So the big T word is coming to town this week. You know, that event with all the big movies and big fancy celebrities. But for movie-goers who like to keep things a little more obscure, there’s another film fest opening this week: the fifth annual Toronto Urban Film Festival, a nine-day event of short silent films that promises, literally, to keep its films on the down low by screening on TTC platforms. Here’s how the two fests square up.
Acronym
Toronto Urban Film Festival: TUFF
Toronto International Film Festival: TIFF
Winner: TUFF, obviously. For sounding so tough.
Number of silent films
TUFF: Sixty-three. The official list will be announced Friday, Sept. 9, at 10:30 a.m. on the southbound platform at Dundas subway station.
TIFF: One. The Artist, by French director Michel Hazanavicius
Winner: TUFF. With 63 to choose from, you’re bound to find at least one silent film you’ll enjoy (although The Artist is getting pretty good reviews).
Screening locations
TUFF: On platform screens, in over 60 of Toronto’s subway stations, every 10 minutes and non-stop at designated film zones, like Bloor and St. Andrew stations. Screenings will also take place at Room 222 at The Drake Hotel.
TIFF: Films are screened at 27 locations downtown, including the TIFF Bell Lightbox and Roy Thomson Hall. They’re typically shown every two hours, beginning as early as 10 a.m.
Winner: Draw. Though it’s awfully convenient watching a film while waiting for the subway, there’s nothing like watching a movie on the big screen, especially at the swanky Lightbox.
Price
TUFF: Free
TIFF: Depending on the movie, prices range anywhere from $20 for a single ticket to $300 for a double gala pass.
Winner: TUFF, duh.
Big celebrity jury member
TUFF: Film director Atom Egoyan is the sole judge and will select the top three films of the festival as well as the winner of the Naish McHugh Award for Emerging Filmmakers.
TIFF: Actress Liane Balaban and director Sturla Gunnarsson (Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie) are among those who will select the top Canadian feature film at this year’s fest.
Winner: TUFF. They’re all super cool and super talented, but Egoyan has the slight edge thanks to his Oscar nom and those glasses he’s been rocking for twenty years.
Toronto Urban Film Festival runs from Sept. 9–18