Second edition of The Shortest Day: a treat for families, kids and movie-lovers of all ages!

Free screenings across the country of Canada's best short films: a fun way to mark the shortest day of the year during the holiday season

MONTREAL, Nov. 20, 2014  /CNW Telbec/ -The Shortest Day returns for a second year across the country on December 19, 20 and 21, 2014, with an outstanding program of new, classic and award-winning shorts by some of Canada's most talented filmmakers. This year's free event—a fun way for families and movie-lovers to celebrate the lead-up to the winter solstice on December 21, the shortest day of the year, and usher in the holiday season—features 27 shorts organized into three thematic programs Kids Under 8 (56 minutes), Family (88 minutes) and Comedy (13+, 99 minutes).

The free screenings will be held in more than 60 venues across the country, not just in movie theatres but in cultural centres, community spaces, schools, hospitals and public libraries—making the event accessible across Canada to as many cinemagoers as possible. Exhibition partners include most notably: the Halifax Central Library, Carlton Cinema (Toronto), Metro Theatre (Edmonton), Pacific Cinematheque (Vancouver), the Association des propriétaires de cinémas du Québec and the Corporation des salles de cinéma du Québec.

The Shortest Day was started in 2011 by the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) in France to celebrate an art form that has moved in exciting new directions in this age of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other popular mobile and online platforms. Presented in more than 50 countries, the event is sponsored in Canada by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Quebec's Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) and Telefilm Canada.

"We are incredibly excited to be ambassadors for this year's English-language films in The Shortest Day," said actors/filmmakers Michael Seater (Bank$tas, Life with Derek) and Paula Brancati (Being Erica, Degrassi: The Next Generation) of BrancSeater Productions. "Our experience at Telefilm's Not Short on Talent program at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where we screened our first short, Sly Cad, shed light on the vast talent of up-and-coming filmmakers that Canada has to offer. We are delighted with the variety of this year's group of films and can't wait to meet the filmmakers and celebrate the importance of this art form."

The films come from all regions of the country, from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia. From stop-motion animation to live action and experimental works, new releases to Oscar-winning classics, this year's The Shortest Day program offers a rich and diverse selection of films guaranteed to entertain and delight. These include:

• Godhead, Victoria, B.C. writer/director Connor Gaston's dramatic comedy about a mute boy with a powerful gift premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival;
• Infanticide!, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador-based writer/director G. Patrick Condon's award-winning comedy about a couple looking for that perfect family was the winner of the Best Atlantic Short Award at the 2013 Atlantic Film Festival;
• Josef and Aimée, directed and co-written by Toronto-based Ben Shirinian, this magical childhood love story about two children sent into hiding in the south of France during WWII is currently doing the film festival circuit; and
• Little Brother [Petit frère], Quebec City writer/director Rémi St-Michel's comedy about a troubled 14-year-old boy premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival Critic's Week.

To learn more about The Shortest Day

The microsite (www.theshortestday.ca) includes the trailer, as well as provides a list of the films in the program along with synopses and details about screening venues across the country.

You can also get real-time Twitter updates on the event via the hashtag #ShortestDay.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

About the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles
SODEC is a government corporation overseen by Quebec's Minister of Culture and Communications. It supports the creation and growth of cultural enterprises throughout the province. SODEC brings together the passion of artistic creation with the power of economic development and provides cultural enterprises with a range of solutions designed to nurture Quebec creators and promote the production, distribution and exportation of their work. Follow SODEC on Facebook, Twitter and visit www.sodec.gouv.qc.ca.

About the NFB
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) it's 75 years of innovation and leadership in social-issue documentaries, auteur animation, and most recently, groundbreaking interactive works. The NFB has produced over 13,000 productions and won over 5,000 awards, including 10 Webbys, 9 Canadian Screen Awards, 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. To access acclaimed NFB content, visit NFB.ca or download its apps for smartphones, tablets and connected TV.

Image with caption: "Paula Brancati, The Shortest Day ambassador (CNW Group/Telefilm Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141120_C8786_PHOTO_EN_8389.jpg

Image with caption: "Michael Seater, The Shortest Day ambassador (CNW Group/Telefilm Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141120_C8786_PHOTO_EN_8390.jpg

SOURCE: Telefilm Canada

For further information: Laura Sosin, Jive Communications, [phone], [e-mail]