Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

April 10, 2007

Student Organizes Indie Film, Music Festival

Submissions are now being accepted for the inaugural SharpCuts, a two-day independent film and music event to be held on campus in the fall during Homecoming. The event is being organized by Thomas Gofton, a fourth-year psychology major and head of local Lynnvander Productions.

Filmmakers, screenwriters, actors and musicians will converge in Guelph for the event, taking part in a series of live performances, film screenings, workshops and competitions, including a screenwriting contest, a battle of the bands and a 24-hour film festival.

“This event is bringing together a tremendous amount of talent and providing a forum to profile the local film and music scene that thrives in Guelph and its surrounding area,” said Gofton. “It’s really exciting to see this vision becoming reality.”

Gofton’s company also produced the locally shot movie Four Aces, which is set to premiere at the Guelph Galaxy April 26. Some of the movie’s scenes were filmed on campus.

Gofton says the inclusion of both film and music in the festival was a natural because the two media constantly intersect. “I don’t think you really have one without the other today. Movies use music all the time. Music uses video and film all the time. I love both.”

Confirmed guests at the free two-day event include U of G graduate Laura Bertram, a two-time Gemini Award winner who starred in the TV shows Ready or Not and Andromeda and is currently appearing in CTV’s Robson Arms; Governor General’s Award-winning playwright and U of G drama professor Judith Thompson; and Guelph drama professor Pat Flood, who designed sets for Atom Egoyan’s Genie Award-winning screenplays Where the Truth Lies and Ararat.

Also scheduled to attend are Guelph graduate Ryan Galletta, who founded Bright Matter Entertainment; local musician, screenwriter, producer and director Philip Carrer; Vans Warped Tour veterans and award-winning band Ill Scarlet; punk, ska, reggae and rap outfit The Next Best Thing; and musician Tim Tibbits.

Gofton says he’s been encouraged by the amount of support SharpCuts has received in the early stages of getting it off the ground, including recent support from the Gordon Nixon Awards. “All the people we’ve approached jumped on without question as soon as they heard it was for indie artists.”

The call for submissions runs through Aug. 1. For more information, contact Gofton at 519-362-5756 or tgofton@uoguelph.ca or visit the event's website.