The Toronto International Film Festival revealed the 24 Canadian short films on the 2018 lineup that will excite, challenge, and inspire Festival audiences this September. The 2018 lineup celebrates the work of 15 female filmmakers, 15 TIFF alumni, and two Indigenous filmmakers.

“We are thrilled to be able to present so many compelling new works by some of the best filmmakers in the country. This year’s program includes both emerging talents and directors who continue to amaze us.” said Lisa Heller and Jason Anderson, Short Cuts Programmers TIFF.

The Festival’s Canadian short-film selection showcases masterful films that tell stories of complex human relationships and introduce a range of characters facing diverse challenges, from coming to terms with one’s own identity to understanding the importance of heritage, family, and the fragility of friendships.

Highlights from returning TIFF alumni include: Galen Johnson, Evan Johnson, and Guy Maddin’s latest film, the action-packed Accidence; award-winning editor Matthew Hannam’s directorial debut, Paseo; Caroline Monnet’s portrait of a Chippewa female mixed martial artist, Emptying the Tank; and Amanda Strong’s stunning new stop-motion animation, Biidaaban (The Dawn Comes).

The Festival’s Canadian short-film slate also includes: Alison Snowden and David Fine’s Animal Behaviour, which marks the Academy Award–winning duo’s first collaboration with the National Film Board in 20 years; Claire Edmondson’s EXIT, a powerful drama starring Maria Bello; Jérémy Comte’s award-winning drama Fauve; a striking film from emerging Toronto filmmaker Sofia Bohdanowicz, Veslemøy’s Song; renowned visual artist Celia Perrin Sidarous’ Slip; and the latest from Colombian–Canadian filmmaker Lina Rodriguez, ante mis ojos.

All 20 Canadian films in the Short Cuts programme are eligible for the IWC Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film and the IWC Short Cuts Award for Best Short Film.

The 43rd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 6 to 16, 2018.

SHORT CUTS

7A Zachary Russell | Canada
World Premiere

Accidence Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson | Canada
North American Premiere

Animal Behaviour Alison Snowden, David Fine | Canada
North American Premiere

Biidaaban (The Dawn Comes) Amanda Strong | Canada
World Premiere

Brotherhood ( Ikhwène) Meryam Joobeur | Tunisia/Canada
World Premiere

Caroni Ian Harnarine | Canada/Trinidad and Tobago/USA
World Premiere

Dziadzio Aaron Ries | Canada
World Premiere

Emptying the Tank Caroline Monnet | Canada
World Premiere

EXIT Claire Edmondson | Canada/USA
World Premiere

Fauve Jérémy Comte | Canada
Toronto Premiere

GIRLFRIENDS ( AMIES) Marie Davignon | Canada
World Premiere

Glitter’s Wild Women Roney | Canada
World Premiere

Good Boy Fantavious Fritz | Canada
World Premiere

If This Isn’t Love ( Si ce n’est pas de l’amour) Luiza Cocora | Canada
World Premiere

Little Waves ( Les petites vagues) Ariane Louis-Seize | Canada
World Premiere

My Boy ( Mon Boy) Sarah Pellerin | Canada
World Premiere

Norman Norman Sophy Romvari | Canada
World Premiere

Paseo Matthew Hannam | Canada
World Premiere

The Subject ( Le sujet) Patrick Bouchard | Canada
Toronto Premiere

Veslemøy’s Song Sofia Bohdanowicz | Canada
North American Premiere

WAVELENGTHS

ALTIPLANO Malena Szlam | Chile/Argentina/Canada
World Premiere

ante mis ojos Lina Rodriguez | Colombia/Canada
World Premiere

Sira Rolla Tahir | Canada
World Premiere

Slip Celia Perrin Sidarous | Canada
Toronto Premiere