This week, from February 14 to 16, TIFF is being taken over by teenagers for the third annual Next Wave Festival. A series of screenings, workshops, artist talks and a fast-paced 24 hour film challenge has been put together by a committed team of twelve students from across the GTA. Programming the two-day festival is a great opportunity for young film lovers to get a window into the business side of the arts, as well as exercise their creative muscles in planning and selecting what’s featured. Some screenings and talks are free for high school students and the line up looks great, whether you’re 16 or, er… 16 + 10. We chatted with some of the women from this year’s committee about their fav films, Oscar picks, and what to expect from this year’s festival.

Julia Galle

What’s the most exciting thing about being on the TIFF Next Wave Committee?
The Committee has given me a lot of great opportunities and insights about the film industry, but the most exciting thing is that I get to help plan a festival by teenagers for teenagers. It’s a really awesome feeling when you can help support the interests of people your age.

What are your aspirations in film or otherwise?
I would really love to pursue screenwriting in the future. It’s something I’m really interested in. Being able to construct a story is a cool concept that I’d like to further explore.

You’ve rigged the Oscars. What’s getting Best Picture?
Twelve Years a Slave for sure.

Favourite line from a film?
Right now it’s probably the line “I’m a planet” from Juno. Something about it really encompasses what it’s like to be a teenager. I love that movie, I’m really glad we’re getting the chance to play it at the festival.

What can people expect from the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival?
People can expect to find a lot of young people who are excited about films. The building is overpowered by them, it’s awesome seeing so many people coming together over a mutual love for movies. There’s also going to be a lot of different events besides film screenings, like Battle of the Scores (where bands score a youth-made short film live), the 24-Hour Film Challenge (teams are put against the clock to create a film using props and lines given to them) and the Talent Lab (inviting all young filmmakers to participate in activities lead by professionals to better their filmmaking skills). It’s going to be one cool weekend.

Winnie Wang

What’s the most exciting thing about being on the TIFF Next Wave Committee?
Being around people who are passionate about film. It’s really nice to be in a community of people who love it because it’s not often I meet people my age who have the same level of interest in film as me.

What are your aspirations in film or otherwise?
I love doing graphic design as a hobby so it’d be great if I got the chance to choose or design a typeface for a film like Jessica Hische did for Moonrise Kingdom. I’d also like to try my hand at being a production designer because it’d be an interesting challenge to create the visual identity of the film through sets and costumes.

You’ve rigged the Oscars. What’s getting Best Picture?
Her. Everything about it was perfect, from the cast to the minimalist aesthetic. I loved how it dealt with the themes of artificiality and connection without being too serious, so it felt genuine to me. I could tell that Spike Jonze thought about every detail of the colour palette, score and wardrobe to build the futurist world it takes place in and set the mood.

Favourite line from a film?
“My top schools where I want to apply to are Oxford and the Sorbonne. But my safety’s Harvard.” – Rushmore

What can people expect from the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival?
Films that teens won’t forget. With foreign titles, a Teen Rebels movie marathon, films about coming-of-age stories, and documentaries, there’s something for everyone and they’ll be bound to come out of the festival with a favourite. It’s also a great way to get involved and tap into your interest in cinema with the 24-Hour Film Challenge and Talent Lab.

Kate Prigaro

What’s the most exciting thing about being on the TIFF Next Wave Committee?
Honestly I think everything about the TIFF Next Wave Committee is fun! I get really excited for our process of watching and discussing films: everyone gets so enthusiastic and upbeat about it. I think it’s a great opportunity to be able to bring great films for teens to enjoy, after all, one of them could inspire and open new ideas for youth.

What are your aspirations in film or otherwise?
I am a film lover but I don’t plan on working in the industry, but I’m hoping to become a computer engineer. I really enjoy working with computers, taking things apart so I think this field would suit me.

You’ve rigged the Oscars. What’s getting Best Picture?
Gravity. When I watched it on the big screen I just went “WOW”. The cinematography is beautiful, the music is just as great and Sandra Bullock was amazing.

Favourite line from a film?
“Once you meet someone, you never really forget them.” (Chihiro from Spirited Away) I keep coming back to this quote. Each and every person we meet creates a bond, no matter how small it is. I’ve come to realize that this is in fact so very true, all the people I’ve met left something good with me.

What can people expect from the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival?
People can definitely expect a great selection of films which we worked really hard on. A great Cult Classics: Teen Rebels Movie Marathon – we get to go back and see some amazing works that simply shouldn’t be forgotten! Expect lots of positive hype and new friends, I hope people can take TIFF Next Wave Film Festival as an opportunity to meet people who love film just as much as they do!