A new trailer and poster for 20th Century Studios’ “White Men Can’t Jump” are now available to download and share. The all-new comedy begins streaming on May 19, 2023, exclusively on Disney+ in Canada.

Synopsis:

“White Men Can’t Jump” is a modern remix of the iconic 1992 film that celebrates the streetball hustling culture of Los Angeles. Sinqua Walls stars as Kamal, once a promising player who derailed his future in the sport, and multi-platinum rap superstar Jack Harlow makes his movie debut as Jeremy, a former star of the game whose injuries stalled his own career. Juggling tenuous relationships, financial pressures and serious internal struggles, the two ballers—opposites who are seemingly miles apart—find they might have more in common than they imagined possible.

Directed by Calmatic, the movie also stars Teyana Taylor, Laura Harrier, Vince Staples, Myles Bullock and Lance Reddick. The film is written by Kenya Barris and Doug Hall. “White Men Can’t Jump” is produced by Kenya Barris and Paul Hall; it’s executive produced by Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil, Noah Weinstein, Calmatic, Doug Hall, E. Brian Dobbins and James Powers.

Are you ready to see Jack Harlow in his acting debut?

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios/Disney)

The Toronto International Film Festival® is excited to announce early details about its 48th edition. Recognized as the world’s largest public film festival, TIFF 2023 will welcome audiences from across the globe to Toronto to experience the best in international and Canadian cinema, press and industry screenings, special events, and red carpets featuring some of the biggest names in film.

Taking place from September 7–17, 2023, TIFF 2023’s official screening venues will include TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Glenn Gould Studio at the Canadian Broadcast Centre, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The fifth edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards Gala presented by BVLGARI® will take place on September 10, 2023, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. TIFF is also delighted to announce its dynamic programming team and newest additions, as well as an update to the TIFF Members’ journey at the Festival.

With the goal of delivering another incredible Festival and under the leadership of TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, TIFF 2023’s programming team includes: Robyn Citizen, Director of Programming & Platform Lead; Norm Wilner, Acting Lead Programmer for Canada and Industry Selects; Kelly Boutsalis, International Programmer (Canada); Jane Schoettle, Senior Programmer, Special Presentations; Andréa Picard, Senior Curator, Wavelengths & Classics; Thom Powers, Lead Programmer, TIFF Docs; Peter Kuplowsky, International Programmer, Midnight Madness; Geoff Macnaughton, International Programmer, Primetime; Giovanna Fulvi, Senior International Programmer (East Asia); Dorota Lech, International Programmer and Discovery Lead (Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Caucasus Regions); Nataleah Hunter-Young, International Programmer (Africa and Arab West Asia); Jason Anderson, International Programmer & Short Cuts Lead (Nordic Countries and Benelux); Diana Cadavid, International Programmer (Latin America, Southern Europe, the Caribbean); Jason Ryle, International Programmer, Indigenous Cinema; Jane Kim, Producer of Industry Programming; and Christoph Straub, Producer of In Conversation With.

Joining the programming team in new roles are: Meenakshi Shedde, Senior Programme Advisor, South Asia; and Ivan Giroud, Senior Programme Advisor, Latin America; June Kim, Associate International Programmer, Southeast Asia; Jesse Cumming, Associate Curator, Wavelengths.

TIFF is also pleased to announce a significant Film Programme name change: Contemporary World Cinema, or CWC, has been renamed Centrepiece to better reflect and amplify the full spectrum of programming in this section. “Centrepiece is a showcase for acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries,” said Robyn Citizen.

“We are proud to bring the world together through film, and we are especially proud of TIFF’s legacy of centring international art-house cinema,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “The name change to Centrepiece crystallises the importance of this programming within the festival at large and a renewed spirit.”

Festival Street is back for TIFF 2023 as part of King Street — from Peter Street to University Avenue — will be celebrating all things film. The free, family-friendly street festival will feature live performances, partner activations, and outdoor screenings, and will take place from September 7–10, 2023.

“With the Festival only five months away, we are focused on delivering a festival experience which brings together film lovers from around the world,” added Lee. “Whether you’re a veteran TIFFer, a first time Under-25 Passholder, a new TIFF Member, or a family who wants to experience Festival Street, TIFF 2023 promises an enriching experience for everyone.”

TIFF is thrilled to announce new updates to the ticketing journey at the Festival, which have been designed in response to audience and Member feedback:

Single ticket on-sales are happening earlier this year — this will give audiences more time to discover the full Festival 2023 programme.

Ticket packages are changing — TIFF is retiring redemption windows, but will be keeping Buzz List and Opening Night packages, and will be rolling out a slate of new and exciting curated packages at a variety of price points over the summer.

TIFF Members will save 20% on tickets to Regular screenings when purchasing in multiples of 10 tickets or more.

Information on Membership levels, benefits, and pricing can be found at tiff.net/membership.

Key ticketing dates:

June (dates TBA)
Curated package pre-sale exclusively for Visa cardholders and TIFF Members (details to be announced in mid-May)

July 31
Deadline: Join as a Patrons Circle Member

August 15
Official Film Schedule released online at tiff.net/schedule

August 18
Ticket pre-sale: Patrons Circle Members (by level)

August 21
Deadline: Become a TIFF Member for early access to tickets before the public

August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Contributors Circle Members (by level)

August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Visa Infinite cardholders

August 24
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Members

August 25
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Insiders and Under-25 Free Passholders

August 28
Ticket on-sale: General public

Key ticketing details:

TIFF has simplified ticket pricing, with all prices inclusive of taxes and fees:

Regular screenings: $26 – $32
Premium screenings: $39 – $88

Select Regular screenings will be available to Under-25 Free Passholders and community partners beginning at $13. For more information, please visit tiff.net.

To become a TIFF Member visit tiff.net/join.

The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7–17, 2023.

Cirque du Soleil welcomed more than 2500 VIP guests, stars of film, television and music, notable influencers as well as business and philanthropic leaders to the Big Top last night to celebrate the Toronto premiere of the acclaimed and most daring touring production to date, KOOZA.  Cirque du Soleil CEO Stephane Lefebvre joined the  festivities to mark KOOZA’s 16^th anniversary since debuting in 2007.

The ‘Gold’ carpet was abuzz with celebrity sightings including newly minted Canadian Screen Award Winners Olunike Adeliyi (The Porter) and Amanda Brugel (Sort Of), as well Workin’ Moms Juno Rinaldi and Dani Kind, Daniel Maslany, Karen LeBlanc, Kevin Hanchard, John Ralston, and Kris Holden-Ried.

TV and media personalities such as Tracy Moore, Cheryl Hickey, Canada’s Got Talent judges Kardinal Offishall and Trish Stratus, Big Brother Canada host Arisa Cox, and Dragon’s Den’sWes Hall — all made it a family night out.  

Literary icon Margaret Atwood, Champion figure skater Elvis Stojko, celebrity chefs Massimo Capra and Claudio Aprile, and HGTV star Sarah Richardson were among the notable guests who took a front row seat to the jaw-dropping acrobatics. 

Red Carpet Photos:

About KOOZA

An awe-inspiring return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil, KOOZA pays tribute to traditional circus in all its splendor, complete with audacious acrobatic prowess and bold slapstick comedy. Filled with chills, thrills, laughter and wonder, KOOZA unfolds a non-stop, adrenaline-packed series of edge-of-your-seat surprises.

Acclaimed the world over since its debut in 2007, KOOZA has mesmerized close to 8 million spectators with over 4,000 performances in 65 cities across 22 countries and saw record-breaking attendance numbers at its 2022 relaunch in Montreal.

Cirque du Soleil KOOZA runs through to June 18, 2023 at its new location in Huber Bay Shores. Limited tickets are still available at cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.

(Photo credit: Matthew Tsang)

It wouldn’t be a stretch to call Ari Aster a visionary. The Writer/Producer and Director has won a huge following and acclaim for the way he tells Horror. 2018’s HEREDITARY delighted fans of the genre and critics alike, followed by 2019’s MIDSOMMAR, showcasing an unbelievable and guttural performance by Florence Pugh. It’s been a minute, but his latest effort BEAU IS AFRAID is garnering tons of talk and early positive word of mouth.

The Horror-Dramedy stars Joaquin Phoenix in a committed performance as an anxiety-ridden man who goes on a journey home, confronting his fears.

Moderated by Richard Crouse, Aster attended a special Toronto screening of BEAU IS AFRAID last night at Scotiabank Theatre. Aster tells the audience, “[Beau] felt like the end of the road. Whatever I was doing with those movies [Hereditary and Midsommar], I felt like I was stuffing those themes with dynamite and blowing them up.”.

Some of the Canadian Supporting Cast attended as well, including:

Patrick Kwok-Choon – “Orphan Hero”
Alicia Rosario – “Liz”
Stephanie Herrera – “Martha”
Mike Taylor – “Beau’s son”
Maev Beaty – Angel, Play Narrator

Some of our lucky readers and followers got to attend and had so much excitement about it:

Released in the U.S. by A24, Sphere Films Canada bring the three-hour opus to Canadians this Friday, April 24, 2023. Review to come.

(Photo credit: Nicholas Porteous)

Today, Disney+ unveiled new key art for “The Mandalorian” to celebrate the exciting finale of Season 3. The finale, which began streaming today, and all the previous episodes of Season 3 are available to watch now, exclusively on Disney+.

The first episode of the third season of the Emmy®-award winning original series from Lucasfilm premiered on March 1, exclusively on Disney+.

The journeys of the Mandalorian through the Star Wars galaxy continue. Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin has reunited with Grogu. Meanwhile, the New Republic struggles to lead the galaxy away from its dark history. The Mandalorian will cross paths with old allies and make new enemies as he and Grogu continue their journey together.

The series stars Pedro Pascal, Katee Sackhoff, Carl Weathers, Amy Sedaris, Emily Swallow and Giancarlo Esposito. The directors of the eight-episode Season 3 include Rick Famuyiwa, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung, Carl Weathers, Peter Ramsey and Bryce Dallas Howard. Jon Favreau is the showrunner/head writer and serves as an executive producer along with Dave Filoni, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson and Rick Famuyiwa. Karen Gilchrist and Carrie Beck are co-executive producers.

Pixar Animation Studios returns to the globally revered Cannes Film Festival for the world premiere of its all-new feature film “Elemental” on May 27, 2023 ahead of its theatrical release on June 16. Debuting out of competition as the closing film of the 76th edition of the festival, “Elemental” is the fourth film from the storied studio to be selected for the event and joins previous favorites “Up,” “Inside Out” and “Soul.”

Pete Docter, Pixar’s chief creative officer, said this year’s return to Cannes is particularly special for the studio. “As we all emerge from our pandemic cocoons and come together in story rooms, animation dailies and impromptu brainstorming sessions, it’s a joy and honour to have Pixar back on La Croisette,” said Docter. “Directed by the extraordinary storyteller Peter Sohn, ‘Elemental’ is so funny, full of heart and, frankly, stunning to see. It was created for audiences to experience on the big screen and I love that it’ll make its world premiere at Cannes.”

Docter, Sohn and producer Denise Ream will join members of the film’s voice cast at the event. Cannes has hosted the international competition since 1946. “For many years, the Cannes Film Festival has welcomed animated films from around the world,” said Thierry Frémaux, general delegate, Cannes Film Festival. “Pixar Animation Studios, with ‘Up’—directed by Pete Docter—made Cannes history by opening the 62nd edition of the Festival in 2009. It was a wonderful event! This is another great opportunity to present the amazing ‘Elemental’ on the closing of this 76th Cannes Film Festival and to think about our lives in such a powerful way.”

Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental” is an all-new, original feature film set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. The voice cast includes Leah Lewis as the fiery Ember; Mamoudou Athie as the water-guy Wade; Ronnie del Carmen as Ember’s soon-to-be retired dad, Bernie; Shila Ommi as Ember’s love-seeking mom, Cinder; Wendi McLendon-Covey as Wade’s stormy and Air-Ball-loving boss, Gale; Catherine O’Hara as Wade’s welcoming mom, Brook; Mason Wertheimer as Ember’s admiring neighbor, Clod; and Joe Pera as an overgrown city bureaucrat, Fern. Directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream, p.g.a., and executive produced by Pete Docter, “Elemental” features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh with story by Sohn, Hoberg & Likkel and Hsueh. The film’s original score was composed and conducted by Thomas Newman. “Elemental” opens with Pixar’s all new short, “Carl’s Date,” in theatres on June 16, 2023.

Global multimedia company, Wind Sun Sky Entertainment, led by former LucasFilm executive, Catherine Winder (Invincible, The Angry Birds Movie 1 & 2, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and Oddfellows Labs, the forward-thinking production company specializing in comedic content founded by writer-directors Bart Batchelor and Chris Nielsen, along with veteran film producer Chris Ferguson, are excited to announce that their first co-production and Adult Swim Canada’s first original series, Psi Cops is set to premiere on Sunday, June 4 at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT on Adult Swim Canada and available to stream live and on demand with STACKTV.

This new animated comedy series follows unjustifiably bold and unnecessarily creative coworker friends forever (CFFs) Kydd (Chris Nielsen) and Felixx (Bart Batchelor) who are top detectives at the paranormal agency Psi Cops. Crammed into a shady office complex and helmed by true believer, Chief Beef, this rag-tag group of “experts” head out in the field as they investigate alleged sightings of aliens, ghosts, demons, and other hocus-pocus nonsense. Their intention is to solve mysteries and supernatural crimes using their overly competent incompetence.

PSI COPS arrives SUNDAY, JUNE 4TH, 2023 at 12:30 a.m. ET/PT on ADULT SWIM CANADA AND STACKTV.

By Mr. Will Wong

DEAD RINGERS pushes boundaries daringly in the same spirit that David Cronenberg would approve. This new six-episode Prime Video Limited Series, based on the great Canadian’s groundbreaking 1986 feature, stars Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz in dual roles as New York City’s well-known twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle. Together, the twins break the rules, but it isn’t without reason. When it comes to women’s health, their care and rights pre and post-natally, they are here to challenge antiquated practices and standards. They aren’t entirely heroes though in the classic sense. They use each other’s identities to deceive and they literally share everything – no secrets. So what happens when one finds love and the other no longer is everything to the other?

Canada’s Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Nest) has a knack for exploring stories from the eyes of complex female characters, and is tasked with directing three of the six episodes here. Others behind the lens include a directing team packed with talent: Karyn Kusama (Girlfight, Destroyer), Lauren Wolkstein (The Strange Ones) and also Toronto’s own Karena Evans (Firecrackers).

Make no mistake, the Series is not for the light-hearted. True to Cronenberg form, this is very much a Psychological Thriller with Body Horror elements. It looks and feels like the 1988 original as well, cold, dark and gray. It’s graphic, bold and the Mantle Sisters are unflinching and can take it as well as they can dish it. That being said, so much of the Series weighs on the strength of Weisz’s superb work, effectively characterizing each sister so convincingly that we forget they’re played by the same Actor.

DEAD RINGERS arrives April 21, 2023 on Prime Video.

Telefilm Canada is announcing its commitment to 12 feature-length films in the English market under the Production Program (as part of the latest round of decisions in the big budget stream), for a funding total of $23 million.

A round of decisions in the French market under the same stream with eight French-language feature film titles published on April 13th, 2023.

Alien Boy (drama)
Director and Screenwriter: Fawaz Al-Matrouk
Production: Nava Projects Inc. and First Generation Media Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures

Provinces: Nova Scotia and Ontario

Any Other Night (romantic comedy)
Director: Michiel ten Horn
Screenwriter: Patrick Whistler
Production: Lithium Studios Productions Inc. and Film Forge Productions Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario

*coproduction Canada/Netherlands

Birth of a Family (drama)
Director: Tasha Hubbard

Screenwriters: Tasha Hubbard and Emil Sher
Production: Experimental Forest Films Inc. and January Films Ltd.
Distributor: Mongrel Media

Provinces: British Columbia and Ontario

Bonjour Tristesse (drama)
Director and Screenwriter: Durga Chew-Bose
Production: Babe Nation Creations Inc. and Elevation Pictures
Distributor: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario

*coproduction Canada/France

Can I Get a Witness? (science fiction/fantasy/tale)
Director and Screenwriter: Ann Marie Fleming
Production: AMF Productions Inc.
Distributor: Mongrel Media

Province: British Columbia

Flavia de Luce (mystery/crime/police)
Director: Bharat Nalluri

Screenwriter: Susan Coyne
Production: Mystic Point Productions Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures

Province: British Columbia

*coproduction Canada/UK

Kill Me Now (drama)
Director: Daniel Grou

Screenwriter: Brad Fraser
Production: Genco Pictures Inc.
Distributor: Photon Films and Media

Province: Ontario

*coproduction Canada/France

Maya and Samar (drama)
Director: Anita Doron

Screenwriter: Tamara Faith Berger
Production: January Films Ltd. and Serendipity Point Films
Distributor: Sphere Films

Province: Ontario

*coproduction Canada/Greece

Night of the Zoopocalypse (animation/comedy)
Directors: Ricardo Curtis and Rodrigo Perez-Castro

Screenwriters: James Kee and Steve Hoban

Production: Strange Animals (Copperheart) Productions Inc. and MIPA (NOTZ) Film Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario
*coproduction Canada/France/Belgium

Rumours (comedy)
Directors and Screenwriters: Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson
Production: Buffalo Gal Pictures Inc., Walking Down Broadway Ltd. and Thin Stuff Productions Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures

Province: Manitoba
*coproduction Canada/Germany

Skite’kmujua’kik (Place of Ghosts) (thriller)
Director and Screenwriter: Bretten Hannam
Production: Shut Up & Colour Pictures Inc., Mazewalker Films Inc. and Plausible Communications Corporation
Distributor: VVS Films

Provinces: Nova Scotia and Ontario

Steal Away Home (thriller)
Director: Clement Virgo
Screenwriters: Tamara Faith Berger and Clement Virgo
Production: Conquering Lion Pictures Inc.
Distributor: Elevation Pictures

Province: Ontario

Shawn Levy is back together with Netflix again after success with The Adamwith latest Feature ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, arriving this fall via the streaming service. Today we get a glimpse of the Teaser for what looks like an Awards Season contender. Great to see Mark Ruffalo back!

Synopsis:

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE tells the story of the extraordinary power of human connection. Over the course of a decade, this limited series interweaves the lives of Marie-Laure Leblanc, a blind French girl taking refuge with her uncle during WWII, and Werner Pfennig, an brilliant German teenager with an expertise in radio repair. Through a shared secret connection, they find faith in humanity and the possibility of hope. From Director Shawn Levy, All the Light We Cannot See stars Louis Hofmann, Lars Eidinger, Marion Bailey, with Hugh Laurie and Mark Ruffalo. And introducing newcomer Aria Mia Loberti. Coming to Netflix, November 2nd, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)