Vaughan Film Festival screens student works as part of opening night
Four-day event continues with seminar, additional international screenings

Yorkregion.com
May 17, 2016
By Adam Martin-Robbins

Cristian Nigro is overjoyed about having the short film he created along with four of his schoolmates screened opening night of the Vaughan Film Festival Monday.

"It's amazing," said the Grade 12 St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School student. "It's a great catalyst to start out and learn how everything works. And it's amazing just to get the experience of all doing this altogether."

The film he helped create, Tempo, runs two-minutes and follows a lonely musician performing out on the streets.

It was one of 17 student films, out of more than 50 submissions from a slew of GTA schools, to make the cut and be screened at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan, 3555 Hwy. 7.

Festival co-founder Antonio Ienco said it was difficult to whittle the student submissions down to 17 because the crop was so strong.

"There's a lot of variety this year and it was the toughest year, by far, in making a decision as to who got in," he said. "It's great to see because that's why we put this thing together. We want to see filmmakers utilizing the platform that's in front of them and they're doing it."

Actor Daniel Groleau and cinematographer Joshua Capone, of St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Caledon, were thrilled that The Harvest, a horror film they created with a group of their classmates, was tapped to be part of the fourth annual festival.

"It's actually really cool,"said Groleau who plays Luke. "To be part of the Vaughan Film Festival, that's not a small deal. I'm really exited about this."

Following the student screenings was the first block of six international films featuring an array of genres including: Ron Taylor: Dr. Baseball, nominated for best documentary; Oscar-nominated, Palestinian comedy Ave Maria, up for best director and best actress; as well as Italian drama Nuvola, which garnered multiple nominations including best film, best cinematography and a best actor nod for Mimmo Cuticchio.
Nuvola filmmaker Giulio Mastromauro flew in from Rome Monday afternoon to take in the reaction to his debut short.

"I think that this festival is very good," he said. "I read about a lot of the films and the (quality) level is high. ... I hope the audience enjoys my film."

The four-day event continues Tuesday with an industry seminar, Success in Acting, taking place in the Showroom at Dave & Busters, 120 Interchange Way.

The second and third block of international films roll Wednesday at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The festivities wrap up Thursday night with the awards show, including the presentation of the Independent Leadership Award to William Baldwin.

The awards show gets underway at 7 p.m. at Paramount Convention Centre, 222 Rowntree Dairy Rd.