TIFF Kids is back

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will turn its gaze from starlets to children in the months to come.

The third annual digiPlaySpace opened Saturday for March Break, previewing the TIFF Kids International Film Festival which is slotted to start here in Toronto starting April 8.

Child working with film technologies at digiPlaySpace.
Photo Credit: TIFF

The digiPlaySpace offers youth ages 9 to 16 the opportunity to film their own movies, work with electronics, and to work as amateur inventors.

Richard Ruffolo, a third year Humber Film and Media student, says initiatives like the digiPlaySpace can help future filmmakers to think creatively at a young age.

“I think with any creative work it’s about the volume. The more you do the better you get,” says Ruffolo, who didn’t decide to apply for film and media until grade eleven after he took a communication technologies class.

TIFF Kids International Film Festival is showing 112 films aimed at youth ages 3 to 13. The festival will feature the premiere of Rio 2, the sequel to popular animated film Rio whose main character is voiced by actress Anne Hathway.

Child working with film technologies at digiPlaySpace.
Photo Credit: TIFF

Micheal Glassbourg, Program Coordinator for the Film and Television Production program at Humber College, says the festival is a great opportunity to see cool films, regardless of age.

“All children’s films are suitable for children, but not all adult films are suitable for children,” says Glassbourg. “I would certainly go – they’re great films. Whoever they’re addressed to, I just want to see a good film.”

Glassbourg says Humber students have had films accepted to the festival before.

The digiPlaySpace is open from March 8 to April 21.