The Red Carpet was rolled out last night at TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX in Toronto for the Premiere of Toronto Filmmaker Natty Zavitz‘s ACQUAINTED. The Drama centers on two former high school classmates who cross paths again one day at a bar and the sparks ignite. Reluctantly, they reveal to one another that they are in committed relationships and what unfolds is a refreshing conversation set against a Toronto backdrop, about shifting views on monogamy and generational identity. The story is semi-autobiographical and stars a Cast filled with accomplished Toronto talent including Giacomo Gianniotti (Grey’s Anatomy), Laysla de Oliveira (Locke & Key), Rachel Skarsten (Batwoman), Jonathan Keltz (Entourage), Raymond Ablack (Narcos) and more. The stars came out to fete the Film’s premiere with a Q&A moderated by George Stroumboulopoulos, followed by an Afterparty at the Maverick Condos VIP Registration Event Space.
A who’s-who of Toronto Entertainment were present including Tyrone Edwards (E! News), DVSN, Aaron Poole (Salvation), Dillon Casey (Remedy), Paula Brancati (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Dalmar Abuzeid (Anne with an E) and several more.
See the Trailer:
Zavitz tells the audience about his love for the City and how his Film is a reflection of such. “Toronto’s the best and I love being Torontonian”, he says. “I feel like I haven’t seen Toronto on-screen like the way I experienced it. This whole Cast is Torontonian. The Soundtrack is as well (with contributions from Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson and DVSN). Most of Cast lives in L.A., works in L.A. and came home to make a story about our City.”. On whether or not he feels the Film is “Canadian” Zavitz states, “It feels more Torontonian than Canadian I think.”.
Giannotti who currently is working in L.A., has made a point of supporting this Film to the fullest, flying-in between filming to both make the Movie and promote it. To him, the Film is a statement of what it means to be a person. “We have a lot of pressures as human beings on this planet to be relationships and to think of ourselves in a certain way. So we thought this Film beautifully explores all that and how you process that. It’s about being a human being.”. Giannotti, along with his friend Keltz not only star in the Film, but also serve as Producers.
See some Snaps from the night, including the Afterparty sponsored by Nobis. Stars also sipped on George Clooney‘s Casamigos Tequila.
A71 Films release ACQUAINTED Friday, April 5, 2019 in Toronto and Vancouver.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/A71 Films)
The 2014 Canadian Upfronts are in full swing and Shaw Media truly upped their game this year unveiling their upcoming Fall and 2015 Mid-Season Lineups. Heavy on its focus on new American programming for its Global Television, over 50 new Programs also were picked-up on their Specialty Networks (i.e. Showcase, History, HGTV, Food, Slice, DTour and Lifetime).
A litany of Talent representing a wide array of Shaw Media programming, appeared at Elgin Theatre today to celebrate the occasion.
Among the new Series being acquired were:
Partners
Mulaney
Madam Secretary
Border Security
Constantine
Stalker
A to Z
Bad Judge
Gracepoint
State of Affairs
Outlander
Dominion
Satisfaction
The Red Tent
The Hunt
Down East Dickering
Pawnography
Biker Battleground Phoenix
Houdini
UFO X-Files
Mummies Alive
Dino Hunt
Texas Rising
Reno Rookies
Mike’s Ultimate Garage
House Hunters International Renovation
Sold on the Spot
The Jennie Garth Project
My Big Family Renovation
Lakefront Bargain Hunt
Vacation House for Free
Ellen’s Design Challenge
Custom Built
The Expendables
Carnival Eats
Food Truck Face Off
Farmhouse Rules
Chopped: Ultimate Chopped Champions Tournament
Chopped Teens
Great Canadian Cookbook
The Singles Project
Extreme Guide to Parenting
Handsome Devils
Ladies of London
Million Dollar Listing Miami
Online Dating Rituals of the American Male
See No Evil
Southern Charm
Ghost Adventures: Aftershock
Border Security Australia
Hotel Secrets & Legends
Resort Rescue
Little Women: LA
Deliverance Creek
Un-Real
In attendance today were: Kevin Zegers, Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow), Megan Boone (The Blacklist), Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist), Matt Ryan (Constantine), Charles Barnett (Chicago Fire), Jesse Lee Soffer (Chicago P.D.), Dillon Casey (Remedy), Sara Canning (Remedy), Enrico Colantoni (Remedy), Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue), Charlotte Sullivan (Rookie Blue), Susur Lee (Chopped Canada), Leslie Odom Jr. (State of Affairs), in addition Shaw‘s fine roster of Talent including personalities like Cheryl Hickey, John Catucci, Leslie Roberts, Antony Robart, Roz Weston and several more.
For more information on Shaw‘s upcoming 2014 Fall/2015 Mid-Season Lineup, click here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
David Cronenberg. Orphan Black. Gabrielle. Enemy. Call Me Fitz. These five names might not strike a connection other than that they are distinctly Canadian, but they were fêted tonight as big Winners at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards. The week-long Celebrations known as Canadian Screen Week culminated in a star-studded Red Carpet Bash at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, seeing several of our Country’s Heroes and Heroines of the Screen convening proudly in the name of our artistic accomplishments.
Over the course of the week, Toronto-filmed Sci-Fi Series Orphan Black amassed a whopping ten wins including TV Drama tonight. Its Star Tatiana Maslany certainly has shined a light on Canadian Talent over the past year, garnering a Critics’ Choice Award south of the Border last June for her performance(s) as several identical Women revealed to be Clones. The 28-year-old Regina-born Actress won for Actress, TV Drama, which is seen on BBC America and the Space Channel in Canada. A Belle of the Ball, indeed.
Making a splash in the TV categories was Call Me Fitz, winning for TV Comedy. Starring former Beverly Hills, 90210 Hunk Jason Priestley and Tracy Dawson, both won Actor and Actress, TV Comedy respectively. Priestley also directed Maslany in the Feature Film Cas & Dylan, for which she received also a nomination for Actress, Motion Picture.
Warming hearts this evening was Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, who lit-up the Press Room with her big smile, tightly clasping onto her Trophy. The first-time Actress stars in Gabrielle, which won her coveted Actress, Motion Picture. The Coming-of-Age Tale centering on a musically-gifted Teen suffering from Williams Syndrome (a condition with which Marion-Rivard actually has been diagnosed), went-on to win in the category of Motion Picture for eOne Films. The Canadian Distributor also saw more accolades with its new release Enemy, filmed in Toronto and directed by Denis Villeneuve, going-on to win for Director, Motion Picture and Supporting Actress, Motion Picture with Sarah Gadon.
Iconic Filmmaker David Cronenberg was honoured this Evening with the Lifetime Achievement Award and to ring-in the occasion were long-time Collaborator Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello. Although both Actors were careful not to take away his spotlight, Mortensen did say in the Press Room introducing Cronenberg rather succinctly, “I don’t think he’s gotten the universal recognition he deserves”, proudly flaunting some Montreal Canadiens Merchandise. The ground-breaking Director indicated his focuses right now are his debut Novel, Consumed, which potentially will be made into a Film, and also his next release Maps to the Stars, which has its sights set on the Cannes Film Festival this Spring.
Curious to see what Executive Producer of Maps to the Stars, Martin Katz has to say about the eagerly-awaited Film starring Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, John Cusack and Julianne Moore? Interested to see where Anna Silk and Fan’s Choice Screen Star – Zoie Palmer – might be headed next on Lost Girl? Will Mr. D Star Gerry Dee be returning to Woodbine Racetrack to call a few more races? What does Mia Kirshner say about the second Season of Defiance? What were George Stroumboulopoulos‘ 2014 Canadian Screen Award Predictions?
Watch this Video of Mr. Will‘s Red Carpet Chats with all the above here:
Above all the celebrations, we had a blast admiring up-close the Red Carpet Fashions whether it be Pretty Little Liars Star Shay Mitchell in a daring plunging neckline, Jessica Paré stunning in Stella McCartney, Maria Bello beautiful in Nicholas Oakwell or Katheryn Winnick ravishing in red by Romona Keveza. Even Dina Pugliese of CITY‘s Breakfast Television was a Goddess in Jovani! Swoon.
For a complete list of Winners, click here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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