TIFF in collaboration with Instagram has launched the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival, a digital shorts competition, which invites aspiring and established filmmakers from around the globe to upload their original 60-second-or-less short using Instagram video. Competition opens today; deadline for submissions is July 20, 2016. To submit, upload your entry on Instagram with hashtag #TIFFxInstagram and complete the submission form here.
“TIFF’s commitment to discovering and developing emerging filmmakers is unwavering,” said Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF. “Our collaboration with Instagram is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the work of filmmakers from all over the world and discover up-and-coming talent through the world’s largest creative digital community, showcased by the world’s largest public film festival.”
Marne Levine, chief operating officer of Instagram, said, “More than 500 million people are using Instagram each month for visual inspiration and creative expression, including video. Over the last six months, the total time people spent watching video on Instagram has increased by 150%. Filmmakers are already taking advantage of this platform to promote their work and to create films for the Instagram community. We are looking forward to be collaborating with TIFF to celebrate the craft of short filmmaking through the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival.”
TIFF programmers will select 30 finalists, which will be showcased on TIFF’s website and Instagram channel from August 8 to 17. A six-person jury comprised of film industry professionals and influential Instagram community members will then select one winner for Judge’s Choice Award. Judges include director Ava DuVernay (Selma) (@directher); writer-director Xavier Dolan (Mommy, I Killed My Mother) (@xavierdolan); music video director and photographer Nabil Elderkin, (Kanye West’s “Mercy”, John Legend’s “All of Me”) (@nabildo); and stop-motion animation artist Rachel Ryle (@rachelryle). In addition to the jury awards, online audiences can vote for their favorite film by liking it on Instagram. Voting closes August 17. The film with the most “likes” will receive the Fan Favorite Award. Awards will be announced August 18.
More judges and prizing will be announced in the coming weeks.
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More