As seen on Toronto Film Scene.
“Canadians have always created fantastic cinematic terrors, and Toronto is quickly becoming a powerhouse in the world of independent genre film. In fact, we probably already have.”
There isn’t a better genre of film for independent productions than horror, and you can’t beat the city of Toronto when it comes to film culture. From huge Hollywood hits, to films you may not have even discovered yet, Toronto has become one of the best cities in the world for film. The city plays host to the Toronto International Film Festival, with Midnight Madness bringing horror fans some annual goodies, and genre fans know that Toronto After Dark will be bringing the best that horror has to offer. The recent launch of the Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival shines a bloody light directly on horror films created in Canada, proving that indie horror is on the rise.
Horror has always been a genre that existed more in the independent scene than anywhere else. When big companies get involved, the terror is frequently watered down, so horror fans have learned to seek out smaller productions. This is where boundaries are pushed, and while not every film is successful, the ones which get it right can create a huge hit. Fans of the genre also tend to be more accepting of the work. If you can provide a great atmosphere, some gory special effects, and a menacing killer, you’ll surely have a winning film. This is a sentiment echoed by local directors Justin McConnell and Tricia Lee.
McConnell, who directed The Collapsed and was recently added as a programmer for Toronto After Dark, explains why horror works so well. “Horror is always a wise choice due to it’s viability in an over-crowded marketplace, and the genre’s ability to present films to the public that can do well based on concept and elements alone. You don’t necessarily need a well-known cast, huge budget or any of the other bells and whistles to find an audience for horror. The concept is everything.” …
… “Many filmmakers are finding it difficult to navigate the traditional funding avenues found here in Canada, and are taking a much more DIY approach to getting their projects made.”
Read full article here.