The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration - The European event comes to Canada!

Our own editions to celebrate the vitality of the short film genre on December 21, 2013

MONTREAL, May 22, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration, which has been a big hit in France since 2011 and has subsequently spread to 12 other countries, will have its inaugural editions in Quebec and across Canada on December 21, 2013. The Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and Telefilm Canada are partners in presenting the event, with the support of the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC), which originated the project in France. Varied programs of shorts by filmmakers from Canada and France will be available for free screenings throughout the country. The idea of holding the event on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, stemmed from a desire to promote short films to local audiences by encouraging public screenings in a variety of venues. Whether online, in theatres or at different public or community sites, the presentation of short films during this short but intense day will give the public a chance to discover a great many filmmakers and their works.

"Quebec cinema is lively and innovative, and one of its creative strengths is definitely its short films. The SODEC therefore supports this art form, which is becoming increasingly known and appreciated around the world, and encourages its promotion and presentation in Quebec, Canada and abroad. Five Quebec theatres—Ciné-Centre in Baie-Comeau, Ciné-Centre in Sept-Îles, Cinéma Paramount in Rouyn-Noranda, La Maison du cinéma in Sherbrooke and Cinéma Le Tapis rouge in Trois-Rivières—have already agreed to participate in The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration by screening the films. Also, thanks to the partnership between the NFB, Telefilm Canada and the SODEC, we will be able to offer this program in a number of other locations in Quebec and Canada, which is an excellent way to attract a diverse audience and encourage a new generation of directors to become involved in the adventure of filmmaking," said François Macerola, President and CEO of the SODEC.

"Short films are a special and very valid film genre. Many acclaimed filmmakers and emerging talents choose to work in this format, which deserves to be discovered by an ever-growing audience. The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration is an original initiative that will expose Canadians to the best short films, in all their richness and diversity. With the support of Telefilm Canada and the SODEC, with our networks and our online Screening Room, NFB.ca, The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration is one more way of letting people learn about our creative talents and providing access to their accomplished, amazing and often avant-garde works," added Tom Perlmutter, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson.

"Supporting the promotion of short films is part of Telefilm Canada's mandate, and we are delighted to join with the SODEC and the NFB to launch the Canadian edition of The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration, which we hope will soon become a large-scale annual tradition," said Michel Roy, Chair of Telefilm Canada. "The short film format is growing in popularity, as witnessed by the fact that 44 Canadian shorts were selected for the third edition of our Not Short on Talent program at Cannes. Short films also often serve as a springboard for new filmmakers, as was the case for Chloé Robichaud, for example, who went to Cannes last year with her short film, Chef de meute (Herd Leader), and is returning this year with her debut feature, Sarah préfère la course (Sarah Prefers to Run)."

"We are very proud that The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration is coming to Quebec, our sister country and cousin, our alter ego in cultural diversity! The short film genre is popular, modern, creative and appealing, and encourages the development of young talents. Together let's celebrate this day in Quebec, which will truly be The Shortest Day in the world!" exclaimed Éric Garandeau, President of the CNC.

The French edition of The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration is already eliciting interest around the world, especially in Mexico, Greece, Bulgaria, Tunisia and Algeria, thanks to the efforts of the embassies, Alliances françaises and Instituts français.

For more details and to check out the programming of The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration after its launch, visit the Websites www.sodec.gouv.qc.ca, NFB.ca and www.telefilm.ca as well as follow the partners on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE: TELEFILM CANADA

Source:

SODEC
National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Telefilm Canada

Information:

Isabelle Melançon, Director of Communications and Institutional Affairs SODEC 
Tel: [phone]  Toll-free: 1-800-363-0401
[e-mail]

Lily Robert, Director of Corporate Communications
National Film Board of Canada
Tel: [phone] or 514-296-8261
[e-mail]

Douglas Chow, Manager, External Communications Telefilm Canada
Tel: [phone], ext. 2225, or 1-800-567-0890
[e-mail]