Student film festivals are usually a mixed bag, with contributors usually going too far or not far enough. Despite the unevenness, they can also be rather good, with some students nailing the delicate balance that makes a short work and, in the process, giving viewers a chance to catch something worthwhile that they won't get anywhere else.

The Ontario College of Art & Design has a strong new media program and while they don't have as much money as York or Ryerson, they can be scrappier and hungrier when they're really motivated. OCAD's done screenings before, the biggest one being the Cabaret, but the last year was rather lean and a lot of good artists didn't get the attention they deserve.

This is why it's especially nice to see a new pair of undergrads, Dragan Stojanovic and Yotam Dor, stepping up to plate to present us with the OCAD International Film Festival which will hopefully be a compelling night of cinema. To that end, they've enlisted three Toronto artists, (John Coull, Paulette Phillips and Janis Cole, who are also OCAD professors) who have screened all submissions and selected the 11 shorts that will be playing at the event. There will also be a short Q&A with the artists afterwards so come prepared with a question or two; don't let 'em off the hook if you don't agree with what they had to say!

The OCAD International Film Festival will be held on May 3rd, Thursday, from 7 to 9pm. The Bloor Cinema is the perfect venue for this kind of thing and most of the shorts are only 5 to 15 minutes in length so if one sucks, you can be rest assured that the next one won't be long in coming. Tickets are a measly $5 and you can get 'em at the door.

If you have any questions between now and then, direct them to ocadiff@gmail.com.

OCAD International Film Festival
Bloor Cinema
506 Bloor St. West
May 3rd, Thursday, 2007
7-9pm

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Photo: Raymond Molinar.