Sheridan: A Proud Sponsor of the 2014 BMO PIFF/IFFSA Film Festival

For the second straight year, Sheridan was proud to sponsor the BMO PIFF IFFSA International Film Festival, which was held in Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Toronto, and Richmond Hill from May 15-19.  This year’s nine-day festival featured screenings of short, documentary and feature length films from around the world that celebrated the themes of Punjabi and South East Asian cultures and identities.

Sheridan was home to two film screenings which were both free events.  On May 17, Sheridan’s Davis Campus in Brampton was the venue for an open-air, under-the-stars screening or “Fest in the Park (Filmi Mela)”. The event featured live performances by Canadian and International artists and the World Premiere screening of Yaar Annmulle 2, a Punjabi film.  On May 18, Sheridan’s Trafalgar Campus in Oakville was host to the “Featurette Premiere” of a Punjabi film called Vattar.

“Sheridan is proud to support this exciting festival which aligns with two important aspects of Sheridan’s DNA – film and diversity,” said Lisa Piccolo, Vice President, Advancement and External Relations.  “Sheridan has a long history of graduating outstanding filmmakers and advancing research and teaching related to the craft of making many types of movies, including live-action films, documentaries, 3D stereoscopic films, and animated movies.”

“International students are extremely important to Sheridan’s future,” added Ian Marley, Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrolment Management.  “They bring a diversity of experience and thinking to the classroom, which enriches the learning for all of our students.”  Over the past five years, Sheridan’s international student population has grown by 600% to over 3,000 students. These students hail from over 40 countries, with more students coming from India than any other country.

This September, Sheridan will launch its new four-year, Bachelor of Film and Television degree program.  The program teaches students to use technology, write scripts and produce media content while understanding how it’s funded and applied to multiple platforms.  The program culminates in a capstone project in which students create their own short film, television or transmedia project.