TORONTO – Award winning public service announcements produced by Ontario film students are set to be screened in Ontario movie theatres to help increase awareness of the province’s film classification system, Minister of Government Services Gerry Phillips announced today.

“These public service announcements will help movie-goers in Ontario, particularly families, make informed decisions about the films they go to see,” said Phillips, who presented recognition awards to the award winning students after the screening of their films.

The PSAs are the products of a competition launched earlier this year by the Ontario Film Review Board (OFRB), the government agency responsible for the classification of all movies played in Ontario theatres.  Students who entered the competition had to submit storyboard entries or similar visual presentations of their 60-second PSAs to the OFRB. Five finalists were selected to work with a mentor from the film or advertising industry to produce their film. Each finalist also received $7,500 to cover production costs.

Thirty-one submissions were received from film students who participated in this province-wide competition. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges from the film-making industry and the OFRB.  The winners are: Dan Cantelon, Allison Davey and Daniel Libby from the Ontario College of Art and Design; Andrew Cividino, Crystal Serblan and Geoff Smart from Ryerson University; and Ronald Chong, Vivianna Ferrer, Frederick Nduna and Markos Teshome from the Ontario College of Art and Design.

“I’m delighted to promote our film classification system in such a creative way, while providing Ontario students the chance to showcase their work,” said OFRB Chair Janet Robinson.

“I’m particularly proud of the film students who produced these ads,” said Phillips. “The quality of their work is a tribute to their talent and skills in the art of moviemaking and the excellence of film schools and programs throughout the province.”

Winning PSAs and runners-up as well as more information about film ratings can be viewed on the the OFRB website at www.ofrb.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder: Top three film-making student teams receive award for promoting Ontario film classifications

Contacts:
Paul de Zara
Minister’s Office
416-327-3072 

Ciaran Ganley
Communications Branch
416-416-325-8659