Prestigious jury selected for RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition

- Countdown to select top five films begins -

TORONTO, May 17 /CNW/ - RBC and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) today announced the panel of industry experts that have been appointed to judge the 2010 RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition.

    
    The 2010 Jury Panel

    -   Anthony Cianciotta - Acquisitions, D FILMS
    -   Claudia Landsberger - Co-founder, European Film Promotion and Head of
        Holland Film
    -   Clement Virgo - Film Director (Lie with Me, Poor Boy's Game)
    -   Damon D'Oliveira - Film Producer (Rude, Lie with Me)
    -   Jody Shapiro - Producer, Director (The Saddest Music in the World,
        Green Porno)
    -   Luc Déry - Winner of the 2006 CFTPA Producer Award (Un Crabe Dans La
        Tete)
    -   Michael Girgis - President and CEO, Onestop Media Group
    -   Michael McMahon - President and Executive Producer, Primitive
        Entertainment
    -   Michel Reilhac - Executive Director, Arte France Cinema
    -   Nicholas de Pencier - President, Mercury Films Inc.
    -   Noah Richler - Producer, Host, Journalist
    -   Paul Gratton - Board Member, ACCT
    -   Ralph Zimmerman - President and Founder, Great North Artists
        Management Inc.
    -   Robin Cass - Partner and Producer, Triptych Media
    -   Sarah MacLachlan - President, The House of Anansi Press
    

"We're very pleased that such esteemed producers, directors and executives from the film industry have agreed to judge the participants in our inaugural competition. RBC recognizes the huge value of supporting emerging talent," said Jennifer Tory, RBC president for Greater Toronto. "We look forward to publicly showcasing this talent and vision around the important theme of water - the world's most precious natural resource."

"Through the TIFF Talent Lab and the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition, we are proud to help showcase some of the best and brightest talent to the world," stated Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF. "As an organization, our goal is to nurture and support the next generation of talent and we are delighted to once again be partnering with RBC through this important initiative."

The RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition has received 18 submissions from filmmakers across Canada and the United Kingdom. The celebrated group of jurors will review the short films and select the top five films which will be posted online this June. Winners will be announced immediately prior to this year's Festival, with prizes awarded to the top two jury-selected films and one Fan Favourite, selected from online votes. The winner will receive $15,000; the honourable mention $10,000 and the Fan Favourite will be awarded $5,000.

Last fall, RBC announced the launch of the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition in partnership with the TIFF Talent Lab. This is an annual competition providing up and coming filmmakers who participate in TIFF Talent Lab with cash prizes and the opportunity to showcase their work and talent to the international film community via TIFF.

In Spring 2009, TIFF Talent Lab held an open call for entries from aspiring filmmakers and convened an intensive four-day program where select attendees could network and learn from some of the world's revered filmmakers. After participating in the Talent Lab, the artists were asked to develop and submit a three to four minute short film on the topic of water for the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition. Each of the TIFF Talent Lab participants received a portable high definition camera and a bursary donated by RBC.

    
    2010 RBC Emerging Filmmaker Participants

    -   Trevor Anderson - Edmonton, Alberta
    -   Denise Blinn - Toronto
    -   Annie Bradley - Toronto
    -   Britt Crowley - Scotland
    -   Sonya Di Renzo - Toronto
    -   Stephen Dunn - St, John's, Newfoundland
    -   Walter Forsyth - Halifax
    -   Michelle Latimer - Toronto
    -   Elizabeth Lazebnik - Toronto
    -   Ayelen Liberona - Toronto
    -   Paul Matthews - Toronto
    -   Svet Rouskov - Toronto
    -   Daniel Schachter - Montreal
    -   Tamara Scherbak - Montreal
    -   Martin Smith - Scotland
    -   Katarina Soukup - Montreal
    -   Jane Tattersall - Toronto
    -   Ana Valine - Toronto
    

For more information about the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition, visit www.rbc.com/tiff2009.

About RBC and the Arts

RBC sponsors a wide-range of grassroots and local initiatives that contribute to the cultural fabric of our communities. Proud to support events and passions that resonate with our clients and all Canadians, RBC provides opportunities for up-and-coming artists through programs such as the RBC Canadian Painting Competition, one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world; and the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition, part of our commitment as the Official Bank and major sponsor of the world's top public film festival - the Toronto International Film Festival(R).

About TIFF

TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. TIFF generates an annual economic impact of $135 million CAD and currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts upon the largesse of over 2,000 volunteers year-round.

For further information: Jackie Braden, Sponsorship Communications, RBC, [phone], [email protected]