TIFF is excited to announce Women in Action, a new marquee series helmed by women, celebrating the trailblazing actors and stunt performers who have advanced the action genre both on and off screen. Spanning 70 years with a focus on American and Asian cinema, this 25-film series explores various themes and sub-genres, shining a light on today’s action stars and the women who paved their way. The incomparable Michelle Yeoh bookends Women in Action with two standout performances in the Oscar-winning films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Everything Everywhere All at Once, and stars alongside famed stunt actor Cynthia Rothrock in the buddy-cop action-comedy Yes, Madam!. The series also traces defining performances and the films they influenced, such as Meiko Kaji in the 1973 manga-inspired cult classic Lady Snowblood, a film which heavily inspired Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Kill Bill: Volume 2. Women in Action runs from June 7 to July 31. Tickets will be available to Members on Wednesday, May 15 at 10am, and to the public on Friday, May 17 at 10am. Select second screenings will be scheduled throughout July and will go on sale to Members on June 12, and to the public on June 14.
“Michelle Yeoh’s Oscar recognition, an overdue honour for one of cinema’s biggest international action stars, was an inspiration for our Women in Action summer series, which celebrates the icons who have commanded the screen through strength, strategy, and stunts, paving the way for future generations of women warriors,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF.
An extensive lineup of complementary special events and talks will be offered throughout the run of this series, including a Silver Screening presentation of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon followed by a free martial arts workshop; a themed TIFF Member trivia night; a Polite Society virtual Q&A with filmmaker Nida Manzoor and star Priya Kansara; and a screening of documentary Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story followed by a panel discussion moderated by barrier-breaking stunt performer and coordinator Angelica Lisk-Hann, co-presented with ACTRA Toronto. More information and the complete list of programming and events can be found here.
Women in Action spotlights a wide range of influential films and iconic action stars, from Jacques Tourneur’s semi-historical swashbuckler Anne of the Indies starring Jean Peters as pirate captain Anne Providence to Cheng Pei-pei as Golden Swallow in King Hu’s 1966 Come Drink with Me, which is largely recognized as one of the first martial arts films to feature a female lead; Cheng and also stars in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The series features seminal Hollywood action characters, including Ripley as brought to life by Sigourney Weaver in Ridley Scott’s Alien, Linda Hamilton as the all-muscle Sarah Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Uma Thurman as Beatrix Kiddo in Kill Bill, all of which helped redefine the woman action star. The series also spotlights landmark films which increased diverse representation on screen, such as Pam Grier as a nurse vigilante in Jack Hill’s Coffy, who takes matters into her own hands to fight systemic injustices; and 2021 TIFF Rising Star Amber Midthunder, who stars as a young Comanche warrior in the Predator prequel, Prey.
Women in Action has been co-curated by Anita Lee, TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer; Robyn Citizen, TIFF’s Director of Programming, Festival and Cinematheque; and Jessica Smith, TIFF Lightbox’s Programming and Projects Producer.
Also in June, TIFF Cinematheque is launching the summer with the ultimate road trip series in Vanishing Point: Stories from the Road. Pondering the joys, boredom, and frustrations of being on the road, these elliptical stories reflect on the rebel without a map, and include Chantal Akerman’s poignant travelogue D’Est and Donald Shebib’s tale of two maritimers in Goin’ Down the Road. Other films of note include Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s neo-noir and erotic thriller Bound in 35mm, screening as part Cameron Bailey’s From the Collection in celebration of Pride Month; the TIFF ’19 award-winning film The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, written and directed by Kathleen Hepburn and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, screening in honour of National Indigenous History Month; and the 50th-anniversary screening of John Cassavetes’ A Woman Under the Influence, starring Gena Rowlands in one of the greatest performances of all times.
Tickets to Cinematheque series and Women in Action are free to TIFF Members. To learn more, visit tiff.net/join.
TIFF is delighted to announce Ariel Nasr as the recipient of this year’s TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award for his screenplay Daudistan. As part of the award, he will receive a prize of $15,000 along with support from a script consultant and access to the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and TIFF Industry Conference. Nasr will be celebrated in person this evening at the TIFF–CBC Films: Celebrating Screenwriters Cocktail event at TIFF Lightbox, along with the previously announced 2024 Writers’ Studio cohort.
Now in its seventh consecutive year, the TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award was created to support Canada’s diverse screenwriting talent and to fund the development of high-quality productions that reflect, represent, and reframe a range of perspectives through character-driven stories at the core of the Canadian experience. The award is open to screenwriters who are women and/or who belong to an equity-deserving community, and/or who identify as having a disability.
“Today, we’re thrilled to announce the recipient of the TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award, a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting Canadian talent,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “Our partnership with CBC Films exemplifies our dedication to championing emerging storytellers and providing them with the resources and recognition they deserve. Together, we’re paving the way for new narratives to shine on the global stage, and I can’t wait to see the remarkable stories that will emerge from this collaboration.”
For Daudistan’s rich narrative, which thoughtfully examines how hope can be both essential and dangerous, the jury awards this year’s TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter award to Ariel Nasr.
“Receiving the TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award for Daudistan is a tremendous privilege,” said Nasr. “I’m deeply honoured to be recognized among Canada’s screenwriting talent and to receive support for the final stage of development of this profoundly personal story. The award’s invaluable funding and mentorship will help me bring the story of Daud and Omar to the screen at a time when it could not be more relevant. I’m grateful for the commitment of TIFF and CBC Films to fostering diverse perspectives and narratives that reflect the richness of the Canadian experience.”
Ariel Nasr is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer whose films include The Forbidden Reel (2019), The Boxing Girls of Kabul (2011), Buzkashi Boys (2012), Good Morning Kandahar (2009), and La Mosquée (2018), among others. He has won a Canadian Screen Award, been nominated for an Oscar, and currently serves as documentary producer at the National Film Board of Canada. A citizen of Canada, Afghanistan, and the USA, Nasr lives in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal. Daudistan is his first narrative screenplay.
“Our ongoing collaboration with TIFF on the Screenwriter Award offers writers in Canada a meaningful opportunity to further develop their projects and connections within the Canadian screen industry,” said Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films. “This year we’re thrilled to present the prize to Ariel for his outstanding fiction debut, Daudistan, which skillfully demonstrates how the specific can be universal.”
This year’s winner was chosen by a jury of screen-industry professionals: Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films; Amanda Rowe, Manager, Content Planning & Editorial Merchandising, CBC Gem; Barbara Mamabolo, Executive in Charge of Current Production, Drama, CBC; Jennifer Holness, award-winning writer and producer; Joanna Miles, Marketing Consultant; Mekhala Chaubal, Legal Counsel at CBC/Radio-Canada; Jane Kim, TIFF Industry Programming Producer; and Bronwen Eadie, Project Manager, Industry Programming.
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Hot on the heels of the BFI’s major UK-wide film program, CINEMA UNBOUND: THE CREATIVE WORLDS OF POWELL AND PRESSBURGER, and in partnership with the BFI, TIFF Cinematheque will be debuting Of Myth and Magic: The Films of Powell and Pressburger, presented by ISTIC ILLIC PICTURES, on May 10. A celebration of one of the greatest and most enduring filmmaking duos in the history of cinema, this is the first stop on its North American tour. Michael Powell (1905–1990) and Emeric Pressburger (1902–1988), collectively known as The Archers, are best known for their iconic films such as The Red Shoes (1948); A Matter of Life And Death (1946); Black Narcissus (1947); and 49th Parallel (1941), the Academy Award–winning, Canadian-set film about the Second World War.
This 10-film retrospective includes two iconic solo efforts directed by Powell, and eight of the The Archers’ most infamous and influential creations: new 35mm projection prints of previously restored The Red Shoes, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, The Tales of Hoffmann, and Black Narcissus, made with funding from The National Lottery for the BFI’s Film on Film campaign; as well as two newly completed restorations by the BFI National Archive and The Film Foundation of Peeping Tom in association with Studiocanal, and I Know Where I’m Going!, in association with ITV and Park Circus. Plus, see rare BFI archive prints of The Thief of Bagdad and 49th Parallel. The Archers’ quintessentially British collaboration resulted in a singular aesthetic vision caught between the twin fascinations of human desire and an otherworldly belief in the mystic, and would go on to inspire generations of filmmakers and artists alike, including: Martin Scorsese, Guillermo del Toro, Greta Gerwig, Francis Ford Coppola, and Tilda Swinton.
Also announced today, a spotlight on the early films of South Korean director and screenwriter Lee Chang-dong featuring new 4K restorations of Green Fish, Peppermint Candy,and Oasis. This series is generously supported by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea. Plus, two of Ann Hui’s films will be programmed as part of Asian Heritage Month: a new restoration of Hui’s July Rhapsody; and a 35mm print of the acclaimed and beautifully moving Boat People, screening as part of Cameron Bailey’s From the Collection series.
Among the highlights in May are TIFF’s free monthly series of Canadian cinematic treasures, See the North, presented by MUBI, featuring Octavio is Dead! and a post-show Q&A with filmmaker Sook-Yin Lee, who also stars in the 2018 film; following its World Premiere at Sundance, MDFF Selects presents the Toronto premiere of Babak Jalali’s Fremont, starring Anaita Wali Zada and Jeremy Allen White; Radu Jude’s Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World (TIFF ’23), part comedy and part montage road movie; and TIFF WavelengthsPresentsFilm Talks: A Touring Programme of Experimental Cinema, with curators Andrew Vallance and Simon Payne in attendance.
Tickets will go on sale to TIFF Members on Wednesday, April 17, and to the public on Friday, April 19 at tiff.net.
TIFF’s May programming listings can be accessed here.
TIFF is thrilled to unveil the lineup for the 2024 Writers’ Studio, the prestigious annual program fostering the next generation of storytellers. This year marks the 13th edition of the collaborative, five-day intensive lab, designed to empower Canadian and international screenwriters and writer-directors. From a fiercely competitive pool of more than 200 submissions, TIFF has selected a cohort of exceptional talents. The following writers have been selected: Zhannat Alshanova, Aram Collier, Rebecca Fisseha, Sophie Jarvis, Amy Trefry, and Asia Youngman.
The Writers’ Studio is a space to consolidate skills, exchange ideas, and navigate challenges, while participating in workshops, artist talks, peer-to-peer mentorships, and one-on-one project development consultations guided by industry experts. Writers’ Studio will take place April 15 –19, 2024, at TIFF Lightbox.
“Programs like the Writers’ Studio continue to ignite and drive talent, both in Canada and on the global stage,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “At TIFF, our commitment to fostering new talent will continue to grow with a focus on providing industry expertise and unparalleled access to industry leaders, ensuring the program’s enduring impact year after year.”
This year’s lab will support the development of feature-film scripts through dedicated one-on-one discussions with international story consultants Trey Ellis and Christina Lazaridi. Additionally, the participants will engage in daily artist talks and workshops facilitated by renowned filmmakers and industry experts including Ashley Comeau, Brad Fraser, Howard Wiseman and Emma Donoghue. Canadian actors, Getenesh Berhe, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Thomas Antony Olajide and Ajuawak Kapashesit, will join for a full-day workshop of the projects in development.
New this year, the Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship will offer a project development grant and targeted creative support for one emerging to mid-level feature film screenwriter whose project explores themes of science and technology. This year’s selected recipient is Amy Trefry for her project Lenin’s Embalmers, co-written with playwright Vern Thiessen. Funding for this programme is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Public Understanding of Science and Technology program.
Now in its third year, the Renee Perlmutter Memorial Fellowship for Literary Adaptation provides a Writers’ Studio participant focusing on adapting literary work for the screen with an additional grant toward developing their project. This year’s Renee Perlmutter Memorial Fellow is Rebecca Fisseha, who is working on an adaptation of her own debut novel Daughters of Silence.
Four participants from the 2024 class will also be awarded a grant generously supported by CHANEL, through the CHANEL Women Creators’ Network, to further the development of their feature-length script.
TIFF’s Talent Development programmes are produced by Jane Kim, Industry Programming Producer, and supported by Bronwen Eadie, Project Manager, Industry Programming and supported in part by TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative. As a major supporter of Share Her Journey, the CHANEL Women Creators’ Network provides funding to advance the careers of women and non-binary participants and alumni of TIFF Writers’ Studio. Since its inception in 2021, the Network has offered access to script consultants and established screenwriters, peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing sessions, and a talent summit for writers to showcase their work for producers and other industry insiders. CHANEL’s participation augments TIFF’s support for women and non-binary storytellers by equipping them with year-round opportunities to develop their projects and connect with a diverse network of mentors and peers.
Notable TIFF Talent alumni include filmmakers Meredith Hama-Brown (Seagrass), Fawzia Mirza (The Queen of My Dreams), D. W. Waterson, and Devery Kawennáhere Jacobs (Backspot), Pier-Philippe Chevigny (Richelieu), Jasmin Mozaffari (Motherland), Lillah Halla (Power Alley), Álvaro Gago Dias (Matria), and Johanna Pyykkö (My Wonderful Stranger). Following their involvement in TIFF Talent Development programmes, many of these filmmakers have gone on to present their films at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlinale, and Cannes.
TIFF is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of the Next Wave Film Festival, supported by the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Toronto back for its 13th edition, which invites young audiences and cinephiles for a weekend of exciting new films and special events. This year, TIFF Next Wave will open the weekend with Battle of the Scores, during which four up-and-coming bands score the silent short film Moontime, directed by Julia Harris and Adlyn Gilbert, and compete for a grand prize. From April 11–14, audiences can expect an electrifying showcase of emerging talent and innovative storytelling. Programmed for youth, by youth, the Next Wave Film Festival offers free Official Selection films for anyone under 25. Tickets are available starting March 13 for TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Pass holders, and to the general public on March 15.
“At the heart of TIFF’s Next Wave Film Festival lies our profound commitment to nurturing emerging talents and igniting a love for cinema among the next generation,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “As an organization dedicated to fostering creativity and inclusivity, TIFF’s impact reverberates far beyond the silver screen, shaping the cultural landscape and inspiring communities worldwide. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of film at the 2024 edition of New Wave.”
This year’s Official Selection promotes nine debut and sophomore features ― from Canada, China, Sweden, Madagascar, India, Brazil, USA, and the United Kingdom ― that explore gripping and authentic stories of teenagehood and coming of age in communities across the globe. Highlights include: Luna Carmoon’s 2023 directorial debut Hoard, which follows a close bond between mother and daughter while exploring the intricate layers of human attachment and the emotional weight of possessions; Swedish director Mika Gustafson’s Paradise Is Burning, an intimate portrait of three sisters and the growing pains that come with transitioning from girlhood to womanhood; She Sat There Like All Ordinary Ones, directed by Youjia Qu, follows Zhuang, a laid back high school senior whose life becomes intertwined with his classmate Meng after taking the blame for her theft of a starting pistol; Shuchi Talati’s Girls Will Be Girls, a thrilling depiction of 16-year-old Mira’s journey to maturity navigating love, desire, and rebellion at a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas; and director Luck Razanajaona’s first feature Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story, the story of a 20-year-old sapphire miner that returns home after an unforeseen tragedy and must grapple with questions of grief, loyalty, and revolution.
“TIFF Next Wave is all about sharing youth stories from all over the world! I hope everyone who catches a film feels that much more connected to young people everywhere,” said Serena Hao, TIFF Next Wave Committee Member.
Alongside film screenings, audiences will have the opportunity to attend special events at TIFF Lightbox, notably Loved It: Priyanka on Hustlers, during which the winner of the first-ever season of Canada’s Drag Race, joins us to dissect the 2019 film starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu; and a special screening of The Concierge, directed by Yoshimi Itazu, who’s known for his work on popular anime films Paprika (2006) and Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises (2013).
Ranging in age from 15 to 18, the TIFF Next Wave Committee is made up of 12 teen film enthusiasts, many of whom are young creators and filmmakers from across the Greater Toronto Area. With the guidance of TIFF staff, the Committee is charged with planning major teen-oriented events year-round at TIFF Lightbox, including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, a one-of-a-kind talent incubator.
TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Pass Holders receive access to year-round TIFF benefits, including free access to more than 300 Cinematheque screenings. To learn more and join as a TIFF Member, visit tiff.net/join.
2024 TIFF NEXT WAVE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival Official Selection — April 11 to 14
She Sat There Like All Ordinary Ones (Kai Shi De Qiang) dir. Youjia Qu –
Intro and Q&A with the filmmaker
China | 2024 | Mandarin
Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story dir. Luck Razanajaona – Virtual Q&A with the filmmaker
Madagascar/France/Germany/Mauritius/Qatar | 2024 | Malagasy
Power Alley dir. Lillah Halla – Virtual Q&A with the filmmaker
Brazil/Uruguay/France | 2023 | Portuguese
Hoard dir. Luna Carmoon
UK | 2023 | English
Les Rayons Gamma (Gamma Rays) dir. Henry Bernadet
Canada | 2023 | French
Paradise Is Burning (Paradiset Brinner), dir. Mika Gustafson
Denmark/Finland/Italy/Sweden | 2023 | Swedish
Girls Will Be Girls , dir. Shuchi Talati
India | 2024 | Hindi, English
A Song Sung Blue (Xiao Bai Chuan), dir. Zihan Geng
China | 2023 | Mandarin, Korean
Big Boys dir. Corey Sherman – Open-captioned screening
USA | 2023 | English
Loved It: Priyanka on Hustlers — April 11, 6:30pm
Multi-talented pop sensation, musical artist, and winner of Canada’s Drag Race Priyanka joins us to present Hustlers, one of the most dazzling and fun pop movies of all time. Priyanka will be joined by drag performer and host Allysin Chaynes to discuss the film’s cultural relevance and why it holds a place as one of her favourites.
Opening Night: Battle of the Scores — April 12, 7pm
Battle of the Scores challenges four up-and-coming bands to score a silent short film — and the audience picks the winner. See the bands perform their music LIVE in-cinema and kick off the festival weekend in style. Co-programmed by Insomniac Film Festival, this year’s competition features the bands Mifune Moods, The Sedges, Life Sized, and RoadKill, all scoring Moontime, directed by Julia Harris and Adlyn Gilbert. Visit @TIFF_NET on Instagram starting April 1 to see the films, hear the scores, and to cast a vote.
Young Creators Co-Lab — April 13, 9am
The Young Creators Co-Lab is a gathering space for young and emerging artists in Toronto to connect with industry professionals and hear about all things film. Develop your craft, meet like-minded peers, and learn how to build a career in the media arts. The Co-Lab offers a full day of connective and engaging programming for filmmakers and creatives, 9am–3pm on April 13 at TIFF Lightbox. Session topics include Thriving as an Artist presented by ArtWorksTO, featuring panelists Dwayne Holness (CEO, Corex Creative), Sid Naidu (Photographer, ScarboroughMade), Cristal Buemi (Animator/Educator, Frame by Frame), and V.T. Nayani (Writer-Director, This Place), moderated by career coach and film producer Betty Xie; Low-Budget Filmmaking: Do It Yourself – writer-directors Ethan Eng (Therapy Dogs), Minerva Navasca (Guardians, Desync) and Prajj Rajawat (AbsAbsAbs) break down their low-budget practice and take us behind the scenes of their productions; and Breakout Sessions with industry professionals discussing their experience navigating the film landscape within their current roles, from production and costume design, to editing and VFX.
The Young Creators Co-Lab is presented by the City of Toronto. The Supporting Educational Partner is Toronto Film School.
TIFF Next Wave x Family Films Presents: The Concierge — April 14, 1pm
We all know the customer is always right, but what about when your customers are anthropomorphic animals shopping for new clothes? For Akino, an anxious and eager-to-please trainee at the Hokkyoku department store, it makes no difference! With stunning art and animation, The Concierge offers a vibrant and light-hearted story for audiences of all ages.
Closing Night: Young Creators Showcase — April 14, 7:30pm
Discover the next wave of Canadian filmmakers in this series of shorts created for youth, by youth. Celebrating the work of young and emerging filmmakers, this programme focuses on themes of community, belonging, and altered realities. From animation to documentary, these films feature a dynamic mix of voices, visions, and methods of storytelling. They showcase daring new ways youth are engaging in film to create honest, intersectional stories about their experiences.
Young Creators Showcase Awards: Presented by Cineplex
New this year, the Young Creators Showcase films are eligible for awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Writing, and Best Editing, presented by Cineplex in support of the next generation of Canadian filmmakers. The winners will be selected by jury members, Matt Devuono (Executive Director, Event Cinema – Cineplex), Shasha Nakhai (TIFF 2021 Official Selection Scarborough, Compy Films), and Winnie Wang (Next Wave alumni and winner of Telefilm Canada’s 2023 Emerging Critic Award). Awards will be presented in-cinema as part of the Young Creators Showcase event.
Additional information is available at tiff.net/nextwave.
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TIFF is celebrating women in cinema throughout March as part of its commitment to Share Her Journey, and spotlighting a diverse lineup of woman-identifying filmmakers, films that are both historical and contemporary in a series of TIFF Cinematheque screenings, Q&As, special events, and New Releases, and welcoming special guests Patricia Rozema, Liv McNeil, and Meredith Hama-Brown to TIFF Lightbox. TIFF’s month-long International Women’s Day celebration is generously supported by the RBC Foundation.
TIFF Cinematheque is honouring the inimitable Patricia Rozema in a special series, A Certain Slant of Light: The Films of Patricia Rozema. Her films have been lauded for their complex, sympathetically rendered characters, often portraits of artists in crisis ― particularly women, as in White Room and When Night Is Falling, both of which are presented in brand new restorations ― and those reckoning with conflicting aspects of their personalities or familial obligations, as in Mouthpiece and Into the Forest. Rozema will be in attendance for a number of screenings and Q&As throughout its run. The series is curated by Robyn Citizen, Director of Programming, Festival and TIFF Cinematheque.
Rebel Yell: Girlhood in the 1980s, pays homage to punk girls featuring films such as Lou Adler’s Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains and Marisa Silver’s Old Enough. This brief but indelible cycle of films feels particularly relevant today, as the call to radicalize girlhood, and gender in general is of great urgency and import. These films were an early call to action that, while ignored initially, are today profoundly prescient. And while frank and at times depicting deeply troubling issues, these works nevertheless, burn bright. This series is curated by guest curator Alicia Fletcher.
On March 8, International Women’s Day, TIFF will be showing Carla Gutiérrez’s debut documentary Frida in a limited screening hot off the heels of Sundance and ahead of its Amazon premiere ― an intimate portrait of one of the world’s most celebrated artists; and Tautuktavuk (What We See), a 2023 Canada’s Top Ten film from directors Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk, an evocative, drawn-from-life tale about two siblings’ attempts to heal and overcome trauma during the pandemic. Meredith Hama-Brown’s debut feature Seagrass, a Canada’s Top Ten film, about an unconventional couples’ therapy retreat that exposes the fractures in a biracial family is also playing, with the filmmaker in attendance for a post-screening Q&A on February 25.
TIFF is introducing a new marquee series, coming to TIFF Lightbox this summer, Women in Action, an international survey of some of the most culturally significant and influential action films helmed by women. Inspired by Michelle Yeoh’s 2023 Oscar triumph, this major series will feature more than 20 films, and will be accompanied by free public events. The series is curated by Anita Lee, TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer; Robyn Citizen, Director of Programming, Festival and Cinematheque; and Jessica Smith, Producer, TIFF Lightbox Programming and Projects. The full lineup and tickets will be available in May.
Please see programming listings below for a full list of films and events celebrating women filmmakers in March. TIFF Cinematheque tickets will go on sale to TIFF Members on February 14 and to the public on February 16 at tiff.net.
TIFF CINEMATHEQUE PROGRAMMING LISTINGS
A Certain Slant of Light: The Films of Patricia Rozema
As part of TIFF’s year-long focus on the Toronto New Wave and to observe her ongoing contribution to the Canadian film industry, TIFF Cinematheque is pleased to present this series on the acclaimed Canadian filmmaker, Patricia Rozema. In addition, the filmmaker has selected to screen Ingmar Bergman’s Persona*, a film hugely influential to her work:
Mansfield Park | March 1, 6:30pm
Into the Forest | March 7, 6:30pm
Mouthpiece | March 10, 6:30pm
I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing | March 17, 3:30pm
White Room with Patricia Rozema | March 22, 6:30pm
When Night Is Falling with Patricia Rozema | March 23, 6:30pm
Grey Gardens with Patricia Rozema | FREE | March 24, 4pm
When Night Is Falling | March 26, 6:30pm
*Persona with Patricia Rozema | March 23, 3:30pm
Rebel Yell: Girlhood in the 1980s
A series that rebels against the sanitized, suburban image of the 1980s by recasting femininity through the punk perspective:
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (d. Lou Adler) | March 2, 6:30pm // March 10, 3:30pm
Old Enough (d. Marisa Silver) | March 8, 6:30pm
Foxes (d. Adrian Lyne) | March 9, 6:30pm
Out of the Blue (d. Neil LaBute) | March 16, 6:30pm
Times Square (d. Allan Moyle) | March 17, 6:30pm
Starstruck (d. Karen Maine) | March 21, 6:30pm
From the Collection
Grace of My Heart with Cameron Bailey | March 5, 6:30pm
Allison Anders’ passion project is an imagined biopic loosely based on the life of Carole King and her transformation from gigging songwriter to celebrated songstress. Ileana Douglas dazzles as the determined Edna Buxton, who is rebranded Denise Waverly by Joel, a Phil Spector–like producer, played with committed brio by John Turturro.
TIFF Cinematheque New and Restored
Household Saints (d. Nancy Savoca) | March 3, 6:30pm
Presented in a new 4K restoration, Nancy Savoca’s chronicle of a spirited Italian American family perfectly balances humour, tragedy, and pathos.
See the North presented by MUBI
See the North monthly series is FREE to the public.
Slash/Back (d. Nyla Innuksuk) | March 12, 6:30pm
The debut feature from Iqaluit-raised director Nyla Innuksuk, Slash/Back, packs a vivid and thrilling punch as a girl gang in Pangnirtung, Nunavut is left to fight off a supernatural apocalypse.
TIFF Wavelengths Presents
Un rêve plus long que la nuit (d. Niki de Saint Phalle) | March 13, 6:30pm
Pre-recorded Q&A with Arielle de Saint Phalle (Niki’s niece)
Canadian premiere of new 4K restoration! With her debut solo feature, Niki de Saint Phalle — one of the most legendary women artists from the 20th century — performs an auspicious exorcism in the form of a fairy tale touching on the absurd, comical, and disturbing aspects of growing up. In it, the young Princess Camélia (portrayed by the director’s daughter, Laura Duke Condominas) is transformed into a maiden who must traverse a phantasmagoric canvas.
TIFF Next Wave Presents
Ghost World (d. Terry Zwigoff) | March 20, 6:30pm
Presented in 35mm! It’s no surprise that Ghost World has been cemented as a cult classic for teen outcasts everywhere. Cynical best friends, starring Thora Birch as Enid and Scarlett Johansson as Rebecca, are proud social misfits, navigating post-graduation life whilst denouncing all things mainstream. Imbued with the trademark cynicism of the early 2000s and filled to the brim with vocal fry, a perfect pairing to watch alongside Rebel Yell: Girlhood in the 1980s series!
TIFF Family Films
Brave (d. Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews) | March 24, 1:30pm
It was the first Pixar movie with a female protagonist and reflects the changing meaning of the term “Disney princess.” Merida, Brave’s wild-haired heroine, is skillful and self-reliant; she’s also the first princess not to have a love interest. Instead, the relationship at the centre of the movie is one that’s likely much more relatable to its young viewers: the complex blend of loving affection and straining expectation that exists between a teen girl and her mother.
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING: SPECIAL EVENTS
The Making of Priscilla with Liv McNeil | March 1, 6pm
TIFF Next Wave presents a special look behind-the-scenes with Liv McNeil’s documentary The Making of Priscilla. Follow the film student as she shadows Sofia Coppola on the 30-day shoot of Priscilla. The film features exclusive interviews with Coppola, Priscilla Presley, and Cailee Spaeny, and includes the games and rituals that make the filmmaker’s sets unlike any other directors. Following the screening, director Liv McNeil will join TIFF for a conversation about her journey breaking into the industry and discovering her voice as an emerging artist, featuring clips from her past work.
Silver Screenings – Free to Seniors 65+:
Mansfield Park | March 15, 11am
Discover the charm of Jane Austen in this fresh take on her beloved novel, directed by Patricia Rozema. Following the screening, experts from the Town of York Historical Society will dive into Toronto’s history and lead participants in letter writing activities with quill pens and wax stamp seals.
Since 2017, TIFF’s Share Her Journey campaign has supported women and non-binary creators in cultivating their skills and networks, developing their projects from ideation to completion, and helping their work find its audience.
Monkeypaw Productions, in partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival® (TIFF) and the Universal Filmmakers Project, today announced that entry submissions have opened for NO DRAMA, a new initiative aimed at cultivating breakout filmmakers. Up to six writer-directors will be chosen to create short films with the goal of developing them into full-length projects with Monkeypaw and Universal Pictures.
From the mind of Jordan Peele, NO DRAMA asks filmmakers, “What’s your biggest fear? What monsters lurk in the deepest corners of your inner thoughts?” This reimagined installment of the Universal Filmmaker Project invites filmmakers to produce a project that explores horror across cultures, time, environments and society.
“A good monster story comes from a perspective that’s very personal and very vulnerable. It’s a story that is so deeply personal that you think no one else can relate to it,” said Jordan Peele. “That’s exactly the purpose of NO DRAMA – to challenge filmmakers to turn their deepest fears into fun, thrilling stories that need to be told.”
“Jordan and his team at Monkeypaw are visionary filmmakers who are committed to using their platform to identify and uplift emerging talent across the industry. We are proud to have TIFF join us in supporting Monkeypaw’s No Drama initiative and can’t wait to see the results from its first group of exciting filmmakers,” said Universal Pictures President Peter Cramer.
NO DRAMA is a global initiative that will have digital and physical touchpoints with the Monkeypaw, Universal and TIFF Industry teams. Selected filmmakers will each receive a $50,000 grant to produce their short, exposure to the major studio production process, access to creative and production executives to develop their professional networks, and the opportunity to screen their NO DRAMA projects at TIFF in 2025.
“We’re proud to launch this groundbreaking initiative, NO DRAMA, with our longstanding partner Universal,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Having one of the best storytellers like Jordan Peele and his talented team at Monkeypaw on board, is another step in transforming cinema. By supporting emerging filmmakers in the early phases of their careers, TIFF is dedicated to fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. We’re looking forward to unveiling these short films during our 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025.”
“With Jordan and Monkeypaw as our partners, NO DRAMA and the Universal Filmmakers Project are poised to deliver the access breakthrough filmmaking talent need to thrive in this industry,” said Janine Jones-Clark, Universal’s EVP of Inclusion, Talent & Content. “We’re grateful to have the prestige and commitment from our friends and colleagues at TIFF, who are dedicated to our shared mission of cultivating innovative talent and narratives that drive career momentum.”
The submission window for NO DRAMA is now open and will close on Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at 11:59 EST. Interested filmmakers are encouraged to visit NO DRAMA Filmmaker Project to apply and Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion for additional information on the initiative.
This February, TIFF Cinematheque is set to captivate audiences with a dynamic lineup featuring legendary directors, as the return of popular series such as From The Collection, Midnight Madness Presents, MDFF Selects, See the North, New and Restored, TIFF Next Wave Presents, and Oscar-nominated international films, promising an exhilarating cinematic experience.
Among the highlights is a special partnership between Wavelengths Presents, LUX Scotland, and Mercer, Union Toronto, to welcome to TIFF Lightbox Turner Prize–winning artist Charlie Prodger, whose celebrated trilogy of films (Stoneymollan Trail, BRIDGIT, SaF05) will be presented together for the first time in North America.
Adding to the excitement, TIFF Cinematheque pays tribute to the iconic Armenian filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, an original master of cinema, marking his centenary, and his extraordinary contributions to film also being recognized as an official 100th anniversary celebration in UNESCO’s calendar. The mini-retrospective titled 100 Years of Parajanov will showcase his final masterpiece, Ashik Kerib. This film serves as a poignant love letter to Azeri culture, exemplifying Parajanov’s unparalleled artistic legacy that continues to resonate with audiences today.
A spotlight on the great American writer, thinker, and civil rights activist James Baldwin in Remembering James Baldwin, programmed as part of Black History Month, showcases four recently restored documentaries, three of which are shorts. Award-winning writer, executive producer, and host Amanda Parris joins TIFF for the launch of For the Culture with Amanda Parris, a CBC Gem documentary series. Access to the screening and a pre-screening conversation with Amanda for emerging creators will be provided by Visa through the Visa Sharing the Screen Program.
TIFF’s celebration of Lunar New Year, generously supported by the RBC Foundation, kicks off on February 11 with a special screening of Lulu Wang’s acclaimed film The Farewell. Prior to the screening, audiences are invited to explore an arts fair in the TIFF Lightbox atrium, a free drop-in event presented in partnership with Asian Arts and Culture Trust.
In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, TIFF Cinematheque is presenting the works of Yash Chopra and Douglas Sirk, two filmmakers operating in vastly different industries and time periods, bridging the audiences through their heroine-led melodramas in alluring yet subversive ways in Desirous Discords: Romantic Melodramas of Yash Chopra & Douglas Sirk. Foregrounding in their work the finest of aesthetic pleasures, both Chopra and Sirk surround their self-sacrificing characters with bourgeois excess, florid stimuli, and a spectral, lurking animacy.
With awards season in full swing, Lila Avilés’ Tótem (TIFF ’23), Mexico’s entry for this year’s Best International Feature Oscar, screens on January 25 as part of MDFF Selects, followed by a limited theatrical run starting February 2; the latest installment in See the North presented by MUBI ― TIFF’s free monthly series of Canadian cinematic treasures ― is Nisha Pahuja’s documentary To Kill a Tiger on February 13, shortlisted for the 2024 Oscars, and a 2022 Canada’s Top Ten film; for the 19th consecutive year, ShortsTV and Magnolia Pictures present the Oscar-Nominated Short Films opening February 16; and Pawo Choyning Dorji’s The Monk and the Gun (TIFF ’23), Bhutan’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar, begins its theatrical run on February 23.
Other New Releases coming to TIFF Lightbox include the highly anticipated release of Lijo Jose Pellissery’s period action drama Malaikottai Vaaliban, featuring veteran superstar Mohanlal, opening on January 24, joining TIFF’s recently announced lineup of New Releases: Captain Miller, Origin, Ferrari, The Teachers’ Lounge, Four Daughters, The Settlers, How To Have Sex, The Peasants, and Perfect Days.
Secret Movie Club and International Cinema Cafe also return this month. TIFF Cinematheque and Public Programming tickets are available now for TIFF Members and to the public on January 19. For tickets to New Releases, check tiff.net.
TIFF’s 23rd edition of Canada’s Top Ten, presented by new partner MUBI, will kick off on Thursday, January 25, 2024 with Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum, bringing the most prominent discussions to the TIFF Lightbox stage, including an in-depth discussion on accessibility in the industry, a follow-up to last year’s discussion on Bill C-11 in which industry members will hear directly from the broadcasters, and a panel with key industry leaders in the streaming space.
In conjunction with the Industry Forum event on January 25, TIFF is unveiling a groundbreaking new Membership level tailored specifically for industry professionals — marking the first of its kind among Canadian film festivals. This innovative Industry Membership comes with a host of benefits, including complimentary access to the Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum, an enhanced experience of year-round industry programming, and exclusive access to elevated networking events. Additionally, Members will enjoy discounts on Festival accreditation and submission fees, along with exclusive rates on cinema rentals and other perks.
The recently announced 2023 Canada’s Top Ten list, championing 10 feature films and 10 short films, reflect a richness of voices and perspectives from some of Canada’s finest established and emerging filmmakers.
Filmmakers confirmed to attend Canada’s Top Ten showcase (January 25–28) include: Atom Egoyan, Matt Johnson, Fawzia Mirza, Zack Russell, Jasmin Mozaffari, Nicole Bazuin, Julien G. Marcotte, Raquel Sancinetti, Edith Jorisch, Zoé Pelchat and Eric K. Boulianne. The final selections were determined by TIFF’s Canadian Programmers and the Senior Programming team, taking into consideration the recommendations of consultant programmers from film festivals across the country. To see the full programme, visit tiff.net.
Tickets to the Industry Forum are on sale now. One single ticket gives attendees access to all three sessions and an invitation to the Opening Night Cocktail reception taking place on January 25. Industry Membership holders will have the ability to access the forum for free as the inaugural benefit of their Membership. Additional tickets have also been released for Canada’s Top Ten showcase.
Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum – January 25, 2024
Dialogues: How to Work with Streamers in Canada
Time: 1:30pm–2:30pm
Canada has emerged as one of the leading global consumers of subscription video content. Whether you’re looking to launch your film in the digital space, or on the hunt for a development partner, join us for an exclusive session on navigating the streaming landscape with key industry leaders. From producing to pitching, discover the trade secrets of collaboration and distribution straight from the industry’s power players.
Guests confirmed to date:
Moderator: Kelly Townsend, Editor, Playback
Panelist: Stefania Scarfo, Head of Content & Strategy, Paramount+ Canada
Panelist: Soledad Vega, Senior Marketing Manager, MUBI
Perspectives: Shaping the Future of Accessibility on Screen
Time: 3:15pm–4:15pm
From advocating policy change to influencing production through accessibility and authentic disability representation, the Disability Screen Office (DSO) has been a driving force in breaking down barriers and transforming the Canadian film landscape. Gain insight from both the DSO and creators as they share their experiences navigating the challenges and triumphs of working in the film industry.
Share insights, raise questions, and actively participate in shaping a more accessible, inclusive, and diverse film industry.
Guests confirmed to date:
Moderator: Angelo Muredda, Film Critic and Programmer
Panelist: Winnie Luk, Executive Director, Disability Screen Office
Panelist: Cheryl Meyer, Writer
Perspectives: The Future of Canadian Content Part 2: Broadcasters and TV Execs Discuss Next Steps for Modernizing the Broadcasting Act
Time: 5pm–6pm
What does it take to build a thriving, competitive domestic market in the digital era? Traditional Canadian broadcasters and producers discuss the impact of the Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11) and what steps they think the CRTC needs to take next. Industry guests at last year’s Forum advocated for a policy that would protect Canadian creators by prioritizing employment of Canadians and IP ownership. This year, broadcasters and production companies weigh in on their priorities for what comes next. Speakers to be confirmed.
Social media:
Twitter: @TIFF_NET & @TIFF_Industry
Instagram, TikTok & Letterboxd: @tiff_net
Facebook.com/TIFF
It’s not every day you get to see a Rock God up close and intimate! RUSH frontman Geddy Lee attended a special screening and Q&A for his new four-part Paramount+ Docu-Series GEDDY LEE ASKS: ARE BASS PLAYERS HUMAN TOO? along with Toronto Director Sam Dunn.
The Series sees Lee chatting candidly with some of Rock’s most legendary Bassists of all time, including members of Hole and Nirvana. Series streams now.
A Recap of the night with appearance by Lee:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Paramount+)
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