INSOMNIAC & NEXT WAVE PRESENT: BATTLE OF THE SCORES 2020

TIFF NEXT WAVE is teaming up with INSOMNIAC to present BATTLE OF THE SCORES. Battle of the Scores will kick off Opening Night of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival on February 14, 2020.

Six bands will be given the chance to score a three minute silent short film and perform it live!

Over the next few weeks, TIFF Next Wave & Insomniac will be selecting THREE Toronto filmmakers to create THREE separate THREE minute silent films, and we want YOUR IDEAS! Each of the three selected filmmakers will receive $500 to create their short film. The films will then be handed off to young musicians from around Toronto. They’ll have 3 weeks to compose a score and perform it LIVE as your film plays at Battle of the Scores!

It’s always a high-energy, fun event, and a super unique way to have your film featured at the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival! Whether you’re a young creator, a first time filmmaker, or anywhere in between, we want your ideas!

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FILM PITCH!?

Submit your film pitch by filling out this GOOGLE FORM

The form will ask for a SHORT DESCRIPTION of your project and a VISUAL INSPIRATION. This can be anything! A painting, a GIF, a photo, a mood board, a scene from a movie, anything! Whatever you feel best illustrates your movie.

THINGS TO CONSIDER: What is the concept for your film? Tell us about the characters, the storyline, paint a picture of the world you want to create. The more details the better! This can include stylistic influences from other movies or media.

DEADLINE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

It’s soon, but don’t worry! Even if you’re just kicking around the nugget of an idea, we encourage you to submit whatever is on your mind! You’ll have more time to develop your concept after this initial deadline, and we’re happy to use our resources (crew, equipment, etc.) to help bring your ideas to life!

If you have any questions, email nextwave@tiff.net at anytime.

WHAT KIND OF FILM ARE WE LOOKING FOR?!

This year’s Battle of the Scores competition falls on Valentines Day! We’re looking for THREE films that explore the theme of LOVE.

We’re not just looking for ‘love stories’ though... we want films that explore LOVE in all its forms, the good, the bad, the ugly, and everywhere in between.

Think best friends, friend break-ups, familial love, first crush/first kiss, self-love, infatuation, heartbreak, and yes, romantic love too! We encourage you to get creative and take the theme of LOVE in whatever direction you want!

SPECIFICATIONS FOR YOUR FILM:

● Your film must run three minutes in length.

● It must be a silent film with no dialogue or subtitles

● Your film should not be suggestive of, or lean towards any particular style of music - but it should be dynamic and lend itself well to being scored!

If selected, you will have from November until the beginning of January to make the film. Pitch something that you can realistically pull off. We’ll ask for a rough cut of the film by January 3 and the final version is due by January 13, 2020.

Aside from that, we’re open to absolutely anything! Experimental, narrative, documentary, any genre, any style, any tone. Insomniac is a festival that celebrates risk-taking films that embrace youthfulness and low-budget filmmaking. BUT we love all films! So pitch whatever you want to make! If you’re passionate about your idea, you can bet we’ll love it too!

If you have any questions, email nextwave@tiff.net.

TIFF Next Wave & Insomniac are excited to spotlight the next generation of local film and music talent at this year’s Battle of the Scores competition! We look forward to your ideas!