Worldwide Short Film Festival Opening Night Gala & Reception

As I hurried to make my way to the Opening Night Gala programme in a semi-formal attire, I felt even more fancy walking the red carpet laid out in front of the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. While waiting to get inside the cinema, my excitement was building up as soon as I laid eyes on the WSFF short bus, a mobile theatre cruising the city during the festival along with the exuberant energy and enthusiasm of the staff and volunteer

Finally seated next to some friends, the lights dimmed as official festival programmers began to detail this year’s festival screenings, 244 films from 35 countries, and the hard work that was put into the selection process after the original submission of close to roughly 5000 short films. As soon as the Honourable Michael Chan, the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Sport wrapped up his welcoming comments to a very excited crowd to the official gala screening of this year’s Worldwide Short Film Festival, we proceeded to watch some very interesting and global selection of films.


7 shorts were screened for a total of 80 minutes which felt like time  flew by so quickly that I was left wanting more, which is fantastic because there are loads more of short films to come starting today. 


The shorts screened included Luminaris (Argentina) , Dripped (France), Armadingen (Germany),Grandmothers (UK), Trotteur (Canada), The Fisherman (Mexico), and The Elaborate end of Robert Ebb (France/UK).


Hands down my favourite short was Armadingen. Being one of the very few people who actually liked the original film Armaggedon, it was really cool watching what would potentially be happening on earth to individual families if a meteor rock were to hit and destroy the planet. In this story we see an old couple’s daily routine, just going about their business when Walter, the husband hears the devastating news on television and like anyone of us would be, his whole perspective of what’s important in life changes instantly. Walter lets go of his anger and makes an effort to connect with his wife, Helga, his loved one in order to cherish those last moments together.


Another one of my favourites, The Elaborate End of Robert Ebb which starts off as a scary monster story and turns into something completely different. A security guard, Robert, plans to leave his shift early to meet up with his girlfriend for a movie but those plans are completely put to rest by his supervisor and in turn he decides to get a little “creative” in order to keep his date plan intact. Although comedic, it shows a case of some serious pranking gone wrong and the potential danger zone one can end up in! Careful guys, watch out for that slime!


Are you interested yet? Bet you are! Without a doubt this is a worthwhile selection to catch at the repeat on Sunday, June 10th at 9:30pm at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. For schedule information:www.shorterisbetter.com

The night did not end with just the screening of the shorts as the lovers of shorties were herded into 4, may I say, extremely clean chartered TTC buses that were en-route to drop us off at the very posh mood-lit, palm-tree enclave of the C-Lounge for some mingling & networking. The generosity of the festival did not end there as not only did all attendees get a free drink ticket but also got fed with some delicious appetizers!


Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! What a smashing start to the next few days of the power-packed Short Film Festival.




- Myra Rehman
T: @myrawales ; F: www.facebook.com/myrarehman

Also posted on: www.iheartmoviesto.com