Smile by Christos Tsirbas, first place award winner at the 2008 Toronto Urban Film Festival

TUFF is the Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF), which has the admirable mission to show silent films to the commuters of Toronto. The festival, which takes place 11-20 September 2009, comprises an urban-themed programme of new one-minute silent films, which run repeatedly on the ONESTOP digital network of over 270 platform screens on fifty subway platforms of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for seven days. The top three films of the festival are chosen by a Guest Judge; this year writer/director/actor Don McKellar. The program for the final Saturday of the festival is determined by audience votes as is the winner of the TUFF Choice Award.

TUFF is open to local, national and international submissions by video artists, filmmakers – trained and untrained – animators and urbanites with cameras or video capable mobile devices. Filmmakers are asked to submit one-minute silent videos addressing one of seven themes: Urban Encounters; Urban Diversity; Urban Journeys; Urban Imaginary; Urban Natural; Urban Secrets; and Urban Ideas. Deadline for submissions is 15 July 2009. It is free to submit; filmmakers retain their rights, and have a chance to win prizes, including a trip for two to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic courtesy of BelAir Travel. Films must be 60 seconds (exactly); 720 x 480, square pixels if possible; 30 fps, deinterlaced if possible; no audio. And you don’t have come from Toronto to take part.

For more information, visit the TUFF Website at www.torontourbanfilmfestival.com and follow TUFF activities through its social media pages: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.