Friday, April 20, 2012

Announcing the 2012 Bootleg Film Festival


Film Festival founded in Scotland makes North American debut
- Toronto home to 2012 Bootleg Film Festival -

TORONTO (April 20, 2012) – For the first time since its inception in 2008, the Bootleg Film Festival will be held in North America, May 10, 11, 12 at the TRANZAC in Toronto. Each day will feature a stellar lineup of officially selected national and international short and feature length films, concluding with special evening programming including comedy, music and an awards ceremony. Filmgoers will have the opportunity to view as many films as they like each day and participate in the evening programming with Pay What You Can entrance at the door.

We are pleased to welcome the Bootleg Film Festival to Toronto,” says 2012 festival programmer and organizer Jeffrey P. Nesker“The programming team this year has put together a dynamic program to entertain and inspire filmgoers and filmmakers alike.”

Selected from over 300 submissions, the 2012 festival will present 58 films from some of the gutsiest filmmakers working today, including the world premiere of award-winning comedian Darcy Michael’s One Skinny Bitch.

A festival for maverick storytellers, Bootleg is about showcasing high quality, arresting films that rival the best of Hollywood storytelling at a fraction of the cost with none of the hyperbole. Continuing with the festival’s mandate to break out new talent and support them as they make their journeys through this tough-as-nails business, the 2012 lineup has been carefully chosen to reflect the talent and diversity of leading independent filmmakers from Canada and around the world.

Founded by British filmmaker Tom Wilton, the Bootleg Film Festival sprang to life in September 2008 to showcase the best underground films, in a non-conformist, non-black tie event. Situated in the basement art gallery of a little coffee shop in Glasgow, Scotland, with audience members sitting on the floor of a makeshift screening space alongside new and established filmmakers, the three-day event was a great success. In February 2010, Bootleg Film Festival returned, this time to Swansea, South Wales. Again, the festival took a unique space and turned it into an art-house cinema, discovering even more new talent and welcoming back some previous filmmakers. In February 2011, with the goal to make a big noise in a new city every year, Bootleg hit London, England for its biggest showing yet. With more films than ever submitted, the Exhibit Cinema in South London served as the ideal space for the filmmakers and the audiences to share experiences, learn what it takes to get a film to market and most importantly, to inspire each other to keep fighting the good fight.

I’m really excited for Bootleg 2012, as Toronto marks the first time the festival will be happening overseas - something I couldn’t have dreamed of back in that little basement in Glasgow,” says Wilton. “Although the view might have changed a few times, the commitment has always been the same - to bring the best fresh films from around the world to new audiences every year.”

The Bootleg Film Festival is pleased to have the support of the following sponsors:  FilmbinderFinal DraftHoliday Inn,popchipsSobeysCome as You AreDavid Roberts Foodfresh and Pie in the Sky Studios.

Twitter:            @bootlegfilmfest
Facebook:       www.facebook.com/bootlegfilmfestival
Website:          www.bootlegfilmfestival.com
WHAT:           2012 Bootleg Film Festival
WHEN:           May 10, 11, 12
TIME:              visit www.bootlegfilmfestival.com for screening times and detailed programming (programming highlights below)
LOCATION:   TRANZAC, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto
TICKETS:      PWYC at the door

Programming Highlights:
Thursday May 10
  • 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.            Afternoon block of films
  • 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.       Evening block of films
Featured filmOne Skinny Bitch
  • 9:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.     Evening of comedy hosted by comedian Danny Mendlow
Featuring Lashings of Apologies, A Punch in the Box and Jape
  • 11 p.m. – 2 a.m.          Opening night / One Skinny Bitch premiere party
Friday May 11
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.          Morning block of films
  • 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.            Afternoon block of films
  • 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.          Evening block of films hosted by Adam Rodness (The Seder)
Featured film: The Seder
  • 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.        KickAss Karaoke with Carson Foster
Saturday May 12
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.          Morning  block of films
  • 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.            Afternoon block of films
  • 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.          Evening block of films hosted by cast of Making Funny Stuff
(Glen MacDonald, Daveed Louza, David Tompa)
Featured films: The Undrawn and Making Funny Stuff 3
  • 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.          Awards Ceremony and Closing Night Party featuring DJ Mishkin

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