Aca-Film Festival presents renowned short films, a capella ensemble

NEWS RELEASE
SING! THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL VOCAL ARTS FESTIVAL
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A cappella music and renowned short films come together at the Aca-Film Festival, taking place March 30 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The festival will feature a Q&A with film directors and cast members, as well as a live performance by Countermeasure, Canada’s award-winning a cappella touring ensemble. Tickets are $15-$25 and can be purchased here. 

The festival’s trilogy of SING-produced short films explores funny, moving stories of challenge and resilience, crossing artistic genres from animation to live action, spoken word to dance. Films feature original a cappella scores by award-winning Toronto-based composer Aaron Jensen, co-produced with Countermeasure Music.

The festival will present the following films:

Long Road to Freedom: Dancer Linette Doherty and spoken word artist Dwayne Morgan explore the journey of Nelson Mandela and the struggles racialized people face. The musical score explores the concept of reparation, with its structure echoing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-apartheid South Africa.

Overgrown: A poignant glimpse into hope, dignity, and rituals as an elderly hoarder (played by jazz icon June Garber) comes to terms with parting with her possessions when she is forced to move. The score is performed by Tuvan vocal group Tyva Kyzy (Daughters of Tuva), the first and only women's group performing throat singing in Central Asia.

Be Inspired: Based on a famous painting by Canadian artist Lawren Harris, this animated film follows the real-life adventures of Canadian para-athlete Peter Eager as he climbs the treacherous Mt. Lefroy. This four-minute film includes a voiceover appearance by actor Colin Mochrie. The music draws inspiration from classic Hollywood adventure film scores.

“This project involved a wealth of incredible artists—singers, filmmakers, actors, animators, music engineers, a dancer/choreographer and a spoken word artist,” says Aaron Jensen, the Aca-Film Festival’s composer and artistic director emeritus of SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. “It’s been such a thrill to see these unique works come to life and to explore how the human voice could be used to support such different stories.”

The films have been chosen for screening in a number of film festivals, including the Toronto Black Film Festival, Mountain and Adventure Film Festival, Fort William Mountain Festival, Edmonton Short Film Festival, Kingston Canadian Film Festival, Krakow Mountain Festival, Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival and Cervino Cinemountain.

The Aca-Film Festival acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, as well as patrons Dr. Victoria Lee and Dr. Philip Hébert.

SING! Toronto will launch and present the main festival from May 29 through June 4 in downtown Toronto. More updates will follow and can be viewed at singtoronto.com.

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