2024 Awards and Official Selections
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TD PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD:
CRIME NEVER GETS OLD – William Manning
HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY:
FIRST PLACE – THUNDERBIRD AND KILLER WHALE: S-HWUHWA’US & QUL-LHANUMUTSUN
Directed by Jason Cheng (BC, Canada)
SECOND PLACE – CRIME NEVER GETS OLD
Directed by William Manning (Ontario, Canada)
THIRD PLACE – DOOM-SCALATOR
Directed by William Manning (Ontario, Canada)
SIMCOE COUNTY CATEGORY:
FIRST PLACE – MIRROR MIRROR
Directed by Zach Price
SECOND PLACE – LIVE WIRE: THE ART OF JAMES PATERSON
Directed by Ben Frisch
THIRD PLACE – REFLECTIONS
Directed by Nathaniel Stafford Navarro
OPEN CATEGORY:
FIRST PLACE – DISARMED
Directed by Jason Perini and Lucy Green (Australia)
SECOND PLACE – DRAINSPOTTING
Directed by Andy Oxley & Joshua Gaunt (UK)
THIRD PLACE – CRITIC
Directed by Richard Perryman (UK)
Here is the full list of the 2024 Official selections that were shown at the festival.
2024 Official Selections
Comb-a
Directed by: Phoenix Hsuen
Cast: Luca Marzura, Phoenix Hsuen, Luka Jovanovic, Antonio Montesano, Brian Song, Howard Zhang, Soma Kido-Belanger, Nejaiyah Leo-Briggs
Action/Comedy, 3:30 min. (Canada)
High School Category
Local mob boss, Antonio Montesano finds himself in a car accident after tripping on his shoe laces onto incoming traffic. Stuck in a coma, he must battle his inner self doubts.
Crime Never Gets Old
Directed by: William Manning
Voices: William Manning, Noah Grittani, Laura Ing, Quinn Lytle, David Manning
Film noir/Stop-motion Animation, 4:48 (Canada)
High School Category
Detective Wendell Kent solves mysteries by putting the pieces together.
Critic
Directed by: Richard Perryman
Cast: Macadie Amoroso, Nasi Voutsas
Drama, 6:08 min (United Kingdom)
Open Category
At a dinner party, sparks fly between Nick and Laura, but their growing connection is tested when a professional clash causes an uncomfortable confrontation.
Disarmed
Directed by: Jason Perini and Lucy Green
Cast: Lucy Green, Esther Williams, Tim Dashwood
Drama, 7:00 min. (Australia)
Open Category
After freezing at gunpoint, Alex’s determination to correct her past inaction dissolves into a dangerous obsession as she trains to disarm an attacker.
Disconnect
Directed by: Riley Wadden
Cast: Anas Hasan, Sydney Banton
Drama, 8:50 min. (Canada)
Open Category
The romantic relationship between two influencers is put into question after one of them deletes their social media.
Doom-Scalator
Directed by: William Manning
Cast: Tyson Pearce, Aris Karzai
Comedy, 1:06 (Canada)
High School Category
Impending doom can only be thwarted by finishing a sandwich.
Drainspotting
Directors: Andy Oxley & Joshua Gaunt
Documentary, 9:37 min. (United Kingdom)
Open Category
A novelty calendar of drain covers turns humble lengthsman Archie Workman into a curious form of celebrity.
The Last Supper
Directed by: Trudy Flashford
Cast: Rylie Abbotts, Lynn Woodman, Alex Pearce, Meredith Vuchnich, Tyson Pearce, Jesse Clark
Drama, 4:36 (Canada)
High School Category
All hell breaks loose when Betty’s narcissistic grandmother and obnoxious older sister come home for a family dinner.
Live Wire: The Art of James Paterson
Directed by: Ben Frisch
Features: James Paterson
Documentary, 10 min. (Canada)
Simcoe County Category
This short documentary captures the creative journey of artist James Paterson as he brings his first children’s book, Saturday Morning, to life. Known for his unique, large-scale moving wire sculptures, Paterson’s vibrant and joyful style is translated into two dimensional “wirestrations” that correspond with images in his latest machine. The film delves into the development of his work, his deep connection between faith and art, and the pivotal moment when his completed book finally arrives. Live Wire offers an intimate look at an artist whose playful creations inspire wonder and awe.
Low Budget Short in a Restaurant (Corto de bajo presupuesto en un restaurant)
Directed by: Martín De Benedetti
Cast: Miriam del Prado, Ibon Belandia, Martín De Benedetti
Comedy, 9:48 min. (Spain)
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Open Category
A couple finds out that they are living inside one of the most boring and awkward scenarios: a low budget short.
Mirror Mirror
Director: Zach Price
Producer Jakob Price
Cast: Amanda Gilmore, Jason Mericier, Curtis Latham
Horror, 8:34 min. (Canada)
Simcoe County Category
Erica is forced to reflect on her deepest insecurities during therapy, unintentionally feeding into something sinister.
Reflections
Directed by: Nathaniel Stafford Navarro
Cast: Agasti Kulkarni, Vadym Kosovych
Drama, 5:29 min. (Canada)
Simcoe County Category
Rin, a seemingly likable college student, hides his despair and anxiety behind a polished exterior. His life feels like a dual existence—one public and one private. While sifting through old belongings, he discovers a childhood journal that reminds him of the dreams he once had. Deciding to confront his inner demons, Rin shatters the metaphorical mask he’s worn for so long. Embracing his true self, he shares his story, becoming a symbol of resilience and self-acceptance, inspiring others to do the same.
Thunderbird and Killer Whale: S-hwuhwa’us & Qul-lhanumutsun
Directed by: Jason Cheng
Featuring: John Qap’u’luq Marston
Documentary, 8:09 min. (Canada)
High School Category
Stz’uminus Master Carver John Marston embarks on a journey to revitalize the traditional art of canoe carving in his community. This film chronicles John’s creative decisions on the “Thunderbird and Killer Whale” canoe and its journey to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, where it is now on permanent display.
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