It’s all about All Stars! The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted their first ever House of Stars, a celebrity ball hockey game in support of House of Hockey. The star-studded ball hockey game held at MLSE Launchpad, where a special pop-up activationw as created for the event, bringing-in Maple Leafs alumni, celebrities and special guests. This affair is a pre-cursor to NHL All Star game festivities taking place in Toronto this weekend!

The event was to raise funds for House of Hockey presented by Tim Hortons, a ball hockey league created by Maple Leafs and drew house to give youth access to free hockey programming by addressing the barriers keeping youth on the sidelines. More here.

Among the stars in attendance were Murda Beatz, Stephan James, Shamier Anderson, Edge (Adam Copeland), Adam DiMarco, Atticus Mitchell, Isaiah Mustafa, Johnny Orlando and more.

Some Snaps:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Originating in 2020, The Legacy Awards returned again at History in Toronto’s East End, celebrating excellence in the Black Canadian community in Entertainment. Brought to us by The Black Academy, co-founded by Actors and Brothers Stephan James and Shamier Anderson, the gala brought out leaders in the community in a fashionable affair to celebrate the cause.

Honourees this year included:

JULLY BLACK – Icon Award

TONYA WILLIAMS – Visionary Award

X – Trailblazer Award

LU KALA – Emerging Artist Award

KIA NURSE – Legacy Athlete Award

Williams made a poignant statement when accepting her award about the importance of celebrating storytellers from under-represented communities. “Stories about the trauma of Black people, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian people of colour are the stories that win awards, and whoever tells those stories are more likely to win those awards…. You know what happens to those who win those awards? Doors open for them.”.

Several stars and notables walked the Red Carpet prior to the event, including the likes of Stephan James, Shamier Anderson, Cameron Bailey, Maxine Bailey, Jully Black, Donovan Bailey, Lu Kala, Tonya Lee-Williams, X, Tracey Moore. Marci Ien, Dr. Jill Andrew, Saukratres, Tynomi Banks, Kimora Amour, Lamorne Morris and more. Keshia Chanté carried hosting duties for the night.

See a reel of highlights below:

The Awards aired on CBC and are available to stream on CBC Gem.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Canadian Screen Week 2023 has concluded with celebrations taking place over four days at Toronto’s Meridian Hall, honouring the achievements of Canadian talent in film, television, and digital media.

History was made this year in the Film and Television categories with records being set. CBC’s The Porter went on to win a record 12 Canadian Screen Awards, leading television honours overall. Wins include: Best Drama Series; Best Direction, Drama Series, presented by Playback; Best Writing, Drama Series; and Best Guest Performance, Drama Series for Alfre Woodward. The award for Best Lead Performer, Drama Series went to Hamza Haq for CTV’s Transplant, making this his third consecutive win as a lead in the series.

In Comedy, the sophomore season of CBC’s Sort Of took home an inpressive seven Canadian Screen Awards. Among those wins was Best Comedy Series; Best Lead Performer, Comedy, presented by the Canada Media Fund, for Bilal Baig; Best Guest Performance, Comedy for Amanda Brugel; and Best Writing, Comedy, for Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, marking back-to-back wins for the pair in this category. 

Film honours were led by Clement Virgo’s Brother, which like The Porter, received a record 12 Canadian Screen Awards at The Cinematic Arts Awards, presented by Telefilm Canada and supported by Cineplex, on Thursday, April 13, including: Best Motion Picture; Achievement in Direction, and Adapted Screenplay for Clement Virgo; Performance in a Leading Role, presented by Telefilm Canada, for Lamar Johnson; and Performance in a Supporting Role for Aaron Pierre.

Special Awards were also handed-out through the week, culminating a star-studded conclusion to the week with the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Catherine O’Hara in-attendance. Honourees this year include:

–Ryan Reynolds, recipient of the Humanitarian Award, presented by Paramount+, was presented his award in a touching moment (see Reel below) by Everett Ho, SickKids patient ambassador, and Lisa Charendoff, Associate Director, Community Stakeholder Relations at SickKids Foundation. Winner Amanda Brugel also wanted Reynolds in on her victory photo!

–Catherine O’Hara, recipient of the Academy Icon Award, presented by CBC, received her award from Karen Robinson, her former Schitt’s Creek co-star.

–Simu Liu, recipient of the Radius Award presented by MADE | NOUS, recognizing a Canadian whose work is making waves globally

–Lisa LaFlamme, recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism, recognizing a Canadian broadcast journalist for their exceptional body of work in broadcast journalism

–Pierre Bruneau, the recipeint of the Lifetime Achievement Award for exceptional work with an impact at home or abroad

–Peter MacNeill, recipient of the Earle Grey Award, presented by eOne for their exceptional body of acting work in Canadian television and film

–Tracy Moore, recipient of the Changemaker Award, which recognises and honours those in the media community in Canada who are using their voice or platform to call out systemic racism and discrimination, supporting and amplifying the voices of those who are actively engaged in anti-racist work, and seeking structural transformations in media, film, and television in Canada that promote values of equity and inclusion

–Paul Pope (post-humous), the recipient of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute 

–Jennifer Podemski, recipient of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute, honouring a Canadian individual for their extraordinary impact on the growth of the Canadian media industry

A Reel of Highlights from tonight’s Red Carpet:

The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee on Sunday, April 16, 2023 on CBC and CBC Gem at 8 PM (9 AT, 9:30 NT). The winner of the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award will be unveiled on the broadcast. Special guests also include Amy Poehler, Mae Martin, Adam DiMarco and Lamar Johnson. 

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman returns in 21 Bridges, out this July! Toronto’s Stephan James also stars.

Synopsis:
21 BRIDGES follows an embattled NYPD detective (Chadwick Boseman), who is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy. As the night unfolds, lines become blurred on who he is pursuing, and who is in pursuit of him. When the search intensifies, extreme measures are taken to prevent the killers from escaping Manhattan as the authorities close all 21 BRIDGES to prevent any entry or exit from the iconic island.

Also starring Sienna Miller, Stephan James, Keith David with Taylor Kitsch and J.K. Simmons.

See the Trailer:

VVS Films release 21 BRIDGES Friday, July 12, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

Wrapping-up Canadian Screen Week, March 25-31, 2019, the 7th edition of the Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala took place tonight at Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. The week-long series of awards and events presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, serve to honour excellence across multiple platforms in the Country from Film, to TV to Digital Media.

Noticeably absent this year was these presence of English-language Feature films up for Best Motion Picture, with French-language films leading the way. Coming-of-Age Drama A Colony: Blackfly by Director Geneviève Dulude-De Celles won the coveted award ultimately. Teen Actress Emilie Bierre won Best Actress for her work in the Film which sees her grappling with bullying entering junior high school.

The Great Darkened Days earlier in the week swept the Gala Honouring Cinematic Arts, held at the Four Seasons Hotel, with wins for Sound Editing, Costume Design, Art Direction/Production Design, Cinematography and Actress in a Supporting Role (Sarah Gadon).

Ryerson graduate Jasmin Mozaffari was awarded for Direction with her debut effort FIRECRACKERS which premiered at TIFF to much acclaim. “I am honoured to be part of the group where 60% of the nominees were women” , she says.

ANNE WITH AN E had tied with SCHITT’S CREEK with 15 nominations apiece. The former would prevail though with seven wins at the Broadcast Gala including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Actress, Drama Series (Teen Actress Amybeth McNulty). CARDINAL also would win seven Awards in the Television categories including Best Actor and Actress in a Drama Program or Limited Series, Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse.

Honouring a Canadian talent making waves abroad, the Radius Award was presented tonight for the first time ever to Toronto’s Stephan James who starred both in Awards Season contender and winning, IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK and also Amazon Prime Series HOMECOMING alongside Julia Roberts. He came with his brother Shamier Anderson and they told the Newsroom about their joint venture, The B.L.A.C.K Ball which earlier this Awards Season was held for the first time ever in Los Angeles with the likes of Tessa Thompson, Tiffany Haddish, Jesse Williams, Amandla Stenberg and more attending.

Other Awards handed-out tonight included the Academy Icon Award which honoured the Cast of THE KIDS IN THE HALL. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Filmmaker Deepa Mehta (Water, Beeba Boys), while Funnywoman Mary Walsh was handed the Earle Gray Award. The first-ever Industry Leadership Award went to our dear friends at Entertainment One.

For the first time ever this year, the Canadian Screen Arts Festival took place at Cineplex theatres every Saturday in March from Iqaluit to Vancouver, giving audience a chance to see some of this year’s nominated Films including Sashinka, Stockholm, What Walaa Wants, Immaculate Memories and Just a Breath Away.

See some Snaps from the night:

The Cast of Schitt’s Creek

Four-time Canadian Screen Award winner, Catherine O’Hara

Beth Janson, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television

Billy Campbell, Cardinal: Blackfly

Karine Vanasse, Cardinal: Blackfly

Stephan James x Shamier Anderson

Cindy Sampson, Private Eyes

Melanie Scrofano, Wynonna Earp

Kim Coates, Bad Blood

The Cast of Kim’s Convenience

Aaron Ashmore, The Killjoys

Sarah Gadon, The Great Darkened Days

Tynomi Banks, Canada’s a Drag

Moira Walley-Beckett, Amybeth McNulty x Miranda de Pencier of Anne With an E

Natasha Negovanlis x Elise Bauman

Rebecca Romijn x Jerry O’Connell

Yannick Bisson, Murdoch Mysteries

Mary Walsh

Tori Anderson x Allan Hawco

Catherine Reitman x Danielle Kind x Philip Sternberg of Workin’ Moms

Wendy Crewson

Jasmin Mozaffari x Caitlin Grabham, Firecrackers

The Kids in the Hall

See our Highlight Reel with our George Kozera (@PartyG):

More on the Gala here.

All photos shot on the Nikon D3400. Video on the Samsung S8+.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

eOne Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK Thursday, December 13, 2018 as follows:

Scarborough – Thursday December 13 – 7pm at Eglinton Town Centre
Vancouver – Thursday December 13 – 7pm at International Village
Calgary – Thursday December 13 – 7pm at Eau Claire
Ottawa – Thursday December 13 – 7pm at Lansdowne
Halifax – Thursday December 13 – 7pm at Parklane
Victoria – Thursday December 13 – 7pm at Odeon Victoria

Synopsis:
Based on the novel by James Baldwin, If Beale Street Could Talk, is the story of Tish, a newly engaged Harlem woman who races against the clock to prove her lover’s innocence while carrying their first-born child to term. It is a celebration of love told through the story of a young couple, their families and their lives, trying to bring about justice through love, for love and the promise of the American dream.

Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City there. Re-Tweet this Tweet for an extra chance from @mrwillw.

eOne Films release IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK in select cities this Christmas, everywhere January 2019.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

By Mr. Will Wong

One of the most buzzed Films of TIFF ’18, we present to you the new Trailer for IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK from the man who brought us Best Picture, MOONLIGHT!

Synopsis:
Based on James Baldwin‘s novel, Tish races against the clock to prove her fiance’s innocence while carrying their first child to term. A celebration of love told through the story of a young couple, trying to bring about justice through love and the promise of the American dream.

See the Trailer:

eOne Films release IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK Friday, December 13, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

By Mr. Will Wong

Following-up on the Best Picture-winning success of Moonlight, Director and Writer Barry Jenkins brings to TIFF ’18 his much-awaited Adaptation of James Baldwin‘s 1973 Novel, IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK. Just as relevant then as it is today, Harlem-set love story examines racial profiling, wrongful incarceration and injustice.

The stunningly-shot Story centers on young lovers Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Toronto’s Stephan James) who learn they are expecting a child. Divided by the justice system which sees Fonny imprisoned for a rape he didn’t commit. It is here we witness the strength of familial bonds and determination to overcome the worst case scenario as Tish and Fonny‘s love must withstand the rigours of dire circumstance. Brace yourself for some gorgeous Cinematography and outstanding work from veteran Regina King as Tish‘s mother Sharon. While it didn’t quite touch our core quite like Moonlight, Jenkins’ unique ability to pace a scene and tell a story is remarkable.

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK screens Sunday, September 9, 6 PM at Princess of Wales Theatre VISA Screening Room and Monday, September 10, 11 AM at Princess of Wales Theatre VISA Screening Room.

By Mr. Will Wong

The time has arrived. We waited every year with baited breath for those Toronto International Film Festival guest announcements and finally they have been announced!  While several marquee titles like Beautiful Boy, First Man, Destroyer, Wildlife, High Life, A Star is Born, If Beale Street Could Talk and Ben is Back embark on their Awards Season trails, Toronto once again readies itself for the massive onslaught of starpower and talent set to shut down the City post-Labour Day.

With multiple titles at the Festival, stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Dev Patel, Amanda Steinberg, Lucas Hedges and Nicole Kidman are set to make the best of the Fest!

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mahershala Ali and Hilary Swank also will be having In-Conversations-With! More on that here.

Toronto’s own Drake also will introduced highly-buzzed MONSTERS AND MEN, Jason Reitman is back with fan favourite Live Read of The Breakfast Club and THE FIRST MAN will be presented at Ontario Place‘s Cinesphere!

Announced to attend TIFF ’18 earlier today are:

Who are you most excited to see?

Our Team are prepping feverishly for this our biggest and best year yet at TIFF as we get ready to bring you the buzz on all the biggest stars and Films of the Festival.

More on some of TIFF ’18’s most-talked-about titles here.

In the meantime, start planning your Festival, who and what you’ll see right here.

(Photo/video credit: TIFF)

Nominations were announced earlier today at Oliver & Bonacini‘s Aperture Room for the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards, now in their fifth year. Announcing nominees were a trio of Canadian talent including actors Maxim Roy (Shadowhunters), Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) and Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale).

With 134 categories, divided by Digital Media, Television and Film, the Awards brought out some familiar and new names. Leading the Television nominees once again is ORPHAN BLACK with a stellar 14 nominations (and wins in the past three consecutive years) including Best Dramatic Series and Actress (Tatiana Maslany).  SCHITT’S CREEK, also a multi-CSA winner which just premiered in its third season, follows closely in second with 13 nominations, while KIM’S CONVENIENCE gets 11 nominations in its debut. The latter two, both from CBC, compete for Best Comedy Series.

Leading the Film nominations with nine nods is Xavier Dolan‘s IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD including Best Motion Picture and Direction, Canada’s Best Foreign Picture entry at the upcoming Academy Awards. RACE, also filmed in Montreal like WORLD, gets eight nominations, while BEFORE THE STREETS, OPERATION AVALANCHE and WEIRDOS each get six nods apiece.

Newly-appointed Academy CEO Beth Janson who returned to Canada recently after a stint in the U.S., comments on the lack of a star system in Canada and hence the necessity of recognizing our own Canadian talent which she is certain has no shortage of. “The stories we tell are increasingly reflective of our diverse experiences as Canadians, and that is a trend to cherish”, she tells a room of industry, media and nominees.

Some Snaps from the Breakfast:

Academy President, Martin Katz

Actress, Amanda Brugel

Actor, Simu Liu

Actress, Maxim Roy

Nominees Jennifer Dale and Adrian Holmes

Team Schitt’s Creek congratulate Catherine O’Hara on her nod!

See you in March!

More here on Facebook!

The 2017 Canadian Screen Awards air live on CBC Sunday, March 12, 2017 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, hosted by Howie Mandel.  Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer that night is slated to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Awards cap-off Canadian Screen Week, which takes place between Monday, March 6 – Sunday, March 12, 2017. Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer that night is slated to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Like previous years, Fans will have a chance to engage with various events set to take place leading up to the Awards.  Visit ACADEMY.CA for updates.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)