The Canadian Film Centre previewed the latest round of five shorts from its 2007 Short Dramatic Film Program at Toronto’s Varsity Cinemas on Monday, recognizing three industry volunteers with the annual Payback Awards, sponsored by Playback.

Dan St. Amour, from equipment supplier William F. White, and crew workers Ted Graham and Ryan Dias were honored for the support and time they donated to CFC projects.

‘Thank you all for volunteering your time, for helping to build our indigenous industry and for supporting Canadian talent,’ said CFC director of film programs Kathryn Emslie.

The short Burgeon and Fade, about the insecurities of a middle-aged mom over her daughter’s burgeoning beauty, penned by Bonnie Fairweather and directed by Audrey Cummings, kicked off the event. It was followed by the premiere of Jessica Joy Wise’s Shutter, from a script by David Bradley Halls, about the thorny relationship between a wedding photographer and a war photo-journalist.

Other shorts that were screened include Dylan Akio Smith’s drama Night, scripted by Katherine Collins, about a man trying to come to grips with his wife’s death; Kelly Harms’ Cursing Hanley, which follows a cursed man as he tries to reverse his mounting misfortunes; and the comedy Song of Slomon, directed by Emmanuel Shirinian and penned by Amy Cameron, about a conservative Orthodox rabbi who is seduced by a catchy pop tune.

The films were produced with the support of partners including Telefilm Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the government of Ontario and Technicolor.