NEWS RELEASE

April 17, 2012

TIFF NEXT WAVE FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ONTARIOS YOUNG FILMMAKERS AS WELL AS JUMP CUTS FINALISTS New offerings include the Jump Cuts Talent Lab and an exciting awards category expansion for the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase
Toronto TIFF announced today the launch of the Jump Cuts Talent Lab, an exciting new addition to the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, designed to foster the creativity and industry acumen of the next generation of filmmakers. Taking place on Saturday, May 12, 2012 and open to youth in grades 9 through 12, the Jump Cuts Talent Lab will offer participants the unparalleled opportunity to engage and learn from Jump Cuts Alumni and industry professionals, including Genie-nominated producer Anneli Ekborn; acclaimed cinematographer Luc Montpellier (Take This Waltz, Saddest Music in the World); and Slater Jewell-Kemker, 2011 Jump Cuts winner. Discussions will focus on the artistic side of filmmaking as well as the film industry. Highlights include: Filmmaking and Activism; The Art of the Music Video; and 10 Rules for Pre-Production and Production. Also announced today were the finalists for the Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase, which has expanded its awards categories to include recognition in animation, fiction, experimental, and documentary genres. Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase is a short film competition open to Ontario youth in grades 9 through 12 that highlights the creativity, originality and the unique vision of up-and-coming filmmakers. A selection committee assessed all the submissions and chose the finalists based on proficiency in form, expression, experimentation and content. Jump Cuts and the Talent Lab work hand in hand to foster and showcase the creative potential and the artistic vision of emerging young filmmakers, said Shane Smith, Director, Public Programmes at TIFF. From sharpening their skills and confidence to sharing their films on the big screen, these initiatives will provide them with invaluable opportunities as they continue to discover film in its many forms. I am very proud to be involved with the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, said 17-year-old Larissa Rinkoff, a member of the TIFF Next Wave Committee, the advisory group made up of 12 youth who help steer the festival. Its a unique event that brings filminterested youth together and enables them to take their first steps into the industry and showcase all of the wonderful work they have to offer to a wider audience. This year's Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase features 20 short films from 46 young filmmakers, ranging in genres from animation, experimental and fiction films to documentaries that cover many subjects, including mental illness, loss, gang violence, local farming, bullying, and duct-tape art. The 2012 finalists come from communities across Ontario, including London, Minden, Newmarket, Oakville, Picton, Scarborough, Toronto, Trenton and Woodbridge. The selected films screen Friday, May 11 at 12:15 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 at 3:15 p.m. at TIFF Bell Lightbox. A jury of filmindustry professionals will select the grand prizewinning films, which will be presented at the end of the Saturday screening. This years jury includes: Jennifer Jonas, producer at New Real Films; Adam Nayman, film critic for The Grid and contributing editor to Cinema Scope; and Angie Driscoll, Interim Artistic Director at the CFC World Short Film Festival, International Programmer for Hot Docs and Programmer for the Toronto Urban Film Festival.

The 2012 Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase Grand Prizes are as follows: Four Gertrude Lwengren Awards will be presented for Best Film Grades 912 in the categories of: animation, fiction, experimental and documentary. The Gertrude Lwengren Awards are generously supported by Garrett Herman. Each prize-winning film will also receive a Jump Cuts Bursary, to encourage the development of young voices in film. Full list of Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase finalists and Jump Cuts Talent Lab programme below. The inaugural edition of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival takes place May 1012, 2012. TIFF Members and the general public may also purchase tickets to school programme screenings subject to availability. Tickets for the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival are now on sale. Prices range from Student $9.50, a Student Saturday day pass $15.00, Adult $12.00, Senior $9.50, Children (13 and under) $8.50, School Programme $8.00, Talent Lab Pass $40.00 (subject to availability). For more information on screenings and activities, or to purchase tickets, please visit tiff.net/nextwave, call 416-599-TIFF (8433) or 1-800-599-TIFF or visit the box office at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Social: Twitter.com/TIFF_NET #TIFFNextWave Facebook.com/TIFF Facebook.com/TIFFNextWave

Trailer: See the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival trailer at tiff.net/nextwavetrailer The 2012 Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase Finalists Bicyclette, director Leah Giles, Grade 9, Oakville, ON A girl sets out on a bike ride and meets a rabbit. Born This Way, directors Kathleen Tedford, Bethany Little, Grade 10, Minden, ON Born This Way explores the pain brought on by homophobic bullying and the joy that comes from love and acceptance. Caretaker, directors Kevin Ballon, Amal Chandaria, Connor Cimowsky, Jesse Shulman, Grade 12, Toronto, ON After being cut from his high-school hockey team, Will finds consolation in a connection with an unexpected individual, formed from a small, but meaningful act of compassion. Chimera, director Jose Camargo, Grade 12, Toronto, ON Shapes following no pattern morph into one another, creating a variety of sensations. Cirque du Foret, directors Syd Brown, Christian Everall, Jemima Heinricks, Derek Marchewka, Claire Morse, Maddy Pilon, Oliver Skinner, Grades 11 and 12, London, Picton, Toronto, Trenton, ON Cirque du Foret is a mystery thriller, inspired by a true story told about a young girl who unwillingly leaves on a camping trip with her obnoxiously affectionate parents. When she wakes up alone one morning, she sets out into the forest to find them. What she discovers is truly horrifying. Define Me, directors Michael Perreira, Patrick Santos, Grade 12, Toronto, ON Four teens explore how they are defined within the context of mental illness.

A Hunger For Change, director Sophie Armstrong, Maarika Farmer, Cathy Ren, Grade 11, Newmarket, ON This documentary on local farming examines a cross-section of views through interviews with local grocers, educators, citizens and students. I Wish For, director Dhenzel Obeng, Grade 10, Toronto, ON An experimental animation asks if we have forgotten the gifts that have made our society functional. Lamb White Fields, director Samuel Peters, Grade 11, Toronto, ON A man yearns to return to a state of 'child-like' faith. Let Go, directors Kenneth Collins, Chloe Carr, Nicki Skelhorn, Grade 9, Toronto, ON A son writes a letter to his deceased mother, with the genuine hope that he will be able to move on. Lost Connections, director Patrick Lee, Grade 9, Toronto, ON Fifteen-year-old Logan becomes isolated and depressed after his brother dies while under his care. He then focuses his efforts on communicating with his brother's spirit. Memories, director Joseph Procopio, Grade 12, Woodbridge, ON Sometimes, bits and pieces are all that remain of a love best forgotten. Moving on is knowing when to leave them behind. Outcast, directors Maggie Shanahan, Liz Srebot, Daniella D'Angelo, Grade 12, Newmarket, ON Two sisters start attending a new school and have trouble getting along with a girl they think is very weird. As the story unfolds, one sister realizes that things are not what they appear to be. Piece of Cake, directors Susan and Katherine Procopio, Grade 9, Woodbridge, ON Opening a cookbook reveals the secret recipes to mouth-watering dishes in an I Love Lucyinspired comedy about beautiful cuisine. Rivals of the Cube, directors Joshua Shum, Sowmya Tata, Amina Shabeen, Alvin Varghese, Grade 11, Scarborough, ON Victor, a quiet student, is bullied by the popular Rival, until Victor discovers a tool with which to outsmart his tormentor. Mastering his new skill, Victor prepares for himself a final showdown. Ronnie Rocket, director Angus McMaster, Grade 12, Toronto, ON Based on the script by David Lynch, a detective tries to make sense of a terrifying dystopian world. Savvy, directors Alisha Bishop and Maggie Scheffee, Grade 10, Minden, ON An inventive take on the horse of a different colour. Tapeology: The Art of Duct Tape, director Emily Chau, Grade 11, Newmarket, ON This short documentary reveals a new perspective on tape commonly seen as a simple household item through the eyes of a duct tape artist. Water, director Randall Perando, Grade 12, Toronto, ON Beauty is found in the everyday ways we experience water.

What is Necessary, directors Jared Valkki, Muhammad Waqar, Matthew Andrade, Mary Ellen Brown, Anson Yu, Grade 12, Scraborough, ON Without clear direction in his life, Matt joins a gang. After a gang fight, his girlfriend leaves him and his gang wants him to seek revenge, leaving Matt in an ethical dilemma. Jump Cuts Talent Lab The Art of the Music Video and Life Beyond Sean Wainsteim, 2011 MuchMusic Director of the Year, has directed several award-winning music videos that have been animated, live action, and a combination of both. His latest video, Little Boxes by Walk Off The Earth, has received over two million hits on YouTube since March. Sean will discuss how to pitch a music video idea and how to align that vision with that of the musicians. 10 Rules for Pre-Production and Production Anneli Ekborn, Genie-nominated producer and alumni of the Canadian Film Centre and the National Screen Institute, will discuss topics such as funding, cash flow, pitching, ACTRA and producer myths. Through the Eyes of a Cinematographer Learn secrets of cinematography with veteran and emerging cinematographers/directors of photography Luc Montpellier ( Take This Waltz, Saddest Music in the World) and Maya Bankovic (Three Walls). Writers Circle: Screenplay Workshop Tina Cooper, screenwriter of multiple award-winning short films and story editor, will workshop a few lucky screenplays submitted in advance, offering creative and practical advice. Jump Cuts Alumni Filmmaking and Activism Slater Jewell-Kemker, 2011 winner of the Gertrude Lwengren Award for Best Film at Jump Cuts, will give a workshop on filmmaking and activism, and challenging youth to use filmmaking to communicate issues they are passionate about. Introducing Slater will be Max Parr, 2010 Jump Cuts winner and former TIFF Next Wave Committee member. Max is currently studying film at the Tisch School for the Arts at New York University. Behind the Scenes Tips from Festival Programmers A panel of short film programmers, including Shane Smith, Director, Public Programmes at TIFF, will discuss what they look for in short films and give tips on How to Festival. About TIFF TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $170 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.

TIFF is generously supported by Lead Sponsor Bell, Major Sponsors RBC, L'Oral Paris, and Visa, and Major Supporters the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto. MTV is the Media Partner of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival. -30For information, contact the Communications Department at 416.934.3200 or email proffice@tiff.net.