Fantasy Worldwide Film Festival

[chasing8]

If you can help out or attend, then great. I volunteered last year and saw a lot of great films. If you have a submission, or know someone who does, please let them know it'd be a great way to get one's work out there.



TORONTO, CANADA – The 2nd annual FANTASY WORLDWIDE Film is scheduled for October 27-29, 2006 and is now accepting submissions. The deadline is Wednesday, May 31, 2006.

The Festival welcomes beginning and veteran filmmakers alike, as well as projects from low-budget to blockbuster, short films to feature-length, and animation to live-action. Included in the Festival are films from the following genres: world mythology, fantasy (except for horror), mysticism, magical realism, science fiction, historical fiction, legend and archetype.

FANTASY WORLDWIDE is perhaps the most unique festival of its kind, focusing primarily on fantasy whereas most fantasy film festivals focus on horror and science-fiction. The Festival’s goal is to give the often ignored fantasy genre the respect it deserves. This mission is achieved by, among other ways, showing how the films’ mythological elements can serve as examples and metaphors that give insights into the cares and concerns of our everyday lives.

The Festival also presents awards for Best Feature Film, Best Short, Best Documentary and Best Animation. Other awards include The People’s Choice and Special Recognition for a Local (Canadian) Filmmaker.

The first annual FANTASY WORLDWIDE Film Festival took place in Toronto on November 4-6, 2005 at the Bloor Cinema, an Art Deco landmark located downtown in the heart of the Annex. News of the Festival reached over 6 million people all over the world thanks to widespread media coverage from many popular television, radio and newspaper outlets. 31 feature films, shorts, documentaries and animations from 6 continents were presented to an enthusiastic Toronto audience. Entries were from such varied places as the United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Turkey, Chile, United States, Canada, Egypt, Ireland, Georgia, Poland, Belgium and Portugal.

The Gala Parties were held at the popular downtown Toronto nightclubs The Vegas Bar, PUR Supper Club and Banzai.


Some of the highlighted films of the 2005 Festival:

The Gala Opening feature film G.O.R.A., from Turkish director Omer Faruk Sorak, won the subsequent People’s Choice Award. The audience greatly enjoyed this touchingly humorous intergalactic romp that spoofs such popular blockbusters as Star Wars, The Matrix and The Fifth Element.

The Gala Closing Film was Lord of the Brush, directed by Canadian Gretchen Jordan-Bastow. This documentary focuses on the wonderful art of John Howe, longtime illustrator of the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. He was also instrumental in helping to plan the stunning visuals for Peter Jackson’s film versions.

Moongirl follows the adventures of a young boy who, along with his flying squirrel, must save the moon. This short, which won for Best Animation, is by American Henry Selick, the award-winning director of the extremely popular The Nightmare Before Christmas (nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects) and the critically acclaimed James and The Giant Peach.


FANTASY WORLDWIDE is a not-for-profit undertaking that relies on the generous support of sponsors and volunteers.

More information on last year’s films and events, as well as on submission guidelines, obtaining media accreditation, volunteering and becoming a sponsor for 2006 can be found at their website, or by contacting:

Johanna Kern
Executive & Artistic Director, FANTASY WORLDWIDE
info@fantasyworldwide.com
416-422-4432

[kyektulu]

It looks great, I wish that I could go...