VIFF2020: The Shorts Program

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Join Tasha Simms and Marc Caron as they Speak with Sandy Gow, the VIFF programmer for the short Films Series. An often overlooked aspect of the Vancouver International Film Festival is the must-see Short Films series, programmed by the estimable Sandy Gow.

https://viff.org/

2020 Vancouver International Film Festival
International Shorts Programs

Animated Tales

Various Countries, 2019-20, 102 min.

There is something about animation that enables us to slide into a different level of perception
and suspension of disbelief. I am sure it has to do with the artistic rendering of imaginary worlds
in combination with some imaginative storytelling that transports us to completely plausible
altered states of reality, where the rules of our everyday world do not apply or are applied in
unconventional ways that shake us out of our routine and ingrained ways of thinking. There is
plenty of artistry and storytelling magic on display in this terrific collection of animated short
films, each so different and all so good. From the digital technical wizardry of Dreamworks to hand
painted old cell style animation and marvelous puppet animation, these shorts use a wide range of
styles and techniques to take their entertaining and moving tales to another level of proficiency.
Absolutely fabulous.

Come Hell or…

Various Countries, 2019-20, 109 min.

This has been a year of struggle for people all over the world, and in this program of short films
people are doing their best to live and survive in the midst of hardship, come hell or…
Commitment is a major factor in many of these films; commitment to self preservation, to family,
to one's cause, to changing your life or fortune. To achieve these things you have to be willing to
sacrifice, not always by choice, and sometimes actions can have unintended consequences and
casualties. Identity plays a role here too, how we perceive our self and how others see you can
effect events in your life, sometimes in ways we cannot control. Between the high drama, some
wonderful black humor and terrific performances, this collection is sure to get your senses working
overtime.

Release Me From This Darkness
Various Countries, 2019-20, 108 min.

In a year when so many lives were upended and destroyed, this program of short films where
people are tormented, tortured or oppressed by forces they cannot control seems oddly
appropriate. These are stories about victims of a screwed up world gone wrong, dysfunctional
families, long term suffering, victims of grief and loss, of racial and homophobic prejudice. Doubly
victimized! Though the nature of these repressive forces is wide ranging, from socioeconomic
marginalization to a natural disaster, there is hope offered in some of these films, but it comes at
a price. Fortunately the underlying dark themes are often offset by surprising humor delivered
through wonderfully original characters and situations. There is some terrific film making and
storytelling on display here, just be ready for a real emotional roller coaster ride.

Tell Us About Her Life
Various Countries, 2019-20, 108 min.

Though there has been much publicity about the under representation of women directors and
lead female roles the past several years, there was an abundance of both in International Shorts
this year. Given this, a program highlighting women's stories seemed an important way of
showing how this is changing. This collection of moving and insightful dramas and semi-
experimental pieces, five with female directors, features a range of strong characters, terrific
performances and high quality film making in their frank and insightful depiction of ground
breaking women, everyday heroines and flawed characters.

About Sandy

Sandy Gow has been the International Shorts Programmer for the Vancouver International Film Festival since 2009. He has been with the VIFF for over 30 years in a number of positions; as programmer of feature films and the Walk on the Wild Side midnight series in the 1990’s, Print Traffic Coordinator, Technical Manager and Database Administrator. Sandy has also worked with many other film festivals over this period including the Sundance Film Festival for eight years, the Los Angeles Film Festival, AFI Fest and the American Film Institute, SilverDocs, the Seattle Film Festival and the Palm Springs Film Festival. Prior to working with the VIFF Sandy was the Producer of two major “artist-run”independent exhibitions, Artropolis in 1987 and Artropolis 90 at The Roundhouse in 1990. He also co-founded and was Managing Editor of the Vancouver based independent arts magazine ISSUE.

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  Sandy Gow, Shorts Program, VIFF