Feed the ToRo Film Challenge Fundraiser December 19, 2008

Beginning at 12pm on the 20th of December, 2008, the ToRo Arts family will proudly present our first annual film challenge fundraiser at Hart House, University of Toronto. This event will take place in the Music room on the second floor of Hart House and will run continuously through the course of the December 21st, 22nd weekend until one contestant prevails as winner of the film challenge.

The idea for this event was born out of our groups’ mutual love for film as well as from a similar event that recently took place in New York City which yielded a new Guinness world record holder for most consecutive films viewed. Although we at ToRo are not seeking to break a record with this event we were intrigued by this concept and have chosen to adopt many of the criteria from the New York City event when moulding our own version. The rules for our challenge, which can be viewed below, will follow those set by the aforementioned event as will the selection process for films. The chosen films, which will be kept secret from the audience, will be selected from the vast history of Hollywood cinema including both recent hits and past classics.

The film challenge will pit contestants against one another in a stamina based competition that seeks to find out how many films spectators can watch in succession, while abiding to a set of pre determined rules as outlined by ToRo arts. In between films a ten minute break will be granted for participants to take a brief break and prepare themselves for the following screening. Additionally, longer meal breaks will be provided to the participants sporadically over the course of the challenge to provide comfort to those who have the stamina it will take to prevail in a challenge such as this.

The goal of this fundraising campaign is primarily to aide ToRo in our future artistic endeavors, namely our upcoming second annual Romanian film festival that will take place February 2009. As such, if you the spectator feel that this challenge may be beyond your personal limits you can still take part in the film challenge and support ToRo arts by attending one or more of the films screened over the course of the weekend.

Rules for the competition are as follows:

-In order to qualify for contest prizes all contestants must be present at the beginning of the first screening. Those who show up late can still enter the challenge space and view films and in the process help ToRo raise money through their admission price.

-Once eliminated the participant does not have to leave the challenge space, they are merely out of the running for contest prizes.

-All participants must be seated and have their attention directed towards the film screen at all times.

-If a participant would like to get a snack or beverage during any screening they must call over a ToRo arts member to fill this request (See above ruling on leaving seated position during screening times).

-Participants who get up to leave the room, walk around, take a phone call, etc will be eliminated from the challenge.

-All participants must refrain from talking during screening periods so as to not interfere with the other participants and their enjoyment of the viewing experience. Excessive noise will result in elimination from the film challenge.

-Participants who are caught sleeping during the challenge will be eliminated

-Participants caught under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol during the challenge will be eliminated.

-Participants unable to return to the challenge event space in the allotted break time on time during the challenge will be eliminated.

Price of admission for this event will vary. The first twenty participants to R.S.V.P to this event will be granted a $10 dollar admission fee, with all remaining participants being charged a $15 admission fee. Additionally, ToRo will have a variety of food and drink available for purchase throughout the challenge. All proceeds from this event will go directly to ToRo arts for our various upcoming projects.

Just a reminder great prizes such as movie tickets and film workshops will be offered from Suspect Video, Bloor Cinema, Raindance Canada and ToRoArts group.

Official Website: http://toroartsgroup.com/