One-Minute Silent Films Back On Toronto Subway Platforms

Gail Chiasson, North American Editor

The Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF), North America’s largest commuter film festival, is rolling out its sixth annual edition from beginning today until Sept. 17, 2012.

Coinciding with the annual Toronto International film Festival (TIFF), TUFF will screen 73 one-minute, silent films from 18 countries on Pattison Onestop‘s subway platform screens in 63 TTC stations across Toronto. Viewers can vote online for the TUFF Viewers’ Choice Award.

New this year are an online program ‘Too TUFF for the TTC’; a spotlight on Canadian artist Steve Reinke; and a special showcase of films made with the LomoKino movie camera. Too TUFF for the TTC involves animated films that are liked but judged inappropriate for viewing on the transit system.

TUFF will present over $20,000 in cash and prizes at its Awards Gala on Sept. 16. Judging is by a panel of judges with Jennifer Baichwal, acclaimed documentary filmmaker, as guest judge.

The films are seen by more than 1 million commuters daily.

TUFF is co-produced by Art for Commuters and Pattison Onestop, and is funded by the Ontario Arts Council and NBCUniversal Canada.


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