Canada's Top Ten 2008 Announced

Canada's Top Ten 2008 films have been announced, including 10 features and 10 short films. After catching up with all the features from last years Top Ten, I found them to be some of the best films I've seen in the past year therefore this is one list to keep an keep handy as a recommendation films.

Having already had a chance to catch up with C'est pas moi, je le jure! / It’s Not Me, I Swear! and Pontypool during TIFF'08 I can say we are in for a treat with the remaining 8 features.

The films will be shown at Cinematheque in Toronto from January 30 - February 7, 2009.
Prices: All 10 features + 2 shorts screenings: $65*
Single Tickers to film, shorts programme or panel: $8*
* plus services charges

Not in Toronto? Have no fear, a selection of the films will tour to Vancouver’s Pacific Cinematheque and Ottawa’s Canadian Film Institute in early 2009.

Tickets are available for purchase online, by phone at 416-968-FILM (toll-free 1-877-968-FILM) or at the year-round box office’s new location at 2 Carlton Street (West Mezzanine, operating hours are Monday to Friday, 10AM to 7PM).

For more information check out the Canada's Top Ten website.

List of Canada's Top Ten 2008 (Feature Film)

Adoration
Dir: Atom Egoyan
Anticipated Release Date: May 2009

Before Tomorrow
Dirs: Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu
Anticipated Release Date: February 2009

Ce qu’il faut pour vivre / The Necessities of Life
Dir: Benoit Pilon

C'est pas moi, je le jure! / It’s Not Me, I Swear!
Dir: Philippe Falardeau

Fifty Dead Men Walking
Dir: Kari Skogland
Anticipated Release Date: Spring 2009

Heaven on Earth
Dir: Deepa Mehta
Toronto Release Date: October 24, 2008

Lost Song
Dir: Rodrigue Jean

Maman est chez le coiffeur / Mommy Is at the Hairdresser’s
Dir: Léa Pool

La Mémoire des anges / The Memories of Angels
Dir: Luc Bourdon

Pontypool
Dir: Bruce McDonald
Anticipated Release Date: March 2009

List of Canada's Top Ten 2008 (Short Film)

La Battue - Guy Édoin
Block B – Chris Chong Chan Fui
Drux Flux – Theodore Ushev
Ghosts and Gravel Roads – Michael Rollo
Green Door – Semi Chellas
Next Floor – Denis Villeneuve
Nikamowin / Song – Kevin Lee Burton
Passages – Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre
Princess Margaret Blvd – Kazik Radwanski
Mon nom est Victor Gazon – Patrick Gazé

Canada's Top Ten was established in 2001 by the Toronto International Film Festival Group to honour excellence Canadian film.

Who chooses the films?
Films are chosen by national panels of filmmakers, journalists, programmers and industry professionals.

Feature Film panel: Ann Marie Fleming, Cameron Bailey, Camelia Frieberg, Damon D'Oliveira, Glenn Sumi, Jim Brown, Joanne Senécal, Jody Shapiro, Matthew Hays and Yung Chang.

Short Film Panel: Alex Rogalski, Daniel Cross, Deco Dawson, Gisèle Gordon and Katherine Monk.

What kind of films are they?
Features and shorts are selected among narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental films.

What films qualify?
Each film must have either premiered at a major Canadian film festival or obtained a commercial theatrical release in Canada in 2008. The filmmaker must be a Canadian citizen or resident and have a history of working in Canada or on Canadian-financed films.