CBCs Short Film Face-Off goes national

Following three successful seasons of broadcasting to Maritime audiences, the CBC's Short Film Face-Off is going national with its new season, starting Saturday June 18 at 8pm.

For those who don't know, in each episode of Short Film Face-Off three films are screened for a studio audience and for viewers. A panel of judges---this season it's Laurie Brown, Mohit Rajhans and Sherry White---who provide commentary and discuss the creative and technical aspects of the films with the directors. The studio audience then votes to choose a finalist from each episode and then the viewing audience at home will ultimately choose the top film via telephone and internet voting beginning July 2.

One of the first films to be considered in competition is the Nova Scotian representative, Rhonda's Party, directed by Ashley McKenzie. Produced through AFCOOP's Film Five Program, Rhonda’s Party tells the story of a nursing home resident who's devoted months to planning her best friend’s 100th birthday celebration, only to learn her friend passed away the night before the party. It stars local theatre veteran Marguerite McNeil (Marion Bridge) and Genie-Award winner Karine Vanasse (Polytechnique). Rhonda's Party also features the work of cinematographer Becky Parsons and editor Thorben Bieger.

In order to reach the final round, Rhonda's Party will compete against Down to the Wood by Newfoundland filmmaker Kelly Davis, and In Between by Toronto's Nadine Valcin.