Opening Ceremonies
Aaron Blaise is an animation feature film director, animator, concept artist, and wildlife artist. For 21 years Aaron worked with Disney helping to create some of the greatest animated films ever made. During that time he worked as an animator or supervising animator on "The Rescuers Down Under", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", "The Lion King", "Pocahontas", "Mulan" and more!
His latest film, Snow Bear, will be making it's Canadian Premiere as part of this year's Film Fest (you can check it out by grabbing tickets for our “From the Heart” Block, which will screen at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema (506 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1Y3) on April 9th at 9pm).
Aaron will also be leading this year's Industry Conference Opening Keynote, which is free to attend for all pass holders on Friday April 11th at the Marriott Courtyard Toronto Downtown (475 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario) in the Courtyard A/B Hall!
NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE
A wolf and mountain lion team up when a meteor unleashes a virus turning zoo animals into zombies. They join forces with other survivors to rescue the zoo and stop the deranged mutant leader from spreading the virus.
From The Heart
PG-13 Films with deep emotions, some uplifting, some sad, some melancholy or bittersweet, but it's always From the Heart. Includes the Canadian Premiere of Aaron Blaise's Snow Bear.
Generational Gems (presented by Guru Studio)
G-Good for kids and their grownups, some deeper stuff but always fun, heartfelt and overall full of Gems for multiple Generations.
Fresh Perspectives (presented by Sheridan College)
PG-13 All made by Post Secondary students, this runs the gambit from comedy, to drama to musical and action packed. Regardless of the genre there's always a "Fresh Perspective".
The Spirit of Storytelling (Co-presented by ImagineNATIVE)
PG-13 Featuring films both historic and recent made by incredible indigenous filmmakers. These amazing films fill a variety of genres but always show off the "Spirit of Storytelling". Made in collaboration with TAQQUT, Imagine Native.
Kaleidoscope Kollection
14+ Experimental, quirky, delightful, artistic, introspective, innovative. So many beautiful colours that we could only call it the Kaleidoscope Kollection.
The LAAFIs (Comedy)
PG-13 Comedy, slapstick, silliness, shenanigans, absurdity, this block is so funny even the name is a pun. Welcome to the LAAFI's.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie - Feature
Porky Pig and Daffy Duck are Earth's only hope when facing the threat of alien invasion. We're all doomed.
Tiny Tot Tales (presented by 9 Story Media/Brown Bag Films)
G-Made for the littlest kids, full of fun, charm and adorable friends. Welcome folks of all ages to Tiny Tot Tales.
World's Divide
A young woman (Natomi) is forced to leave the dystopian future of Earth to the lush world of Esluna where she discovers new psychokinetic abilities, and that her father is worshiped as a God. Natomi makes it her mission to find her father with the help of a ragtag group of new friends while on the run from a tyrannical princess.
Future Filmmakers
PG-13 Made by the students of several Toronto high schools, this block ranges a variety of genres but one thing is for sure. These directors are all great "Future Filmmakers”.
Sunburnt Unicorn
Lost in an endless desert, an injured teenager adopts the identity of a mythical Unicorn to survive surreal encounters and rescue his father from the Cactus King.
Fright Night: The Horrors Persist
18+ A late night haunt filled with the scary, the unnerving, the claustrophobic and the startling. But still with heart and artistry. Even after this Fright Night is over the Horrors will still Persist.