Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2008.

News release: Sept. 22, 2008

The National Screen Institute announces its newest film lineup for the NSI Online Short Film Festival, with 26 short films from Canadian directors rolling out on the NSI website over the next three months including a spotlight on works from Canadian film schools.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a quality, year-round, 100% Canadian online film festival showing around 100 short independent films each year. New films and audio interviews with each film’s director are posted to the NSI website each week. All NSI website content can be accessed for free.

-40C directed by Paul Davis (Whitehorse, Yukon)

An on-call teacher in Canada’s Northwest bicycles to work through darkness, ice fog and cold so deep it can break steel.

133 Skyway directed by Randy Redroad (Big Soul Productions, Toronto, ON)

A homeless man trying to get his guitar out of hock is aided by a troubled friend and a sympathetic pawnshop employee.

About the Girl directed by Kevin Hoffman (North Bay, ON)

The death of a mutual friend brings three estranged high school friends together after years apart.

Alone in the Dark directed by Ari A. Cohen (Montreal, QC)

A music video illuminating a chapter in the life of Canadian jazz legend Jackie Washington.

Cavallino (Pony) directed by Carlo Ghioni (Montreal, QC)

A film with no dialogue, this beautifully photographed look at family ties unfolds in a day in the Italian countryside.

Coming Home directed by Brandy Glovka; Catherine Murphy; Angela Voght  (Galiano Island, BC)

This collaborative work made through the Gulf Islands Film & Television School on Galiano Island introduces us to respected Aboriginal elder Florence James. Part of the festival’s spotlight on film schools this fall.

Dave Foley & Fans directed by Brian Smith  (Toronto, ON)

Two exuberant tourists from Sudbury meet actor Dave Foley in a Toronto hotel lobby.

Dedashka directed by Tamara Scherbak (Montreal, QC)

An elderly man tries to hold on to his memories of time spent in a forced labour camp during World War II. Part of the festival’s spotlight on film schools this fall.

Doppelganger directed by John Hollinger (Edmonton, AB)

On his wedding anniversary a man sees himself everywhere he turns. Who are all these people that look just like him?

Down and Derby directed by Sarah Boothroyd (Ottawa, ON)

Fishnet stockings, tattoos and roller skates: a short profile of Ottawa’s roller derby queen.

Go Kill Yourself directed by Nicholas Humphries (Vancouver, BC)

A woman on the brink of suicide finds the meaning of life through cookies.

Grover’s Mill directed by Paul St. Amand (Bedford, NS)

Rising star Orson Welles is joined for a radio interview by legendary author H.G. Wells but they are interrupted by the arrival of an alien spacecraft hovering overhead. Part of the festival’s spotlight on film schools this fall.

Hollyburn directed by Jason Cox (Burnaby, BC)

When a father and son embark on one of their many hunting trips near their cabin in the woods, an accident forces young Ben to deal with the issue for the rest of his days.

In/te/gra/tion directed by Hiroko Hara (Galiano Island, BC)

A poetic exploration of language, nationality, gender and ethnicity. Part of the festival’s spotlight on film schools this fall.

Judder directed by Emily Baxter (Winnipeg, MB)

A stop motion animation detailing the lives of characters in a fractured reality, functioning at different frame rates.

Kodiak directed by Andrew McLeod (Vancouver, BC)

A rediscovered love for a childhood pastime heals the pain of heartbreak for Lucky as he finds the resolve to play the biggest ball-hockey game of his life.

Life Lines directed by Catherine Cooper; Julia Szucs; Sandy Brown; Marsha Mildon (Galiano Island, BC)

Three women explore their own lives and emotions to discover answers to the difficult choice of whether to have children. A production of the Gulf Islands Film & Television School and part of the festival’s spotlight on film schools this fall.

Pillow Fight directed by Chris Griffin (Vancouver, BC)

Two teenagers at a slumber party provide a glimpse into the world of the modern thirteen year old girl.

Seelenheil directed by Tim Tyler (Saskatoon, SK)

Animated tale of a serial killer captured in Nazi Germany who is freed nine years later by American soldiers who have no knowledge of his violent past.

Sleepless directed by Mike McLaughlin (Edmonton, AB)

Andy, who can no longer sleep, spends his time wandering the town until he meets Meg, also an insomniac.

Sounds From Hell directed by Jason Cox (Burnaby, BC)

A group of scientists drilling in Siberia uncover sounds emanating from deep in the earth, with deadly results.

That Was Easy directed by Kevin Hoffman (North Bay, ON)

An aging con man picks the wrong victim.

The Morning After directed by Kaleena Kiff (North Vancouver, BC)

Two people awkwardly dance around the events of the night before. Should they cut their losses or give it a shot? Part of the festival’s spotlight on film schools this fall.

The Passengers directed by Jordan Hay (Nepean, ON)

A shifty boss takes two of his employees on a convoluted mission to get their last paychecks.

The Steady Rolling Man directed by Michael Vidler (Vancouver, BC)

A man alone on an ominous dirt road has one goal: to escape his past. Will he read the signs correctly?

Touch directed by Terry Boake (Vancouver, BC)

A dramatic ensemble detailing the lives of six people and their connection through the language of touch. Part of the festival’s spotlight on film schools this fall.

This is the second official selection of films in the NSI Online Short Film Festival. A $2,500 award for best film will be presented in December. New films are solicited four times a year and must be short narratives not longer than 30 minutes. Drama, comedy, animation and short documentaries are all eligible but they must tell a story and must be Canadian.

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is currently accepting film submissions. Submit films for free by Friday, November 7, 2008 on DVD only. Print out the application form available online.

In addition to the NSI Online Short Film Festival, the NSI website also has an Online Industry Centre with professional development resources including blogs, industry articles and video and audio interviews with writers, directors, producers and actors from the film, television and digital media industries.

The NSI Online Industry Centre has been made possible in part through the support of Presenting Sponsor Telefilm Canada. We also gratefully acknowledge the ongoing financial contributions of our additional Founding Site Sponsors: Rogers, Canwest, Insight Film Studios and MANITOBA FILM & SOUND.

Media enquiries

Glynis Corkal, Marketing & Communications Manager
Direct line: 204-957-2995 | Email: glynis.corkal@nsi-canada.ca

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