Posted on January 14, 2016

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has named the Calgary International Film Festival a qualifying festival for the Best Animated Short Film and Live Action Short Film awards.

The recipient of CIFF's annual Best of Shorts Award is now eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film / Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards®, without the standard theatrical run that a film typically needs to qualify for an Oscar® nomination.

“We are delighted and humbled to join the small and distinguished group of Oscar-qualifying film festivals," said CIFF Executive Director Steve Schroeder.

"This a testament to the strength of CIFF’s short film section, and especially the talent of the filmmakers. The Shorts section has always been one of the most vibrant parts of CIFF and it took a major step forward two years ago with the introduction of CIFF’s Best of Shorts Award."

The Best of Shorts Award was established at CIFF in 2014 to recognize the most outstanding overall short film at the festival.

The 2015 Best of Shorts winner BEAR STORY (HISTORIA DE UN OSO, Dir. Gabriel Osorio) was nominated today in the Best Animated Short category at the Academy Awards®. In 2014 CIFF's Best of Shorts award went to a local film, ONE NIGHT IN ABERDEEN (Dir. Brett Ferster).

The Best of Shorts winner is selected by a jury from all short films accepted to the festival. The short films in consideration for the award are screened in a package on the final weekend of the festival.

Submissions for the 17th Annual Calgary International Film Festival are now open. Filmmakers are invited to submit short and feature films completed after January 15, 2015. The 2016 Festival will run September 21 - October 2, 2016. 

For the 88th Academy Awards® only four Canadian film festivals had Oscar accreditation in the Animated Short Film and Live Action Short Film categories. Calgary and Edmonton have now both joined this prestigious list for 2016.

On February 28, 2016 CIFF is hosting the first annual Red Carpet Affair Oscar Party at Engineered Air Theatre (Arts Commons). The Academy approved event includes champagne, live entertainment, a silent auction, and of a live screening of the 88th Oscars®. Tickets are now on sale. 

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For more information or to book interviews contact:
Nadine bibi, Marketing Director, The Calgary International Film Festival
nadine.bibi@calgaryfilm.com
403.452.4845

About the Calgary International Film Festival

The Calgary International Film Festival (Calgary Film) is a 12-day showcase of up to 200 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and over 40 other countries. The festival hosts gala events, screenings, special presentations, and a Behind the Screen series that emphasizes unique and exciting ways for filmmakers and fans to interact.

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