Each year, DRIFF assembles a cohort of ‘pre-screeners’ to aid in the festival’s film selection process. Pre-screeners are film lovers who volunteer their time by watching and evaluating short and feature films in consideration, and they play an essential part in shaping the Festival’s final line-up.
Specifically, the Pre-Screening Committee is tasked with viewing films submitted to DRIFF via the FilmFreeway platform; they may also be asked to give a second look to solicited films, which are those that DRIFF's Director of Programming seeks out. Typically, we appoint six pre-screeners each year and they are divided into pairs and then assigned a selection of films. We always have at least two people watching the same film given artistic judgment is inherently subjective. Then, the Director of Programming will watch any recommended films and those marked as a ‘maybe’ to make a final decision.
The Committee is made up of mostly Durham Region residents. We’re thrilled to introduce you to this year’s Pre-Screening Committee!
Gerry Corrigan
Gerry is a Communications Technology teacher in the Durham Region. Gerry is passionate about cinematography and fascinated by innovative film techniques using VFX and virtual production. He shares his passion for film production with students and enjoys working alongside the next generation of filmmakers. Gerry also participates in the Ontario Youth Film Festivals and strives to connect young filmmakers with industry opportunities
Sophia Pollard
As a high school senior, and member of the TIFF Next Wave Committee, Sophia offers a critical eye for narrative and festival-quality storytelling. Sophia will attend Toronto Metropolitan University this fall to study film, aiming to bring her background in pre-screening to professional sets and collaborative creative projects.
Jennifer O'Leary
Jennifer O'Leary is the Creative Director at East 1760 Photography & Co and blends her expertise as a photographer with over two decades of Arts education. Her Masters in Communication and Culture from York University & TMU enriches her creative approach.
Jody Anderson
Jody Anderson is a creative project manager who likes a good spreadsheet, bringing abstract ideas to life and witnessing the action that happens behind the scenes (inspired by "The September Issue" and BET's "Access Granted"). Her love of film and support of filmmakers has led her to coordinate events and experiences for Black Femme Supremacy Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, and Women in Film and Television Toronto.
Chantal Leong
Chantal Leong is a writer, director, and arts worker. Her debut short film “This House That Bears No Fruit”, a dark coming of age psychological thriller is currently in its first festival circuit, having screened at TIFF Next Wave and Inside Out Film Festival. She can usually be found in a cafe typing away as she prepares for her next short.
Chris Burton
Chris Burton is a multi disciplinary artist who explores surrealist and unconventional storytelling through painting, writing, and photography, as well as his main love and central art form of cinema. Chris believes in the power of what film can do, and that strong, perspective-driven storytelling is at the center of what drives the arts and the connection it brings, and simply needs an audience comprised of enough varying perspectives to witness it.
We are grateful for the contributions and insights of this year’s Committee members!
If you’re interested in becoming a Pre-Screening Committee member for next year’s Festival, please reach out to programming@driff.ca.