Completion: March 2011

*****

The Death of Romance

Country of Origin: Canada (Ontario)

*****

Our Hero

Synopsis: A high school student turns heads when he decides to avoid text-messaging a girl in this comedy-turned-romance about the power of letter writing.

*****

The Note

Filmmaker Bio: Onion Skin is 16 year old Joseph Procopio's 11th film - a 10-minute narrative romantic short about the power of letter writing. Following a Casting Working Workbook Talent search in Toronto, Joseph discovered 5 new performers that he directed for Introduction to the screen in Onion Skin. He also hired seasoned character performer Jacqueline Tarne for the role of Wisdom.

*****

Wisdom

Onion Skin was produced with the help of a beginner high school/college crew and extras from 7 schools across Ontario. Joseph is currently writing his feature film directorial debut, while hoping that Onion Skin will help secure representation or the interest of a theatrical distributor. Joseph has been directing without pause, directing 11 short films since his debut at the age of eight with his film, Nine Times Eight. To date Joseph's 10 films have received 36 First Prizes and have screened at over 100 festivals worldwide.

*****

Making Eye Contact

Production Notes: Pre-production of Onion Skin began with a full screenplay beak-down, production strip-board, and an official Casting Workbook announced audition courtesy of Susan Forrest Casting. Film Office Location Permits and Front Row Insurance was then secured for a six day shoot on location at Villanova College in King City, and at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

*****

Eye to Eye

Filmmaker Age: 16

*****

Fireworks

The 2011 YoungCuts Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 29th. Screenings will be at the Guzzo Spheretech beginning on Friday, September 30th. The Teen Screening will be on Friday September 30th at 1PM. This will be a free screening presented as part of Les Journées de la Culture (Culture Days). The screening will end with presentation of the award Best Teen film. Stay tuned for details on how to enjoy the amazing films that we will be presenting including Onion Skin! 

*****

Connection

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection: MeJohn

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection
MeJohn

The YoungCuts Film Festival is pleased to announce that it has selected Phillip Bernardino-Gomez' short film MeJohn as one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2011. The film is also shortlisted for consideration as Best Teen Film.

MeJohn and Painting

*****

The Official Final Deadline of the YoungCuts Film Festival was June 15th. 

We are in the process of finalizing our Top 100. There is still an opportunity for films that we haven't received yet to trickle in after the deadline, we thought that we would begin announcing some of the films that we know will be included in our Top 100.

These won't be announced in any kind of order and they should not be interpreted as any kind of ranking, just that we have all the material for this particular film and that we do consider it one of the Top 100 short films by filmmakers 25 and under that we have seen (and will see) out of more than a thousand films that we have screened from more than 30 countries.

This week, we will be announcing some of our favourite Teen films leading to the announcement of all the films that will play in our Teen screening. 

Announced so far as Best Teen films:
Francesca Abbondanza-Bergeron's Switching Worlds
Jeremiah James' Send Me To Babylon 
Nic Weinfeld's The 36 

*****

MeJohn

Phillip Bernardino-Gomez

Directed and Written by Phillip Bernardino-Gomez


This film is a part of Reel Voices, a 12-week summer internship program of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation that empowers local high school students to learn the art of documentary filmmaking, become socially conscious storytellers, learn Final Cut Pro editing, and experience all stages of production and post-production. 

MeJohn is a fine short doc in the tradition of Errol Morris. It neither praises, condemns or judges. It lets MeJohn tell his story and assists him to tell it well. It helps that the director has chosen a fascinating subject for his film.

*****

Runtime: 5 min
Completion: September 2010
Country of Origin: USA (California)
Synopsis: An eccentric man goes through life collecting strange items such as pantyhose, his own brand of miniature cars, and anything else he believes that has a special value to it.

*****

MeJohn's storage room

Filmmaker Bio: I was born and raised in San Diego. I am an aspiring cinematographer. I spend most of my days playing video games, listening to music, reading, playing basketball and watching B horror movies (Yay Thankskilling). Some people think that my life has been hard, but I find my life to be funny. I graduated last year from Garfield High School, which is my 5th high school in 4 years, and I watch MMA religiously. Because of the standards I set for myself, I always wanted to go to USC (dreams do come true sometimes), so I'm going to transfer there from a community college.

Filmmaker Age: 19

*****

MeJohn and his treasures

The 2011 YoungCuts Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 29th. Screenings will be at the Guzzo Spheretech beginning on Friday, September 30th. The Teen Screening will be on Friday September 30th at 1PM. This will be a free screening presented as part of Les Journées de la Culture (Culture Days). The screening will end with presentation of the award Best Teen film. Stay tuned for details on how to enjoy the amazing films that we will be presenting including MeJohn!

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection: The 36

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection
The 36

The YoungCuts Film Festival is pleased to announce that it has selected Nic Weinfeld's short film The 36 as one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2011. The film is also shortlisted for consideration as Best Teen Film.

*****

The Official Final Deadline of the YoungCuts Film Festival was June 15th. 

We are in the process of finalizing our Top 100. There is still an opportunity for films that we haven't received yet to trickle in after the deadline, we thought that we would begin announcing some of the films that we know will be included in our Top 100.

These won't be announced in any kind of order and they should not be interpreted as any kind of ranking, just that we have all the material for this particular film and that we do consider it one of the Top 100 short films by filmmakers 25 and under that we have seen (and will see) out of more than a thousand films that we have screened from more than 30 countries.

This week, we will be announcing some of our favourite Teen films leading to the announcement of all the films that will play in our Teen screening. 


Announced so far as Best Teen films:
Francesca Abbondanza-Bergeron's Switching Worlds
Jeremiah James' Send Me To Babylon

*****

The 36

Nic Weinfeld with Cast and Crew

Directed and Written by Nic Weinfeld


The 36 is an earnest, well-executed story of human decency and bravery.

The judges admired the acting by the entire cast and the well-framed cinematography.

The black and white aesthetic gives the film historical gravitas.

*****

Touching Up

Runtime: 6 min: 48 sec
Completion: June 2011
Country of Origin: USA (Maryland)
Tagline: The best of us act humanely no matter the circumstances.

Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of hate and religious persecution in the Spring of 1945, an old Polish woman is given the opportunity to do nothing, or the right thing, when a young Jewish girl is attacked outside her window.

*****

Checking the Script

Filmmaker Bio: Nic currently attends boarding school at Interlochen Arts Academy. There, he majors in Motion Picture Arts, taking an array of film classes: everything from lighting to film genres. When at home, Nic is constantly collaborating with local professionals and holds an internship position at Discovery Communications. He believes his expertise to be in directing and cinematography. His passion for the art continues to grow.

Filmmaker Age: 17

*****

The 36 Behind the Scenes

Director’s Statement: "I was inspired by the “Lamed vav Zaddkim” a concept in Judaism that the fate of the world rests, at any given time, in the hands of 36 righteous people. They are put on earth to perform the healing of the world. They do not know they are one of the 36, nor does anyone else. They just go about their everyday lives, doing what is right and good. They go unnoticed because of their humble nature and commonplace vocations. They will always be among us. 

My film is set in 1945 Poland, after the Holocaust camps were liberated and WWII came to an end. The protagonist of the story is an older, Aryan, Polish woman who witnesses the harassment of one liberated Jewish woman passing through her town. She must make the decision whether to bring a Jew into her home despite the common prejudice that her neighbors hold towards them. Her actions towards this Jewish woman in her time of need was a rare act of kindness representative of that of the righteous 36.”

*****

Jennifer Weil

The 2011 YoungCuts Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 29th. Screenings will be at the Guzzo Spheretech beginning on Friday, September 30th. The Teen Screening will be on Friday September 30th at 1PM. This will be a free screening presented as part of Les Journées de la Culture (Culture Days). The screening will end with presentation of the award Best Teen film. Stay tuned for details on how to enjoy the amazing films that we will be presenting including The 36!

Fantasia 2011: The Unjust (First Sound on Sight review)

Leading up to this year's Fantasia Film Festival, I wrote a couple of blog posts about my favourite discoveries from Fantasia. I contrasted that list with Ricky from Sound on Sight's list from 2010 of the of the best films ever screened at the Fantasia Film Festival.

Fantasia 2011

Ricky was kind enough to contact me on Twitter to say, "@Llakor your blog is great. If you ever want another site to publish on, hit me up with an email."

Well, flattery will naturally get you everywhere with me, so I wrote up a review of The Unjust which you can find here.

The Unjust Poster

The Unjust aka Bu-dang-geo-rae
Written by Hoon-jung Park
Directed by Seung-wan Ryoo
South Korea, 2010
Fantasia imdb

In brief, while the film is a little rocky to start because it takes a while for the filmmaker to introduce all the characters and get all the plates spinning, once he does the film hits its groove and accelerates to a bleak but inevitable (and satisfying) conclusion.

The middle section of the film reminded me a lot of Changing Lanes or L.A. Confidential or Romanzo Criminale except where those films flinched and went with bullshit Hollywood happy endings, The Unjust keeps its artistic integrity and gives us the truthful ending no matter how dark and unhappy that ending turns out to be.

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection: Send Me To Babylon

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection
Send Me To Babylon

The YoungCuts Film Festival is pleased to announce that it has selected Jeremiah James's short film Send Me To Babylon as one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2011. The film is also shortlisted for consideration as Best Teen Film.

Living in a Post-Material World

*****

The Official Final Deadline of the YoungCuts Film Festival was June 15th. 

We are in the process of finalizing our Top 100. There is still an opportunity for films that we haven't received yet to trickle in after the deadline, we thought that we would begin announcing some of the films that we know will be included in our Top 100.

These won't be announced in any kind of order and they should not be interpreted as any kind of ranking, just that we have all the material for this particular film and that we do consider it one of the Top 100 short films by filmmakers 25 and under that we have seen (and will see) out of more than a thousand films that we have screened from more than 30 countries.

This week, we will be announcing some of our favourite Teen films leading to the announcement of all the films that will play in our Teen screening. 

Announced so far as Best Teen films:
Francesca Abbondanza-Bergeron's Switching Worlds  

*****

Send Me To Babylon

Jeremiah James

Directed and Written by Jeremiah James

Send Me To Babylon is a compact little story in the Oh Henry tradition dressed in the bloody rags of a post-apocalypse Zombie story.

Done with economy and minimal but real effects, the film is a great example of what Teen filmmakers can accomplish especially when they limit their canvas.

*****

Runtime: 3 min: 12 sec
Completion: November 2010
Country of Origin: USA (Texas)
Synopsis: Only a few humans remain... Who will survive?

Filmmaker Bio: Jeremiah James is a senior at Cypress Ranch High School in Houston Texas. He is hoping to study cinematic arts at USC, UT or FSU. He is the director of Cornerstone Cinema.

Filmmaker Age: 17

*****

Looking for a Meal

The 2011 YoungCuts Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 29th. Screenings will be at the Guzzo Spheretech beginning on Friday, September 30th. The Teen Screening will be on Friday September 30th at 1PM. This will be a free screening presented as part of Les Journées de la Culture (Culture Days). The screening will end with presentation of the award Best Teen film. Stay tuned for details on how to enjoy the amazing films that we will be presenting including Send Me To Babylon!

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection: Foodsploitation

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection
Foodsploitation

The YoungCuts Film Festival is pleased to announce that it has selected Adam Bagatavicius' short film Foodsploitation as one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2011. The film is also shortlisted for consideration as Best Quebec Film.

 Foodsploitation Title Card

*****

The Official Final Deadline of the YoungCuts Film Festival was June 15th. While we will only announce our full selection of our Top 100 around July 15th and while there is still an opportunity for films that we haven't received yet to trickle in after the deadline, we thought that we would begin announcing some of the films that we know will be included in our Top 100.


These won't be announced in any kind of order and they should not be interpreted as any kind of ranking, just that we have all the material for this particular film and that we do consider it one of the Top 100 short films by filmmakers 25 and under that we have seen (and will see) out of more than a thousand films that we have screened from more than 30 countries.

*****

Foodsploitation

Adam Bagatavicius

Directed and Written by Adam Bagatavicius

Foodsploitation is the best kind of experimental film.

It tells a coherent story. It's fun and funny. It rather gently satirizes horror films while simultaneously asking a serious question about how much we think about the food we eat and how we prepare it.

Our only mild criticism is that the film is just over one minute too long. Not that it isn't entertaining at 6 minutes, But if it was 5 minutes, it would be one of our 5 nominees for Best Short Short film and have an excellent chance to win the category.

The Chef: Hallway Horror

*****

Runtime: 6 min : 6 sec
Completion: April 2011
Country of Origin: Canada (Quebec)
Ligne du Film: Une fantaisie de nourriture exploitée. Spécialiste de cuisine crue et d'humiliation gastronomique, aucun ingrédient n’est à l’abri du Chef.
Tag Line: A food exploitation fantasia. Specializing in cringe cuisine and gastronomic humiliation, no ingredient is safe from The Chef.

The Chef: The Gripping Hand

*****

Synopsis: Le Chef prend les aliments d’un sac d'épicerie en otage et les pousse au-delà de leurs limites de douleur et de plaisir. Filmé du point de vue de chaque ingrédient, le niveau de l’utilisation fluctue de la terreur à la titillation; la Noix de Coco est empalée, la Carotte subit une circoncision malpropre, l'Oignon pleure à cause du chatouillement torturé et les Bleuets sont écrasés sous une pression extrême.

Présentant Tante Jemima à ses débuts dans le film Blaxploitation et mettant en valeur Le Chef dans son plus grand rôle au retour de son incarcération à la suite de ‘Pains sur le Bunsen Burner', préparez-vous pour une conclusion explosive qui laissera vos yeux avec une infection intestinale et incapable à tout jamais de regarder la nourriture de la même façon. Où a dormi VOTRE épicerie la nuit dernière?

*****

The Chef's Egg Guillotine

Synopsis: The Chef holds a bag of groceries hostage, and pushes them to the furthest reaches of pain and pleasure. Shot from the perspective of each ingredient, the exploitation meter ranges from terror to titillation as Coconut is impaled, Carrot undergoes a sloppy briss, Onion weeps from tickle torture, and Blueberries crack under the pressure.

Introducing Aunt Jemima in her Blaxploitation film debut, featuring The Chef's biggest comeback role since his incarceration following 'Buns on the Bunsen Burner', get ready for an explosive ending that will leave your eyes with gastro, and never able to look at food the same way again. Where did YOUR groceries sleep last night?

*****

Chef the Ripper

Filmmaker Statement: The Chef's Twitter Account

*****

The Chef Decapitates Ginger

Filmmaker Age: 25

*****

The Chef Slices, Dices, He Julienne Fries

The 2011 YoungCuts Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 29th. Screenings will be at the Guzzo Spheretech beginning on Friday, September 30th. Stay tuned for details on how to enjoy the amazing films that we will be presenting including Foodsploitation!

*****

The Chef's Taste Test

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection: Snowball

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection 
Snowball

The YoungCuts Film Festival is pleased to announce that it has selected Eric Bent's animated film Snowball as one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2011. The film is also shortlisted for consideration as Best Animated Film.

Mission Complete While Under Fire

*****

The Official Final Deadline of the YoungCuts Film Festival was June 15th. While we will only announce our full selection of our Top 100 around July 15th and while there is still an opportunity for films that we haven't received yet to trickle in after the deadline, we thought that we would begin announcing some of the films that we know will be included in our Top 100.


These won't be announced in any kind of order and they should not be interpreted as any kind of ranking, just that we have all the material for this particular film and that we do consider it one of the Top 100 short films by filmmakers 25 and under that we have seen (and will see) out of more than a thousand films that we have screened from more than 30 countries.

*****

Snowball

Eric Bent

Directed and Written by Eric Bent

Sometimes simple is best.

It is always tricky to tell a complete story in the context of a micro-short.

Snowball manages this tricky feat using simple animation techniques. (Note that by simple, we don't mean undifficult.)

While not exactly the same technique and used for humour rather than drama Snowball reminded the judges of great dramatic animated films from Montreal done in a similar style - most notably The Street.

Back to the Enemy

*****

Runtime: 1 min: 5 sec
Completion: 2010
Country of Origin: Canada (Quebec)

Synopsis: A young man becomes the target of a snowball thrower while making a snowman. Will he ignore it....or get back at him? (Somewhat based on a real event)

Turning to Face the Enemy

*****

Filmmaker Bio: Eric Bent is an animator, visual artist and (sometimes) musician originally from Aylmer, Quebec but now based in Montreal. He is currently undergoing his final year in the Film Animation Program at Concordia University, but plans to continue making films well after he graduates.

Filmmaker Age: 23

Filmmaker Statement: This film is based on something my older brother did to a neighbour's kid when we were young. I figured it would be a funny idea, and the simplicity of it made it ideal and easy to animate considering the technique (charcoal on paper).

***** 

The 2011 YoungCuts Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 29th. Screenings will be at the Guzzo Spheretech beginning on Friday, September 30th. Stay tuned for details on how to enjoy the amazing films that we will be presenting including Snowball!

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection: Oh Hey! - Drunk Driving PSA

2011 YoungCuts Film Festival Selection
Oh Hey! - Drunk Driving PSA

The YoungCuts Film Festival is pleased to announce that it has selected Bryce Bladon's short film Oh Hey! - Drunk Driving PSA as one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2011. The film is also shortlisted for consideration as Best Short Short Film.

Matt Hamilton

*****

The Official Final Deadline of the YoungCuts Film Festival was June 15th. While we will only announce our full selection of our Top 100 around July 15th and while there is still an opportunity for films that we haven't received yet to trickle in after the deadline, we thought that we would begin announcing some of the films that we know will be included in our Top 100.


These won't be announced in any kind of order and they should not be interpreted as any kind of ranking, just that we have all the material for this particular film and that we do consider it one of the Top 100 short films by filmmakers 25 and under that we have seen (and will see) out of more than a thousand films that we have screened from more than 30 countries.

*****

Oh Hey! - Drunk Driving PSA

Bryce Bladon

Directed and Written by Bryce Bladon

It is hard enough telling a coherent story in the super short form of a public service announcement.

Making it funny is even tougher.

But making a funny PSA about Drunk Driving?

Bryce Bladon and his team up the artistic ante considerably by telling a surprisingly funny one minute story about the perils of Drunk Driving.

Bryce Bladon

*****

Runtime: 1 min : 15 sec
Completion: January 2011
Country of Origin: Canada (Alberta)
Synopsis:  Two intoxicated men contemplate how to get home.

Connor Gaston

*****

Filmmaker Bio: Bryce Bladon is a man-child who friends and colleagues describe as relatively tall and pleasant-smelling. He’s received awards for his screenwriting and has works professionally in both the public and private sector as a filmographer and writer. He always feels narcasstic writing his own biography, but that doesn’t stop him from embellishing on how incredibly modest he is. Bladon typically writes and directs comedy, but has been known to dabble in drama, action, horror, and romantic-comedy/torture-porn.

*****

Bryce Bladon

Filmmaker Statement: Love. Passion. Anger. These are just three words that in no way relate to Bryce Bladon’s PSA on the dangers of drunk driving. Oh Hey is a rarely-seen comedic attempt on an otherwise serious topic.

*****

Connor Gaston Again

Filmmaker Age: 22

*****

Max Sussman

The 2011 YoungCuts Film Festival will begin on Thursday, September 29th. Screenings will be at the Guzzo Spheretech beginning on Friday, September 30th. Stay tuned for details on how to enjoy the amazing films that we will be presenting including Oh Hey! - Drunk Driving PSA!

*****

Megan Russell