Today, the Toronto Jewish Film Foundation is proud to announce the 33rd annual Toronto Jewish Film Festival lineup consisting of over 80 films from across the globe. The Festival will screen in various locations across Toronto between June 5th – June 15th and will also host free virtual screenings for Canadians across the country to enjoy.

Opening this year’s festival will be the Toronto Premiere of Canadian director Ken Scott’s latest feature ONCE UPON MY MOTHER with special guest, writer and film subject Roland Perez. Demonstrating that there is no love greater than that between a mother and her child, Scott (Starbuck) delivers a big-hearted, witty film based on a true story that is destined to be a crowd favourite. The film will premiere at 8 p.m. ET at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto.

Other highlighted films include Berlinale 2025 selection and TJFF Centrepiece Film ALL I HAD WAS NOTHINGNESS, an emotional feat from director Guillaume Ribot, in which he explores 220 hours of unreleased footage from Claude Lanzmann’s landmark 1985 film Shoah. Ribot will join the audience for a post-screening Q&A. To close out this year’s Festival, CHARLES GRODIN: REBEL WITH A CAUSE will have its Ontario premiere along with a virtual Q&A with Grodin’s wife Elissa Grodin and Director James Freedman. The documentary is not only a tribute to Grodin’s legacy on-screen, but the many years he dedicated to advocating for social justice causes within the United-States, particularly surrounding prison reform and wrongful incarceration. Elaine May’s THE HEARTBREAK KID starring Charles Grodin will also play at the festival.

For a local Toronto focus, guests can expect in-conversations exploring the Jewish community engrained in Toronto culture. The Festival will host a free double-feature of Harry Rasky’s NOBODY SWINGS ON SUNDAY which will be presented with Barry Avrich’s AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE UNSTOPPABLE STORY OF TORONTO’S MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL, which has been nominated for the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary Program at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards. KENSINGTON MARKET: HEART OF THE CITY from director Stuart Clarfield will also screen at the Festival. The film explores the 150-year history of the beloved Kensington neighbourhood in Toronto through residents’ stories, combining archival footage and interviews to highlight the area’s cultural richness and the ongoing struggle against gentrification. All three projects will feature an in-person Q&A.

TJFF will once again be taking a hybrid approach, making content accessible to a wider audience. Among virtual offerings, this year’s Festival has curated a free online screening programme taking place from June 6th – June 20th honouring the legacy of Winnipegger Larry Zolf, a bold figure in Canadian media. From his early days on CBC’s This Hour Has Seven Days to memorable appearances on The Originals and Firing Line with William F. Buckley, Zolf’s bold, irreverent take on politics and society made him a standout in the Canadian media landscape.

Additionally, this year’s TJFF2025 Artist-In-Residence programme features actor Sasson Gabay (The Band’s Visit, Shtisel, Gett), who will be attending the festival in-person. As part of this programme, TJFF has curated a series, which includes AN AFTERNOON WITH SASSON GABAY where Gabay reflects on the last five decades of his illustrious career. Gabay will also present various works, including 2024 Toronto International Film Festival Official Selection BLISS. From Iraqi-Jewish roots, Gabay has performed internationally in Hebrew, Arabic, Yiddish, English and French across film, television and theatre; his body of work reflects the complexity of the international Jewish experience.

From horror to comedy to poignant documentaries, free programmes and engaging panels, discover the unexpected at the Festival. The full Festival lineup can be found at: https://tjff.com/lineup-2025/.

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://tjff.com/tjff2025-festival-passes.

About TJFF

Co-founded in 1993 by Artistic Director, Helen Zukerman, the TJFF was created to heighten awareness of Jewish cultural diversity in Toronto and around the world. Films have included such world renowned hits as: Lune (Aviva Armour-Ostroff), Sublet (Eytan Fox), Shiva Baby (Emma Seligman), Tel Aviv on Fire (Sameh Zoabi), Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles (Max Lewkowicz), RBG (Betsy West, Julie Cohen), A Tickle in the Heart (Stefan Schwietert), and Hebrew Hammer  (Jonathan Kesselman), as well as Academy Award-winners The Counterfeiters (Stefan Ruzowitzky), and West Bank Story (Ari Sandel). The Canadian Archival series shines a light on the rarely seen Jewish contributions to Canadian film and television. TJFF is presented by the Toronto Jewish Film Foundation, which runs programmes and events throughout the year and the GTA.

Netflix today released a selection of first look images for Too Much, confirming the release date of 10th July, 2025.

The first look images feature Meg Stalter, Will Sharpe, Michael Zegan, Janicza Bravo, Richard E. Grant, Rita Wilson, Naomi Watts, Andrew Rannells, Rhea Perlman, Emily Ratajkowski and Adwoa Aboah.

SYNOPSIS: Jessica (Megan Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block in New York tells a story of her own bad behaviour, the only solution is to take a job in London, where she plans to live a life of solitude like a Bronte sister. But when she meets Felix (Will Sharpe) – a walking series of red flags – she finds that their unusual connection is impossible to ignore, even as it creates more problems than it solves. Now they have to ask themselves: do Americans and Brits actually speak the same language? From the creator of Girls and the producers of Love Actually, Too Much is an ex-pat rom-com for the disillusioned who wonder if true love is still possible, but sincerely hope that it is.

CREATORS: Lena Dunham and Luis Felber

WRITER/DIRECTOR: Lena Dunham

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Lena Dunham, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Michael P. Cohen, Surian Fletcher-Jones and Bruce Eric Kaplan

PRODUCER: Camilla Bray

PRODUCTION COMPANY: A Working Title Television and Good Thing Going Production

STUDIO: Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group

MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service and production company has acquired the acclaimed eight-part drama series Mussolini: Son of the Century for North America, Latin America, Belgium, Luxembourg, Turkey, India and New Zealand in a multi-territory deal with Fremantle.

Directed by BAFTA winning Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Darkest Hour), starring Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden, The Eight Mountains, The Old Guard) as Benito Mussolini and written by Stefano Bises (Gomorrah – The Series, The New Pope, ZeroZeroZero) and Davide Serino (1992, 1993, The King), the series is based on the bestselling book by Antonio Scurati and follows the rise to power of the infamous Italian political figure, Benito Mussolini, and the birth of fascism in Italy.

Premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival, Mussolini: Son of the Century is a scathing contemporary portrait of Mussolini and his political rise, from the formation of the irregular militia of the Fasces of Combat to the imposition of the most ferocious dictatorships Italy has ever known.

Joe Wright said: “This series was a chance to explore how charisma and chaos can coexist in a single man—and how that dangerous combination can reshape a nation. Luca Marinelli brings Mussolini’s volatility and magnetism to terrifying life. It was a privilege to work with such an extraordinary team on a story that feels both historical and disturbingly timeless. MUBI is the perfect home for the series—a platform that embraces daring, intelligent storytelling and treats its audience as collaborators in the experience.”

Christian Vesper, CEO Global Drama & Film, Fremantle said: “It was really important to us that we found the right partner to help us expand the reach of Mussolini: Son of the Century and I’ve no doubt that’s exactly what we’ve got in MUBI. I can’t think of a better pair of hands to nurture and celebrate this extraordinary series and help us tell this important story.”

Efe Cakarel, Founder & CEO, MUBI, said: “Fearless storytelling has always been at the heart of MUBI, and no one embodies it more vividly than Joe Wright. With Mussolini: Son of the Century he transforms history into pulse-quickening drama—elevated by Luca Marinelli’s searing performance—and proves how the screen can both unsettle and enlighten. We’re honored to bring this extraordinary series to audiences around the world.”

Mussolini: Son of the Century, is produced by Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle company, in co-production with Pathé, in association with Small Forward Productions, in collaboration with Fremantle, Cinecittà S.p.A., and Sky. Fremantle handles global sales.

The acquisition adds to MUBI’s growing focus on presenting series alongside films on the streaming platform. Previous exclusive series on MUBI include Wiliam Kentridge’s Self Portrait as a Coffee Pot, and Lars von Trier’s The Kingdom Trilogy. To mark the 35th anniversary of its release, David Lynch and Mark Frost’s visionary cult classic, Twin Peaks (1990) and Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series (2017), will be coming to MUBI in select territories from 13 June 2025. MUBI also recently announced it will be releasing Wong Kar Wai’s series, Blossoms Shanghai, in multiple territories.

Recent and upcoming MUBI Releases include Oliver Hermanus’ The History of Sound starring Paul Mescal, Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind starring Josh O’Connor, Academy Award® winning Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance starring Demi Moore, Luca Guadagnino’s Queer starring Daniel Craig, and Magnus von Horn’s Academy Award® nominated The Girl with the Needle.

Upcoming MUBI Productions include Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind starring Josh O’Connor, which will world premiere in Competition at Cannes 2025, and co-productions include Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother and Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebush Pruning.

From Apple Original Films and the filmmakers from Top Gun: Maverick comes the high-octane, action-packed feature film F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, seven-time FORMULA 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Chad Oman. Today we get a new Trailer!

Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

F1 The Movie also stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem, and has been shot during actual Grand Prix weekends as the team competes against the titans of the sport.

Kosinski directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger. The film is executive produced by Daniel Lupi. Collaborating with Kosinski behind the scenes are his creative team, including director of photography Claudio Miranda, production designers Mark Tildesley and Ben Munro, editor Stephen Mirrione, costume designer Julian Day, casting director Lucy Bevan and composer Hans Zimmer.

Apple Original Films Presents a Monolith Pictures / Jerry Bruckheimer / Plan B Entertainment / Dawn Apollo Films Production, A Film by Joseph Kosinski, F1 The Movie, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theatres and IMAX nationwide on June 27, 2025.

Success couldn’t happen to a better person! There’s a reason why Nikki Glaser has built a long and lasting career, she is wickedly funny, sharp and incredibly kind. The funnywoman made her way to Toronto’s Meridian Hall as part of her ALIVE AND UNWELL Tour, after shows in Hamilton earlier this spring. Things comtinue to be an upward trajectory.for her after a show-stealing performance on Netflix’s.Tom Brady Roast, and a phenomenal.job hosting this year’s Golden Globe Awards. This was historic in that she has the distinction.of being the first ever female solo host of the awards. In fact, she slayed so hard she returns as host again next year!

Glaser came to Toronto following shows in Montreal and this, her biggest tour to date, is winning widespread acclaim.

By Justin Waldman

Last night, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the How Did This Get Made? live Podcast recording at Massey Hall, as part of Departure Festival + Conference 2025. The Podcast celebrates bad films and on this episode, they took a look at the absolutely indescribable farce that is Sylvester Stallone’s 1991 film, Oscar. This one of the most bizarre, hellish, insane things I’ve ever seen. The exact opposite of what I’d describe a HDTGM live show though, actually. And for someone who attended their first HDTGM show, I would absolutely return time and again at another opportunity, no matter how unlikely as though one audience member had to call out to June Diane Raphael “Why do you hate Toronto?”.

While Paul Scheer told us a story (we swore not to repeat the story and he made a note to get it edited out of the taping!) about 2017 film Governor Gabbi, the Podcast recording itself was insightful and engaging. They talked for about 45 minutes about the sheer madness of disastrous film Oscar, and a movie Stallone (according to an audience member who researched it) said is the second worst thing he’s done in his career behind 1992’S Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.

Rounding-out this Podcast trio is Jason Mantzoukas who is as unhinged as he is on all things he’s done and is most likely recognized from. This Fan Q&A and taping truly was a night that never to be forgotten!

Without wanting to ruin the Podcast episode before it airs, we won’t divulge into other information that Paul, June and Jason reveal during the taping. If you have never listened to How Did This Get Made? before, you easily will become a fan. This was truly magical witnessing this live!

Lightning strikes twice for THUNDERBOLTS*, with an excellent $35 million from 4,330 theatres in its second weekend out for Disney/Marvel. This is a tally of $130.3 million domestically.

SINNERS still is going strong in second with $20 million from 3,502 theaters for Warner Bros., a total $213.3 million.

A MINECRAFT MOVIE is in third with $7 million from 3,468 theaters, bringing it to $408 million in its sixth weekend for Warner Bros.

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 gets fourth with $5.8 million from 3,402 theaters, bringing it to $50.6 million week three, also for Warner Bros./Amazon MGM Studios.

CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD debuts in fifth with $3 million from 2,277 theaters for Elevation Pictures/IFC Films.

Releasing Globally on Netflix Wednesday, July 2, 2025, we learned today that Uma Thurman is in THE OLD GUARD 2 and we get a new Trailer!

DIRECTOR: Victoria Mahoney

SCREENPLAY BY: Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker

SCREEN STORY BY: Greg Rucka

BASED ON THE GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES WRITTEN BY: Greg Rucka and Illustrated by Leandro Fernandez

PRODUCERS: Charlize Theron, AJ Dix, Beth Kono, Marc Evans, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger

KEY CAST: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngô, Henry Golding, with Uma Thurman and Chiwetel Ejiofor

SYNOPSIS: Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years. Andy, Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli) and James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) enlist the help of Tuah (Henry Golding), an old friend who may provide the key to unlocking the mystery behind immortal existence. Directed by Victoria Mahoney, and also starring Uma Thurman, The Old Guard 2 is an emotional, adrenaline-pumping sequel, based on the world created by Greg Rucka and illustrator Leandro Fernandez.

To celebrate the release of FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES, Warner Bros. Pictures Canada is bringing a taste of movie magic off-screen and on to the roads with one of the franchise’s most infamous kills. Beginning today and through to Victoria Day, a blood-splattered FINAL DESTINATION logging truck will be making rounds across major highways and downtown locations in Ontario and Quebec. Stuck in rush hour? No problem! The truck displays a bloody twist on the classic, “How’s my driving?” bumper sticker, encouraging fans to scan QR codes to purchase advance tickets to the film.

At select movie theatre stops, horror enthusiasts can take home exclusive promo items (while supplies last) and will have the opportunity to step into a photo op that brings the trailer’s pulse-pounding lawnmower death scene to life. Follow along on the Warner Bros. Pictures Canada social channels for real-time updates on where the log truck may be headed next.

FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES rolls into theatres across Canada in IMAX on Friday, May 16, 2025. Tickets are on sale now!

About FINAL DESTINATION BLOODLINES:

The newest chapter in New Line Cinema’s bloody successful franchise takes audiences back to the very beginning of Death’s twisted sense of justice—“Final Destination Bloodlines.”

Plagued by a violent recurring nightmare, college student Stefanie heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.

“Final Destination Bloodlines” stars Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, with Brec Bassinger, and Tony Todd.

The film is directed by Adam Stein & Zach Lipovsky. The screenplay is by Guy Busick & Lori Evans Taylor, and story is by Jon Watts and Guy Busick & Lori Evans Taylor. It is based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick.

“Final Destination Bloodlines” is produced by Craig Perry, Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Jon Watts, Dianne McGunigle and Toby Emmerich. The executive producers are David Siegel and Warren Zide. The behind-the-camera talent includes director of photography Christian Sebaldt and production designer Rachel O’Toole. The film is edited by Sabrina Pitre. The music is by Tim Wynn. The costumes are designed by Michelle Hunter. The casting is by Rich Delia.

New Line Cinema presents A Practical Pictures / Freshman Year / Fireside Films Production: “Final Destination Bloodlines.” The film will be distributed in theatres and IMAX worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theatres only nationwide on May 16, 2025.

In May 20th, for one-night-only, join chef Ryotaro Matsuzaki at Aburi Sushi located in Waterworks Food Hall for a special 10-course tasting dinner that celebrates the luxurious harmony of Shabu Shabu and Temaki-style cuisine. For $120 per person, with only two intimate seatings at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM, this event offers a rare opportunity to experience a meticulously crafted menu featuring show-stopping bites like A5 Miyazaki wagyu, lobster truffle, and ō-toro temaki.

Shabu Shabu and Temaki represent two beloved styles of Japanese dining—one warm and interactive, the other crisp and hand-held. Shabu Shabu features ultra-thin slices of premium meat, gently swished in hot broth for a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Temaki (hand rolls) offer a playful yet refined way to enjoy flame-seared seafood wrapped in crisp seaweed. For one-night-only, Aburi Sushi welcomes diners to experience the fusion of these two culinary traditions. See the full menu below.

Shabu Shabu & Temaki Menu
Hamachi monaka
Aburi sashimi
A5 Wagyu & vegetable shabu shabu
Salmon oshi temaki
Taiko bujime temaki
Otoro amoked soy zuke nigiri temaki
Saba oshi temaki
Lobster truffle temaki
Negitoro taku temaki
Japanese pudding

EVENT DETAILS
Date: May 20th
Location: Aburi Sushi at Waterworks – 499 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON
Seatings: 5:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Price: $120 per person (plus tax & gratuity)
How to Reserve: Book your seat HERE or through the restaurant’s website

About Aburi Sushi:
Aburi Sushi is the latest concept in Toronto from Aburi Restaurants Canada group (MICHELIN-starred Aburi Hana, Miku, and Minami) — pioneers of flame-seared (aburi) sushi in Canada since 2008. Located inside the dynamic Waterworks Food Hall, enjoy a premium omakase-style bar in a more relaxed setting. Aburi Sushi focuses on temaki (hand rolls) and aburi-style preparations that elevate the natural flavours of premium seafood with a delicate kiss of flame using ​​Japanese binchotan charcoal, wrapped in the finest Ariake seaweed for unmatched texture and taste.