The Toronto Short Film Festival. Hosting filmmakers from many countries in one of the world’s great film cities makes for an amazing festival full of talent, enthusiasm, and dozens of fabulous films.

http://www.torontoshort.com/

Matthew Toffolo Interviews Festival Co-Ordinator Claire Barnes:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Claire: We work to make the Toronto Short Film Festival one of the best places in North America for short filmmakers to screen and be seen.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Claire: This is our first year: we look forward to seeing how the festival will change to keep up with Toronto filmmaking trends in the future.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Claire: We’ll be showing over fifty short films, showcasing the best of international short filmmaking to our Toronto audience.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Claire: A broad programme of fantastic short films accompanied by director Q&As.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Claire: We’re especially excited to be prioritizing low-budget films of independent spirit and exciting new talent.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Claire: We plan to change with the times: Toronto is a hub for new trends in filmmaking, and we hope to continue to show new talent and exciting new ideas at the festival.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Claire: With over fifty film festivals based in Toronto, the Toronto filmmaking community and local cinephiles really have no shortage of options when it comes to appreciating cutting-edge filmmaking. The film culture continues to grow and diversify, and it’s a challenge and a pleasure to put together a festival that truly offers the best of short filmmaking to a well-informed and film-savvy audience.

Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?

Claire: It’s difficult to choose just one, but I keep on coming back to the whole Hitchcock canon. It’s fascinating to see how Hitchcock defines the parameters of what we now consider as suspense in film.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.