Bowing to Internet innovation, the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday unveiled plans for a global short film showcase at its 2014 edition.

The Short Cuts International sidebar of international short films comes as YouTube and other online video sites increasingly come to the fore.

“With new technologies and a constant influx of new talent, short filmmaking is flourishing,” said TIFF artistic director Cameron Bailey in a statement from the Berlin Film Festival.

The prestigious festival already screens Canadian short film as part of its Short Cuts Canada sidebar.

Now the festival is going overseas to find the latest in short film masterpieces.

“As TIFF expands its global reach, we want to bring some of the world’s finest short films to the audience, industry and media that gather in Toronto every year,” he added.

The shorts will screen in five curated programmes at the September festival, while TIFF Bell Lightbox will feature a monthly short film program.

Shane Smith, TIFF’s director of special projects, will oversee Short Cuts International.

Canadian short films will continue to be programmed in the Short Cuts Canada sidebar.