Films that participated in the 2009 Atlantic Film Festival are automatically entered for consideration in this year’s Short Film Faceoff. In addition, Short Film Faceoff will be seeking new films that have been produced in the region in 2009/10. Films chosen for Short Film Faceoff will be eligible for participation in the 30th Atlantic Film Festival in September. Films must be under 12 minutes in length; must not have been previously broadcast on television and must have been produced by Atlantic Canadians. Directors must be available for tapings at CBC Halifax. The exact shooting dates likely be in the last two weeks of May 2010. Again this year, a panel of industry professionals will provide commentary and discuss the creative and technical aspects of the films with the filmmakers on air.

The series also has a competitive component. The panellists will choose their top films and ultimately the viewing public gets to vote for their favourite film. CBC and our sponsors will be offering a prize made up of cash and production services to be used by the winning filmmaker towards his or her next film.

If you are interested in entering your film in this year’s series, please send us a DVD copy of your film c/o:

Short Film Faceoff III
c/o Atlantic Film Festival
1601 South Park Street
Halifax, NS, B3J 2L2

The deadline for entries is May 30, 2010

For films that participated in the 2009 AFF, if you do not wish to have your film considered or if you do not own the broadcast rights, please let us know by May 30th. A jury made up of AFFA, CBC and award sponsors will determine the nine films to air this year.

Playing the Machines features the stories of three people: “Trailer Park Boys” actor and VLT addict, John Dunsworth; Susan Piercey, from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, a young woman who started gambling at 18 and took her life; and the late Garnet Rhyno of Halifax, “a devoted husband and father who loved life” until he became addicted to VLT’s.

Narrated by Gordon Pinsent, Playing the Machines is directed by Barbara Doran and produced by Rob Blackie (Morag Loves Company, St. John’s, NL) in association with CBC Newsworld.

“Director, Gerry Rogers’  beautiful portrait of Canadian singer/songwriter Ferron,  known for influencing Mary Gauthier, The Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco is a must see. This one hour film captures Ferron’s salt of the earth folk stylings and features a live performance in Vancouver as she re-unites with her old band mates after 10 years.” 

On Bravo! Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9 p.m. Eastern time / 6 p.m. Pt (10:30 in Newfoundland)

P.S. Ferron will be playing live in Canada on the following dates:

Jan. 28th,  London –  Music Club, 470 Colborne Street

Jan. 29th,  Waterloo - Original Princess Cinema, 6 Princess Street West

Jan. 30th, Toronto - Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas Street West 
   
Jan. 31st, Halifax - Halifax Dead of Winter Folk Festival

Check out Ferron Online for details.