RICHARD HOSTS! LAKESHORTS KICKS OFF SUMMER IN TORONTO MAY 6 AND 7.
After reviewing over one hundred submissions from comedies to thrillers to compelling dramas, Lakeshorts International Short Film Festival will bring the world of cutting-edge independent short filmmaking to Toronto’s Lake Shore. The Festival, produced by Fifth Ground Entertainment Inc. in association with Lakeshore Arts, will celebrate its sixth year at The Assembly Hall at 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive on Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7, 2016.
Running for two evenings, the Festival will showcase some of the best independent short films from around the world. On Friday, May 6, the focus will be on the Scotiabank Loved and Local selections, featuring the works of local, emerging filmmakers and hosted by award-winning actor Rick Roberts (Saving Hope, Republic of Doyle, Rookie Blue).
Loved and Local films include: The Offer (10 min, Canada), a quirky story about a door-to-door salesman selling answers to life’s questions in the form of encyclopedias; Zero Recognition (10 min, Canada), starring Lauren Collins (known for her role as Paige Michalcuk in Degrassi: The Next Generation) who decides to brave the world of internet dating and quickly finds her ego and sanity unravelling; and Who Is Hannah? (14 min, Canada), an unlikely coming of age tale based on the true story of co-writer Claire Stollery’s experience of meeting her biological father.
The Gala event on Saturday, May 7 will showcase international and award-winning short films, and will be hosted by renowned film critic Richard Crouse. Blue Carpet arrivals for the Gala will commence at 6:30 p.m. followed by a pre-performance reception, and the screening will begin at 7:45 p.m.
Featured films at the Gala include: Wrinkles, old folk’s tale (12 min, France), a charming tale about four seniors who decide to leave their home; Remembrance Day in a Weapons Factory (7 min, UK), which takes its audience through the practical and psychological aspects of warfare and Avo (9 min, Iran), a story about a young boy who finds a way to stay in touch with his grandfather from beyond the grave.
For a full list of films, please visit www.lakeshorts.ca.
Lakeshorts is helmed by Artistic Director Michelle Nolden, a recent Canadian Screen Award winner for her ongoing role as Dr. Dawn Bell in CTV’s Saving Hope and soon to be released Prisoner X, and is produced by Fifth Ground Entertainment Inc.’s Chris Szarka.
“Over the past six years, we have watched this Festival grow from a grass-roots initiative to a city-wide favourite event,” said Nolden. “We are honoured to bring our passion for film to our community while making the world aware of our rich artistic life here in Toronto.”
Tickets for The Lakeshorts International Short Film Festival go on sale Friday, April 8 at 9:00am ET. Tickets to the Scotiabank Loved and Local are $40 and Gala tickets are $65, both available for purchase at 416-201-7093, and online at www.lakeshorts.ca. Door prizes offered include Samsung devices, Steam Whistle products and a bicycle from Oxygen Bike Co.
The Lakeshorts International Short Film Festival acknowledges outstanding achievement for featured short films through awards donated by local sponsors Agency 71 Inc., Cinespace Film Studios, City of Toronto, Deluxe Post Production Toronto, Scotiabank, Steam Whistle Brewing, TD Wealth, The Assembly Hall and William F. White International Inc.
For more information, please visit www.lakeshorts.ca or follow @LakeshortsFilm on Twitter.