During the final weekend of November at the Carlton Cinema here in Toronto you can see the latest flicks from Larry Kent (She Who Must Burn) and Chad Archibald (Bite). There is also a terrific selection of short films and to round out your festival experience BITS also has seminars on marketing, makeup effects and postproduction by filmmakers with lengthy dockets themselves.
If you want to attend any of screenings you are going to have to act fast. As of this publication the screenings for Bite and Secret Santa have already sold out. That is a first for the festival, two sold out screenings in less than 72 hours from announcing their lineup. You can buy tickets for the rest of the program here.
Friday November 27"Farhope Tower" 7:00 pm CANADIAN PREMIERE - Dir. April MullenA team of Paranormal Investigators venture into the infamous Farhope Building with the dreams of landing a TV deal, but get more than they bargained for when they come up against the most powerful spirits they've every faced. Once inside the building the spirits begin manipulating the team members, and the higher they climb the more everything spirals out of control.with the short film "Chiral" (11 min) Dir. Karen Lam CANADIAN PREMIEREAn anxiety-ridden art dealer (Nelson Leis) confronts a thief (Vanessa Walsh) at his art gallery reception, only to come face to face with his own Shadow Self."Night Cries" 9:30 pm WORLD PREMIERE - Dir. Andrew CymekAfter his world crumbles, Joseph will stop at nothing to find his wife while battling demons, psychopaths, and the ruler of this new apocalypse... a warlord known only as The Hat.with the short film "Grace" (10 mins) dir. Karen Nielsen CANADIAN PREMIEREA young girl, her dog and a stranger find themselves trying to hold onto their humanity when stranded together in a post apocalyptic world.Saturday November 28"PLEASE LIKE MY FILM: A Marketing for Distribution Seminar" - 3:30 pmIn an ever-crowded marketplace it is more and more it is up to the filmmakers to market their films. Join us for a round table discussion about how you can position your film best both to attract distributors and to get your films out to the public. Join us for a panel discussion with Susan Curran (Director of Marketing at Anchor Bay Canada/ Starz Home Entertainment), Avi Federgreen (Producer and Owner of IndicCan Entertainment), and filmmaker Gavin Michael Booth ("The Scarehouse")."The Dark Stranger" 4:00pm CANADIAN PREMIERE - Dir. Chris TrebilcockHaunted by a terrifying spirit out of her graphic novel, a young artist struggles to overcome her psychosis before it destroys her.with the short film "EGO NOXA" (7 mins) Dir. Mercedes Coyle TORONTO PREMIEREA girl's inner struggle with self-hate comes to life in a terrifying nightmarish form.BITS Short Film Showcase 7pm (94 mins)"Birthday" (6 mins) TORONTO PREMIERE - Dir. Richard LukacsA young girl's dream of becoming the savior of mankind by giving birth to the devil comes alive in this tribute to silent-era horror."Deathbox" (8 mins) TORONTO PREMIERE - Dir. Michael PereiraA lonely, conflicted hobo lives an existence defined by a dark, insatiable need. On this day, he crosses paths with a mysterious man who's also defined by an all-consuming, singular drive."Kurayami no Wa" (10 mins) TORONTO PREMIERE - Dir. Morgana McKenzieWhen Hallowe'en is hijacked by a Japanese doomsday cult, a girl and her siblings are forced to flee into the harsh conditions of winter."Return" (17 min) CANADIAN PREMIERE - Dir. Jon HyattA young couple purchase their new home to start a life together, only to find out the elderly couple next door have other plans for them."Marty" (16 mins) WORLD PREMIERE - Dir. Gregory FoxA traveling salesman reveals himself as a psychopath when he tries to fill the void his parents left."Aestas" (20 mins) CANADIAN PREMIERE - Dir. Guillaume ComtoisA man returning from a business trip saves a teenage girl from drowning. She disappears a few moments later, leaving the man quite shaken. His girlfriend tries to cheer him up, but she disappears too, when the teenage girl suddenly comes back."Seiren" (17 mins) CANADIAN PREMIERE - Dir. Kat ThrelkeldAfter a supermodel is bitten in the water by a mysterious creature while on a photo shoot at the beach, an infection takes hold that changes her behaviour and appearance. Over time she turns into one hell of a demonic sea siren whose thirsty for blood."Save Yourself" 9:30 pm CANADIAN PREMIERE - Dir. Ryan M. AndrewsFive female filmmakers en route to screen their new horror film in Los Angeles, experience their own real life terror when they cross paths with deranged scientist hellbent on using them for his mysterious experiments.with the short film "Never Tear Us Apart" (6 mins) dir. Sid Zanforlin CANADIAN PREMIERETwo friends try to survive an encounter with a couple of backwood cannibals."Secret Santa" 11:59 pm WORLD PREMIERE - Dir. Mikey McMurranA Horror/Comedy that tells the story of a group of eccentric college kids, struggling to get through the hectic exam period. A liquor filled party is planned with them adding a Secret Santa exchange for fun. Little do our characters know... a killer is in town and has a special present for all the good (and bad) girls and boys. Dare to open your present? It might be your last!with the short film "O Christmas Tree" (14 min) WORLD PREMIERE dir. Greg KovacsCarolers out to spread Christmas cheer get more than they bargained for at Mabel's house.Sunday November 29"MAKING IT LOOK GROSS: A Special Effects Makeup Seminar on Indie Films" - 12pm to 2pmOne of the keys to any great horror film big or small, is the bloody makeup effects. Join us for unique discussion with some of the top Special Effects Makeup artists in Canada today. They will talk about their experiences making indie movies and their tricks of the trade. This will follow by a practical special effects makeup demonstration by Ryan Louagie of "The Butcher Shop"."She Who Must Burn" 2:00 pm TORONTO PREMIERE - Dir. Larry KentThe Baarkers, a family group of religious fanatics who believe they are God's chosen ones, polarize a town and force it's residents to fight for their lives as their zeal turns murderous and the rule of law decays into brutish mob mentality.with the short film "Crazy Love" (12 mins) Dir. Helena Marie TORONTO PREMIEREPushed to her breaking point, an abused woman must decide whether to stay silent or fight back."FIX IT ON SET: Post Production Tips for Indie Films" - 2:30 pmThe postproduction process is one of the most important but least understood and least planned stage for filmmakers. Join us for an in-depth panel with leading sound designer/mixer George Flores, composer Steph Copeland and filmmaker and editor Justin McConnell that will discuss with you the best way to plan your postproduction on your next film."White Raven" 4:00 pm WORLD PREMIERE - Dir. Andrew MoxhamFour men head into the remote woods on an annual camping trip. As one of them gradually loses his mind, the weekend of fun takes a turn for the worse and the other three must fight for their lives.with the short film "And They Watched" (7 mins) Dir. Vivian Lin TORONTO PREMIEREAND THEY WATCHED is a horror morality tale about the custodian of an electric chair and its last casualty. Inspired by the recent reinstatement of the electric chair in Tennessee, US."Bite" TORONTO PREMIERE 7:00 pm - Dir. Chad ArchibaldWhile on her bachelorette party getaway, Casey, the bride to be, gets a seemingly harmless bite from an unknown insect. After returning home with cold feet, Casey tries to call off her wedding but before she's able to, she starts exhibiting insect like traits. Between her physical transformation and her wedding anxiety, Casey succumbs to her new instincts and begins creating a hive that not only houses her translucent eggs, but feeds on the flesh of others. As her transformation becomes complete, Casey discovers that everything can change with a single bite.with the short film "A Tale of the Bonesetter" (11 mins) Dir. Brett Kelly TORONTO PREMIEREA woman and her child visit a Bed and Breakfast in rural Quebec unaware of the town's history of child murders at the hands of an ancient Bonesetter.