FILM | Little Terrors Short Film Event
If you love horror films full of zombies, worms and mutilated animals, this evening's first ever Little Terrors Short Film Event will surely please (and disgust) you. Tonight kicks off the 1st edition of a monthly horror showcase at Toronto's revitalized Projection Booth cinema (formerly The Gerrard Cinema). Amongst the gory, gross-out horror films that are a part of the showcase are Gavin Shaw and Craig Belliveau's Cinemall, a doc about the Pennsylvania mall featured in Dawn of the Dead and the cult fandom that has arisen from its appearance in the film, as well as Dave McGrath's Disfingered and Jay Molloy's Deadspiel, two previous selections for the Toronto After Dark horror film festival. The showcase will be two hours of disturbing images from burgeoning, twisted filmmakers from across North America, who will all be present afterward for a Q&A session to discuss the 7 featured shorts.
The Projection Booth (1035 Gerrard Street East) 7PM $8

FILM | West Side Story at Yonge-Dundas Square
A classic love story set in the concrete jungle of New York City, Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins' 1961 film West Side Story plays at Yonge-Dundas Square tonight as part of the Dancing in the Dark outdoor summer film series. An iconic musical about lovers Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), who come from different cultures associated with rival gangs, their forbidden love is performed in song and dance to the music and lyrics of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. The film, a reprise of the tragic tale of "Romeo and Juliet," begins with a spectacular opening sequence you don't want to miss so be sure to note the earlier start time this week.
Yonge-Dundas Square (10 Dundas Street East) 8:47PM Free

FUNDRAISER | The Happiness Project: In the House Fundraiser
Charles Spearin of Broken Social Scene started The Happiness Project to explore music through the sounds of every day life. Using recordings of simple moments that slip by and the spoken words of friends, Spearin created a Juno Award-winning album that blurred the lines between art and reality. From this album, The Happiness Project: In the House was created. An installation based on artists' interpretations of the Arts and Crafts-produced album, The Happiness Project: In the House will be on display at the event. At this evening's fundraiser, during which Spearin will perform music along with several surprise guests, donations and efforts of the local arts community will go toward assisting the exhibit in reaching its goal of premiering at Nuit Blanche 2011. Stick around for sets from DJs Circle Research and Sean Dunal's percussion project Sexy Merlin for an evening of performance and art.
The Gladstone Hotel, The North Ballroom (1214 Queen Street West) 7PM $30

FILM | Amal at Harbourfront Centre
An Indian film from Canada marks the continuation of Longo's Free Flicks theme of love stories set in major cities around the world. The 2007 Canadian-produced Amal follows autorickshaw driver Amal Kumar around New Delhi, where he lives and works, until his happiness is interrupted by a large inheritance. A story about humanity's desire for good and the meaning of wealth, this film is set in director Richie Mehta's realistic vision of contemporary India, where the poorest people can find happiness despite the looming threat of an advancing society. Take note of the return to a later start time and be sure to arrive early for the best seats as this series is a cinephile magnet and fills up fast.
Harbourfront Centre, WestJet Stage (235 Queens Quay West) 9PM Free

OTHER EVENTS ON OUR RADAR:

• Art Battle Sweet 16
• Useless Eaters at Parts & Labour


• Allison Brown and "Uncle" Dan Henshall with Will Gillespie at The Local
• Scott Thompson and Kevin McDonald at the Sketch Comedy Lounge

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events calendar or contact us directly.

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Photo by Brian Sinasac in the blogTO Flickr pool