Canadian Sport Film Festival

We’ve wrapped up our 2020 virtual short film festival. Thanks to @GameShortFilm, @thedreamgap, and @little_rink_productions for sharing their great films with our community. And a big thanks to @HarbordStreet for supporting this event. AND, big news: CSFF will be back on May 14, 2021, with a special virtual event1 Check back here for more info. 2020 has been a challenging year for all. At CSFF, we’ve tried to adapt as best we can to continue to share the work of filmmakers and communicate the importance of sport considered through the medium of film. All the best to you and yours for a safe and healthy holiday season. We’ll see you in May 2021!

Catch a discussion with the makers of Little Rink tomorrow at 1pm EST. And watch the film as part of the CSFF 2020 virtual short film fest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvYjPkD2Nk8

The final film in CSFF’s 2020 virtual short film festival reminds of us the power of sport to bring people together in community. Little Rink is available until Dec. 13. https://vimeo.com/398651219/6100a8e8f6

CSFF is excited to share The Dream Gap as the next film in our 2020 virtual short film festival. Advocating for opportunities for girls and women in hockey, The Dream Gap is available until Dec 7. https://youtu.be/yXYqhaTPLyA

Having begun yesterday with GAME (@GameShortFilm), CSFF (@CSFF_CA) is excited to announce the full lineup of our 2020 virtual short film festival. Check here for links to films posted online every Tuesday, which will be available for 7 days. Thanks to @HarbordStreet for supporting this event and bringing these films to you. http://csff.sportfilmfestival.ca/2020-virtual-short-film-f/

Canadian Sport Film Festival is proud to share @GameBasketballShortFilm as the opening film in our 2020 virtual short film festival. Available until Nov 30. Full lineup of films coming soon. https://vimeo.com/191569351

CSFF is excited to announce our 2020 virtual short-film festival. This series of FREE short films, which you can watch online, starts tomorrow with the Toronto-area premiere of Jeannie Donohoe’s GAME. Link to the film posted Tuesday, November 24. Trailer: https://youtu.be/cCOJH_sfY5s

While we can’t be in person at this time, CSSF wants us to stay connected and keep having conversations about sport and social issues. We’re pleased to announce a 2020 FREE Virtual Short-Film festival. Beginning next week, we will be offering access to a series of powerful and provocative short films (one per week). Full program details will be announced on Monday. Big thanks to Harbord Street BIA for sponsoring this event.

A reminder of this great event happening tomorrow ... CSFF is proud to be co-presenting the screening of "Nobody's Metaphor" and the post-screening discussion

We are excited to co-present Nobody's Metaphor with TEDxToronto on August 20th! This film was made by Chouette Films, which follows a group of school girls and explores their journey with Muslim Girls Fence and what it means to them. This is the first ever Virtual TEDxToronto Adventure! This will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Shireen Ahmed, Shaheen Kasmani, and Yashmin Harun and moderated by Asma Khalil. For more information and to register, follow the link bel...ow! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tedxtoronto-adventure-screening

We wrap up our virtual festival with a return to Opening Night at CSFF 2019 and the hit of the festival, Wrestle. Sadly, this is only available in Canada on iTunes (and is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play in the US) but it is well worth your time tracking down this amazingly powerful documentary. Here is the trailer to entice you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVMhjl3fXBY

Back to the adult programming, with our 4pm film. Our late afternoon screening is a biographical doc about tennis star Althea Gibson, winner of 5 Grand Slam singles titles in the late-1950s. Althea is available on-demand. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/althea

We’re a little late getting the kids screening online for the young and young-at-heart to enjoy. But it’s so nice outside that we thought you should enjoy some physically distanced time outside. But, now it’s time for: Belly Flop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls5J7caQj7A... The Boy Who Learned to Fly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHUjjBdikgs Harry Jerome: The Fastest Man on Earth https://www.nfb.ca/film/harry_jerome_edu/ Little Hard Knox https://gem.cbc.ca//season-1/episode-45/38e815a-00d176ae2ed The Magic Shoes https://vimeo.com/96033722 Tryouts https://vimeo.com/60860910

The Friday late show is a reminder that communities' have histories that are sometimes too easily obscured. Killer Bees (on-demand) is another chronicle of Black high school basketball. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/killerbees/278671688

We return tonight with the historical documentary, Olympic Pride, American Prejudice (on-demand). The story of Berlin 1936 was about more than Jesse Owens. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/olympicpride

We can’t welcome you in person for the previously scheduled 12th annual CSFF this weekend. We still hope to see you in November, but wanted to offer some past highlights in the interim. Enjoy tonight’s screening of EASTERN, a look at the basketball program at Toronto’s now-closed Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute, whose most famous alumnus was NBA star @jamaalmagloire. The film is shared free to the CSFF community thanks to director @LukeGalati.... https://youtu.be/nu3ry_JkqU4

Virtual CSFF: From Thursday to Saturday, CSFF highlights films that challenge anti-Black racism. Follow along on CSFF’s FB page, where pre-recorded audience Q&As will be posted along with links to the films. Enjoy! And we’ll see you in November for the actual 12th annual CSFF.

A statement from the Canadian Sport Film Festival ...

As we miss out on the women's champions league final, CSFF Movie Friday does its part to celebrate women's soccer with "Football for Better or Worse" from CSFF 2018. https://www.kickingandscreeningmedia.com/for-better-or-wors

Soccer Week continues with the hardest decisions of all: "The Referee" from CSFF 2010. https://vimeo.com/13425028

In the week when the women's champions league final was scheduled to be played, CSFF celebrates Soccer Week. We begin with CSFF Kids Monday and "The Number 10" from CSFF 2013 -- a reminder to always be yourself and never take no for an answer. https://vimeo.com/26307541

Unexpected story week wraps up with the most unexpected of stories: an Olympic luger from the south Pacific island of Tonga. It's a great story, walking the line between ethical competition and corporate self-interest. CSFF Movie Friday is the closing night film from CSFF 2015: Being Bruno Banani. Check it out. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/beingbruno

Our week of unexpected stories continues with the gruff men who make the footwear for a seemingly graceful athletic artistry ("seemingly" only because the artistry belies the physical toll). Your Hump Day Short is "The Perfect Fit" from CSFF 2014. https://vimeo.com/31720754

CSFF Kids Monday takes us outdoors (!) with three young skateboarders. "Gnarly in Pink" first screened at CSFF in 2015. https://vimeo.com/99185645

News of the release of the 14-hour epic retrospective "Women Make Film" takes us to the conclusion of basketball week. CSFF Movie Friday is Jane Pittman's Coming Back To The Hoop from CSFF 2015. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/comingbacktothehoop

Basketball week continues with Your Hump Day Short Film, "The Basketball Game" from the National Film Board. Animation enhances the naive childlike fear-and-wonder of the "other" in this summer camp short. https://www.nfb.ca/film/basketball_game/

It's basketball week at CSFF, just because there's more out there than the Michael Jordan doc. Today's CSFF Kids Monday is the charming "The Magic Shoes" (The Magic Shoes), proving you don't need Air Jordans to fly. https://vimeo.com/96033722

CSFF Movie Friday comes from CSFF 2012. One of our favourite films ever, "Men Who Swim" is especially timely as it reflects on, among other things, our desire to have social connections. And, hey, it's about men's synchro! Director Dylan Williams' recent film, The Borneo Case, is also especially timely as we contemplate humans' impact on the natural world. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/menwhoswim/

With important reminders from organizations like Labour Behind the Label, now is a great time, as we wish we could be outside enjoying spring and kicking a ball around, that there is a hidden industry behind our fun times. The short but powerful "The Ball" from CSFF 2012 is Your Hump Day Short Film. https://vimeo.com/7205154

We all would like to be moving this much while also being this close to others. But more than this, "In the Turn" is about being your true self. Spend some time this weekend with your CSFF Movie Friday film from CSFF 2016. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/intheturn

A powerful use of animation to provide voice to a complex and at time painful story. "I Love Hooligans" from CSFF 2014 is Your Hump Day Short Film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjGoVxfND1A

CSFF Kids Monday this week focuses on one of Canada's greatest sprinters, the former world record holder Harry Jerome. His story is not only one of athletic excellence, the NFB's "Harry Jerome: The Fastest Man on Earth" is also a great entry point for starting a discussion about race and sport in Canada. https://www.nfb.ca/film/harry_jerome_edu/

At a time when we'd all like to be outside with this many friends, this week's CSFF Movie Friday is Ursula Liang's inside look at the Chinatown culture of 9-man volleyball, "9-Man." https://vimeo.com/ondemand/9mandoc

Some engaging and thoughtful sport film content from the National Film Board of Canada -- with learning resources to boot

The current situation has highlighted the precariousness of the social safety net. In the past, sport has provided some measure of relief. Your Hump Day Short Film, "Kickstart," reminds us of the success of street soccer programs to offer a sense of community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1Cn8xgwQr0

CSFF Kids Monday is a helpful reminder that it's okay to confront your fears. From CSFF 2012, the sweet animated short "The Swimming Lesson." https://vimeo.com/33212279

A long weekend treat for CSFF Movie Friday. "Autumn Gold" from CSFF 2010 proves your never too old to excel. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/autumngold2

Your Hump Day Short Film is a reminder that your sporting career ends when you say it ends. Enjoy the beautifully shot "The Oarsmen" by Leendert Pot from CSFF 2012. https://vimeo.com/277244364

On today's CSFF Kids Monday, we are only too aware of what every kids wants and needs today: a chance to play with others, a chance to make new friends, an opportunity to be part of a community. It's the charming short film "Play Lunch" from CSFF 2013. https://site-prod.batterypop.net/shows/short-play-lunch (wait through the ad that plays)

Missing hockey? We've got you covered, with the story of some remarkable players from BC, attempting to set a world record for an amazing cause. This week, CSFF Movie Friday is "Lace Bite" from Sharron Bates, Carmen Klotz, and our friends at Beyond Your Eye. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lacebite/

A mental health message we could all use today: "Just Breathe" from CSFF 2017. It's Your Hump Day Short Film. http://mentalhealthchannel.tv/episode/just-breathe

It's CSFF Kids Monday! This week it's about realizing what is important to you, accepting that we are all different, and -- most relevantly -- knowing what you can do to help your community. Have your kids check out "The Elephant and the Bicycle" from CSFF 2016. (It's VOD, but well worth the small investment.) Please share widely. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/levelodelelephant

Helpful reminders about the importance of staying active -- for body, mind, and soul https://physicalactivitypolitics.com//its-a-lockdown-but-/

Our weekly CSFF Movie Night series begins with one of the most powerful films we've ever screened: Bing Liu's "Minding the Gap" from CSFF 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZahPT_V8pA (It's video-on-demand, and we encourage you to do what you can to support filmmakers while we're all watching films from home.) A film ostensibly about skateboarders, this Oscar-nominated doc is about so much more -- class, race, and urban despair in post-industrial America. Produced by Kartemquin Films, we present it today in honor of one of Kartemquin's founders, Gordon Quinn, who was recently hospitalized in the current crisis. We wish him the best. Kartemquin Films

It's tough to be apart from friends these days. But with friends like this, maybe a little physical distance isn't such a bad thing. Your Hump Day Short Film is one of our favourites, "Two Laps," from CSFF 2013. https://vimeo.com/36896558

Stay healthy and keep a safe physical distance, but also keep active. Here are some helpful tips on how to do that: https://www.cbc.ca//coronavirus-exercise-covid-19-guidelin

Welcome to the first CSFF Kids Monday! Here's a sneak peek at some of the fun kids films made this year. "Belly Flop" will hopefully leave your kids asking What makes me special? Am I able to overcome my fears to be myself? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls5J7caQj7A

CSFF Launches online content: Stay connected with the powerful stories of sport Through 11 great years, the Canadian Sport Film Festival has screened some amazing films. Features and shorts; films for kids, films for adults. In this time of social distancing, we wanted to do our part to continue to share the stories that highlight the powerful impact of sport. Starting today, we will be sharing links to films through our Facebook page. We invite you to like and follow the pag...e, and share it with others. These films will entertain you; others will entertain your kids (and hopefully start discussions). All of this is leading first to June 11-13, when we had hoped to host the 12th annual CSFF. Instead, we are working hard to put together an online festival for our community. All this ultimately leads, we hope, to our return to the cinemas at TIFF Bell Lightbox in early November. But in the meantime, enjoy CSFF KIDS (before Mondays become manic) Beginning today, every Monday through the middle of June, we will post the link to a short film designed for kids. Some are for young kids, some for middle school youth, but all raise important issues from building self-confidence to encouraging acceptance of others. YOUR HUMP DAY SHORT FILM Short films are among the most fun content to program at CSFF. We’ve screened about 100 short films in 11 years, many of them available online. Starting on Wednesday, March 25, we are going to post a link to one of our favourite short films every Wednesday from now until the beginning of November, when we hope to return to the cinema with the 12th CSFF. CSFF MOVIE FRIDAYS As much as we love short films, the powerful feature films that we have screened at CSFF have generated thoughtful discussions and connected audiences with interesting guests. Starting this Friday night, March 27, we want to share these films with you. Every Friday between now and June, and then again from Labour Day until early November, we will be sharing a link to one of our favourite CSFF feature films. All of these films are available video-on-demand (for a relatively small cost). We have done this intentionally. At this time, everyone is making sacrifices, but CSFF wants to do its small part to contribute to the artists and filmmakers who have supported our festival. Please consider watching some of these films host social distancing watching parties! and support the international community of filmmakers.

CSFF 2020 postponed until November In light of current events, with a need for everyone to focus their minds and resources elsewhere, the Canadian Sport Film Festival announces that the 12th annual CSFF, scheduled for June 11-13, 2020, has been postponed. Postponed mind you, not cancelled. We will be back in the first week of November with the 2020 Canadian Sport Film Festival. Keep an eye out for updates. Our programmers have put together an outstanding collection of feature...s and short films from around the world that we look forward to sharing on the big screen at TIFF Bell Lightbox in downtown Toronto. These films will generate discussion on a range of fascinating topics, conversations that we will have with engaging guests. CSFF also wants to do its part to make social distancing and school closures as enjoyable as possible. Check our social media channels beginning on Monday, March 23 for regular updates and film content for both adults and kids. We will continue to share powerful stories about the impact of sport, but for the time being we’ll do that through social media. In the meantime, be well and stay healthy, Russell Field Executive Director Canadian Sport Film Festival

Support Dima Joha, a para-athlete who is an international table tennis champion and a SMILE Mom! Click on the link below to learn more about Dima's journey and how to support her dreams! #UnitedWeSmile

We hope that if you are able, you are at home and protecting yourself and others. Here is something to watch to fill that time! In Dima’s Game, we follow Dima’s efforts to realize her dream of competing in Para table tennis in the 2020 Paralympic Games, the challenges of she encounters and the supportive community that rises up to help her get there. #UnitedWeSmile

Happy #internationalwomensday2020! A great film from past a CSFF festival, WRESTLE, was directed by two fabulous women Suzannah Herbert and Lauren Belfer!

'Black Girls Surf' an organization using surfing to empower black girls, challenge traditional social norms around the world, and serve as a catalyst for social change.

"It's never too late to recognize history. History will always be here so now it's entrenched in the books, in the stamp, people will be able to see that forever"

On 02/24, The Willie O'Ree documentary will be screening in 50 Cineplex locations across #Canada! To make each screening a success, a 50 seat min. threshold must be met. Make sure to grab your tickets! https://ca.demand.film/willie/

This year’s Toronto Black Film Festival - TBFF kicks off in a few days and we are excited to co-present the World Premiere of BLACK BOYS by Sonia Lowman. Share this post for your chance to win 2 tickets to the screening. #TBFF2020

The Toronto Black Film Festival - TBFF is just over a week away! Check out their full festival guide at their website! https://torontoblackfilm.com/2020-festival-guide/

Angela James was women's hockey's first superstar and remains the only black player to captain Canada at the senior level. So why isn't she a household name? #BHM

Remembering and honouring the rich history of the St. Catharines Orioles #BHM

The 8th Toronto Black Film Festival - TBFF runs from February 12th to 17th, showing 75 films from 20 countries at the Carlton Cinema and AGO Jackman Hall. This year, we are thrilled to be co-presenting the World Premiere of BLACK BOYS with JAYU by Sonia Lowman. For more information and to reserve your seats in advance visit https://torontoblackfilm.com/movie/black-boys/ #TBFF2020

Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe protest against the naming of the Melbourne area after the homophobic and transphobic Margaret Court. The reaction by Tennis Australia is yet another example of sporting bodies attempting to silence athletes on matters of social justice.

Everyone wants to be in the Olympics, but why do I have to sacrifice my moral character to do it?

Happy New Years! We want to congratulate WRESTLE for being included in the National Board of Review's top films of the year! We are so proud to have shown Wrestle in its Canadian premiere and as the opening night film of #CSFF19!

The Canadian Sport Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the 12th annual CSFF, which will take place in Toronto on June 11-13. CSFF accepts short- and feature-length films including fiction, documentary, and animation which use sport, physical activity, recreation, and dance to explore important social issues and tell powerful personal stories. If you have a film that you want to submit please follow this link or if you know a filmmaker that may be interested in submitting their film, please share this post with them!

'Little Miss Sumo' which had its Canadian premiere at #CSFF19, is now showing on Netflix! Congrats @walkoflifefilms for the Netflix pick up! "Banned from competing professionally, female sumo wrestling champion Hiyori will have to retire at the age of 21. Fighting tradition, Hiyori embarks on a remarkable journey, confronting obstacles both inside and outside of the ring in an attempt to help change Japan's national sport forever."... #littlemisssumo

Shireen Ahmed, Footybedsheets, shares this wonderful piece on Don Cherry's most recent prejudiced and uneducated comments. A wonderful read and an important reminder to reflect on the sacrifices that brave men and women have made, and the complexities that face both our veterans and others that have served their countries.

"Our fight to go to stadiums was always about human rights, about women’s rights and about the right to occupy public spaces and fully participate in the life of our country. We never accepted being shut out."

I feel like the girls walk with their head high, knowing that people will still have their negative opinions, but being proud of what they’ve achieved. They’re an example to other women in the country, proving that the impossible is possible and no matter how many barriers come up, they can achieve their dreams and their goals for women’s equality.