#TIFF24: “THE TRAGICALLY HIP – NO DRESS REHEARSAL” DOCU-SERIES TO PREMIERE AT 2024 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Prime Video today released the official key art and trailer for the upcoming four-part docuseries The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, an intimate and unvarnished look at the extraordinary 40-year journey of Canada’s most beloved rock band. Directed by Mike Downie, the four-part series chronicles the triumphs, trials and deep bonds of brotherhood that defined The Tragically Hip’s rise from basement shows to arena rock legends. The docuseries will have its world premiere at TIFF before screening at film festivals nationwide. The Prime Video launch date will be shared at a later date.

“We’re thrilled to premiere the incredible story of The Tragically Hip at this year’s TIFF. It will be a powerful and memorable event,” said Mike Downie. “This project is a labour of love, with personal and unseen footage from the band’s 40-year history. We set out to understand what held the band together, what pushed them apart and how they captured the hearts and minds of so many fans both in Canada and around the world.”

“The Tragically Hip’s music continues to be the soundtrack for generations of Canadians,” said Shaun Alperin, head of content, Prime Video, Canada. “This docuseries offers fans an unprecedented window into the band’s iconic career and the deep kinship they forged with an entire nation through their poetic lyrics and electrifying performances — from director Mike Downie who was there for every moment.”

The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is a love story between a band and the country they call home. With never before seen personal and archival footage, the Canadian rock’n’roll legends share the story of their unique, complicated and wildly successful musical brotherhood. Forty years of hits and misses, friendship and frustration, triumph and tragedy, the docuseries features unseen performances, unreleased music and unprecedented access to The Hip.

From their hometown of Kingston, ON, Rob Baker, Gord Downie, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair skyrocketed to fame as The Tragically Hip with their signature blend of rock anthems and poetic lyricism. Over their storied career, the band released 14 studio albums, 9 of which hit #1 in Canada, won 17 Juno Awards, and were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and received a star on Canada’s Walk Of Fame. Their 2016 cross-Canada tour, undertaken after Downie’s terminal cancer diagnosis, was a cultural phenomenon watched by millions.

The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is produced by Courage Films with support from Ontario Creates and the Government of Canada. The docuseries is directed and produced by Mike Downie and executive produced by Jake Gold.

The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal joins the slate of Canadian Amazon Original series and films including TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Documentary Award and Canadian Screen Award-winner Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe, Luxe Listings: Toronto, LOL: Qui rira le dernier?, Pour un Soir Seulement, Nuit Blanche, L’ultime gala, Three Pines, Chosen One: Alexandre Daigle, Saving Sakic, All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs, The Kids in the Hall, The Lake, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith and the upcoming series The Sticky and Elisabeth Rioux: sans filtre.

These series will join Prime Monday Night Hockey, which will stream all national regular season Monday night NHL games in English for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 NHL seasons, and the thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and around the world in the Prime Video catalogue, including award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals The Boys, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, and I Am: Celine Dion. Prime members in Canada enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership, for just $9.99/month or the best value of $99.99/year.

#FIRSTLOOK: “UNSTOPPABLE” COMING TO PRIME VIDEO CANADA

Unstoppable is an inspiring, true story about Anthony Robles (played by Jharrel Jerome) who defied every expectation to become a national wrestling champion. It also will premiere at TIFF ’24! In select theatres December 2024.

This film marks William Goldenberg’s directorial debut. He is a decorated Academy Award winning editor for Argo with previous nominations including The Imitation Game, Zero Dark Thirty, Seabiscuit and The Insider.

The film features an all-star ensemble cast including Jharrel Jerome, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña with Don Cheadle and Jennifer Lopez.

Anthony Robles himself is seen in the film and credited as ‘Anthony Robles Double’, performing the complex wrestling moves and stunts. He is also a producer on the film.

Jharrel Jerome trained for months and worked very closely with Anthony to establish the physicality and determination required for the role.

Unstoppable is produced by Artists Equity, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s production company.

Unstoppable employed Accessibility Coordinators from IndieVisible to ensure a safe working environment, including productivity tools for all cast and crew.

Starring Jharrel Jerome, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Anthony Robles, with Don Cheadle and Jennifer Lopez

Directed by William Goldenberg

Screenplay by Eric Champnella and Alex Harris and John Hindman

Based upon the book by Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy

Produced by Ben Affleck, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Anthony Robles, Andrew Fraser, Gary Lewis,

David Crockett

Genre Biography, Drama, Sport

Rated PG-13

Anthony Robles, despite being born without a right leg, rises to become a NCAA Division 1 Champion wrestler ultimately winning a national championship against the school that rejected him, national powerhouse Iowa. (Based on the book Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion, by Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy.)

#TIFF24: WAVELENGTHS PROGRAMME AND TIFF CLASSICS PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT

TIFF is delighted to announce the 2024 selection for the Wavelengths programme, and the TIFF Classics programme, presented by MUBI, and supported by Ontario Creates and the Canada Council for the Arts. The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place September 5–15, 2024.

WAVELENGTHS
Highlighting visionary work from the worlds of international cinema and contemporary art, the Wavelengths programme includes a dynamic selection of 11 features, 3 shorts programmes, and a special in-cinema looped presentation. Intergenerational and regionally diverse, with emerging talents screening alongside legendary peers, the films in this year’s selection range from a two-minute animation to a gripping 14-hour documentary, offering a mix of dazzling formal work, subversive narratives, and boldly political perspectives.

The 2024 Wavelengths programme is curated by Senior Curator Andréa Picard and Associate Curator Jesse Cumming, with contributions by Giovanna Fulvi, Nataleah Hunter-Young, and June Kim.

Watch this video of Wavelengths Lead Programmer Andréa Picard to learn more:

Feature film highlights include a number by esteemed Wavelengths alumni, among them the North American Premieres of Grand Tour by Miguel Gomes, The Damned by Roberto Minervini, and Pepe by Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias.
Jessica Sarah Rinland also returns to the programme with Collective Monologue, alongside the North American Premiere of the queer, controversial Viêt and Nam, by first-time Wavelengths filmmaker Trương Minh Quý. The 14-hour, compulsively watchable exergue – on documenta 14 from Greek filmmaker Dimitris Athiridi will be presented over three screenings.

Short film highlights include the World Premieres of Archipelago of Earthen Bones — To Bunya by Malena Szlam, and A Black Screen Too by Sobey Prize–nominated Rhayne Vermette, as well as the North American Premiere of Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s The Diary of a Sky. A pairing of work by legendary filmmakers Jean-Luc Godard and John Smith includes the former’s final film Scénarios, completed just before Godard’s death, and the World Premiere of Smith’s wry, moving Being John Smith.

Presented as a rare and unmissable special presentation, the programme is rounded out by celebrated Egyptian artist Wael Shawky’s Drama 1882. A mesmerizing highlight of this year’s Venice Biennale, the film (re)stages an anti-colonial uprising as a libretto across eight chapters and 45 hypnotic minutes. Drama 1882 will be presented looped in-cinema on Saturday, September 7, and admission will be free.

CLASSICS
TIFF Classics reunites audiences with iconic films from visionary filmmakers such as Srinivas Krishna, Raj Kapoor, and Atom Egoyan. Two newly restored international discoveries include Shahid Sohrab Saless’ Time of Maturity, and Lino Brocka’s Bona. In celebration of the centenary of auteur Raj Kapoor, known as The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema, TIFF Classics presents the World Premiere 4K restoration of one of his most acclaimed films, Awāra, which he directs and stars in.

Continuing TIFF’s year-long spotlight on Toronto New Wave filmmakers, Classics is screening the 4K restoration of Atom Egoyan’s The Sweet Hereafter; and Srinivas Krishna’s Masala, a restoration that was made possible through Canadian Cinema – Reignited, a Telefilm Canada initiative, in partnership with TIFF. Lastly, Classics is honoured to present the World Premiere of the new 4K restoration of legendary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman’s documentary Essene.

The 2024 Classics programme is programmed by Robyn Citizen, TIFF’s Director of Programming, and Andréa Picard.

Wavelengths Features 2024 (in alphabetical order):
Collective Monologue [Monólogo colectivo] Jessica Sarah Rinland | Argentina/United Kingdom
North American Premiere
Sales Title

exergue – on documenta 14 Dimitris Athiridis | Greece
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Grand Tour Miguel Gomes | Portugal/Italy/France/Germany/Japan/China
North American Premiere

Lázaro at Night [Lázaro de noche] Nicolás Pereda | Canada/Mexico
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Pepe Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias | Dominican Republic/Germany/France/Namibia
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Perfumed with Mint [Moattar binanaa] Muhammed Hamdy | Egypt/France/Tunisia/Qatar
North American Premiere
Sales Title

The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich | USA
Canadian Premiere
Sales Title

The Damned Roberto Minervini | Italy/USA/Belgium
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Viêt and Nam Trương Minh Quý | Philippines/Singapore/France/Netherlands/Italy/Germany/Vietnam
North American Premiere

Youth (Hard Times) [Qing Chun (Ku)] Wang Bing | France/Luxembourg/Netherlands
North American Premiere
Luminaries

Youth (Homecoming) [Qing Chun (Gui)] Wang Bing | France/Luxembourg/Netherlands
North American Premiere
Luminaries

Wavelengths Special Presentation 2024:
Drama 1882 Wael Shawky | Egypt
Festival Premiere

Wavelengths Shorts 2024:
WAVELENGTHS 1: EYE & EAR CONTROL

Revolving Rounds Johann Lurf, Christina Jauernik | Austria
North American Premiere

The Diary of a Sky Lawrence Abu Hamdan | Lebanon
North American Premiere
Sales Title

October Noon [Octubre al mediodía] Francisco Rodríguez Teare | Chile/France
World Premiere
Sales Title

A Black Screen Too Rhayne Vermette | Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

Archipelago of Earthen Bones — To Bunya Malena Szlam | Canada/Australia/Chile
World Premiere

WAVELENGTHS 2: RIDE THE WAVE

Someplace in Your Mouth Beatrice Gibson, Nick Gordon | Italy
International Premiere
Sales Title

Notes of a Crocodile Daphne Xu | Cambodia/China/Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

Adrift Potentials [Potenciais à deriva] Leonardo Pirondi | Brazil/USA
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Go Between Chris Kennedy | Canada/Australia
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Sojourn [暫棲] Tiffany Sia | USA
Canadian Premiere
Sales Title

WAVELENGTHS 3: EXPOSÉ(S) – JEAN-LUC GODARD/JOHN SMITH

Scénarios Jean-Luc Godard | France/Japan
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Exposé du film annonce du film “Scénario” Jean-Luc Godard | France/Japan
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Being John Smith John Smith | United Kingdom
World Premiere
Sales Title

Classics Programme 2024 (in alphabetical order):
Awāra Raj Kapoor | India

Bona Lino Brocka | Philippines

Essene Frederick Wiseman | USA

Masala Srinivas Krishna | Canada

The Sweet Hereafter Atom Egoyan | Canada

Time of Maturity [Reifezeit] Sohrab Shahid Saless | Germany

#TIFF24: DOCS PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

TIFF is delighted to announce the 2024 selection for its Docs programme presented by A&E IndieFilms, featuring 21 titles from 24 countries around the world. This year’s lineup covers a wide range of experiences: comical, infuriating, revelatory, audacious, and profound, with an underlying theme of pushing back against corrupt systems. Audiences will encounter unforgettable figures such as former Vice host Eddie Huang, novelist Edna O’Brien, US politician Adam Kinzinger, disability rights activist Patrice Jetter, aerial cameraman Joe Jennings, and the haenyeo fisherwomen of South Korea. The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place September 5–15, 2024.

New this year, we have asked a few TIFF Programmers to share their insights into this year’s films. Watch Docs Lead Programmer Thom Powers’ summary here:

The TIFF Docs programme features candid and unscripted stories, and the best in non-fiction cinema from around the world. The programme will open with Huang’s Vice is Broke, in which the former Vice contributor investigates the media company’s rise and fall. Several directors return to TIFF with attention-grabbing World Premieres, including Men of War, directed by Billy Corben (Screwball, Cocaine Cowboys) and Jen Gaiten, following someone recently arrested for arms smuggling in connection with a plot to overthrow Venezuela’s government; The Last Republican, directed by Steve Pink (The Wheel, Hot Tub Time Machine), profiling US conservative politician Kinzinger as he breaks ranks with the GOP to criticize Donald Trump; Space Cowboy, directed by Marah Strauch (Sunshine Superman) and Bryce Leavitt, which captures the stunning cinematography and complicated life of skydiver Jennings; So Surreal: Behind the Masks, directed by Neil Diamond (Reel Injun) and Joanne Robertson, which covers the effort to return cultural artifacts to the Yup’ik and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw nations; and Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story, directed by Sinéad O’Shea (Pray for Our Sinners, TIFF ’22), which profiles the groundbreaking Irish novelist who broke taboos with her sexual candour.

Other World Premieres include Halima Elkhatabi’s Living Together, Ted Passon’s Patrice: The Movie, Lina Vdovîi and Radu Ciorniciuc’s Tata, Anastasiia Bortuali’s Temporary Shelter, Santiago Esteinou’s The Freedom of Fierro, Sue Kim’s The Last of the Sea Women, and Ali Weinstein’s Your Tomorrow.

These TIFF Docs titles join a number of documentaries already announced for TIFF ’24 as part of the Gala programme, including the World Premieres of Elton John: Never Too Late, Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, and the Canadian premiere of Will & Harper; as well as non-fiction works previously announced for the Platform competition, The Wolves Always Come at Night, which blends observed moments and recreated scenes, and Viktor; and for Centerpiece, Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara.

2024 TIFF Docs Programme (in alphabetical order):

A Sisters’ Tale Leila Amini | Switzerland/France/Iran
International Premiere
Sales Title

Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story Sinéad O’Shea | Ireland/United Kingdom
World Premiere
Sales Title

Ernest Cole: Lost and Found Raoul Peck | France
North American Premiere

From Ground Zero Wissam Moussa, Nidal Damo, Ahmed Hassouna, Alaa Ayoub, Karim Satoum, Bashar Al Babisi, Khamis Masharawi, Nida’A Abu Hasna, Tamer Nijim, Ahmed Al Danaf, Rima Mahmoud, Muhammad Al Sharif, Basil El Maqousi, Mustafa Al Nabih, Rabab Khamis, Mustafa Kulab, Alaa Damo, Hana Eleiwa, Mahdi Kreirah, Aws Al Banna, Islam Al Zeriei, Etimad Washah | Palestine/France/Qatar/Jordan
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Living Together Halima Elkhatabi | Canada
World Premiere

Men of War Jen Gatien, Billy Corben | USA/Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

Mistress Dispeller Elizabeth Lo | China/USA
North American Premiere
Sales Title

No Other Land Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor | Palestine/Norway
Canadian Premiere
Sales Title

Patrice: The Movie Ted Passon | USA
World Premiere
Russians at War Anastasia Trofimova | Canada/France
North American Premiere
Sales Title

So Surreal: Behind the Masks Neil Diamond, Joanne Robertson | Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

Space Cowboy Marah Strauch, Bryce Leavitt | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

Sudan, remember us Hind Meddeb | France/Tunisia/Qatar
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Tata Lina Vdovîi, Radu Ciorniciuc | Romania/Germany/Netherlands
World Premiere
Sales Title

Temporary Shelter Anastasiia Bortuali | Iceland
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Freedom of Fierro Santiago Esteinou | Mexico/Canada/Greece
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Last of the Sea Women Sue Kim | USA
World Premiere

The Last Republican Steve Pink | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

Vice is Broke Eddie Huang | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

Wishing on a Star Peter Kerekes | Italy/Slovakia/Czech Republic/Austria/Croatia
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Your Tomorrow Ali Weinstein | Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

This is the sixth TIFF Takeover announcement and will be followed by Wavelengths and Classics tomorrow, and Primetime and Short Cuts on Friday. More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF ’24 go on sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on Friday, August 16. For more details, visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released on Tuesday, August 13.

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE LAST OF THE SEAWOMEN” TO PREMIERE AT TIFF ’24

In “The Last of the Sea Women,” an extraordinary band of feisty grandmother warriors wages a spirited battle against vast oceanic threats. Often called real-life mermaids, the haenyeo divers of South Korea’s Jeju Island are renowned for centuries of diving to the ocean floor—without oxygen —to harvest seafood for their livelihood. Today, with most haenyeo now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, their traditions and way of life are in imminent danger. But these fierce, funny, hardworking women refuse to give an inch, aided by a younger generation’s fight to revive their ancestral lifestyle through social media. Peering into what drives haenyeo young and old, this moving documentary zeroes in on their tight-knit friendships, savvy independence, and infectious sense of empowerment, unfolding into an uplifting tale of women taking on world powers to protect their beloved ocean and inspiring a new generation.

“The Last of the Sea Women” is directed and produced by Sue Kim. The film is produced by Malala Yousafzai through her production company Extracurricular along with Erika Kennair. Nicole Stott, Emily Osborne, Harry Go and Marissa Torres Ericson serve as executive producers through A24.

“The Last of the Sea Women” will premiere as an official selection of the TIFF Docs Programme ahead of its global debut on Apple TV+ on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Director: Sue Kim

Producers: Sue Kim, Malala Yousafzai, Erika Kennair

Exec. Producers: Nicole Stott, Emily Osborne, Harry Go, Marissa Torres Ericson

#TIFF: 2024 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CENTREPIECE PROGRAMME

TIFF is proud to unveil its 2024 Centrepiece programme lineup presented by Marriott Bonvoy,® featuring 43 titles from filmmakers representing 41 countries. The selection includes 18 World Premiere titles from Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and USA. Centrepiece honours and celebrates global cinematic achievements, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a dynamic array of contemporary films. The programme is a reflection of TIFF’s commitment to providing an elevated platform for international cinema, acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries. The 49th edition of TIFF is proud to unveil its 2024 Centrepiece programme lineup presented by Marriott Bonvoy,® featuring 43 titles from filmmakers representing 41 countries. The selection includes 18 World Premiere titles from Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and USA. Centrepiece honours and celebrates global cinematic achievements, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a dynamic array of contemporary films. The programme is a reflection of TIFF’s commitment to providing an elevated platform for international cinema, acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries. The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place September 5-15, 2024.

The 2024 Centrepiece selection has been programmed by Jason Anderson, Kelly Boutsalis, Diana Cadavid, Robyn Citizen, Giovanna Fulvi, Nataleah Hunter-Young, June Kim, Dorota Lech, Jason Ryle, and Norm Wilner. Discover more about the films from the programmers themselves here:

Notable World Premieres include Front Row, from one of the filmmakers selected as a Luminary — TIFF’s spotlight on new work from the world’s most influential art-house directors — Algerian director Merzak Allouache, marking his 19th feature film, a family-friendly comedy about feuding matriarchs battling over the best beachfront spot. Seven Days, the latest from Iranian filmmaker Ali Samadi Ahadi and writer Mohammad Rasoulof (also in the Centrepiece programme with his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig), centres on an Iranian human rights activist named Maryam who has spent the last six years in prison and has been granted a rare seven-day medical leave. Pimpinero: Blood and Oil, a gripping thriller set in the early 2010s from acclaimed Colombian filmmaker Andrés Baiz (Griselda, Narcos), starring Colombian music icon Juanes, Alberto Guerra, Alejandro Speitzer, and Laura Osma, takes place in the treacherous desert bordering Colombia and Venezuela, where gasoline smugglers or pimpineros risk their lives transporting illegal fuel. Under the Volcano, a tense and timely second feature from Polish filmmaker Damian Kocur following Bread and Salt, which garnered a Special Jury Prize at Venice ’22, tells the story of a Ukrainian family on vacation in the Canary Islands who become refugees overnight when Russia’s ongoing occupation of Ukraine turns into a full-scale invasion. Another timely film covering pressing social issues is Antoinette Jadaone’s Sunshine, from the Philippines, starring up-and-coming Maris Racal (her third collaboration with the filmmaker), who plays a young gymnast who discovers she’s pregnant on the week of the national team tryouts. The latest from Belgian director Guillaume Senez (Keeper, TIFF ’15), A Missing Part is a thoughtful and moving drama about a father’s search for his daughter, with an exceptional lead performance by Romain Duris. From Canada, Measures for a Funeral, from acclaimed filmmaker and Short Cuts alumni Sofia Bohdanowicz and her frequent collaborator, actor Deragh Campbell, tells a singular story about a forgotten Canadian violinist. Also, Canadian pop duo Tegan and Sara are at the centre of the gripping documentary Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, which charts the global rise of the trailblazing twins, their advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, and their simultaneously liberating and fraught relationship with social media, from American documentary filmmaker and writer Erin Lee Carr (At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal, Britney vs Spears), who directed and produced the film.

Other Centrepiece standout World Premieres include Jane Austen Wrecked My Life from France. In an utterly charming debut, writer-director Laura Piani draws from Austen’s works while crafting a wholly contemporary romantic comedy — featuring a Frederick Wiseman cameo — that stands on its own merits. Kiwi-Australian filmmaker Marcelle Lunam, who has directed multiple music videos and short films, as well as the feature documentary Habana Shakes, presents Addition, a warm-hearted and illuminating adaptation of the bestselling novel by Toni Jordan, starring Teresa Palmer (A Discovery of Witches), who plays a mathematician struggling to balance her compulsive counting habit (and imaginary friendship with Nikola Tesla) with a new romance. The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos, a debut from Nigeria’s Agbajowo Collective, is a thriller with flecks of magical realism, telling a story about the government’s forced evictions of informal settlements. Inspired by the directors’ lived experiences, the film stars Temi Ami-Williams (Eyimofe – This Is My Desire) and celebrity activist-actor Adebowale Adedayo (a.k.a. Mr Macaroni, also at the Festival with Discovery selection Freedom Way). From China, renowned scriptwriter Huo Xin presents Bound in Heaven, a poignant tale of love and resilience starring Ni Ni, Zhou You, and Liao Fan. This deeply touching film tackles domestic violence and terminal illness with assured direction and outstanding performances.

2024 CENTREPIECE PROGRAMME (in alphabetical order)

Addition Marcelle Lunam | Australia
World Premiere
Sales Title

A Missing Part Guillaume Senez | Belgium/France
World Premiere
Sales Title

An Unfinished Film Lou Ye | Singapore/Germany
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Anywhere Anytime Milad Tangshir | Italy
International Premiere
Sales Title

April Dea Kulumbegashvili | Italy/France/Georgia
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Beloved Tropic Ana Endara | Panama/Colombia
World Premiere
Sales Title

Bound in Heaven Huo Xin | China
World Premiere
Sales Title

By the Stream Hong Sangsoo | South Korea
North American Premiere

Cloud Kiyoshi Kurosawa | Japan
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Crocodile Tears Tumpal Tampubolon | Indonesia/France/Singapore/Germany
World Premiere
Sales Title

Don’t Cry, Butterfly Dương Diệu Linh | Vietnam/Singapore/Philippines/Indonesia
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Edge of Night Türker Süer | Germany
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara Erin Lee Carr | USA
World Premiere

Flow Gints Zilbalodis | Latvia/France/Belgium
Canadian Premiere

Front Row Merzak Allouache | Algeria/Saudi Arabia/France
World Premiere
Sales Title

Happyend Neo Sora | Japan/USA
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Happy Holidays Scandar Copti | Palestine/Germany/France/Italy/Qatar
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Jane Austen Wrecked My Life Laura Piani | France
World Premiere
Sales Title

Julie Keeps Quiet Leonardo van Dijl | Belgium/Sweden
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End Michael Jonathan | New Zealand
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Kill the Jockey Luis Ortega | Argentina/Mexico/Spain/Denmark/USA
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Little Jaffna Lawrence Valin | France
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Los Tortuga Belén Funes | Spain/Chile
World Premiere
Sales Title

Matt and Mara Kazik Radwanski | Canada
North American Premiere

Measures for a Funeral Sofia Bohdanowicz | Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

My Sunshine Hiroshi Okuyama | Japan/France
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Pimpinero: Blood and Oil Andrés Baiz | Colombia
World Premiere

Presence Steven Soderbergh | USA
International Premiere

Santosh Sandhya Suri | United Kingdom
Canadian Premiere
Sales Title

Seven Days Ali Samadi Ahadi | Germany
World Premiere
Sales Title

Souleymane’s Story Boris Lojkine | France
International Premiere
Sales Title

Sunshine Antoinette Jadaone | Philippines
World Premiere
Sales Title

Sweet Angel Baby Melanie Oates | Canada
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos Agbajowo Collective: James Tayler, Ogungbamila Temitope, Okechukwu Samuel, Mathew Cerf, Tina Edukpo, Bisola Akinmuyiwa, A.S. Elijah | Nigeria/Germany/South Africa/USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Mother and the Bear Johnny Ma | Canada/Chile
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Mountain Rachel House | New Zealand
North American Premiere
Sales Title

The Seed of the Sacred Fig Mohammad Rasoulof | Iran/France/Germany
Canadian Premiere

The Swedish Torpedo Frida Kempff | Sweden
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Village Next to Paradise Mo Harawe | France/Austria/Germany/Somalia
North American Premiere
Sales Title

To a Land Unknown Mahdi Fleifel | United Kingdom/France/Germany/Netherlands/Greece/Qatar /Saudi Arabia/Palestine
North American Premiere
Sales Title

Under the Volcano Damian Kocur | Poland
World Premiere
Sales Title

Universal Language Matthew Rankin | Canada
North American Premiere

When the Light Breaks Rúnar Rúnarsson | Iceland/Netherlands/Croatia/France
North American Premiere
Sales Title

TIFF Takeover #2: This week’s programming alerts
Wednesday, August 7, at 10am ET: Docs
Thursday, August 8, at 10am ET: Wavelengths & Classics
Friday, August 9, at 10am ET: Short Cuts & Primetime

More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF ’24 go on sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on Friday, August 16. For more details, visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released on Tuesday, August 13.

#TIFF: ROGERS IS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF 2024 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

The Toronto International Film Festival and Rogers today announced Rogers as the Presenting Sponsor of the 49th Festival and the acclaimed TIFF People’s Choice Awards.

The sponsorship will begin by rolling out the red carpet and celebrating TIFF’s origins in Toronto’s Yorkville district with a VIP event at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, an Official Hospitality Partner, on Tuesday, September 3. The Toronto International Film Festival presented by Rogers runs from September 5–15, 2024.

“Rogers and TIFF share more than deep roots in our home city – we share a commitment to building a rich legacy in Canadian culture and entertainment, which we’re thrilled to celebrate as we welcome Rogers as the first-ever Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Festival,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “Rogers is involved in all aspects of the industry and their partnership amplifies our ability to celebrate a wider range of stories. With Rogers on board, we look forward to an impactful and unforgettable experience for festival attendees as we get closer to celebrating our 50th anniversary.”

“As Canada’s leading communications and entertainment company, we’re proud to partner with TIFF this year to showcase the best film and entertainment from Canada and around the world,” said Terrie Tweddle, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, Rogers. “TIFF is one of the best film festivals in the world and we’re proud to support it and connect more Canadians to the best content and best experiences.”

Rogers customers will enjoy access to VIP experiences of festival screenings and other exclusive experiences as part of its new national program, Rogers Beyond the Seat, that delivers premier sports and entertainment experiences to Rogers customers across the country.

TIFF’s 49th edition will feature 11 days celebrating and spotlighting the best of international and Canadian film and entertainment. In addition to screenings, the Festival provides unique in-person opportunities including live post-screening Q&As, the In Conversation With… series, a five-day industry conference, the free, family-friendly Festival Street, and its prestigious awards including the Tribute Awards, the TIFF People’s Choice Awards presented by Rogers, and Jury Prizes.

About Rogers:
About Rogers Communications
Rogers is Canada’s communications and entertainment company and its shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more information, please visit rogers.com or investors.rogers.com.

#TIFF: ADDITIONAL TIFF TRIBUTE AWARD HONOUREES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Cameron Bailey is delighted to announce four more esteemed honourees who will be receiving a TIFF Tribute Award at this year’s Festival. Recipients include Academy Award–nominated and renowned British filmmaker Mike Leigh, who will be honoured with the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Canadian rising star Durga Chew-Bose will be honoured with the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by Amazon MGM Studios; this award is in the spirit of Torontonian Mary Pickford, the groundbreaking actor, producer, and co-founder of United Artists, whose impact continues today. French songwriting and composing duo Camille Dalmais and Clément Ducol will be presented with the TIFF Variety Artisan Award for composing the soundtrack for Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, a Netflix film; the award recognizes distinguished creatives who have excelled at their craft and made an outstanding contribution to cinema and entertainment. This latest group of recipients will be honoured alongside the recently announced Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, and David Cronenberg at the TIFF Tribute Awards gala fundraiser on Sunday, September 8, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel, with Sandra Oh serving as Honorary Chair.

“It’s a true honour to welcome Mike Leigh back to the Festival and present him with the TIFF Ebert Director Award,” said Bailey. “Leigh has long been acknowledged as one of cinema’s great artists; Roger Ebert himself praised Leigh’s ‘sympathy, penetrating observation, and instinct for human comedy.’ Hard Truths is both a summation of that work and a bold move forward. We’re also excited to honour Canadian filmmaker Durga Chew-Bose with the TIFF Emerging Talent Award. Her feature debut, Bonjour Tristesse, reimagines the classic film with arresting imagery and insight into character. And in a bountiful year of music in film, Camille Dalmais and Clément Ducol’s Emilia Pérez compositions stand out for their passion and vitality. We’re pleased to present them with the TIFF Variety Artisan Award.”

Mike Leigh returns to the 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival for the World Premiere of his 23rd film, Hard Truths, screening as part of the Special Presentations programme. He reunites with Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies) to create a challenging but ultimately compassionate, intimate study of a modern family life. Hard Truths is distributed by Bleecker Street in the US and by Mongrel Media in Canada. Leigh has had eight films in Official Selection at the Festival, including Another Year, Happy-Go-Lucky, and Mr. Turner. Named after legendary film critic Roger Ebert, the Award has gone to celebrated visionaries such as Martin Scorsese, Claire Denis, Ava DuVernay, Wim Wenders, and the late Agnès Varda. Past recipients who received the TIFF Ebert Director Award since the TIFF Tribute Awards were introduced include Spike Lee in 2023; Sam Mendes in 2022; Denis Villeneuve in 2021; Chloé Zhao in 2020; and Taika Waititi in 2019.

Montreal-based Durga Chew-Bose is making her feature film debut as both director and screenwriter of Bonjour Tristesse, which will have its World Premiere in the Discovery programme. This contemporary adaptation of late French author Françoise Sagan’s 1954 novel of the same name stars Chloë Sevigny and Claes Bang. Bonjour Tristesse is distributed by Elevation Pictures in Canada. Previous recipients of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by Amazon MGM Studios include Carolina Markowicz in 2023; Sally El Hosaini in 2022; Danis Goulet in 2021; Tracey Deer in 2020; and Mati Diop in 2019.

Camille Dalmais (Corsage, TIFF ’22) and Clément Ducol (Little Tickles) are prominent figures in the French music scene, often collaborating to create innovative and experimental works. Camille, known for her unique vocal style and blending of pop, folk, and avant-garde elements, has gained acclaim with albums like Le Sac des Filles and Le Fil. Clément Ducol, a versatile musician, arranger, and producer, enhances her projects with his creative arrangements and musical expertise. Together, they form a dynamic duo, pushing the boundaries of contemporary French music. Previous recipients of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award include Łukasz Żal in 2023; Hildur Guðnadóttir in 2022; Ari Wegner in 2021; Terence Blanchard in 2020; and Roger Deakins in 2019.

“Variety is honoured to be giving Camille and Clément our annual Artisan Award at the Toronto International Film Festival,” said Jazz Tangcay, Senior Artisans Editor at Variety. “The soundtrack to Emilia Pérez is a character within the film and a true gift from these fine musicians. Each song and cue is a work of art. The operatic libretto is filled with highlights including Selena Gomez’s Spanish pop song and Zoe Saldaña’s gala number. We are such fans of their work and thrilled to present this award to them, recognizing their talent and contribution this year.”

Now in its sixth year, the Tribute Awards is TIFF’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds from the gala going towards TIFF’s Every Story Fund, which champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in film.

The Tribute Awards have served as an awards-season bellwether, honouring the film industry’s outstanding contributors and their achievements, with past honourees Colman Domingo, Michelle Yeoh, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain, Roger Deakins, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Joaquin Phoenix, Taika Waititi, and Chloé Zhao going on to win awards on the international stage.

The 49th Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 5–15, 2024.

#TIFF: 2024 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL MIDNIGHT MADNESS PROGRAMME

For cult film fanatics that go giddy for the best of the bizarre, the wait is over. Today, the Toronto International Film Festival announces its Midnight Madness lineup for 2024, which will open with the North American Premiere of Coralie Fargeat’s buzzy horror thriller The Substance, starring Demi Moore. The Midnight Madness programme is presented by Intrepid Travel and features five World Premieres amongst the 10 titles that celebrate the best in action, horror, shock, and fantasy cinema with midnight premieres at the historic (and allegedly haunted) Royal Alexandra Theatre.

One of the most beloved programmes of the Festival, this year’s Midnight Madness highlights the wild and the eerie, from body horror to time travel, supernatural comedy to martial arts action, eccentric thrillers to provocative satire, and found footage to horror-themed punk rock. Surrounded by like-minded fans late at night, Midnight Madness filmgoers face the unknown in the company of strangers. A number of TIFF and Midnight Madness alumni are returning this year, including Joseph Kahn (TIFF 2017 People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award winner), Timo Tjahjanto (who last attended in 2016), and Fargeat (whose debut feature premiered at TIFF in 2017).

New this year, we have asked a few TIFF Programmers to share their insights into this year’s films. Watch Midnight Madness Lead Programmer Peter Kuplowsky’s terrifying summary here:

2024 Midnight Madness programme (in alphabetical order):

Dead Mail Joe DeBoer, Kyle McConaghy | USA
Canadian Premiere
Sales Title

Dead Talents Society John Hsu | Taiwan
North American Premiere

Else Thibault Emin | France/Belgium
World Premiere
Sales Title

Escape from the 21st Century Yang LI | China
International Premiere
Sales Title

Friendship Andrew DeYoung | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

Ick Joseph Kahn | USA
World Premiere
Sales Title

It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This Rachel Kempf, Nick Toti | USA
Canadian Premiere
Sales Title

The Gesuidouz Kenichi Ugana | Japan
World Premiere
Sales Title

The Shadow Strays Timo Tjahjanto | Indonesia
World Premiere

OPENING FILM
The Substance Coralie Fargeat | United Kingdom/USA/France
North American Premiere

Today marks the last day of this week’s TIFF Takeovers with another week coming August 6–9. More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF ’24 go on sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on Friday, August 16. For more details, visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released on Tuesday, August 13.

#FIRSTLOOK: TIFF ’24 SELECTION “BIRD” IN THEATRES NOVEMBER 8, 2024

MUBI, the global distributor, streaming service and production company, is pleased to announce that Andrea Arnold’s (American Honey, Fish Tank, Cow) latest feature film Bird, will open theatrically in Canada on November 8, 2024, following its Canadian premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Bird, written and directed by Academy-Award® winner Andrea Arnold, received its World Premiere in Competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Starring BAFTA-winner and Academy-Award® nominee Barry Keoghan (Banshees of Inisherin, Saltburn), Gotham-Award nominee Franz Rogowski (Passages, Great Freedom, Transit), and newcomers Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda, Bird is produced by House Productions (The Iron Claw, The Wonder) and was filmed in the UK around the Kent area. As with Arnold’s previous work, it is an examination of life in the fringes of society. Financiers include BBC Film, the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Pinky Promise, FirstGen Content and Access Entertainment.

12-year-old Bailey lives with her single dad Bug and brother Hunter in a squat in North Kent. Bug doesn’t have much time for his kids and Bailey who is approaching puberty seeks attention and adventure elsewhere.

BIRD WILL BE IN THEATRES IN CANADA ON NOVEMBER 8

ASSETS AVAILABLE HERE

For further information please contact:
Daniel Pansino
mubi@touchwoodpr.com

About MUBI

MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.

MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films, from both iconic directors and emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.

Some recent and upcoming MUBI Releases include: Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ira Sachs’ Passages, Pedro Almodóvar’s Strange Way of Life, Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex, Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, Kevin Macdonald’s documentary High & Low — John Galliano, Rodrigo Moreno’s The Delinquents, Felipe Gálvez’s The Settlers, Aftersun from Charlotte Wells, Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, Lukas Dhont’s Close, and Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman.

MUBI Productions include Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebushpruning starring Kristen Stewart, Josh O’Connor and Elle Fanning, Christopher Andrews’ Bring Them Down starring Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan, Elizabeth Sankey’s Witches, Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ Gasoline Rainbow, and Zia Anger’s My First Film starring Odessa Young and Devon Ross. MUBI Co-productions include Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother starring Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabba, Michel Franco’s Memory starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning starring Léa Seydoux, Ekwa Msangi’s Sundance prize-winner Farewell Amor and Rachel Lang’s Our Men.

Founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, MUBI is the biggest community of film lovers, anywhere. Available across 190 countries, with more than 16 million members around the world. MUBI acquired renowned sales agent and production company The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions in January 2022, and a majority stake in leading Benelux film distributor Cinéart in February 2024.

Subscription plans are $14.99 a month or $119.88 for 12 months, or $19.99 a month or $167.88 for 12 months to include MUBI GO. MUBI is available on the web, Roku devices, Apple Vision Pro, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, as well as on mobile devices including iPad, iPhone and Android.