TIFF proudly presents the exclusive Canadian launch of Elliot Page’s highly anticipated and groundbreaking coming-of age memoir Pageboy. A generation-defining actor and one of the most famous trans advocates of our time, Page joins TIFF in person to discuss his personal journey, his starring role in the hit series The Umbrella Academy, and the process of establishing himself as a key creative force behind the camera as a director and producer with his company Pageboy Productions.
Moderated by filmmaker Chase Joynt (No Ordinary Man, Framing Agnes), this In Conversation With… is part of the Pride month celebrations taking place at TIFF Bell Lightbox in June.
In Conversation With… Elliot Page is done in partnership with HarperCollins Canada and with community partner Glad Day Bookshop, Trans Film Mentorship, and Inside Out Toronto. 10% of proceeds from the book sales for this event will go towards trans artists in Toronto, courtesy of Glad Day Bookshop.
TIFF will partner with several organizations across Canada to provide a livestream of the event. Confirmed partners include: Vancouver Public Library (Vancouver), Calgary Wordfest (Calgary), THIN AIR Winnipeg (Winnipeg), and King’s Co-op Bookstore (Halifax). More information about the livestreams will be available on the websites of the respective organizations.
Tickets for TIFF’s In Conversations With… Elliot Page will go on sale Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10 am to Members, and May 19, 2023 to the public. For more information, visit tiff.net. Each ticket purchase includes an assigned seat and a copy of Pageboy pre-signed by Elliot Page.
The Toronto International Film Festival® is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in support of science on screen. The new programme, Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme, puts science in the spotlight and equips screen creators with industry connections and creative support at TIFF to further their science- and/or technology-focused projects. The Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme will run at TIFF from 2023 to 2024, funded by a generous gift from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This new initiative will comprise three areas of focus: the Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch, the Sloan Science & Technology Writer Fellowship, and the Sloan Science on Film Showcase. Applications for the Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch are now open. For more information, please visit tiff.net/industry-sloan-science-on-screen.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Sloan Foundation on this exciting new programme,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “The intersections of art, science and technology have never been more relevant as artists and scientists seek to understand, invent and reflect the world around us.”
The three areas of focus for the Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme are:
Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch: The Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch will provide four Canadian and international creators the opportunity to pitch their science- and/or technology-related film or episodic project at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Participants will deliver a maximum 15-minute presentation in front of a live audience of industry experts and decision makers. Each creator selected for the non-competitive pitch event will be awarded $15,000 CAD to develop their project. Applications open May 1, 2023, and close June 12, 2023.
Sloan Science & Technology Writer Fellowship: The Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship offers a project development grant ($35,000 CAD) and creative support ― including participation in TIFF Writers’ Studio in March ― for one early- to mid-career screenwriter whose feature film or episodic project explores science and technology. Applications will open in Fall 2023.
Sloan Science on Film Showcase: The Sloan Science on Film Showcase will spotlight two science-forward feature films per year: one Official Selection title at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and one year-round programming title at TIFF Bell Lightbox. One screening of each film will include a discussion between a member of the film team and a scientific expert. More information will be available in the coming months.
“We’re delighted to make this inaugural grant to the Toronto International Film Festival and to extend our pioneering nationwide film program to an international audience,” said Doron Weber, Vice President and Program Director at the Sloan Foundation. “For over two decades, we have developed a rich pipeline for talented filmmakers and TIFF will give them an unparalleled opportunity to present their work in progress to industry experts and decision makers. We also look forward to showcasing two outstanding films a year and one exceptional screenwriter working on a script with a science and technology theme and/or character.”
TIFF and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation believe that film has the power to transform the way we see the world. Through this partnership, the aim is to deliver a science-focused film programme that reaches creators and the public alike. With this programme, TIFF and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will support and inspire the next generation of creators to tackle science and technology themes, and promote greater understanding and appreciation of these topics among movie-lovers.
The Toronto International Film Festival® is excited to announce early details about its 48th edition. Recognized as the world’s largest public film festival, TIFF 2023 will welcome audiences from across the globe to Toronto to experience the best in international and Canadian cinema, press and industry screenings, special events, and red carpets featuring some of the biggest names in film.
Taking place from September 7–17, 2023, TIFF 2023’s official screening venues will include TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Glenn Gould Studio at the Canadian Broadcast Centre, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The fifth edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards Gala presented by BVLGARI® will take place on September 10, 2023, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. TIFF is also delighted to announce its dynamic programming team and newest additions, as well as an update to the TIFF Members’ journey at the Festival.
With the goal of delivering another incredible Festival and under the leadership of TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, TIFF 2023’s programming team includes: Robyn Citizen, Director of Programming & Platform Lead; Norm Wilner, Acting Lead Programmer for Canada and Industry Selects; Kelly Boutsalis, International Programmer (Canada); Jane Schoettle, Senior Programmer, Special Presentations; Andréa Picard, Senior Curator, Wavelengths & Classics; Thom Powers, Lead Programmer, TIFF Docs; Peter Kuplowsky, International Programmer, Midnight Madness; Geoff Macnaughton, International Programmer, Primetime; Giovanna Fulvi, Senior International Programmer (East Asia); Dorota Lech, International Programmer and Discovery Lead (Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Caucasus Regions); Nataleah Hunter-Young, International Programmer (Africa and Arab West Asia); Jason Anderson, International Programmer & Short Cuts Lead (Nordic Countries and Benelux); Diana Cadavid, International Programmer (Latin America, Southern Europe, the Caribbean); Jason Ryle, International Programmer, Indigenous Cinema; Jane Kim, Producer of Industry Programming; and Christoph Straub, Producer of In Conversation With.
Joining the programming team in new roles are: Meenakshi Shedde, Senior Programme Advisor, South Asia; and Ivan Giroud, Senior Programme Advisor, Latin America; June Kim, Associate International Programmer, Southeast Asia; Jesse Cumming, Associate Curator, Wavelengths.
TIFF is also pleased to announce a significant Film Programme name change: Contemporary World Cinema, or CWC, has been renamed Centrepiece to better reflect and amplify the full spectrum of programming in this section. “Centrepiece is a showcase for acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries,” said Robyn Citizen.
“We are proud to bring the world together through film, and we are especially proud of TIFF’s legacy of centring international art-house cinema,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “The name change to Centrepiece crystallises the importance of this programming within the festival at large and a renewed spirit.”
Festival Street is back for TIFF 2023 as part of King Street — from Peter Street to University Avenue — will be celebrating all things film. The free, family-friendly street festival will feature live performances, partner activations, and outdoor screenings, and will take place from September 7–10, 2023.
“With the Festival only five months away, we are focused on delivering a festival experience which brings together film lovers from around the world,” added Lee. “Whether you’re a veteran TIFFer, a first time Under-25 Passholder, a new TIFF Member, or a family who wants to experience Festival Street, TIFF 2023 promises an enriching experience for everyone.”
TIFF is thrilled to announce new updates to the ticketing journey at the Festival, which have been designed in response to audience and Member feedback:
Single ticket on-sales are happening earlier this year — this will give audiences more time to discover the full Festival 2023 programme.
Ticket packages are changing — TIFF is retiring redemption windows, but will be keeping Buzz List and Opening Night packages, and will be rolling out a slate of new and exciting curated packages at a variety of price points over the summer.
TIFF Members will save 20% on tickets to Regular screenings when purchasing in multiples of 10 tickets or more.
Information on Membership levels, benefits, and pricing can be found at tiff.net/membership.
Key ticketing dates:
June (dates TBA)
Curated package pre-sale exclusively for Visa cardholders and TIFF Members (details to be announced in mid-May)
July 31
Deadline: Join as a Patrons Circle Member
August 15
Official Film Schedule released online at tiff.net/schedule
August 18
Ticket pre-sale: Patrons Circle Members (by level)
August 21
Deadline: Become a TIFF Member for early access to tickets before the public
August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Contributors Circle Members (by level)
August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Visa Infinite cardholders
August 24
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Members
August 25
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Insiders and Under-25 Free Passholders
August 28
Ticket on-sale: General public
Key ticketing details:
TIFF has simplified ticket pricing, with all prices inclusive of taxes and fees:
Regular screenings: $26 – $32
Premium screenings: $39 – $88
Select Regular screenings will be available to Under-25 Free Passholders and community partners beginning at $13. For more information, please visit tiff.net.
To become a TIFF Member visit tiff.net/join.
The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7–17, 2023.
TIFF has unveiled its May spring programming lineup featuring the return of See the North, MDFF Selects, Boosie Fade Film Club, TIFF Family Films, notable special guests, and exciting new restorations, as well as the new screening series, TIFF Next Wave Presents, curated by a committee of young film programmers.
In honour of Asian Heritage Month, TIFF Next Wave Presents Justin Lin’s 2002 standout debut film Better Luck Tomorrow, an unofficial prequel to his blockbuster Fast and Furious franchise. Lin skillfully flips the script on “model-minority” stereotypes surrounding Asian-American teens, while thoughtfully exploring issues of race, class, masculinity, and the experience of young people growing up in capitalist America. Twenty years later, Better Luck Tomorrow is an energetic and disturbing film that remains as topical and resonant as ever.
Also screening as part of Asian Heritage Month is TIFF’s recently announced POP Japan series, celebrating the convergence of the cult, pulp, and popular in Japanese film and art, running at TIFF Bell Lightbox from May 10 to June 27. POP Japan features three film series: Seijun Suzuki, World of Anime, and a spotlight on anime auteur Hayao Miyazaki. TIFF is marking Suzuki’s centenary with six newly restored 35mm prints, the second stop in a national tour, and with an in-person introduction of Kagero-za by Dr. William Carroll, author of Suzuki Seijun and Postwar Japanese Cinema, to launch the series on May 10. Seijun Suzuki and the World of Anime series are supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto. Audiences are invited to attend free public programming events at TIFF Bell Lightbox in connection to POP Japan, including a reception in the atrium on Wednesday, May 10 from 7pm to 9pm, featuring music from DJ Sakiko Nagai to mark the opening of an art exhibition showcasing the works of multidisciplinary artists Mitsuo Kimura and Toko Hosoya.
A live-painted mural by artist Timothy Fukakusa (a.k.a. Ekwal) programmed in partnership with StreetARToronto and supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto will also be on view throughout the run of the series, and audiences are invited to attend a free Ikebana demonstration with artist Aya Sugino on Saturday, May 13th.
From May 13–23, the TIFF Cinematheque New and Restored series will feature the Toronto premiere of the new 4K restorations of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull and Bob Fosse’s directorial debut Sweet Charity.
On May 21, the latest installment in See the North ― TIFF’s free monthly series of Canadian cinematic treasures ― presents the viral horror sensation Skinamarink from Edmonton director Kyle Edward Ball. The filmmaker will join TIFF’s Norm Wilner, Acting Lead Programmer, Canada, for a virtual Q&A following the screening. Following its world premiere in competition at Cinéma du Réel, MDFF presents the May 25 Toronto premiere of Anyox, a debut documentary about a former mining town in remote northwest British Columbia. Filmmakers Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora join TIFF for an in-person Q&A with MDFF’s Kazik Radwanski.
TIFF Cinematheque’s full programming listings can be accessed here.
TIFF CINEMATHEQUE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS
TIFF Wavelengths Presents – Silent Avant-Garde – May 10
Curator, preservationist, and historian Bruce Posner will be present to comment upon the expressive possibilities of 20th-century avant-garde experimental cinema with an outstanding selection of titles digitally restored in 2K and 5K as part of the landmark touring film retrospective Unseen Cinema: Early American Avant-Garde Films 1894-1941. Music, added afterwards, features original compositions recorded by George Antheil, Marc Blitzstein, Cuarteto Caney, Guy Livingston, and Donald Sosin. Highlights are brand new digital restorations of classic experimental films including Charles Sheeler and Paul Strand’s Manhatta (1920-21); Warren A. Newcombe’s The Enchanted City (1922); Man Ray’s Return to Reason (1923); Fernand Léger and Dudley Murphy’s Ballet mécanique (1924, 1931); Miklós Bándy and Stella Simon’s Hands: The Life and Loves of the Gentler Sex (1927-29); Mary Ellen Bute and Theodore Nemeth’s Synchromy No. 4: Escape (1934), and Joseph Cornell’s The Eclipse (1936-1949).
Courtesy is extended to the multitude of archives, cultural centres, and individuals who made the restorations possible.
Boosie Fade Film Club – Hollywood Shuffle – May 11
Introduction by Boosie Fade Film Club Co-Programmers James Rathbone and Jordan Sowunmi.
Directed by Townsend, Hollywood Shuffle is a biting critique of Hollywood and the rampant typecasting that young Black actors have long faced. While the issues it raises were pervasive in 1987, the year it was released, it remains ever relevant to the realities of the careers of Black artists in the entertainment industry to this day.
TIFF Cinematheque New and Restored – May 13 – 23
A selection of recent restorations that have been painstakingly brought back to life in revived cinematic presentations. Screening in 4K on May 13, Fosse’s Sweet Charity stars Shirley MacLaine stars as Charity Hope Valentine, a hostess in a Times Square dance hall whose recent string of bad luck in love has humbled the hopeful romantic within. Encouraged by fellow dreamers Helene and Nickie (Paula Kelly and Chita Rivera, dancers whose sharp performances stun), Charity seeks to leave the dance hall behind for more upwardly mobile trade and accidentally meets cute with Oscar (John McMartin), a rule-abiding actuary who falls for Charity’s effervescent joie de vivre in a case of opposites attract.
On May 21 and 23, the 4K restoration of Scorsese’s brutal and bruising masterpiece Raging Bull uses the life of 1950s middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta to etch a searing portrait of male fear, violence, and self-torment. In an unforgettable, Academy Award–winning performance, Robert De Niro plays LaMotta as a man helpless before his own uncontrollable anger, his ferocity in the ring bleeding disastrously over into his domestic life with his wife (Cathy Moriarty) and brother (Joe Pesci).
TIFF Next Wave Presents – Better Luck Tomorrow – May 17
Introduction by TIFF Next Wave Committee member Arjun Persaud
Better Luck Tomorrow, while now known as an unofficial precursor to the Fast and Furious series, marked the humble and provocative beginning for blockbuster staple Justin Lin. A grassroots indie funded largely by Lin, the film follows the academic ― and eventually criminal ― exploits of Asian-American teenagers during the 2000s, while aptly capturing the haze of the era through a nostalgia-trodden 35mm lens. By day, the group of suburban high school seniors are straight-A students, but by night, their hunger to break from the mould leads them down a path of escalating criminal activity. At once sleek and subversive, this comedic coming-of-age–meets–crime thriller packs a punch.
See the North – Skinamarink – May 21
Introduction by Norm Wilner. Virtual Q&A with director Kyle Edward Ball following the screening.
Two children wake up alone in their house — and eventually come to realize they might not be — in this viral dream-state creeper from writer-director Kyle Edward Ball. If there exists a Venn diagram of Michael Snow’s Wavelength and Bob Clark’s Black Christmas — and there probably shouldn’t — then Skinamarink would occupy its infernal centre. An amorphous, almost subliminally unsettling work of modern horror, Ball’s first feature is rooted in the illogic of childhood, using lo-fi video in long, deliberate takes to evoke an unspeakable, inexplicable dread.
TIFF Family Films – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – May 21
Unwrapping the annual birthday chocolate bar his family can barely afford, loveable young Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) discovers a coveted golden ticket for a private tour of the super-secret candy factory run by the eccentric Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder). Joining the four other winners (all of them differently disagreeable), Charlie enters Wonka’s wondrous world of chocolate rivers, levitating soda pop, and industrious Oompa Loompas. Filled with colourful characters and charming musical numbers, the first big-screen version of the classic Roald Dahl tale is not to be missed!
MDFF Selects – Anyox – May 25
Introduction by MDFF’s Kazik Radwanski and Q&A with directors Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora following the screening.
MDFF Selects features a showcase of the world’s best, most challenging, and most provocative new international cinema. This debut feature by Johnson and Ermacora is a portrait of a British Columbia that has been exploited and abandoned. A former mining town, Anyox is now home to mountainous slag piles accumulated as a byproduct of the early 20th-century copper smelting process. The film chronicles the lives of the town’s two surviving residents while also illuminating its complex labour history and tale of severe environmental harm. Using historical archival footage and stunning 65mm cinematography, Anyox ties the past together with the present to create a grim yet utterly evocative landscape.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Reimagining: Narratives of tension and wonder – May 9 – July 4 FREE
An exhibition inspired by the bold aesthetics, narrative experimentation, and interplay between playfulness and danger in the films of POP Japan, Reimagining: Narratives of tension and wonder features works by multidisciplinary artists Mitsuo Kimura and Toko Hosoya. From intricate paintings and illustrations to sequential art and small-format objects, the works in this exhibition transform everyday materials and personal experiences into fantastical, character-driven narratives that occupy a space between real and imaginary, past and present, internal and external. This free public art exhibition will be on display in the TIFF Bell Lightbox atrium from May 9 to July 4. All are welcome; no registration is required.
Deep Focus: Ikebana Demonstration with Aya Sugino – May 13, 2pm to 3:30pm FREE
In this free demonstration by Ikebana artist Aya Sugino, a certified teacher from Sogetsu Ikebana School in Tokyo, learn about the history and practice of Ikebana as a form of self-expression, a method of storytelling, and an exploration of duality. Sugino will create arrangements inspired by different films in the POP Japan series. Light fare will be provided by Minami Toronto, the official hospitality partner of the series. Capacity is limited and registration is required.
Silver Screenings – A Bunch of Amateurs – May 19 FREE
Virtual Q&A with filmmaker Kim Hopkins and special guests following the screening.
A free exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary A Bunch of Amateurs for seniors 65+ from filmmaker Kim Hopkins. The film follows the Bradford Movie Makers, Britain’s oldest amateur filmmaking club, as they embark on one of their most ambitious projects to date. “A profoundly poignant film about coming to terms with mortality while finding great comfort in the permanent life of flickering images” (The Times), A Bunch of Amateurs is a live-affirming and inspiring documentary for passionate cinephiles and general audiences alike! All attendees are welcome; no separate registration is required for the Q&A.
TIFF Members and TIFF Under 25-Free 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/membership.
TIFF is excited to announce POP Japan, a new series celebrating the convergence of the cult, pulp, and popular in Japanese film and art, running at TIFF Bell Lightbox from May 10 to June 27, 2023. POP Japan features three film series: Seijun Suzuki, marking the iconoclast director’s centenary with six newly restored 35mm prints, the second stop in a national tour spotlighting Suzuki’s rebellious storytelling, and World of Anime, a retrospective of Japan’s most influential anime films, both generously supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto. The third series is a four-film ode to the “godfather of animation” and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, in anticipation of his summer theatrical release How Do You Live?
“Pop Japan represents the dynamic new direction of Public Programming at TIFF to showcase exciting, original, international film spotlights year-round, making TIFF Bell Lightbox a must-visit destination,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF.
POP Japan will launch with a series of events at TIFF Bell Lightbox, starting on Wednesday, May 10 with a screening of Suzuki’s 1981 film, Kagero-za, part of the Japanese visionary’s daring and much-acclaimed Taisho Trilogy. The screening is preceded by a reception, featuring DJ Sakiko Nagai, to mark the opening of a free public art exhibition featuring works by multidisciplinary artists Mitsuo Kimura and Toko Hosoya. On Saturday, May 13, Ikebana artist Aya Sugino will demonstrate the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers and plants ― each creation inspired by a different film in the POP Japan series. A live-painted mural programmed in partnership with StreetARToronto and supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto will also be on view throughout the run of the series. A Silent Voice: The Movie, directed by Naoko Yamada, one of anime’s few women filmmakers, is screening on June 30, as part of Silver Screenings, free to those 65+.
“We’re excited to present a diverse selection of films in this series, many of which started on the cultural margins like Suzuki’s pulpy pop art noirs to anime that exploded into the North American mainstream in the ’90s,” said Robyn Citizen, TIFF’s Director of Festival Programming & Cinematheque, TIFF. “Suzuki’s riotous use of colour and genre anticipated the aesthetics and tone of later anime including the Lupin the 3rd series.”
Highlights of the programme include a special screening of Tokyo Drifter on May 24, Suzuki’s centenary; the 35th anniversary screenings of Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro and Katsuhiro Ôtomo’s post-apocalyptic film Akira, considered one of the most influential anime films of all time, and presented in partnership with the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival.
More programming details will be available on tiff.net on April 12.
POP JAPAN PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS
POP Japan: Seijun Suzuki
Having directed more than 50 films, Suzuki’s singular career spans not only decades but a kaleidoscope of genres, each an experiment in formal innovation and rebellious storytelling.Though never garnering the international recognition of his peers, Suzuki’s explosion of genre conventions won acolytes in American filmmakers Jim Jarmusch and Quentin Tarantino, whose Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Kill Bill: Vol. 1 are a direct link to his stylistic legacy.
Kagero-za (1981) – May 10
Carmen from Kawachi (1966) – May 13
Love Letter (1959) – May 13
Satan’s Town (1956) – May 17
A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness (1977) – May 18
Tokyo Drifter (1966) – May 24
35mm prints of Suzuki Seijun’s films were imported and provided by the Film Library of the Japan Foundation’s headquarters in Tokyo.
POP Japan: Miyazaki Spotlight
As a director, animator, producer, author, artist, screenwriter, and outspoken pacifist, Miyazaki’s politics of humanism, feminism, and environmentalism colour his rich and absorbing worlds, which are often inhabited by tenacious young girls who undergo enlightening and spirit-guided transformations. Within this spotlight TIFF presents two such stories: My Neighbor Totoro and the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, co-presented in partnership with the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival. Each film is steeped in wonder, deep compassion, and Japanese mythology. These beloved classics are bookended by Miyakazi’s Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro, an adaptation of Monkey Punch’s popular Lupin III manga series, in addition to his last film, The Wind Rises (2013), an epic reimagining of the life of a famous Japanese aviation engineer.
Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) – May 13
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) – May 30 (35th Anniversary)
Spirited Away (2001) – June 4
The Wind Rises (2013) – June 17
POP Japan: World of Anime
In this nine-film retrospective of beautiful, surprising, and deeply-meaningful anime, films are unified by the theme of transformation, co-curated by TIFF and professor Yuki Ohsawa.
Neo Tokyo (1987) – May 24
Akira (1988) – May 25 & June 13 (35th Anniversary)
Ghost in the Shell (1995) – June 1
Memories (1995) – June 3
Perfect Blue (1997) – June 3
Metropolis (2001) – June 9
Mind Game (2004) – June 11
Paprika (2006) – June 21 (Presented by TIFF Next Wave)
A Silent Voice: The Movie (2016) – June 27
POP Japan is free to members and tickets to the programme will be available on April 12. Public tickets will go on sale on April 14.
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TIFF is delighted to present a special screening of Searchlight Pictures’ Rye Lane, Raine Allen-Miller’s feature directorial debut, on March 29 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. This advanced screening, presented in partnership with Disney and its platform, is part of a sneak-peek event celebrating the upcoming TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, taking place April 14–16, ahead of the film’s exclusive platform release in Canada on March 31, 2023.
Hailed by critics, earning a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, Rye Lane follows two twenty-somethings, both reeling from bad break-ups, who connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance. The film, which premiered in January at the 2023 Sundance Festival, features breakout performances from David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, and was listed as one of “18 Films Directed By Women That We Can’t Wait To See In 2023” by British Vogue. Driven by Allen-Miller’s bold, playful direction, Rye Lane is permeated by a vibrant, energetic style that celebrates Black joy, friendship, and love. This hilarious and heartwarming debut is above all an ode to South London and what it means to find connection in the people, places, and communities that give us strength.
“Those that are youngish and in the know, know that Next Wave Film Festival is TIFF’s hidden gem, a unique showcase of films selected by some of Toronto’s most impressive, young cinephiles – come to connect and be inspired.” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “The Next Wave celebration kicks off on March 29, opening with an exhibition by multimedia artist, kaya joan, followed by the exclusive screening of Raine Allen-Miller’s Sundance hit Rye Lane, the perfect rom-com antidote for the times.”
The March 29th celebration is curated by the TIFF Next Wave Committee, who also take the lead in programming the 12th edition of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival (April 14–16). Hailing from across the GTA — from Scarborough, to York, to Mississauga — and ranging in age from 15 to 18, the Committee is made up of 12 teen film enthusiasts, many of whom are young creators and filmmakers. The festival is a one-of-a-kind talent incubator in the world, and features a lineup of Canadian and North American premieres, creator Q&As, workshops, and collaborations with leading filmmakers to celebrate new voices in cinema.
This year’s Committee members include Arjun Persaud, Celina Tang, Dev Desai, Ellie Tripp, Faven Tesfamichael, Honora Murphy, Keertan Somasundaram, Maggie Kane, Naiya Forrester, Norah Daudi, Simona Williams, and Tara Sidhu. These passionate young film lovers collaborate to curate TIFF Next Wave’s Official Selection and programming through fresh and timely perspectives for youth audiences in Toronto and across Canada. With the guidance of TIFF staff, the Committee also supports year-round TIFF programming for young audiences and curates a selection of “Next Wave-approved” films at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Alumni of the TIFF Next Wave Committee that have internationally developed their careers include Shiva Baby and Bottoms director Emma Seligman, Ms. Marvel’s star Iman Vellani, and NYC-based film programmer Samah Ali, among others.
Prior to the Rye Lane screening, audiences are invited to the opening of Lost & Found: There are so many worlds exhibition in the TIFF Bell Lightbox atrium from 5pm to 7pm. Curated by the TIFF Next Wave Committee, this free public art exhibition features multi-media works by Afro-Indigenous artist kaya joan, created with found and recycled substrates from around the city, investigating the stories that exist in the in-between spaces held in place. This exhibition will be on display from March 21 to April 30.
Young audiences can continue the celebrations with a Lost & Found themed Opening Night Party to launch the Festival on April 14, featuring a series of events, from the Battle of the Scores musical showdown, special guests’ attendance, and more. The TIFF Bell Lightbox atrium will transform into a time machine, featuring retro sights and sounds, with a variety of interactive activations and fun decor, like dance floors, clothing swaps, rug tufting photo backdrops, and more. tiff.net for more.
Back for its 12th edition, the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival invites young audiences and cinephiles for a weekend of bold new films and special events, with free movies for anyone under 25*. Hot off the heels of its Berlin premiere, where it won the Crystal Bear for best film in the Berlinale’s Generation 14plus sidebar, Mexican director Sofía Auza’s unconventional coming-of-age feature debut Adolfo will kick-off the Festival as the Opening Night Film. From April 14–16, 2023 audiences hungry for original stories can celebrate rising filmmakers and diverse programming, representing the hope, creativity, and power of the next generation. Additional programming and special guests will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Programmed for youth, by youth, the Next Wave Film Festival offers free Official Selection films for anyone under 25. Tickets are available starting today for TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Pass holders, and to the general public on March 17, 2023.
This year’s Official Selection shines a spotlight on nine debut and sophomore features ― from Spain, France, Mexico, Iran, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, USA, and Canada ― that bring an authentic and diverse representation of youth-centric perspectives, without feeding into the “angsty teen” stereotypes. Highlights include: Auza’s North American premiere of Adolfo, which follows two strangers who meet by chance at a bus stop and decide to find a new home for their cactus companion; Pilar Palomero’s Canadian premiere of San Sebastián–winning La Maternal, exploring vulnerability and hardships of teen motherhood and chosen families, featuring many first-time actors; Simon Rieth’s North American premiere of the genre-mixing debut feature Summer Scars, following two brothers bound by a dark secret; So Yun Um’s Canadian premiere of the hybrid documentary-memoir feature debut Liquor Store Dreams, asking personal and resonant questions on reconciliation and generational healing through stories of Korean liquor store owners and their families; Charlotte Regan’s Canadian Premiere of the Sundance-winning hit and feature debut Scrapper, a reconnection story between a precocious girl and her child-like father (Regan was listed as “28 Rising Female Filmmakers to Watch in 2023” by IndieWire); and Zeno Graton’s North American premiere of the debut feature The Lost Boys, exploring questions of masculinity, found family, and freedom when a new detainee enters a youth detention facility.
Some screenings will be followed by in-person Q&As with the directors including: Auza, Um, Holland, and Regan; and more special events to be announced in the following weeks. Select titles will also be available on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox starting April 12.
“Dedicated to increasing access to cinema for young audiences, the Next Wave Committees’ brilliant voices and vision permeate through this year’s festival lineup with powerful stories of love, community, and family, in all its forms,” said Ikoro Huggins-Warner, Senior Coordinator, Youth Impact. “Look no further than the Opening Night Film, Adolfo, a heartwarming journey of unlikely friendship formed over the course of one fateful, fleeting night. Punctuated by bold, refreshing direction, like so many of the incredible films in this year’s selection, Adolfo finds its honesty in overcoming struggles together, and discovering connection and resilience in unexpected places.”
TIFF Bell Lightbox will be transformed into a retro time machine, promising interactive activations at the Opening Night Party with basement slumber party vibes, dance floors, and a clothing swap. Young audiences can revel in the weekend festivities: Battle of the Scores, a live musical showdown where four bands settle the score; Young Creators Co-Lab, presented by the City of Toronto, a full day of connective and engaging industry talks and workshop for emerging filmmakers and creatives; Young Creators Showcase of short films by emerging filmmakers from across Canada; and Lost & Found: There are so many worlds, a free public art exhibition featuring multi-media works by artist kaya joan and curated by the TIFF Next Wave Committee. Complete festival details, schedules, and ticket information are all available at tiff.net/nextwave.
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 Bell Lightbox, including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, a one-of-a-kind talent incubator.
“I am beyond excited to share this incredible lineup of films that young people wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to with our audience. We care deeply about amplifying diverse and innovative creators at TIFF Next Wave, and so celebrating these unique films that explore underrepresented themes and stories is going to be such a joy,” said Ellie Tripp, TIFF Next Wave Committee Member. “Beyond the film lineup, this year’s festival is centered around the theme of Lost & Found ― an exploration of world-building, futurity, and how the stories we carry with us as young people inform our relationship to place.”
TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Free 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/under25.
*Free tickets are limited to 2 tickets per film screening for anyone under 25
2023 TIFF NEXT WAVE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP
TIFF Next Wave Presents: Rye Lane
March 29, 7pm
Celebrate the upcoming TIFF Next Wave Film Festival with this advance screening of Raine Allen-Miller’s funny and touching debut film, Rye Lane. Prior to the screening, audiences are invited to attend the opening reception of Lost & Found: There are so many worlds exhibition at 5pm.
Lost & Found: There are so many worlds by kaya joan
March 21 to April 30
Lost & Found: There are so many worlds features multi-media works by kaya joan created on found and recycled substrates from around the city, investigating the stories that exist in the in-between spaces held in place. The works in this exhibition reach into the infinities that stretch between past, present, and future to explore multiplicities of being in relation. Audiences are also invited to join a collective collage-making workshop facilitated by kaya joan on April 1. For more information on kaya joan and the event visit: tiff.net/events/art-exhibition-lost-and-found.
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival Official Selection
April 14–16
Films marked with an asterisk (*) will be available to rent on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox starting April 12.
Adolfo dir. Sofía Auza *
Mexico/USA | 2022 | Spanish | North American Premiere
Egghead & Twinkie dir. Sarah Kambe Holland
USA | 2022 | English | Canadian Premiere
La Maternal dir. Pilar Palomero
Spain | 2022 | Spanish | Canadian Premiere
Liquor Store Dreams dir. So Yun Um
USA | 2022 | English, Korean | Canadian Premiere
Scrapper dir. Charlotte Regan
United Kingdom | 2022 | English | Canadian Premiere
Summer Scars dir. Simon Rieth
France | 2022 | French | North American Premiere
Summer With Hope dir. Sadaf Foroughi *
Canada/Iran | 2022 | Persian
The Lost Boys dir. Zeno Graton
Belgium | 2023 | French | North American Premiere
The Ordinaries dir. Sophie Linnenbaum *
Germany | 2022 | German | Toronto Premiere
Battle of the Scores & Opening Night Party
April 14, 8:30pm
Discover the next wave of movie and music talent as four up-and-coming bands score a short film for one big prize. Visit @TIFF_NET on Instagram in April to see the films, hear the scores, and cast your vote. The final showdown will take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox on April 14, during the TIFF Next Wave Opening Night Party, featuring retro sights and sounds, with a variety of interactive Lost & Found activations.
Young Creators Co-Lab
April 15, 9am – 3pm
The Young Creators Co-Lab, presented by the City of Toronto, is a gathering space for young and emerging artists in Toronto to connect with industry professionals and learn about all things film. The Co-Lab offers a full day of connective and engaging programming for filmmakers and creatives. Session topics include Screenwriting for Film & Television with Vera Santamaria (How to Be Indie, Bojack Horseman, PEN15), a deep dive into the writing process and the keys to being a great storyteller; an IndustryTok panel with content creators discussing their process from ideation to production, and TikTok’s growing influence as a platform for innovative storytelling; and a series of breakout sessions with industry professionals discussing their experience navigating the film landscape, and advice for young students and graduates about various Pathways into the Industry.
Young Creators Showcase
April 16, 7:30pm
Celebrating the work of young and emerging filmmakers, this shorts programme touches on themes of belonging, family, and finding connection in the people and communities closest to us. From animation to documentary, these 13 films by the next wave of Canadian filmmaking talent 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.
Castaway dir. Shamiso Chigwende
Canada | 2021 | English | Canadian Premiere
Execution Triptych dir. Giran Findlay
Canada | 2022 | English
Hoa dir. Tram Anh Nguyen
Vietnam/Canada | 2022 | Vietnamese
In the Whiteness dir. Niya Ahmed Abdullahi
Canada | 2022 | English, Harari | Canadian Premiere
Inside Groove dir. Elizabeth Wei Yun Albrecht
Canada | 2022 | English | Canadian Premiere
Late Bloomer dir. Emma Cheuk
Canada | 2022 | English | Toronto Premiere
majboor-e-mamool (What Will You Do When I’m Gone?) dir. Haaris Qadri
Canada | 2022 | Urdu, English
Ms. Butterworth’s Cherry Pie dir. Cameron Lightly
Canada | 2021 | English | North American Premiere
On the Cosmic Shore dir. Luvleen Hunjan
Canada, India | 2022 | Punjabi | International Premiere
Ozigwan (Tail of Serpent) dir. Cole Forrest
Canada | 2021 | English, Anishinaabemowin | World Premiere
Bawang Merah Bawang Putih (Shallots and Garlic) dir. Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto
Canada/Indonesia | 2021 | Bahasa Indonesia, English
The Mess We’re In dir. Jamie Lam
Canada | 2022 | English, Cantonese | Toronto Premiere
The Year Long Boulder dir. Brielle LeBlanc
Canada | 2022 | English | Toronto Premiere
Additional information is available at tiff.net/nextwave.
TIFF is delighted to announce the 2023 TIFF Writers’ Studio participants. Now in its 12th year, Writers’ Studio is a collaborative, five-day intensive lab offering Canadian and international screenwriters and writer-directors 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 March 20–24, 2023, at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
With more than 200 submissions from around the world, TIFF is proud to announce that the following writers have been selected: Teyama Alkamli, Berkley Brady, Harry Cepka, Luis De Filippis, Idil Ibrahim, Aaron Lucas, Nesaru Tchaas, and Farida Zahran. Five participants from the 2023 class will also be awarded a grant generously supported by CHANEL to further the development of their feature-length script. The selected participants are Teyama Alkamli, Berkley Brady, Luis De Filippis, Idil Ibrahim, and Farida Zahran.
“Programmes like the Writers’ Studio help spark the next generation of storytellers, both in Canada and internationally,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “At TIFF, we are committed to providing professional development and access to the industry, with leading experts to foster new talent. We see the big impact every year.”
This year’s lab will support the development of feature-film scripts through dedicated one-on-one discussions with international story consultants Andrew Ahn, Trey Ellis, Christina Lazaridi, and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith. Additionally, the participants will engage in daily artist talks and workshops facilitated by renowned filmmakers and industry experts including Ashley Comeau, Brad Fraser, Marilyn McCallum, and Anthony Shim. From the Canadian Film Centre’s CBC Actors Conservatory, alumni including Getenesh Berhe, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, and Araya Mengesha will join for a full-day table read of the projects in development.
As a major supporter of Share Her Journey, the CHANEL Women Writers’ Network provides funding to advance the careers of women and non-binary participants and alumni of TIFF Writers’ Studio. The multi-year program, launched in 2021, includes additional access to script consultants and established screenwriters, peer-to-peer sessions with emerging filmmakers, and a talent summit that allows writers to showcase their work to producers and other industry insiders. CHANEL’s participation extends and enriches TIFF’s support for writers and writer-directors by facilitating the acceleration and development of their projects and by offering opportunities to connect with a diverse network of mentors and peers.
TIFF’s Talent Development programmes are produced by Jane Kim, Industry Programming Producer, and Anita Tavakol, Talent Development Manager, and supported in part by TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative. Now a permanent initiative, Share Her Journey began in 2017 as a five-year campaign and commitment to address gender parity and to champion women in front of and behind the camera through TIFF’s Festival and year-round initiatives.
Now in its second year, the Renee Perlmutter Memorial Fellowship for Literary Adaptation will provide one writer focusing on adapting literary work for the screen with an additional grant toward developing their project. This year’s recipient is Berkley Brady, who is working on an adaptation of the novel The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson.
Notable TIFF Studio alumni include filmmakers Cory Bowles (Black Cop), Romeo Candido (Another Life), Tracey Deer (Beans), Martin Edralin (Islands), Lisa Jackson (Indictment: The Crimes of Shelly Chartier), Molly McGlynn (Mary Goes Round), Fawzia Mirza (Noor & Layla), Jasmin Mozaffari (Firecrackers), Sanja Živković (Easy Land), Silvina Schnicer (Carajita), and Taratoa Stappard (Taumanu). Following their involvement in TIFF Studio, many of these filmmakers have gone on to present their films at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlinale, and SXSW.
More here including Participant Bios.
In memory of Festival programmer Ravi Srinivasan, The Toronto International Film Festival® announced today its exciting partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada for the Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship, a training and development programme that will support Canadian talent who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, and Francophone members of the aforementioned communities. Running from April 2023 to September 2023 and with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the fellowship will empower one individual to build and advance their career in film festival programming, curation, and communication through one-on-one expert mentorship.
“The film industry is an ecosystem, and film programmers play a defining role,“ said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “We are very proud to launch our first curatorial programme in honour of Ravi Srinvivasan, our late Canadian programmer who represented TIFF’s commitment to discover and champion diverse stories on screen. This programming Fellowship focuses on equity and inclusion, taking us one step further in transforming how we see the world by growing the next generation of Canadian curatorial talent.”
The successful applicant will become an integral part of the curatorial process, taking on the role of Programming Associate to one of TIFF’s International Programmers for the duration of the 2023 Festival Programming Cycle. With a commitment of up to 25 hours a week over the 24 week fellowship, the Fellow will be supported in the development of both their administrative and stakeholder management skills in order to grow a comprehensive toolkit for the future of their career. Compensation of $15,000 over the course of the fellowship will be paid to the successful applicant to support their learning experience. The Fellowship also includes a complimentary one-year TIFF Membership and complimentary Festival accreditation to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
“The continued diversification of roles of influence, like film programmers and curators, is a meaningful area of opportunity for Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada to contribute to impactful change in the Canadian industry,” said WBD Access Canada Executive Director, Melanie Nepinak Hadley. “We are thrilled to be partnered with TIFF on this innovative program.”
Over the course of the programme, the Fellow will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of international professionals and build on their knowledge of the Canadian and international film industries. Upon completion of the Fellowship, the successful applicant will have an extensive understanding of film curation, as well as a demonstrable set of practical skills in the craft of curation with which to advance their career.
Applications for the 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship will be open from Monday, February 13 to Monday, March 13. Visit tiff.net/careers for full eligibility.
For more than 20 years, TIFF Industry has delivered tailor-made professional development programmes, which include curated, bespoke opportunities to fast-track the careers and projects of the next generation of filmmakers, writers, directors, and actors. TIFF Industry provides emerging film industry professionals with critical professional development training throughout the year and during the Festival. Industry meetings and workshops push participants to explore film as a business, and to expand their creative approach.
The 48th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7–17, 2023.
TIFF is delighted to announce its Canada’s Top Ten list of both features and short films for 2022. Selected by TIFF’s programmers in consultation with industry panelists, including filmmakers and festival programmers from across Canada, this year’s list represents a diverse range of new voices in fiction and documentary. It celebrates some of our most storied and award-winning filmmakers offering audiences a variety of perspectives, insights, and experiences from coast to coast.
TIFF would also like to recognize the privilege we have to celebrate these filmmakers on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee. Today, the meeting place of Toronto (also known as Tkaronto) is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and we are grateful to work on this land and to be able to screen works of Indigenous filmmakers at TIFF Bell Lightbox for audiences.
“Bold and unapologetic, this year’s Canada’s Top Ten reflects one of the most diverse editions to date and heralds an exciting new wave of Canadian storytelling,” stated Anita Lee, TIFF, Chief Programming Officer. “I am so thrilled to present this stellar selection of films in my first year as TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer.”
Canada’s Top Ten Official Selections of 2022
Features
Black Ice | dir. Hubert Davis
Brother | dir. Clement Virgo
Cette Maison | dir. Miryam Charles
Crimes of the Future | dir. David Cronenberg
I Like Movies | dir. Chandler Levack
Something You Said Last Night | dir. Luis De Filippis
To Kill a Tiger | dir. Nisha Pahuja
Riceboy Sleeps | dir. Anthony Shim
ROSIE | dir. Gail Maurice
Viking | dir. Stéphane Lafleur
Shorts
Belle River | dir. Guillaume Fournier, Samuel Matteau, Yannick Nolin
Bill Reid Remembers | dir. Alanis Obomsawin
The Flying Sailor | dir. Wendy Tilby, Amanda Forbis
Lay Me by the Shore | dir. David Findlay
Municipal Relaxation Module | dir. Matthew Rankin
Nanitic | dir. Carol Nguyen
No Ghost in the Morgue | dir. Marilyn Cooke
Same Old | dir. Lloyd Lee Choi
Simo | dir. Aziz Zoromba
Violet Gave Willingly | dir. Claire Sanford
Canada’s Top Ten selections will screen January 26–29 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. More details to come in 2023.
On January 26, the Canada’s Top Ten programme will feature a multi-session Industry Conversations featuring special guests and TIFF Talent alumni, as well as an opening reception to celebrate this year’s selections.
Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum – January 26, 2023
Addressing Systemic Racism in Canada’s Media Sector Part 2: Where Are We Now?
Time: 12pm–1:30pm
Guests confirmed to date:
Chanda Chevannes, Executive Producer, National Film Board of Canada
Marcia Douglas, Director, English Content, International and Export, Canada Media Fund
Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director, Black Screen Office
Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films
Mehernaz Lentin, National Director of Feature Film, Telefilm Canada
Kerry Swanson, Executive Director, Indigenous Screen Office
Moderator: Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF
SPOTLIGHT: New Canadian Talent
Time: 2:30pm–3:30pm
Guest details to come
Moderator: Jason Anderson, Programmer, Short Cuts, TIFF
PERSPECTIVES: The Future of Canadian Content
Time: 4:30pm–5:30pm
Guests confirmed to date:
Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund
Noah Segal, Co-President, Elevation Pictures
Moderator: Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor, The Globe and Mail
Ticket holders for the Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum receive access to all three sessions in addition to a catered lunch and an invitation to the Canada’s Top Ten Opening Cocktail Reception on the evening of January 26. Tickets on sale December 14. For more information, and additional guest details to come, visit tiff.net/ctt.
A special selection of titles will be available on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox, celebrating previous Canada’s Top Ten breakouts. More information coming soon to http://digital.tiff.net/.
(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures)
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