The World of Cinema Elite made their way to Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles tonight for the 86th annual Academy Awards. Praised as both a strong year for Red Carpet Fashion and Film with a heated battle between American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave and Gravity, among others for Best Picture, ultimately 12 Years a Slave would prevail with top honours tonight.
The Drama based on the Memoir by Solomon Northrup, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September, before going-on to sweep a litany of accolades this Awards Season including victories at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Independent Spirit Awards just yesterday. In addition, to winning coveted Best Picture, it won also for Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Alfonso Cuarón‘s Gravity, which has grossed over $700 million worldwide, also premiering at TIFF this last Fall, won the most Oscars this evening, tallying-in at seven wins, primarily in technical categories including Cinematography, Score and Visual Effects. Cuarón himself went-on to win for Directing.
AIDS Drama Dallas Buyers Club won the important Actor and Supporting Actor Categories with Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto respectively. Both brought along their Mothers to the Awards, the latter making a heartfelt tribute to his Mother who overcame great odds to provide for both him and his Brother.
As predicted by many, Cate Blanchett now is a two-time Oscar Winner, her first win coming for her work in 2004’s The Aviator. The Australian Actress won for her empathetic portrayal of a Woman coping with mental and addiction issues in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine.
The Fashion on the Red Carpet tonight was a huge draw as several Fans via Social Media sounded-off on the tasteful styles of Kate Hudson in Versace, Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé, Amy Adams in Gucci, Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab and perhaps the most-talked-about was a Princess-like Lupita Nyong’o in what is now being called a “Nairobi Blue” Prada Dress with a Hairband. The light pastel blue Creation was chosen by the eventual Oscar Winner, who told Ryan Seacrest on the Red Carpet that it reminded the Kenyan Native of Nairobi.
Ellen DeGeneres once again did a bang-up job, making herself right at home with the A-List Audience, poking fun at everything from welcoming Liza Minnelli as a Female Impersonator, to some of this year’s Nominees who didn’t attend College (the Camera panned on Amy Adams nodded her head, admitting she too didn’t attend) to bringing out Pizza to some of the Evening’s famous Guests. Meryl Streep was one of the first to help herself to a slice. In addition, DeGeneres was out to set a record for the Most Re-Tweeted Selfie and helping her along were the likes of Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Jared Leto, Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. Quickly, the Photo received over a million Re-Tweets (overtaking a previous Tweet from President Obama upon his Re-Election) and could’ve received more if it weren’t for reported technical difficulties likely due to the onslaught of traffic.
See it below:
See more Photos here.
(Photo credit: Getty Images/Ellen DeGeneres)
The 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were held tonight at The Shrine in Los Angeles, as one of the final major Awards Ceremonies leading up to next month’s Oscars. The Awards, which allow Actors to honour their v. own, recognize both Film and Television Performers. As is the case with the SAG Awards, what makes it unique is that their is now Best Picture Award as the Ceremony honours performances strictly. This year, Dick Van Dyke was the honourary Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Winning top honours tonight was Argo for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, which is making it seem increasingly likely as a real Best Picture Candidate at the Oscars, considering its Motion Picture – Drama win at the Golden Globes a couple weeks back. Actor/Director Ben Affleck, who was a noticeable omission from the Directing Category at the Oscars, delivered a heartfelt and funny Speech, remembering to thank Wife Jennifer Garner: “I wanna thank my Wife, who I love, and my Kids, and Warner Brothers, who I love, but not as much.”. The Ensemble Cast from Argo includes: Clea Duvall, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber, Scoot McNairy, Kerry Bishé, Tate Donovan and more.
Lincoln also continues to be a major presence this Awards Season with Daniel Day-Lewis solidifying his case for Best Actor at the Oscars with a win for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture. This counts as his third win at the Awards, after previously having won in 2003 and 2008 for Gangs of New York and There Will Be Blood. In what was a competitive Category, Tommy Lee Jones too was awarded Supporting Actor, Film for his work in Lincoln too after having been defeated by Christoph Waltz a couple weeks ago at the Golden Globes.
Jennifer Lawrence, who despite recovering from Pneumonia still ventured-out in her Dior Couture (same label as her Golden Globes Dress), pulled-off a surprise upset over an Alexander McQueen-clad Jessica Chastain, with her spirited work in Silver Linings Playbook. While accepting the Award, even Katniss herself couldn’t avoid a slight Wardrobe Malfunction with her dress appearing to tear at the knees, although it was later confirmed via Dior that in fact this was part of the design.
Meanwhile, Anne Hathaway won Supporting Actress, Film for her stunning performance in Les Misérables, her first ever SAG Award and just one of many won of late. The Actress stunned in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, daring in a black Dress which drew some parallels to her scandal-inducing Tom Ford Dress worn at the New York City Premiere for the Film in December.
Now into its final Season, 30 Rock nabbed two Awards for Actor and Actress in Television Series, Comedy with both Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey respectively, while the Cast of Modern Family for a third time won Ensemble Cast, Comedy, Television Series. ITV British Import Downton Abbey won Ensemble Cast, Drama, Television Series.
For Television Movie or Miniseries, both Film Veterans Kevin Costner and Juliane Moore were victorious for their work in History’s Hatfields and McCoys and HBO‘s Game Change respectively. Claire Danes also continues her domination this Awards Season, winning for her work on Showtime‘s Homeland for Actress, Television Series, Drama, while Cranston won Actor Award, Television Series, Drama for AMC’s Breaking Bad (making him a double-Winner also for Argo), beating-out Danes’ Co-Star Damian Lewis who won at the Golden Globes.
Toronto Viewers tonight were inconvenienced by technical glitches, delaying the broadcast of the SAG Awards on Global Television. Finally at approximately 9:00 PM the issue was resolved, but not without Torontonians first being so outraged that they took to Twitter to vent so much that the Station trended. Bad Publicity can be good too perhaps.
Read Global Television‘s Tweets about the glitches below:
See some of the best looks from the SAG Awards tonight including my favourite, Chastain and Seyfried in Zac Posen:
Complete List of Winners here.
(Photo credit: Getty Images/Warner Bros.)
Giving just a taste of what’s to come at the Oscars next month, the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards took place tonight at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. As originally thought, the Race to next month’s Oscars is just as wide-open as ever based on tonight’s results. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awarded top Honours to Argo for Motion Picture – Drama, when many thought Zero Dark Thirty or Lincoln would be victorious. To further illustrate the drastic differences between the HFPA‘s tastes and that of the Academy, Ben Affleck shocked many in failing to garner a mention for Best Director when Oscar Nominees were unveiled this past Thursday. To put this into context, Affleck‘s win tonight for Motion Picture – Director had him defeating previous Oscar Winners Kathryn Bigelow and even past Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner, Steven Spielberg. Nonetheless, with Argo nabbing two key Awards, in addition to Django Unchained winning Original Screenplay and Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Christoph Waltz) and Les Misérables also winning an impressive three Awards: Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Actor in a Musical or Comedy (Hugh Jackman) and Supporting Actress in a Musical or Comedy (Anne Hathaway), these three Best Picture Nominees definitely cannot be ruled-out.
Jodie Foster, a six-time Golden Globe Nominee herself, was honoured with the Cecil B. DeMille Award this year, raising quite a few eyebrows with her v. candid Speech which for the first time publicly had her addressing her Sexuality. “I’m just gonna put it out there loud and proud, so I’m gonna need your support on this. I am single. Yes I am”, she said with a bit of nervousness. “I already did my coming-out a thousand years ago in the Stone Age in those very quaint days when a fragile young Girl would open-up to Family and Friends”. On her longevity as an Actress Foster says, “There are a few secrets to keeping your Psyche intact over such a long career – love people and stay beside them.”.
As predicted, Jessica Chastain and Daniel Day-Lewis won respectively for Best Actress and Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. This is the second time Chastain has been nominated, her first Nomination coming with 2011’s The Help. Also this is the sixth time the reclusive Day-Lewis has been nominated and his second time winning the prestigious Award. He won in 2008 for There Will Be Blood.
Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman earned his first-ever Golden Globe for Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, with Les Misérables; he received his first nomination back in 2002 for Kate & Leopold. Jackman edged-out Bradley Cooper, a first-time Nominee for his work on Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Winner Silver Linings Playbook. Both Actors will vie with Day-Lewis at next month’s Oscars for the coveted Best Actor Award.
The Hunger Games Star Jennifer Lawrence, won her first Golden Globe for Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her work in Silver Linings Playbook. “What can I say? I beat Meryl!”, she joked upon accepting her Award from hilarious Anchorman 2 Duo, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell. “JLaw” as she likes to be called, received her first Golden Globe in 2010 for Breakthrough Role in Winter’s Bone.
Three-time Golden Globe Nominee Anne Hathaway was seen widely as a heavy Favourite to win for Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and did not disappoint for her work in Les Misérables. Defeating an exceptionally-talented Group including Helen Hunt, Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams and Sally Field, Hathaway likely will take home Best Supporting Actress next month also. The New York Native’s Acceptance Speech was full of compliments, giving nods to Co-Host Tina Fey, using a word she made famous, “Blarg!” and also praising Field for her Oscar-winning work in Norma Rae.
Despite some heavy competition, two-time Golden Globe Nominee and now two-time Winner Waltz rose above all to win Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his spirited turn in Django Unchained. With the exception of Co-Star Leonardo DiCaprio, he will be up against Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tommy Lee Jones and Alan Arkin again next month at the Oscars in the same Category.
In the Television categories, HBO‘s Sarah Palin-inspired Game Change and Showtime Drama Series Homeland walked away the big Winners. The former won for Mini-Series or Motion Picture for Television, in addition to Stars Julianne Moore and Ed Harris each winning Actress and Supporting Actor respectively. The latter garnered four nominations this year, including Television Series – Drama. New Mom Claire Danes, who won last year for Actress in a Television Series – Drama repeated the feat again this year, while Co-Star Damian Lewis won the Award for Actor. HBO‘s Breakout Hit Girls despite falling short at the Primetime Emmy Awards late last year, would not be refused tonight winning Television Series – Comedy and also its Writer and Star Lena Dunham winning Actress in a Television Series – Comedy. Coincidentally or not, Season Two of the Series premiered tonight.
As always, Fashion is a huge part of the Festivities and especially stunning on the Red Carpet tonight were Hathaway donning an elegant white Chanel Dress. Chastain rarely disappoints and tonight she chose Calvin Klein as her Clothier of choice, looking Classic Hollywood and Katharine Hepburn-esque. Lawrence also drew a lot of attention for her red Dior Couture Dress cinched with a thematically-appropriate gold belt, as did Foster in a navy Armani Number. Lucy Liu who currently stars in TV Series Elementary, may have drawn some mixed responses for her floral Carolina Herrera Dress, but she gets big points here for the inspired Look. Also, hilariously snappy Co-Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler graced the Carpet in Wife and Husband Outfits, Fey looking particularly amazing in L’wren Scott. Of the Gentleman, no one can deny that Leonardo DiCaprio was King of the Ball in Tom Ford!
For a complete list of Winners, click here.
(Photo credit: @GoldenGlobes)
MUBI Canada have announced their March 2024 programming additions including films from female Cinematographers and Oscar winners!
FUNNY PAGES
Funny Pages (Comedy) – Streaming March 1
Dir. Owen Kline, 2022
Aspiring cartoonist Robert believes to be an artist is to suffer. So, he rejects his suburban life and drops out of school to work at a comic store and a public defender’s office. There he meets and becomes besotted by former low-level comic artist Wallace, leading him down a path of misadventures. Owen Kline’s feature directorial debut, Funny Pages, with cinematography by Sean Price Williams and produced by the Safdie Brothers, earned a spot in the 2022 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and received 2 Independent Spirit Award nominations in 2023.
MAMI WATA
Mami Wata (Drama, Fantasy, Thriller) – Streaming Exclusively on MUBI March 22
Dir. C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi, 2023
When the harmony in a village is threatened by outside elements, two sisters must fight to save their people and restore the glory of a mermaid goddess to the land. Mami Wata won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography at Sundance Film Festival in 2023.
CALLING THE SHOTS: WOMEN CINEMATOGRAPHERS
In honour of Women’s History Month, MUBI is spotlighting the expertise and perspective of women working behind the camera in its new film collection CALLING THE SHOTS: WOMEN CINEMATOGRAPHERS. Women’s perspectives help shape diverse stories, and yet, women continue to be underrepresented in cinematography. These films showcase the beauty and technical achievement possible when women craft stories through their lens.
The Wonders (Drama) – Streaming March 8
Cinematography by Hélène Louvart, Dir. Alice Rohrwacher, 2014
An extraordinary summer for Gelsomina and her three younger sisters, in which the strict rules that hold the family together begin to break: due to the arrival of Martin, a German boy on a youth rehabilitation program, and also the community’s participation in the TV competition “Village Wonders.” The Wonders won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 and was nominated for the Plame d’Or.
Thursday Till Sunday (Drama) – Streaming March 8
Cinematography by Bárbara Álvarez, Dir. Dominga Sotomayor Castillo, 2012
As she and her family embark on a four-day holiday to the north of Chile, teenager Mazda slowly comes to the realization that her parents might be splitting up. Their journey that starts so cheerfully quickly acquires melancholy undertones. This will be their last trip as a family. Thursday Till Sunday won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2012.
Madeline’s Madeline (Drama) – Streaming March 8
Cinematography by Ashley Connor, Dir. Josephine Decker, 2018
Sixteen-year-old Madeline has become an active member of an experimental theatre troupe. When its ambitious director pushes Madeline to weave her rich interior world and her troubled relationship with her mother into their collective art, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur. Madeline’s Madeline was nominated for 3 Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Female Lead.
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…
Oscar® night. A time for winners and losers, tears and cheers. A night of sweeps, surprises, and foregone conclusions. MUBI presents AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…, a film collection featuring winners and nominees from Oscars® past. It’s the perfect opportunity to brush up on your awards trivia, fill some of those viewing gaps, or convince yourself again that a certain film or performance was robbed.
Parasite (Drama, Comedy, Thriller) – Streaming March 8
Dir. Bong Joon Ho, 2018
Ki-taek’s family of four is close, but fully unemployed. The son Ki-woo is recommended for a well-paid tutoring job. Carrying the expectations of all his family, Ki-woo heads to the Park family home for an interview. But following this first meeting, an unstoppable string of mishaps lies in wait. Parasite won 4 Academy Awards including Best Director, won Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language at the Golden Globes, and received the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival. It was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
No (Drama) – Streaming Now
Dir. Pablo Larraín, 2012
With his first collaboration with Gael García Bernal, Pablo Larraín scored a true art-house hit. Shot on vintage video cameras, the film boasts a rare authenticity and its aesthetic of immediacy is nothing short of genius. No was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at the Academy Awards, and won the C.I.C.A.E. Award at Cannes Film Festival.
Amy (Documentary, Biography) – Streaming Now
Dir. Asif Kapadia, 2015
A moving profile of the precocious talent and tragic death of singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, this biographical documentary deflates the sensationalism that surrounded Winehouse throughout her short life—focusing instead on its subject’s artistry. Amy won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2016, and was named the National Board of Review’s Best Documentary in 2015.
MUBI have announced their upcoming programming addiitons for January 2024, including their collaboration with Canada’s Top Ten.
Now Streaming
Pieces of April | dir. Peter Hedges, 2003
Quirky and rebellious April Burns (Katie Holmes) lives with her boyfriend in a low-rent New York City apartment miles away from her emotionally distant family. But when she discovers that her mother has a fatal form of breast cancer, she invites the whole clan to her place for a most chaotic Thanksgiving. After screenwriting success with What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Peter Hedges won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance for his directorial debut. Available to stream as part of MUBI’s FESTIVAL FOCUS: SUNDANCE collection. (Trailer)
Now Streaming
The Blair Witch Project | dirs. Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sánchez, 1999
This terrifying, super-low-budget horror film shocked audiences and went on to make millions despite its humble origins. Taking the form of a documentary about a local legend, the film cleverly immerses the audience in hand-held video footage that looks like the real thing… and maybe it is. The Blair Witch Project also won the Award of The Youth at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and is a part of MUBI’s FESTIVAL FOCUS: SUNDANCE collection. (Trailer)
Now Streaming
But I’m A Cheerleader | dir. Jamie Babbit, 1999
Starring Natasha Lyonne, But I’m a Cheerleader premiered at TIFF 1999 and is a delightful, highly-stylized queer comedy that graced the end of a decade in an American cinema otherwise ruled by heteronormative rom-coms. Co-starring Michelle Williams and RuPaul (out of drag), this sweet, satirical yarn is due for rediscovery. (Trailer)
Now Streaming
Shithouse | dir. Cooper Raiff, 2020
Lonely college freshman Alex has closed himself off from his peers, who all appear to have this whole “college thing” figured out. But everything changes one night when Alex takes a leap and attends a party at Shithouse—a legendary party fraternity—where he forges a strong connection with Maggie. Shithouse won the Grand Jury Award at the SXSW Film Festival and is a part of MUBI’s FIRST FILMS FIRST collection. (Trailer)
Now Streaming
Following | dir. Christopher Nolan, 1998
Before Christopher Nolan became a towering talent in the game of big-budget filmmaking with the likes of Inception and Oppenheimer, he made this ingenious small-scale thriller. As complexly structured and cerebrally tangled as his best work, this intimate neo-noir is as beguiling as the classics. Following is Christopher Nolan’s first feature film (part of MUBI’s FIRST FILMS FIRST collection) and won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. (Trailer)
Now Streaming
Keane | dir. Lodge Kerrigan, 2004
With a cyclonic performance from Damian Lewis at its center, Lodge Kerrigan’s third feature is a searing psychological drama, stunningly restored in 4K. Through penetrative close-ups, Keane locks its gaze on a lost soul in the big city for a jagged and suspenseful examination of obsession and loss. Keane won the Critics Award and Jury Special Prize at the Deauville Film Festival. (Trailer)
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Extinction Of The Species | dirs. Matthew Porterfield & Nicolasa Ruiz, 2023
Esther, an 18-year-old from the North of Mexico, wakes up in Mexico City overwhelmed and alone. Wandering the city streets, she attempts to connect with strangers she meets. Arriving at the house of a mysterious woman, Esther finds a kindred spirit and a companion for the end of the world. (Trailer)
Friday, January 12, 2024
Fremont | dir. Babak Jalali, 2023
Exclusive Streaming Premiere
Fremont stars Jeremy Allen White and follows Donya (Anaita Wali Zada) who works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory in San Francisco. Formerly a translator for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, she struggles to put her life back in order. In a moment of sudden revelation, she decides to send out a special message in a cookie. The comedy-drama is nominated for two 2024 Independent Spirit Awards (Best Breakthrough Performance for Anaita Wali Zada), as well as the John Cassavetes Award. (Trailer)
The 23rd edition of Canada’s Top Ten, an annual celebration of outstanding Canadian filmmaking, marks the beginning of a significant partnership between MUBI and TIFF.
This collaboration is set to showcase the diverse and rich storytelling that Canadian filmmakers offer and is just the first step in an ongoing relationship between MUBI and TIFF, dedicated to expanding the reach and impact of unique cinematic experiences globally.
Audiences can watch this year’s selections at TIFF Lightbox. Find the full list and purchase tickets at tiff.net/canadas-top-ten.
We absolutely adore the IT series of films and to learn that an Max Prequel series would bring Director Andy Muschietti back to Toronto, made me smile. The Series has been filming in and around Toronto and this week head to scenic Port Hope, where Muschietti‘s IT films were made as well.
We don’t know much about the Series’ premise but it was so incredibly cool seeing downtown Port Hope transformed to another era. The detailing of the streets, with new storefronts and gorgeous antique cars took us to another place and time!
Also, we are such a huge fan of Taylour Paige, who stars in WELCOME TO DERRY hot off wins for Best Female Lead at the Film Independent Spirit Awards for her outstanding performance in ZOLA, one of our fave films. She also left such an impression in acclaimed MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, winning an NAACP Image Award alongside her Co-Stars. Success has been long in the making for this multi-talented star, who once was a Laker Girl!
We trekked-up to Port Hope and were so happy finally to meet Paige and her husband, fashion figure Rivington Starchild. The couple drive to Toronto from California with their two dogs and were just so lovely. This was an incredible memory!
Earlier in the month, we had the pleasure of seeing Muschietti again and as always he’s so gracious to his fans. This weekend he and his sister Barbara will appear at a special fan screening of DC‘s THE FLASH in Toronto!
WELCOME TO DERRY will continue to film in and around the City up till December.
See a reel of highlights from the set of WELCOME TO DERRY!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
By Mr. Will Wong
The Daniels’ EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is hot off its victories at the 32nd annual Gotham Awards last night, winning Best Feature and Supporting Performance (Ke Huy Quan). The genre-bending Action-Dramedy is perhaps 2022’s biggest surprise theatrical hit and heads into Awards Season with great momentum. For one, it leads all nominations at the upcoming Film Independent Spirit Awards.
We had the pleasure of joining a post-celebratory chat with the stars and Filmmakers behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, including:
Daniel Kwan
Daniel Scheinert
Jamie Lee Curtis
Ke Huy Quan
Filmmaking Duo The Daniels reflect on what their win last night means to them.
Kwan: “We’re feeling a little shock right now. When we premiered this Film in March at SXSW, we thought we’d be lucky if people even went to the theatre to go see it. This was just as theatres were starting to open back up during the Pandemic. The fact that people are still discovering the Film and talking about the Film already feels like such a win. But last night we were not expecting this to happen. We have so much respect for the Gotham Awards and any institution that tries to uplift independent films and voices. Those are the films that honestly changed our lives and hold high regard for. So to be amongst them last night already was so incredible. To win, I think we’re still processing because everything feels really real. Before yesterday we thought this was just a fun game.”.
Scheinert: “Oh, I processed it. It was quite easy. (kidding). It’s very nice to celebrate with a bunch of folks who worked on the Movie and calling it a Best Feature is absurd, but the thing I like about it is, it’s vague enough I get to tell everybody who worked on it that this award’s for them, that this includes them.”.
Jamie Lee Curtis adds that the celebrations behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE started much before Awards Season.
Curtis: “What most people don’t know is that the party began in January 2020 in Simi Valley when we had an opening ceremony for the Movie when we were just about to start, with a Suckling Pig. It was a traditional blessing for the Movie and it was a party to begin with. Also, every week The Daniels give out Crew Awards to really unsuspecting members of the Team who put forth supreme effort in this incredibly intense creative experience. Awards are very much a part of what The Daniels do because they understand how important the group is. The experience doesn’t exist without the group.”.
She also comments on Co-Star Ke Huy Quan‘s incredible and inspiring journey back as an Actor, her voice trembling with tears.
Curtis: “It is as strong an example of perseverance of belief in oneself, of understanding the realities of the industry and at one point, Ke stepped away as the industry rejected him as an Actor. It didn’t offer him any work and he created other work for himself. And then his making his way back in as a performer, seeing movies like Crazy Rich Asians and saying to his wife, ‘I think I can do this again’. And then to be able to have this opportunity – this beautiful, multi-layered, incredible role written and then he won that role through an audition process with The Daniels. Last night’s win is an example for every single person who’s ever dreamed, who’s lost the dream and found it again.”.
Ke Huy Quan recalls what it was like the moment he won Best Supporting Performance for his performance as Waymond, at the Gotham Awards.
Quan: “Ever since our Movie came out, I have not done one single interview where I don’t get choked-up. Watching Jamie talk about me so emotionally, just now it gets me very emotional. But my wife after all these months said, ‘Ke, I think you cry way too much. Don’t cry anymore in interviews, okay?’. Last night when Emilia Jones was announcing the nominees, and I thought there’s no way I was gonna win, sitting at the next table was Gabrielle Union, whom I loved in The Inspection, and all these wonderful Actors. And when she called out my name and I looked over to my wife, she was crying uncontrollably and I started to cry. Even before I went up to the podium, I was a mess. It was incredible. I can’t thank our family enough. I’m just so, so grateful”.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE big winner at #GothamAwards, taking Best Feature along with Best Supporting Performance by Ke Huy Quan. pic.twitter.com/upDlWcnHAH
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) November 29, 2022
The ultimate message behind EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is about living to your ultimate potential.
Kwan: “My narrative for myself was that I did not believe I was going to amount to anything and when I did discover Film, I discovered this world in which I could actually thrive, it totally changed my perspective on human potential and what we’re capable of. This Film in many ways is me trying to open-up this internal conversation many people are having about their worth. I think the current system and way that our lives collectively have evolved. We’re living in a system that really doesn’t allow us to harness our potential. In fact, it’s actively distracting us from reaching our potential and dismantling our potential. This Film is way for people to forgive themselves from that, and also for them to see new paths forward, rewriting their own narratives.”.
Quan recalls the fun he had playing multiple versions of his same character and which version surprised him the most.
Quan: “I felt like the Acting Gods were looking out for me, saying ‘Since you haven’t had any acting roles in 20 years, I’m going to give you three wonderful roles.’. When I got the Script, I was nervous because I felt the role written for me and I really wanted to do it justice. I spent a lot of time with myself. I grew-up in a traditional Chinese family where my parents taught me to internalize a lot of emotion, which contradicts what an Actor does, so I buried my emotions for many years. It wasn’t until I had this opportunity, that I told myself to release some of those emotions and put them into these three characters. It was the ‘Tax Waymond‘ though, as we call him. He is such a beautiful character, who is someone I strive to be. That’s what my wife is and what Jamie lee Curtis embody – the same qualities Waymond embodies. He’s kind, treats people with respect, is generous and humble. I’ve always wanted to be that person. I don’t think I could have played him ten years ago or had I not met my wife, Echo. She changed me and I’m so much better because of her. I get so emotional every time I talk about her. I’ve had the most amazing time to this day and I cannot believe I get to be in this Movie.”.
Jamie Lee Curtis also is asked about her experience with Deirdre and making this Film not knowing much about it or that it would ever catch fire.
Curtis: “Well I like Ke, was born in a very traditional Chinese family (kidding). It’s weird because also I was born into a family of Actors but had the same emotional life, which was to hide what I felt. I was raised in a very consersative family. Feelings were not particularly well-discussed, and so when you meet someone like Deirdre Beaubeirdra, I knew her. I knew how sad she was. I knew much longing she had. I have known in my life people like Deirdre. And I also know what power can wield and what it does to a person, and how it can create a facade of strength and impenetrability, which is what those jobs often do. For me, the joy was the exploration of all of it. Being able to show all those aspects of her which The Daniels wrote so beautifully. Every time The Daniels talk, the Movie peels the layers of the onion of the complexity of the story. I want to let everyone know, they never said a word when we were shooting. We never had a meeting what the Movie was really about. We just shot in this very fast, frenetic way. There was very little conversation – at least with me – about bigger themes of human existence. What’s so interesting is that you can still have a movie with this level of complexity. But the truth is that that we made a movie in 38 days. There wasn’t a big esoteric brain meld. It was individual work on each character and then ultimately at the end, they have assembled something with Paul Rogers, their Editor, that is extraordinary.”.
Curtis is asked whom she found tougher to fight with on-screen. Michael Meyers in the Halloween Franchise, or Michelle Yeoh. She also praises Yeoh, asking The Daniels to show us just how intricate and demanding her role was with over 25 coloured tabs in her Script.
Curtis: “Fighting with Michelle Yeoh with her vast experience was way more intimadating than Michael Meyers.”.
On a parting note, the Creators and Cast are asked about what they hope the legacy of EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE will be.
Curtis: “The legacy is love, reconciliaton, family, honesty, failure, triumph and every day parts of life we are all struggling with. There isn’t a person alive who is not dealing with this.”.
Quan: “People tell me how our Movie changed their lives. It made them want to be a better person because what the Movie’s about. The Movie’s about kindness and increased respect to one another. I hope our Movie can help us be a little more kind to each other.
Scheinert: “Now that I’ve made a movie about kindness, I have to be nice to people or disappoint all these fans, which is a good thing to do to yourself. It will make me a nicer person.”.
Kwan: “This Film was made to be a quick burst of energy for this very moment, a reflection what’s happening right now. I hope the world is changed in 50-100 years, where the Film no longer feels relevant. The Film is a reaction to the tumultuous rite of passage we’re all experiencing. If they’re still responding in 50 years, then we haven’t actually grown as a society.”.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE is available now on DVD/Blu-ray, digitally and on-demand.
Disney+ and National Geographic announced the following casting of the Original Series “Genius: MLK/X,” produced by 20th Television, Imagine Television and Undisputed Cinema: Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Aaron Pierre (“The Underground Railroad”) as Malcolm X, Weruche Opia (“I May Destroy You”) as Coretta Scott King, and Jayme Lawson (“The Batman”) as Betty Shabazz. Principal photography will begin in October 2022 in Atlanta.
“We are beyond excited to have put together the incredible foursome of Kelvin, Aaron, Jayme and Weruche to bring the depth, complexity, and humanity to these indelible icons,” said the Bythewoods. “They are all next level in their chops and their passion to tell this story.”
As previously announced, in a first for the franchise, the new season of the Emmy® Award-winning anthology series will focus on two iconic geniuses: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. “Genius: MLK/X” will explore the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies and key personal relationships of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Pierre). While King advanced racial equality through nonviolent protest, Malcolm X argued forcefully for Black empowerment, identity and self-determination. With their formidable wives, Coretta Scott King (Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Lawson), by their sides, King and Malcolm X became synonymous with the civil rights era and the fight for racial and economic justice. While they met only once and often challenged each other’s views, neither would have been as successful without the other.
In addition to casting news, executive producers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood announced a think tank of renowned historians and experts serving as production consultants prior to the start of the writer’s room to guide the production, including the following (in alphabetical order):
Jamal Joseph (“Panther Baby: A Life of Rebellion and Reinvention”), formerly a member of the Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army, is a writer, director and professor of professional practice at Columbia University School of the Arts in the film department.
Peniel E. Joseph is a writer whose book, “The Sword and The Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.,” serves as inspiration for the series and also serves as a series consultant.
Michele Norris is a columnist and consultant for Post Opinions and founding director of Peabody Award-winning The Race Card Project.
Dr. Kameelah Rashad is the founder and president of the Muslim Wellness Foundation (MWF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healing and emotional well-being in the American Muslim community.
Dr. Barbara Reynolds is an award-winning journalist, author and minister who penned several books, including “Jesse Jackson, America’s David” and “No, I Won’t Shut Up: 30 Years of Telling It Like It Is,” with a foreword by Coretta Scott King.
Ambassador Shabazz, producer, writer, diplomat and eldest daughter of Dr. Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X Shabazz, also serves as consulting producer for the series.
Jeff Stetson, whose play “The Meeting” serves as inspiration for the series, is an internationally acclaimed award-winning playwright and screenwriter for film and television. He also serves as an executive producer on the series.
Jeanne Theoharis, a political science professor at City University of New York, is the author or co-author of eleven books and numerous articles on the civil rights and Black Power movements.
Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr., senior pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church, received numerous honours, accolades and recognitions, including induction into Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers.
“We wanted to assemble a consortium of scholars and experts who can not only lend their extensive knowledge, expertise and research but also create a space for meaningful debate and discussion to ensure an honest portrayal of the complexities of these iconic geniuses. The legacies of Martin and Malcolm are critical to our understanding of the social justice movements of today, so we had to get this right. We could not have asked for a more incredible group to guide us through their stories,” added the Bythewoods.
Additionally, Channing Godfrey Peoples was named as co-executive producer and will direct the pilot episode for “Genius: MLK/X.” Godfrey Peoples made her feature directorial debut with “Miss Juneteenth,” for which she received the coveted National Board of Review Award for Best Directorial Debut and was also recognized with multiple nominations from the Gotham Awards and the Film Independent Spirit Awards, among others. Her television credits include Apple TV+ “Roar” and HBO Max’s “Generation” for directing and OWN’s “Queen Sugar” for screenwriting.
(Photo credit: Disney+)
The 2022 INSIDE OUT Festival brought to us by Lead Sponsor RBC, takes place May 26-June 5, 2022 in-person and online in Ontario. The Festival is comprised of 128 films from 28 countries, including 38 feature films, 3 episodic series, and 7 world premieres.
Now in its 32nd year, the Festival celebrating LGBTQ2S+ Film and Television, is highlighted by some high-profile programming, including Prime Video Series, THE LAKE starring Jordan Gavaris and Julia Stiles, plus also Opening Night Film MARS ONE, a Family Drama directed by Gabriel Martin!
Upcoming Disney+ release FIRE ISLAND starring Bowen Yang and Margaret Cho also will be screening at the Festival!
Our George Kozera had the pleasure of previewing a few of the Festival’s key titles in-advance of this year’s Festival! Here’s his thoughts!
What sounds suspiciously like a bad joke set-up…a scatterbrained sex worker and a bitter gay Little Person meet and go on a road trip from New York to Labrador in a shockingly pink vehicle so that she can reconnect with the aliens that abducted her when she was 15 years old…UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS is a captivating comedy/drama/sci-fi hybrid that will have you invested from the very first scene. Acclaimed for his winning short movies, this is multi-hyphenate Juan Felipe Zuleta’s first feature-length film and there is nary a false move, from the stunning cinematography and to the haunting score from Sebastian Zuleta. Much like Rom-Coms, road trip movies tend to fall into predictable patterns which this film obliterates with finesse and originality.
As Winona, Sarah Hay gives a fully rounded performance in a difficult role that could have been a cliched mess in a less talented hands. Beautifully-nuanced and impressively balancing the quirky humour or pathos required, I hope to see more of her in the future. Matthew August Jeffers, who many will recognize from his recurring role on TV’s “New Amsterdam,” dominates every scene as Peter. He portrays loneliness, rage, sarcasm, grief, insecurities, intelligence and fear with superior assurance and grace, and I will not be at all surprised if he is nominated for Best Actor at next year’s Independent Spirit Awards.
Hold onto your hats as UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS soars to stratospheric heights.
Fri May 27, 7:15 pm
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I was drawn to the Documentary BEYOND ED BUCK as the story of a rich political insider arrested of drugging and killing two Black men was fictionalized in a recent episode of “Law and Order”. What I watched instead was a by-the-books “talking heads” feature that inexplicitly switched gears one third into the Movie. The first portion held my attention, albeit with many reservations, as I found the case against Ed Buck interesting, and the storyline incorporated sexual fetishes into the equation with aplomb. Then it completely switched gears and turned into a Documentary about Black Trans Lives (neither of Buck’s victims were Trans) with testimonials of those who survived prostitution, violence, and drug addiction. This is fine, but not what we were led to think the Documentary is about.
Documentarians Jayce Baron and Hailie Sahar sadly have taken on many topics that they are passionate about and tried to present too many things in a scant 91 minutes. There’s an unfinished, somewhat unsubstantiated and an incredibly angry one-sided vision presented in BEYOND ED BUCK. There are many stories to be told here and you can’t throw everything into one pot and call it Fusion.
Sat Jun 04, 2:15 pm
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NANA’S BOYS opens with Q (Jared Wayne Gladly) finding nothing in the fridge and sneaking out a beautifully-furnished Manhattan apartment to buy a birthday breakfast for his, still asleep in bed, life partner Amari (David J. Cook) who is celebrating his “Dirty 30” that day. We quickly ascertain that Q, a successful Lawyer, is a bit of a control freak and Amari is unemployed and shiftless. They bicker in a way that only those in a long-standing relationship do culminating with Amari being overwhelmed by his gift of a wedding ring. When an explosion in Times Square forces the city into lockdown, the two men go into “The Boys in the Band” route and play a truth-seeking game using Polaroids of their life together. Shattering secrets are revealed.
NANA’S BOYS expertly portrays the dynamics of a relationship that changes and evolves much to the blind eye of a partner. Cracks in the foundation appear upon each new revelation. Writer/Director Ashton Pina confidently and concisely makes this very theatrical piece engrossing and elicits earnest performances and a believable chemistry between the two actors. The movie is an emotional roller coaster with gratifying results.
Tue May 31, 9:30 pm
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London in the ’60s may have been the epicenter of music and fashion and trends but it was short-lived, and it took 20 years for that city to regain that mantle once again. “It is the duty of every generation to reject the old” says one of many interviewees in the Inside Out Centerpiece Gala, TRAMPS!, a wildly-entertaining and vibrant Documentary about the birth of The New Romantics movement. Adapting from its Punk Rock roots and eschewing the grunge of the Sex Pistols and The Clash, The New Romantics were more theatrical in fashion and melodic in their music which captivated the world. Whereas I personally am a bit of an expert about the New York City Alternative scene of that era, I was transfixed by how it came to be across the pond and relished the Filmmakers use of archival filmed footage and recent interviews with the artistic pioneers of those days. The creatively flamboyant gay roots, exemplified by Boy George, were a crucial factor in the New Romantics success as it spawned new musical identities, informative magazines and genuinely original fashion and jewelry. It also respectfully honours those lost to AIDS (including maverick Filmmaker Derek Jarman and Performance Artist extraordinaire Leigh Bowery) or heroin addiction.
TRAMPS! reminded me of my favourite Grade School Teacher; he taught me new things, expanded my narrow environments, and made it all fun to boot! Highly-recommended.
Tue May 31, 7:00 pm
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Making a nod to the 1992 song by The Cure, FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE is Documentary Filmmaker Marcus Pontello’s love letter to Numbers, a nightclub in Houston Texas. Bullied as a teenager in and out of high school for being out and proud, Pontello found solace in the Alternative music scene and dancing the night away at the gay watering hole. Originally a GayDisco in the late ’70s, Numbers went through many iterations until it found success as a venue that catered to fans of musical acts that include Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan and Grace Jones (shown minimally performing on the club’s stage). One of the co-owners of the bar during its heyday years was also the owner of Houston’s most successful record stores and worked tirelessly to promote new bands and music.
I wish FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE was as bouncy and compelling as the song remains to be. It is a rather sophomoric Documentary with endless interviews and little refreshing insights. Record stores have gone the route of the dinosaurs and nightclubs are not jammed to the rafters as they used to be everywhere currently, so the revelations here are not unique as this documentary wishes it could be. The Movie works as an unabashedly paean to a place that forever changed the Filmmaker. Other than that, I see a limited appeal to anyone outside of the Houston area and of a certain age.
Sun May 29, 2:15 pm
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First-time Filmmaker Ryan Bruce Levey explores the world of professional wrestling and its impact on the LGBTQ2S+ community in the Documentary OUT OF THE RING with passion and insight. Using archival footage alongside recent testimonies from Journalists, Historians and Wrestlers, Levey paints a fascinating and, at times, infuriating portrait of this incredibly unique form of entertainment. The rampant Homophobia and Racism that existed in the past is revelatory, but what profoundly disturbed me is the hypocrisy and greed from current Promoters as they exploit these Entertainers for financial gain. Whereas I could have done without some of the armchair psychological rhetoric presented, the interviews with current LGBTQ2S+ Professional Wrestlers were enlightening and inspiring as they strive for true and honest representation.
OUT IN THE RING introduced me to a world I had no interest in and I am now an informed and less judgmental about this unusual Sport and its Entertainers.
Fri Jun 03, 4:45 pm
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In 1993, the Movie “Strawberry and Chocolate” made an international impact as it depicted gay life in Cuba. Though filmed in Taiwan and coming here after a successful screening at the Cannes Film Festival last year, MONEYBOYS may be the first film that addresses gay life in China. Despite a somewhat morose aura that permeates throughout, this is an accomplished piece of work that deserves attention.
When we first meet Fei (Kai Ko), he is a gay hustler working the rounds somewhere in South China and living with Xiaolai (J.C. Lin) with whom he has an intimate relationship with. After a brutally-violent incident, the story continues five years later when Fei returns to his small hometown village to see his dying grandfather. Despite a joyful reunion with his childhood friend Long (Yufan Bai), Fei’s family members treat him with disgust as, whereas they eagerly accept the money he sends, the method of how he makes his living is anathema to this patriarchal and homophobic environment. Fei leaves the village for good, followed by Long a few days later.
Much of Chinese Cinema has its own unique rhythm and style which may be discerned as over-the-top and soap opera-like by Western audiences. Everyone has their own story of love, be it requited or not. Seeing how Fei’s quest to find his heart’s soulmate falter often had me rivetted. With glorious Cinematography and heartfelt performances, MONEYBOYS is worth searching to experience.
Thu Jun 02, 9:15 pm
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Canadian Screen Week will be taking place between April 4 – April 10, 2022 this year and today The Canadian Academy of Cinema & Television have announced 2022 Special Award recipients. New this year is a Changemaker Award to honour those in Media who have lent their voices against systemic racism. Also Toronto’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan who is making waves starring in Netflix’s NEVER HAVE I EVER, will be receiving a Radius Award!
The Canadian Academy’s 2022 Special Award honourees are:
The Changemaker Award is presented to Kayla Grey, Kathleen Newman-Bremang, and Amanda Parris.
Kayla Grey is the host and co-executive producer of TSN’s The Shift with Kayla Grey Powered by Dell XPS, appears regularly as an anchor of SportsCentre, and reports courtside for TSN’s live coverage of the Toronto Raptors. Grey reported on the Toronto Raptors’ historic NBA championship run for TSN in 2019, and also joined CTV’s fan-favourite series The Amazing Race Canada as an official race correspondent for The Amazing Race Canada: Ride Along. In 2019, Grey was awarded the ByBlacks magazine People’s Choice Award in the TV Personality category. Grey was also honoured on Chatelaine’s 2020 Women of the Year list, named one of Refinery29’s Powerhouse Women of 2020, and Woman of the Year in Post City Magazine. She has also been recognized by Women of Influence as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada for 2021. A graduate of Toronto’s College of Sports Media, Grey began her broadcasting career as an analyst for the Canadian Women’s Hockey League and various university varsity sports. She then moved to Winnipeg as a Digital Broadcast Journalist for Global News, and to Prince Rupert, BC to become a senior reporter for CFTK-TV news. The Toronto native joined TSN in 2015 as an on-air update anchor for TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto. She became the first Black woman to host a flagship sports highlight show in Canada when she made her SportsCentre debut in 2018.
Kathleen Newman-Bremang is a Toronto-based writer, editor, and producer. Her writing has appeared in publications like Refinery29, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Lainey Gossip, Corduroy Magazine, The Toronto Star, and The Kit. For six seasons, she was the celebrity and entertainment producer on Canada’s #1 daytime talk show The Social and has contributed to many high-profile productions like eTalk: Live at the Oscars and co-created the Crave original series Cravings: The Aftershow. She is currently the Deputy Director, Global at Refinery29 Unbothered, a vertical made for and by Black women. Through Unbothered, she oversees content across the UK, U.S., and Canada, and writes about pop culture, race, feminism, and the intersection of all three, while championing other Black women writers to do the same. Her essay “For Black Women In Media, A Dream Job Is A Myth” was a finalist for a National Magazine Award. Her column What’s Good has spotlighted many Canadian creators of colour and their series and films. Newman-Bremang has profiled stars like Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Fefe Dobson, Angela Bassett, Issa Rae, Yara Shahidi, and Joshua Jackson, and furthered conversations about representation in Canadian television, accountability in Canadian media, and the importance of hiring Black and Indigenous creators behind the scenes of film and TV productions. She’s a co-host of the popular R29 Unbothered podcast Go Off, Sis, a mentor for Canadian Journalists of Colour, and a frequent culture commentator for various national CBC and CTV broadcast programs. She was the 2021 winner of CBC’s inaugural Canada Listens where she defended Kardinal Offishall’s seminal album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 and advocated for more inclusion in Canada’s music coverage.
Amanda Parris is an award-winning playwright, columnist, and TV and radio host. Parris was the host of the award-winning series CBC Arts: Exhibitionists from 2015-2020. At the time, it was the only show on television dedicated to telling stories about Canadian artists across all mediums. She also created Black Light, an award-winning column for CBC Arts, that showcases, historicizes, and critically engages art and popular culture created by Black people. Parris’ debut play Other Side of the Game (2019) was awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama and is currently being taught in classrooms across the country. Her latest theatrical work, The Death News (2020), was part of Obsidian Theatre’s groundbreaking project 21 Black Futures and, in 2021, she made her directorial debut with her award-winning short film The Death Doula. Amanda has been named one of Grenada’s Top 40 individuals under the age of 40, one of Toronto’s Most Inspiring Women by Post City, a Local Hero of Toronto Film by NOW Magazine, and received the Rising Star Award from AfroGlobal Television. In 2022, Parris’ scripted digital series Revenge of the Black Best Friend, which follows a self-help guru whose singular mission is to cancel the entertainment industry’s reliance on token Black characters, will premiere on CBC Gem.
Honouring a Canadian whose work is making waves globally, the Radius Award, presented by MADE | NOUS, is presented to Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan — named on the 2021 TIME100 Next, an annual list of individuals who are shaping the future of their fields and defining the next generation of leadership, listed as one of the best actors of 2020 by the New York Times, and ambassador of Plan International Canada — has won the hearts and minds of a global audience. Her natural talent in acting and comedy was revealed through her breakthrough starring role as Devi Vishwakumar in Mindy Kaling’s hit show Never Have I Ever. Captivating international audiences with fast-paced comedic and heart-wrenching dramatic skills, Ramakrishnan’s multifaceted acting talent has been recognized by the 2021 Gracies, awarding her Actress in a Breakthrough Role — Comedy. Additionally, she was recently recognized by the 2021 Annual Asian American Awards for Breakout in TV and was nominated for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series by the Independent Spirit Awards. Ramakrishnan is soon to appear on screens in 2022 in Pixar’s Turning Red, voicing the role of Priya. She is currently filming the third season of Never Have I Ever.
For an exceptional lifetime of work that has had a profound impact on the media industry at home or abroad, the Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Bob Cole.
Bob Cole, a Hockey Hall of Famer and Canadian icon, has been captivating hockey audiences with his electrifying voice for more than five decades. Joining Sportsnet in June 2014, Cole continued to call games on Saturdays for Hockey Night in Canada — as well as during the Stanley Cup Playoffs — until stepping away from the microphone in 2019. A Gemini Award winner, Cole began his broadcast career in St. John’s, Newfoundland as an announcer on the radio station VOCM in 1954. Cole later joined the CBC in 1969 as radio play-by-play announcer for Hockey Night in Canada before transitioning to the show’s television broadcast in 1973. Following Foster Hewitt’s retirement, Cole became the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens on Hockey Night in Canada. Over the course of his celebrated career, Cole called play-by-play for the 1972 Summit Series radio broadcast and was the lead hockey announcer for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City where Canada defeated the United States in the gold medal men’s hockey game. Following his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996, Cole was a recipient for the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for excellence in hockey broadcasting in 1996 and has been honoured with nine Gemini Award nominations with a win for Best Sports Play-by-Play Announcer in 2007.
For an exceptional body of work in broadcast journalism, the Gordon Sinclair Award For Broadcast Journalism is presented to Rassi Nashalik.
Rassi Nashalik is a recently retired Inuk media personality who grew up in a little outpost camp called Sauniqturaajuk outside of Pangnirtung, Nunavut and is currently living in Yellowknife, NT. Until her retirement in 2014, she pioneered and hosted CBC North’s Igalaaq, an Inuktitut daily television newscast for audiences primarily in northern Canada. Over her 19 years at CBC, Nashalik travelled extensively throughout the North, hosting celebrations such as the creation of Nunavut, the first Nunavut election, the Arctic Winter Games, and the Canada Games. In 2003, she received an English Television Award for Living Hope, an hour-long television show on suicide in the North, and in 2021 she became the first Inuk woman inducted into the CBC News Hall of Fame. Prior to her work with CBC, she worked as a manager of the Inuktitut section of the language bureau for the Government of the Northwest Territories, an interpreter translator for the Arctic Co-operatives Federation Ltd., and as a community health representative in Pangnirtung. A lifelong volunteer, Nashalik has served as an elder to advise on the Yellowknife staging of the “Walking With Our Sisters” exhibition to honour murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, a YWCA Board member in Yellowknife between 2013 and 2019, and has been a member of the RCMP G Division Commanding Officers Indigenous Consultative Committee providing an Indigenous lens to policing in the North and advising on reconciliation for the past three years. In 2018, Nashalik was honoured to be one of the elders to light the ceremonial Qulliq for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry (MMIWG) in the North. She also participated in a Missing Inuit Women gathering to vet the MMIWG final report recommendations. Nashalik is currently adjunct to the University of Alberta School of Public Health where, as an elder-in-residence, she liaises with northern students and provides a link to Inuit culture and traditions.
For their extraordinary impact on the growth of the Canadian media industry, the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute Award is presented to Vince Commisso and John Galway.
Vince Commisso is President and CEO of 9 Story Media Group, one of the industry’s leading creators, producers, and distributors of top-quality content for young audiences around the world. With facilities in Toronto, New York, Dublin, and Bali, the 9 Story family of companies has produced thousands of episodes of best-in-class kids and family programming. Commisso began his career in 1992 at Nelvana, where he rose through the ranks to become Supervising Producer, garnering one Emmy® and two Gemini nominations. In 2002, he co-founded 9 Story Entertainment, an animation company that would utilize leading edge technologies to develop and produce compelling animated children’s content with international appeal. Since earning an Emmy® Award on the company’s very first show, Peep and the Big Wide World, the 9 Story family of companies has gone on to earn countless other awards, including seventeen Emmy® Awards and two Oscar® nominations.
An MBA graduate, John Galway’s career has ranged from film festivals to film and TV development, production, and financing. After leadership positions at TIFF, Ontario Creates, The Canadian Media Fund, and Telefilm Canada, he joined The Harold Greenberg Fund as President and Board Member. As President, he was responsible for the strategic and financial management of the organization, as well as industry and board relations. During his time at the Fund, he oversaw investments of more than $40 million and helped develop over 1500 feature film projects. In addition to the main feature film development and production programs, Galway oversaw partnerships with film festivals, scriptwriting labs, and film promotion initiatives as well the support of documentary and short film projects. In 2021, he launched Corrib Entertainment to develop and produce fiction and non-fiction properties and to consult on film industry projects. He is the co-Founder and Executive Director of the Toronto Irish Film Festival. He has facilitated producer delegations to the Jerusalem Film Festival (partnering with the Israeli Government and the Jerusalem Foundation), the Galway Film Fleadh (partnering with Screen Ireland), and an Ireland-Canada co-production lab (partnering with Screen Ireland and the Canadian Embassy). Galway is also the Facilitator of the Producer’s Lab at the Whistler Film Festival.
Nominees for this year’s Awards will be announced on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
(Photo credit: Netflix)
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