Toronto - Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children is inviting young film buffs and aspiring filmmakers to participate in the 11th annual festival, running from April 12 to 18, 2008. Submissions for Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase and applications for Sprockets Young People's Juries are now being accepted. Both programmes offer young people an exciting opportunity to engage in the festival and develop their artistic and critical thinking skills. To find out all the ways kids can get involved with Sprockets, visit sprockets.ca or call 416-968-FILM.

Now in its seventh year, Jump Cuts Young Filmmakers Showcase offers imaginative young people an opportunity to show what they can do with a camera. Work is now being accepted from student filmmakers in grades three to 12 who reside in Ontario. Films selected to participate in the festival also have a chance to win prizes awarded by a jury of film industry professionals. The deadline for entries is March 10, 2008. Full submission details and entry forms are available at sprockets.ca

Sprockets Young People's Juries decide which films win prizes at the festival. They actively discuss the films they see and work collaboratively with other kids to reach consensus on their reviews. Sprockets jurors attend the festival for free and watch films in special reserved jury seating, all while enjoying complimentary popcorn and drinks. Winners of the internationally recognized awards will be announced at the end of the festival.

In order to apply for a place on the juries, young film fans aged between 8 and 12 years old should write a short review (100 to 250 words) of a movie they either really enjoyed or didn’t like. The official Jury Entry Form can be found on the Sprockets website at sprockets.ca, along with a helpful "How to Write A Film Review" guide. Reviews can be submitted by email (juries@tiffg.ca), fax (416-967-9477), or by mail: Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children, Attention: Special Juries, 2 Carlton Street, Suite 1600, Toronto ON M5B 1J3. All reviews must be received by February 8, 2008.

Sprockets offers children and youth the opportunity to learn about film and cultural perspectives from around the globe. Through the power of film, Sprockets is helping to transform the way children and youth see the world. The 11th annual Sprockets runs from April 12 to April 18, 2008, and includes a Family Programme for ages three and up and a week-long School Programme for students in grades one to 12. The School Programme is designed with curriculum links and support material for educators. For more information visit the official Sprockets website, sprockets.ca.

The Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) is a charitable, not for profit, cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image.

The Group embodies a passion for film and a commitment to making a difference in people's lives. With an annual budget of $18 million, the Group has grown exponentially from its roots as a modest "Festival of Festivals" expanding its breadth across the globe and reaching audiences of 900,000 per year. Currently, the Group employs more than 130 full-time staff, 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts on the largesse of 1,700 volunteers year-round.

Sprockets is generously supported by Bell, Cineplex Entertainment and the Toronto Arts Council.

For more information, contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200 or proffice@tiffg.ca.