The Non Violence International Film Festival 2008

A 60-something liberal woman in the Bible Belt shares her thoughts on Obesity and Religion.

Recently emigrated Miguel has a hard time dealing with diverse cultures while his kids try hard to just fit in. But Miguel's refusal to acknowledge his cross-dressing neighbor and his strict orders to have his kids do the same angers his wife and eventually has the kids defying his authority.

When popular girl Skye receives threatening emails, text messages and voice-mails, her best friend Melody asks classmate Adina for help. When Adina says yes, her best friend Clara is confused. Skye is stuck up, and has never been nice to them in the past, so why is Adina helping her? After an adventure, the girls learn about more than just the bullies identity-- they learn about friendship and growing up in the digital age of technology. The film was created as an 'origin story' of four girls who end up forming a club. The intention is to educate young people about Cyber Bullying: harassment over the internet.

Animal Instincts is an action packed claymation of epic proportions. A fight breaks out between a cow and a sheep after the sheep steals some flowers. The cow doesn't take too kindly to the devious sheep, but the sheep isn't one to stand down from a fight no matter how far it takes them. The farmyard is transformed into a battleground as the animals use whatever they can get their hooves on as they desperately try to kill one another. They blow up the barn and plough the tractor through a fence, reeking havoc wherever they turn. Just when you think they've sent each other to their demise, plummeting off the edge of an unexpected cliff, they miraculously land safely in a heavenly field full of flowers, proving their epic battle entirely meaningless.Four and a half minutes fly past with the fast paced action keeping you on the edge of your seat. It pays homage to numerous popular films in a refreshingly original way, that is sure to get any audience laughing. The beauty of the film, however, is the way it communicates to everybody without a word of dialog. Its bright colours and music help it to appeal to all ages and transcend cultural barriers. People of any nationality can appreciate the simple, yet clever humour, and be enthralled by the intense action. It has the rare quality that very few films possess, the ability to appeal to everybody.

APPASSIONATA is inspired by an army postal service letter send by a German Soldier out of of Stalingrad to his wife. The movie tells the Story of Anton, a German Soldier awaiting his doom in the pocket of Stalingrad. Beeing a Musician in civil life, he spots an undamaged piano in the no-man's land between the lines and the urge to play one last time becomes irresistible. Despite the warnings of his comrad Hans, he leaves their hiding place to play the piano. There he is surpised by a russian lone fighter...

Nineteen-year old Ilya da Costa lives life without much responsibility. He works in construction, lives with his mother in an urban Toronto apartment, and spends his weekends drinking with his friends in downtown bars. Ilya breaks this pattern of simplicity when he is arrested for assaulting a female police officer while intoxicated. His life becomes exponentially more complicated in the ensuing weeks, as he faces life changing criminal consequences. The delinquent desperately searches the Yellow Pages for a lawyer, and gradually begins to realize the implications of his actions. While struggling to come to terms with his troubles, Ilya's youthful anxiety shines through his tough exterior.

In the spring of 2007 the Shinnyo-en prayer ceremony for World Peace was opened to the public for the first time. People from all over the world attended this 'Saito Homa' fire service. 'The Awakening Fire: A Buddist Prayer for Peace' offers a fascinating glimpse into this unique sect of Buddhism. Shinnyo-en's history, evolution, and humanitarian efforts around the world will be introduced.