The Ontario Film Review Board (OFRB) recognized 15 students from two prominent Ontario film-making schools for promoting the provincial film classification system through public service announcements (PSAs).

The winners

The winning PSAs were selected among 31 submissions from students in 12 film schools across Ontario after the OFRB launched a province-wide student film competition in January 2006.

The winning teams are:

Ontario College of Art and Design

• Dan Cantelon, Allison Davey and Daniel Libby
• Ronald Chong, Vivianna Ferrer, Frederick Nduna and Markos Teshome

Ryerson University

• Andrew Cividino, Crystal Serblan and Geoff Smart

Runners-up include:

Centennial College

• Kathryn Naiker and Sergei Petrov

Ontario College of Art and Design

• Anastasia Bozdanov, Mohamed Hassan and Ghazaleh Rastgar                                         

The competition

• Students in film, television and animation programs were invited to produce a 60-second PSA explaining the provincial film classification system, particularly the PG or Parental Guidance rating.
• To enter the competition, students had to submit storyboard entries or similar visual presentations to the OFRB.  Five students were selected and had the opportunity to work with a mentor from the film or advertising industry to produce their film. The students also received cash prizes of up to $7,500 each to cover production costs.
• Three winners were chosen, and their film will be screened in all available Ontario movie theatres with digital technology before feature film presentations in the fall 2006 for two years. 
• PSAs had to display and promote awareness of all Ontario film classifications, including G, PG, 14A, 18A and R and indicate where viewers can find more information about the ratings.  Winning PSAs will run for one to two years at a minimum, alternating every three months, and may subsequently be screened in theatres nationwide.

Film and video classifications

• In 2003, Ontario introduced a five-level classification system:
  - G – General;
  - PG – Parental Guidance;
  - 14A – Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult;
  - 18A – Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult;
  - R – Restricted to anyone 18 and over.
• Besides the classification, the OFRB may choose to include “content advisories” such as Nudity, Coarse Language or Brutal Violence.  These warnings, along with the classification, must appear on all advertising to help the viewer make informed choices.

The Ontario Film Review Board

• The OFRB, an arm’s-length agency of the Ministry of Government Services, is responsible for classifying all movies played in Ontario theatres. One of the board’s key objectives is to educate members of the public about those classifications so they can make informed decisions about the movies they and their family choose to see.
• The province’s Film Classification Act 2005 gives the board the authority to review and classify any film that is exhibited, rented or sold in Ontario before prior to exhibition or distribution.
• The OFRB is a community board, and its 17 members represent a cross-section of the many diverse communities across Ontario.
• Members are appointed for a three-year renewable term by the Lieutenant Governor through orders-in-council.

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

Ciaran Ganley
Communications Branch
416-325-8659