Our Mission
The Toronto Smartphone Film Festival (TSFF) is the fastest growing, innovative mobile film festival in North America. We encourage filmmakers to share their stories shot on smartphones (and tablets). Smartphones (and tablets) are considered one of the least expensive film equipment to be experimented by amateur and professional filmmakers. With innovative technology in the palm of your hands, it often requires minimum training and/or field experience to shoot, but its existence opens up a whole new way of filmmaking with limitless potential.
As the largest smartphone film festival in Canada, TSFF provides aspiring filmmakers an international platform to showcase their ideas and stories on the big screen to a wider audience.
Team
Board of Directors
Mingu Kim
Festival Director
mingu@smartphonefilm.ca
Mingu is the founder of TSFF, a content creator and a TV broadcaster. He is excited to launch another year of TSFF, celebrating its 9th year anniversary. Mingu is dedicated in providing all filmmakers, first-time to experienced, an option to create films in more communicable ways than the norm. He is continuously fascinated by all the creativity and hard work filmmakers provide using their smartphones.
Susan Lee-Pierce
Operations & HR Manager
susan@smartphonefilm.ca
Susan has been with TSFF since its inaugural year in 2012. Although her studies were in music and education, she couldn't hold herself back from exploring her other passions, organizing and managing events and festivals. Susan loves meeting new people, exploring new ideas and never hesitates to get involved. Through TSFF, she hopes to meet people alike in building a creative and innovative community!
Jennifer (Ye won) Kim
Creative Strategist & Host
yewon@smartphonefilm.ca
Jen joined the TSFF family in 2015. Since then, she has interacted with thousands of TSFF audience members as a Host of the festival. Jen loves communicating with people on stage, and she believes films are able to bring people together in an innovative and exciting form of film. As a Creative Strategist, Jen plans and executes various TSFF matters in creative, artistic, and organized ways.
Staff
Jay Clarke
Programmer
jay@smartphonefilm.ca
Jay Clarke was born and raised in Oakville, Ontario and grew up loving film - from blockbusters to bargain basement. He has written and directed several short films, some of which have acquired Canadian & worldwide distribution. In addition to TSFF, he also programs short films for Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival, Hamilton's Hexploitation Film Festival and Toronto's monthly short film showcase, Little Terrors. He is very excited to enter into this ever-growing medium presented by the TSFF.
Nicolas Koscik
Programming Assistant & Instructor
nick@smartphonefilm.ca
Luke Bandara
Community Engagement Officer
luke@smartphonefilm.ca
Andrew Heard
Community Outreach Specialist
andrew@smartphonefilm.ca
Seon Hea Lee
Graphic Designer
seonhea@smartphonefilm.ca
Seon Hea joined the TSFF family in 2019, and she has been the strong backbone of the TSFF visuals. Seon Hea is passionate about branding, packaging designs, and motion graphics and her experience include working with e-commerce vendors, event planners, charities, and various community organizations.
Stephanie Cheung
Content Writer
stephanie@smartphonefilm.ca
Stephanie has been a part of the TSFF team since 2015 and has taken on different roles in administration, marketing, and PR. She is an enthusiast when it comes to all things film and entertainment. She also is a features writer for various online publications, such as Soompi. In addition, Stephanie frequently volunteers at various film festivals and events, and is always actively seeking for new opportunities to learn and grow.
Looking to Join the Team?
TSFF is always looking for volunteers for the annual film festival as well as other events. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please contact info@smartphonefilm.ca.
History
2018: The Smartphone Film Kabaret
First year to launch a 48-hour smartphone film challenge
First year to invite a filmmaker from abroad for a special presentation
133 Submissions, 18 Countries, 11 Award Categories, 568 Attendees and 24 Staff & Volunteers
2017: 3-Day Expansion
First year to showcase a feature length film - 9 Rides
First year to launch a smartphone filmmaking workshop with George Brown College
60 Submissions, 18 Countries, 5 Award Categories, 350 Attendees and 20 Staff & Volunteers
2016: 5th Anniversary of TSFF
TD Canada Trust partnered as the Presenting Sponsor
217 Submissions, 34 Countries, 6 Awards, 350 Attendees and 20 Staff & Volunteers
1st Year applying Submission and Admission Fees
1st Year to have International Filmmakers attend the physical festival
2015: 1st Year to celebrate 2-Days of TSFF
Samsung Canada partnered as the Presenting Sponsor
259 Submissions, 50 Countries, 4 Awards, 400 Attendees and 30 Staff & Volunteers
2014: Renamed as Toronto Smartphone Film Festival (TSFF)
Opened up the Festival to attract Global Interest with the Name Change
50 Submissions, 7 Countries, 6 Awards, 350 Attendees and 30 Staff & Volunteers
Introduced the Photogenic Contest with the Red Carpet
2013: AKSFF expanded to non-Korean Filmmakers Internationally
Co-hosted with Korea Tourism Organization to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationship between Canada and Korea
Introduced DSLR Filmmaking
30 Submissions, 4 Countries, 5 Awards, 250 Attendees and 22 Staff & Volunteers
2012: Launched Arirang Korea Smartphone Film Festival (AKSFF)
1-Day Film Festival showcasing films related to Korean Identity and Culture in Toronto
20 Submissions (Canada Only), 4 Awards, 200 Attendees and 20 Staff & Volunteers
Contact us.
info@smartphonefilm.ca
(555) 555-5555
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
