From New Line Cinema comes the ninth entry in the more than $2 billion theatrical Conjuring universe, The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by franchise veteran Michael Chaves and produced by franchise architects James Wan and Peter Safran.

The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers another thrilling chapter of the iconic Conjuring cinematic universe, based on real events.  Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a powerful and spine-chilling addition to the global box office-breaking franchise.

Farmiga and Wilson star alongside Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, who portray Ed and Lorraine’s daughter Judy Warren and her boyfriend, Tony Spera, as well as Steve Coulter returning as Father Gordon, Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, John Brotherton and Shannon Kook.

Chaves directs from a screenplay by Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, story by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick & James Wan, based on characters created by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes.  The executive producers are Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Hans Ritter, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Natalia Safran, John Rickard and Michael Chaves.

Chaves is joined behind the camera by his creative team, including director of photography Eli Born, production designer John Frankish, editors Elliot Greenberg and Gregory Plotkin, visual effects supervisor Scott Edelstein, visual effects producer Eric Bruneau and costume designer Graham Churchyard, with casting by Rose Wicksteed and Sophie Kingston-Smith.  The music supervisor is Ian Broucek and the music is by composer Benjamin Wallfisch.

New Line Cinema Presents The Safran Company / An Atomic Monster Production, The Conjuring: Last Rites.  The film will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and will be only in theatres and IMAX® in North America on September 5, 2025.

Welcome to Tall Pines. We think you’ll be very happy here.

Today, Netflix released a teaser trailer and first look images for the limited series, Wayward.

Wayward releases September 25, 2025 only on Netflix.

ABOUT WAYWARD

Logline : Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. After an escape attempt from an academy for “troubled teens”, two students join forces with a newly local police officer, unearthing the town’s dark and deeply rooted secrets.

Synopsis: In the picture-perfect town of Tall Pines, sinister secrets lurk behind every closed door. Not long after police officer Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin) and his pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon) move into their new home, he connects with two students Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) from the local school for “troubled teens” who are desperate to escape and could be the key to unearthing everything rotten in the town. As Alex begins investigating a series of unusual incidents, he suspects that Evelyn (Toni Collette), the school’s mysterious leader, might be at the center of all the problems. Created by Mae Martin, Wayward is a thrilling and genre-bending limited series about the eternal struggle between one generation and the next, what happens when friendship and loyalty are put to the ultimate test, and how buried truths always find a way of coming to the surface.

Format / Episodes: 8 Episode Limited Series
Creator / Co-Showrunner / Executive Producer: Mae Martin
Co-Showrunner / Executive Producer: Ryan Scott
Directed By: Euros Lyn (101, 102, 107, 108), Renuka Jeyapalan (103, 104), John Fawcett (105, 106)
Written By: Mae Martin (101), Ryan Scott (102), Evangeline Ordaz (103), Mohamad El Masri (104), Kim Steele (105), Kayla Lorette (106), Alex Elbridge & Ryan Scott (107), Mae Martin & Misha Osherovich (108)
Cast: Mae Martin, Sarah Gadon, Sydney Topliffe, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Brandon Jay McLaren and Toni Collette
Recurring Cast: Tattiawna Jones, Isolde Ardies, Joshua Close
Guest Stars: Patrick J. Adams, Patrick Gallagher, Gage Munroe, Byron Mann, Mark McKinney
Executive Producers: Mae Martin, Ryan Scott, Jennifer Kawaja with Sphere Media, Bruno Dubé with Sphere Media, Ben Farrell with Objective Fiction, Hannah Mackay with Objective Fiction, Euros Lyn

Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF, is delighted to announce the first group of honourees of the seventh annual TIFF Tribute Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to cinema and serving as the kick-off to awards season. Academy Award–winning Mexican-born filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award, two-time Academy Award winner and boundary-defying artist Jodie Foster will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, award-winning Japanese writer, director, and producer HIKARI will receive the TIFF Emerging Talent Award; and award-winning South Korean actor Lee Byung Hun is the recipient of a TIFF Special Tribute Award, attending TIFF this year with the North American Gala premiere of Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice. Academy Award–winning actor and 2022 Tribute Performer Award recipient Brendan Fraser will return to the Tribute Awards as the 2025 Honorary Chair. The seventh annual TIFF Tribute Awards will take place on Sunday, September 7, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

“We’re thrilled to announce this year’s recipients, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape: from the commanding talent of Lee Byung Hun; the visionary imagination of maestro Guillermo del Toro; the evocative storytelling of HIKARI; to the incomparable career of actor, filmmaker, and icon Jodie Foster. We’re honoured to welcome these exceptional artists to Toronto for the seventh annual Tribute Awards,” said Bailey. “We’re also delighted to welcome back Brendan Fraser, our 2022 Tribute Performer Award recipient, as this year’s Honorary Chair, a beloved artist and past honouree whose warmth, generosity, and passion for storytelling truly embody the spirit of our Festival.”

“I’m honoured to return to Toronto once again and to the TIFF Tribute Awards, this time not as a recipient, but as this year’s Honorary Chair,” said Fraser. “TIFF has been meaningful to me and to be in this role during the Festival’s landmark 50th edition is a privilege. TIFF continues to champion the kind of bold storytelling that brings people together, and I’m thrilled to celebrate this year’s Tribute recipients.”

The TIFF Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser and a world-class celebration of cinematic excellence. Proceeds support TIFF’s 50th anniversary campaign, Transform Together, advancing TIFF’s talent development, honouring visionary artists, and deepening community impact. Presented in partnership with Rolex, with support from RBC, Don Julio, and Fairmont Royal York.

2025 TIFF Tribute Awards Honourees

Guillermo del Toro — TIFF Ebert Director Award, presented by The Tory Family

Guillermo del Toro is attending the Festival with a Gala Presentation of his anticipated live-action feature, Frankenstein. His relationship with TIFF started with his debut feature Cronos (TIFF ’93) and continued throughout the years with Mimic (TIFF ’97), The Devil’s Backbone (TIFF ’01), Pan’s Labyrinth (TIFF ’06), and his People’s Choice Award–winning The Shape of Water (TIFF ’17), which was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture and Best Director. Demonstrating his ongoing commitment to Canadian cinema, del Toro curated a TIFF Cinematheque series celebrating Canadian horror earlier this month and was recently honoured with a ceremonial key to the City of Toronto. Named after legendary film critic Roger Ebert, the honour previously known as the Golden Thumb Award has gone to celebrated visionaries such as Martin Scorsese, Claire Denis, Ava DuVernay, Wim Wenders, and the late Agnès Varda. Becoming part of the Tribute event in 2019, past recipients include Mike Leigh (2024), Spike Lee (2023), Sam Mendes (2022), Denis Villeneuve (2021), Chloé Zhao (2020), and Taika Waititi (2019).

Jodie Foster – TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, presented by Joanna Griffiths and the Women of Knix

In a career spanning over 50 years, Jodie Foster is one of the most critically acclaimed actresses of her generation. Her powerful performance in Nyad, which earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Academy Awards, had its World Premiere at TIFF ’23. She now makes her return to the Festival (following The Brave One at TIFF ’07) with Rebecca Zlotowski’s Private Life, a French psychological mystery in which she plays a therapist. A groundbreaker both on and off the screen, Foster has not only built a legacy of complex, powerful performances, including her Oscar-winning roles in The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs, but has also championed women filmmakers throughout her directing career, with films like Little Man Tate and Home for the Holidays, among others. The TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award is presented by Joanna Griffiths and the Women of Knix; and is inspired by TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative, created to address gender parity in the film industry, to champion women at every stage of their creative journey, and to shine a spotlight on women creators making a significant difference in the industry. Past recipients are Cate Blanchett (2024), Patricia Arquette (2023), and Michelle Yeoh (2022).

HIKARI — TIFF Emerging Talent Award, presented by Amazon MGM Studios

Writer, director, and producer HIKARI makes her second appearance at TIFF with the World Premiere of her sophomore feature Rental Family, starring Tribute chair Brendan Fraser. Her debut feature 37 Seconds (TIFF ’19) received the Panorama Audience Award and the CICAE Award at the 69th Berlinale, among other international accolades. Having directed for both film and television, her recent credits include Beef and Tokyo Vice. Presented by Amazon MGM Studios, this award is in the spirit of Torontonian Mary Pickford, the groundbreaking actor, producer, and co-founder of United Artists, whose impact continues today. Past recipients include Durga Chew-Bose (2024), Carolina Markowicz (2023), Sally El Hosaini (2022), Danis Goulet (2021), Tracey Deer (2020), and Mati Diop (2019).

Lee Byung Hun — TIFF Special Tribute Award

A global sensation, Lee Byung Hun has achieved massive success across film and television in both South Korea and Hollywood. Before breaking out internationally, he starred in Joint Security Area and A Bittersweet Life, and went on to Korean blockbusters and global hits like Squid Game, G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra, Red 2, Terminator Genisys, and The Magnificent Seven. This is Byung Hun’s second appearance at TIFF and his second collaboration with Park Chan-wook. He was last in Toronto for the premiere of Concrete Utopia (TIFF ’23) and participated in an In Conversation with… series. This award is presented to an individual who has made an extraordinary and unique contribution to the world of film, leaving a lasting legacy through their dedication and artistry. Previous recipients include Zhao Tao (2024), Andy Lau (2023), Dionne Warwick (2021), and David Foster (2019).

Brendan Fraser — TIFF Honorary Chair

Brendan Fraser’s nuanced performances and compelling role choices have earned him widespread acclaim. He starred in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale (TIFF ’22) and garnered multiple honours, including an Academy Award for Best Actor, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and a SAG Award. In HIKARI’s Rental Family, Fraser plays a man hired by a company that provides rental family services, where people are employed to act as stand-ins for friends or relatives. Fraser will next appear in Anthony Maras’ Pressure, portraying Dwight D. Eisenhower, and in 2026, he’ll lend his voice to Tubi’s adult animated comedy Breaking Bear. His other recent work includes Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move, Doom Patrol, Line of Descent, The Secret of Karma, The Poison Rose, Trust, and Condor. Additional credits include Brothers, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, The Affair, and The Field, among many others.

Film Announcement

TIFF will present the North American Premiere of Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, in which Byung Hun stars, as part of the Gala Presentations programme:

No Other Choice | Park Chan-wook | South Korea | Elevation Pictures

North American Premiere | Gala

New this year, Rolex has signed on as the exclusive Presenting Partner of the 2025 TIFF Tribute Awards. RBC, one of TIFF’s long-time Major Sponsors, is a new Supporting Partner. Don Julio and Fairmont Royal York are returning once again as Supporting Partners.

Rolex in Cinema

Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminate in defining moments, determined by a path followed, not just an award. For more than half a century, Rolex has partnered with some of the world’s most talented artists and leading cultural institutions to celebrate excellence and promote the transfer of artistic heritage, creating a link between the past, present, and future. Through the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative, a broad portfolio of arts that extends through architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theatre, and visual arts, the company confirms its long-term commitment to global culture. In all these endeavours, Rolex supports distinction in the arts and the transmission of knowledge to future generations, who in turn pass on the world’s cultural legacy.

The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025. Stay tuned for more TIFF announcements.

CBC/Radio-Canada today announced that the national public broadcaster’s streaming services, CBC Gem and ICI TOU.TV, are now available on Rogers Xfinity in Canada. The additions of CBC Gem and ICI TOU.TV give customers of Rogers Xfinity TV access to more than 6,500 hours of live and on-demand programming for free on CBC Gem, and more than 12,000 hours of programming, including nearly 2,000 hours of youth content, on ICI TOU.TV and ICI TOU.TV EXTRA.

CBC Gem is home to essential English-language Canadian series and a curated selection of acclaimed, best-in-class content from around the world, as well as more than 400 documentary features, more than 700 hours of ad-free content for kids and tweens, and over 400 Canadian feature films – all available to users in Canada for free. CBC Gem Premium subscribers have access to ad-free on-demand streaming and the most-watched Canadian news channel, CBC News Network. CBC Gem and ICI TOU.TV are also the Canadian streaming home for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

ICI TOU.TV is the daily source of entertainment and news in French from Radio-Canada. With original series, acclaimed dramas, Canadian and international films, news, live sports, youth programming, and ICI TÉLÉ on-demand programs, there’s a wealth of content to watch for free. ICI TOU.TV EXTRA subscribers have ad-free access to exclusive premieres, original content and full seasons of series, in addition to the Véro.tv section and partner content from TFO, Télé-Québec, France.tv, RTBF, Canal+ Grand Écran and more.

“As Canadians increasingly turn to streaming and connected TV platforms, our new partnership with Rogers invites millions of viewers across the country to discover CBC’s award-winning programming,” said Barbara Williams, Executive Vice-President, CBC. “With the launch of CBC Gem on Rogers Xfinity, we will be able to better serve audiences in Canada with the news and entertainment they want, however and wherever they want it.”

“Bringing ICI TOU.TV to Rogers Xfinity offers new possibilities for Francophones across the country to access a wide variety of French-language content from Radio-Canada and its partners,” said Dany Meloul, Executive Vice-President, Radio-Canada. “This aligns perfectly with our mandate to promote our language and culture and to offer Canadians a true alternative in their own language.”

Rogers Xfinity customers can now stream current popular CBC original titles on CBC Gem, including The Great Canadian Baking Show, Heartland, Murdoch Mysteries, North of North, Saint-Pierre, Small Achievable Goals and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, with new seasons coming soon, as well as all seasons of past CBC hit original series, such as Baroness von Sketch Show (seasons 1-5); Kim’s Convenience (seasons 1-5); Schitt’s Creek (seasons 1-6); Sort Of (seasons 1-3); and Workin’ Moms (seasons 1-7). CBC Gem also offers three entertainment FAST channels, for long-running series Heartland and Murdoch Mysteries, as well as CBC Comedy, offering the best of CBC’s hit original comedy. In addition, customers will have access to new original titles premiering this fall, including The Assembly and Locals Welcome, and can watch key live sporting competitions and qualifying events in the lead up to Milano Cortina 2026.

Also on CBC Gem, Rogers Xfinity customers can access programming from one of Canada’s most trusted news sources, including 15 CBC News live streaming channels from across the country, as well as flagship CBC News programs The National, About That with Andrew Chang, The Fifth Estate, and Marketplace.

Among the latest premieres offered on ICI TOU.TV and ICI TOU.TV EXTRA, audiences can watch the new series Emprises, miniseries L’indétectable, the second season of Mont-Rouge, and the new series Fleur de peau. Viewers can catch up on episodes of hit Radio-Canada series, including STAT, Dumas, L’oeil du cyclone, and youth content, such as Premier Trio and L’agent Jean. Francophones around the country can stay up to date with their local news broadcast in French. Not to mention all the new series to look forward to in the upcoming 2025-2026 Radio-Canada season starting in September, in addition to classics like the ever-popular District 31. Several live sports competitions are also available, especially leading up to Milano Cortina 2026.

CBC Gem is available for free as an app for iOS and Android devices and online at CBCGem.ca, and on connected TVs via Roku, Samsung, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, LG, Google Chromecast, Android TV and Xbox, and for the first time on TV service providers via Rogers Xfinity.

ICI TOU.TV is available for free via the iOS and Android mobile apps, on the ICI.TOU.TV website, on connected TVs via Roku, Samsung, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, LG, Google Chromecast, Android TV, Xbox, as well as on TV service providers such as Helix by Vidéotron, TELUS Optik Télé and now on the Rogers Xfinity platform.

For the first time ever, Tennis fans are treated to a record 12 days of action at the NATIONAL BANK OPEN! Originating in 1881, this is known as the world’s second longest-running tournament only after Wimbledon. That means that any and all of the sport’s greatest have competed and won here in our City! We’re talking Serena, Roger, Martina, Monica, Rafael, Andre, Arantxa, Steffi. Legends!

We had the absolute honour of attending our very first Tennis tournament, courtesy of Destination Toronto, and it was unmatched – pardon the pun! We were guided through Sobeys Stadium by Tournament Director Karl Hale – this man travels to Wimbledon with talent, he’s a big deal – where the event goes in Toronto till August 7, 2025, with action across multiple courts.

Not only did we get to visit the spaces where the athletes recharge, prep and dine – yes, we were only a little starstruck by the names we saw up-close – we got to be Centre Court! Fascinating to get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes and what the Sport is really doing to focus on mental wellness of its athletes. What an incredible experience! We were pampered like royalty in a guest suite, complete with a concierge. We were fed and watered with the best, while in the presence of THE BEST!

The event which also takes place in Montreal, isn’t only about the matches, there’s something for everyone. Was adorable seeing kids walk around with giant tennis balls, hoping to get autographs because you just never know who you will run into here!

There was a litany of dining options available too with pop-ups, plus several activations from the likes of Sobeys, Psycho Bunny, Gatorade, Lindt and a chance to take home some swag too! We even sat-in briefly on a Mental Health panel inside the Audi VIP Lounge in the AC, which was appreciated, as it was a scorcher!

Above this, there were retailers on-site and at The Merchant of Tennis, we got to meet rapidly-rising star GABRIEL DIALLO who has propelled to stardom, flying into #36 ranking in the span of recent months. To be young, handsome and that talented!

We took lots of content. Was honestly unforgettable!

More on the historic NATIONAL BANK OPEN here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

“His fight begins within.” Today, Prime Video released the official trailer and key art for the highly anticipated new action-drama series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. Following the global success of the 2022 hit series, Dark Wolf will bring audiences back into the world of The Terminal List. The thrilling new trailer offers a look at “Ben Edwards’” (Taylor Kitsch) journey from Navy SEAL to CIA operative. Dark Wolf will premiere the first three episodes on

Wednesday, August 27, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. New episodes will follow weekly, leading up to the season finale on Wednesday, September 24.

Co-created by The New York Times bestselling author of The Terminal List, Jack Carr, and Season One creator-showrunner David DiGilio, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a prequel series with an origin story that follows “Ben Edwards” throughout his journey from the Navy SEALs to the clandestine side of CIA Special Operations. The series is an espionage thriller that explores the darker side of warfare and the human cost that comes with it. It also features Chris Pratt reprising his role as “James Reece.”

As with Season One of the runaway hit The Terminal List, authenticity is a core pillar of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf – with military veterans contributing as writers, actors, on-set technical advisors, and executive producers, the series is committed to portraying the mindset, brotherhood, and moral complexity of Special Operations with respect and realism.

Additional cast for the series include Tom Hopper as “Raife Hastings,” Robert Wisdom as “Jed Haverford,” Luke Hemsworth as “Jules Landry,” Dar Salim as “Mohammed Farooq,” Rona-Lee Shimon as “Eliza Perash,” Shiraz Tzarfati as “Tal Varon,” Jared Shaw as “Ernest ‘Boozer’ Vickers,” and more.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is executive produced by Taylor Kitsch alongside Chris Pratt through Indivisible Productions, writer and showrunner David DiGilio, author Jack Carr, Antoine Fuqua and Kat Samick through Hill District Media, former Army Ranger and writer Max Adams, and former Navy SEAL, writer, and technical advisor Jared Shaw, as well as Emmy-winning (Shōgun) pilot director Frederick E.O. Toye. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios, MRC and Civic Center Media.

Telefilm Canada is announcing its investment of $2.68 million in five Indigenous film projects through the Indigenous funding streams for the Theatrical Documentary Program and the Production Program in both the English and French markets.

An annual commitment of $4 million is earmarked for Indigenous creators from Canada’s Indigenous communities, with the remainder amount reserved for Indigenous projects submitted through the Talent to Watch Program and the Development Program.

Ancestral Beasts (horror)

Director and Screenwriter: Tim Riedel

Production: 16198872 Canada Inc

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Instant Indian – The Hijacking of a Nation (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Jules Koostachin

Production: Xa7tus Productions Inc.

Distribution: IndieCan Entertainment

Province: British Columbia

Language: English

Little People (drama)

Directors: Sarah Houle and Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi

Screenwriters: Shane Ghostkeeper and Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi

Production: Muskego Inc.

Province: Alberta

Language: English and Cree – nehiyawak

The Skins Game (drama)

Director: Jon Elliott

Screenwriter: Justin Neal

Production: Holy Crow Productions

Province: British Columbia

Language: English

Une tragédie inuite: La police au Nunavik (documentary)

Directors: Kim O’Bomsawin and Olivia Ikey

Screenwriters: Kim O’Bomsawin and Chaz Beaudette

Production: Nikan Productions (VI) Inc.

Province: Quebec

Language: French

Telefilm received and assessed 22 projects representing more than $16 million in funding requests. Project submissions were considered by an Advisory Committee, and Telefilm met with all shortlisted teams.

More funding decisions, including projects from the Indigenous stream and the Theatrical Documentary Program will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2025–26 Annual Report.

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page once all funding decisions have been made.

About Telefilm Canada  

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund raises private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on LinkedIn,  X, Facebook,  Instagram and Letterboxd.    

Harbourfront Centre brings the energy and rhythm of the Caribbean to its 10-acre waterfront campus for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival weekend with Island Vibes — a two-day celebration of music, food, dance, and culture that invites the entire city to move, connect, and celebrate.

The weekend begins on Saturday, August 2 with a high-energy outdoor gathering and a headline sound clash concert, featuring DJ Starting from Scratch and The Recipee Band followed by a lakeside after-party. Programming continues Sunday, August 3 with Festival de l’Éclat — presented in partnership with Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario — featuring Francophone Caribbean artists, family activities, and an all-day DJ and culinary experience.

“Island Vibes brings people together in all the ways that matter — through movement, music, storytelling, and shared joy,” says Diana Webley, Manager of Arts & Culture at Harbourfront Centre. “It’s a true celebration of Caribbean culture, and we’re proud to host it on our waterfront campus.”

Saturday, August 2:
Highlights include:

• The Clash – DJ Starting from Scratch vs The Recipee Band in a live sound clash on
  the Concert Stage, hosted by comedian Jay Martin (8:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
• Island Vibes After Party – An outdoor celebration at Bobby Bermuda’s Sunset
  Bar with DJ Starting from Scratch and DJ Che La Soul (11:00 PM – 2:00 AM)

Sunday, August 3:
Presented in partnership with Festival Kompa Zouk Ontario, Festival de l’Éclat celebrates Kompa and Zouk music, Haitian heritage, and Francophone Caribbean culture through a powerful blend of live music, dance, and community programming.

It is a multisensory experience — a fusion of Creole cuisine, colourful fashion, and community empowerment. It stands as a beacon of unity and celebration for the Afro-Caribbean diaspora in Canada, open to all who wish to dance, connect, and shine. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a
curious newcomer, this is more than a music festival — it’s a glowing tribute to cultural identity and joy.

Programming includes:

• 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Jungle-themed kids’ crafts and face painting
• 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – FKZO DJ featuring DJ Best Sound Music and DJ Olynk
• 3:30PM – 4:00 PM -Fire Guy Chris Precius
• 4:00PM – 4:30 PM – Gwada’Ka Dancers
• 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM – Island Vibes Day & Night Party featuring DJs and Caribbean
  Street food
• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM – DJ Combo x Fashion Showcase
• 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM – BAZ KONPA live performance
• 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM – BAZ KONPA featuring Fatima Altieri
• 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM – DJ Tony Mix

All events take place at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Saturday’s mainstage and daytime activities are free and open to the public. Select after-party and evening events are ticketed, visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com for more details.

“Harbourfront Centre is a gathering place — a space where cultures are celebrated, artists are elevated, and the city comes together,” says Cathy Loblaw, CEO of Harbourfront Centre. “Island Vibes offers a preview of the future we’re shaping – one where community takes center stage and creativity brings people together.”

About Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is Toronto’s waterfront community campus for arts, culture, learning and recreation. Spanning a 10-acre campus at the heart of Toronto’s central waterfront, it is a registered, charitable not-for-profit cultural organization that offers year-round programs and events accessible to all audiences. The organization champions established and emerging Canadian artists across varied disciplines and serves as a recreational hub for more than 6.3 million annual visitors. Whether hailing from across the street or around the globe, Harbourfront Centre offers memorable and meaningful experiences for all who visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com.

In a cinematic world filled with sports dramas and gambling flicks, Rounders remains the undisputed cult classic of poker films. Released in 1998 and initially met with lukewarm box office success, the film has since developed a passionate following among poker enthusiasts.

But what is it about Rounders that still draws fans back to its gritty underground card rooms, even decades later?

Whether it’s the high-stakes tension, Matt Damon’s relatable performance, or the eerily prescient foreshadowing of the online poker boom, Rounders continues to shuffle into poker discussions and fan forums alike. More than just a movie, it’s a mood — and one that perfectly captures the heart and hustle of a game that rewards risk-takers and dreamers.

Let’s deal into why this film still commands such loyalty, and how its legacy lives on at felt tables and in online poker rooms today.

A Modest Box Office, a Massive Afterlife

When Rounders hit theaters in September 1998, it wasn’t exactly a blockbuster. It earned just over $22 million domestically on a $12 million budget, according to Box Office Mojo. Critics were split — some praised its tone and performances, others felt it missed the emotional weight of great sports dramas.

Yet, like a low-key hand that builds into a royal flush, Rounders gained strength in the years that followed. As the 2000s poker boom swept the globe — largely thanks to the rise of televised poker and online platforms — Rounders found new life in DVD sales, streaming, and late-night reruns.

It was no longer just a film. It was a touchstone for poker culture.

Mike McDermott: The Everyman Before Online Poker

Legend Chris Moneymaker
At the heart of Rounders is Matt Damon’s Mike McDermott, a brilliant law student with a deep love for poker — not just the game, but the psychology, the mathematics, the art of reading your opponent’s soul. He dreams of bigger games in Vegas, but real life — relationships, responsibilities, and risk — keeps pulling him back.

Sound familiar?

Five years after Rounders hit theaters, the poker world met its real-life McDermott: Chris Moneymaker. A Tennessee accountant with a relatable name and an underdog spirit, Moneymaker shocked the world in 2003 by winning the World Series of Poker Main Event after qualifying through an $86 online satellite.

Just like Mike, he wasn’t supposed to be there. He wasn’t a casino shark or a mobbed-up pro. He was us — the everyman with a dream, a bit of skill, and the guts to put it all on the line.

That’s the magic of Rounders. It didn’t just predict the future; it laid out the emotional blueprint of a generation of poker players, many of whom started playing because of Moneymaker — and watched Rounders before their first big game. Moneymaker went on to be a global superstar. He’s also the face of online poker giants Americas Cardroom, among other prestigious brands in the US and beyond. His work helping build poker globally has been unrivaled – something nobody saw coming but ultimately glad he’s played a massive part in expanding the sport into new regions.

The Supporting Cast That Elevated the Game
While Damon carried the lead with effortless charm, it was the supporting cast that gave Rounders its unique texture.

 Edward Norton as Worm, the fast-talking, impulsive friend who can’t stay out of trouble.
 John Malkovich as Teddy KGB, chewing scenery and Oreo cookies in one of the most memorable poker villain performances of all time.
 John Turturro, Martin Landau, and Famke Janssen added gravitas, each representing different pulls in Mike’s life — the stability of law, the lure of the game, the pressure of expectation.

Their performances helped elevate poker from a backroom hobby into a cinematic sport, complete with moral dilemmas, personal stakes, and philosophical overtones. It wasn’t about chasing money. It was about identity — who you are when the chips are down.

A Cult Following Fueled by Poker Culture
Today, Rounders is more than a film. It’s a cultural marker.

Poker pros still quote the film in interviews and at the table. Fans recite lines like “If you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker,” as if they’re gospel.

Reddit threads, YouTube breakdowns, and poker podcasts continue to dissect the hands, strategies, and character motivations.

Players are still inspired by the DIY energy of Mike McDermott and the belief that if you’ve got heart, brains, and nerves, you can hang with the best — whether in smoky basements or virtual tables powered by Bitcoin.

Why It Still Resonates Today
The world of poker has changed drastically since Rounders. We’ve seen televised final tables, celebrity crossovers, AI-enhanced tools, and crypto integration. Yet the core struggle — to play your cards right in a world that demands conformity — remains the same.

Rounders speaks to anyone who’s ever gambled on themselves, anyone who’s resisted playing life “safe,” and anyone who’s walked away from something stable to chase a dream that might just be crazy enough to work.

That kind of story never goes out of style.

Its Legacy
So why does Rounders still matter to poker fans? Because it was never just about poker. It was about the people who play it — flawed, brilliant, desperate, loyal, strategic, reckless. It showed us a world behind closed doors, where dignity could be won and lost in a single hand.

And in an age where poker continues to evolve, from glitzy Vegas arenas to online crypto platforms, Rounders remains a cinematic anthem — a reminder that all you really need is a seat at the table, a little courage, and the nerve to go all-in.

That’s why fans keep coming back. Not for the cards. For the character. For the chase. For the
story.

Just like Mike. Just like Moneymaker.

Just like us.

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Today, Disney+ debuted the official trailer and key art for the Hulu Original limited series “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.” The series will premiere on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 exclusively on Disney+ in Canada, with two episodes at launch, then one new episode weekly.

A limited series inspired by the story of how Amanda Knox was wrongfully convicted for the tragic murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, and her journey to set herself free. The series stars Grace Van Patten, Sharon Horgan, John Hoogenakker, Francesco Acquaroli, Giuseppe De Domenico and Roberta Mattei.

“The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox” hails from 20th Television in association with The Littlefield Company. KJ Steinberg (“This Is Us”) is creator and executive producer. Executive producers include Warren Littlefield, Lisa Harrison, Ann Johnson, & Graham Littlefield (The Littlefield Company); Monica Lewinsky (Alt Ending Productions); Amanda Knox & Chris Robinson (Knox Robinson Productions); and Michael Uppendahl, who also directs.

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Junior Mode profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.