Although still with more to come here is the official Talent List for who will be in the City for the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival! In addition to this In Conversations-With featuring Angelina Jolie, Javier Bardem, Gael Garcia Bernal and Helen Mirren also have been announced!
Who are you most excited for? This truly is star-studded! â
Navigate the list of Talent by hovering left and right over gallery below:
#TIFF17 runs Thursday, September 7 through September 16, 2017.
The complete schedule for the Festival now is live and you can view it right here.
(Photo credit: TIFF)
By SiobhĂĄn Rich and Mr. Will Wong
Now in its 42th edition, the Toronto International Film Festival is set to go Thursday, September 7 – Sunday, September 17, 2017. Normally seen as a major precursor to Awards Season culminating in the Academy Awards, the Festival showcases several of the Films that will go on to prominence and glory in the coming months and also rare Films which may not ever be seen again outside the festival circuit. Cinema Lovers had plenty to rejoice today as the first batch of TIFF ’17 Films were announced this morning at TIFF Bell Lightbox! Several highly-buzzed Films and their stars will be gracing the Festival this year which takes over the City post-Labour Day.
International star of silver screen and television Priyanka Chopra has the honour of being this year’s TIFF Soiree Guest. Â The Gala is held on the Festival’s opening night. The Closing Night Gala has been unveiled as SHEIKH JACKSON starring Ahmad El-Fishawi and Ahmed Malek.
Cameron Bailey TIFF Artistic Director (sans pocket square) says, “You may have noticed we love movies in Toronto. And the world has noticed also.”. “If you’re somewhere in public and hear a titile you’re excited for, don’t squeal.”. And we certainly have much to squeal for this year!
TIFF ’17 will play host to several high-profile Films and many are talking about Angelina Jolie‘s two Films at the Festival. She serves as Director on FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER and Producer on THE BREADWINNER. Could we be seeing her this year?
Megastar George Clooney returns to TIFF with Crime Comedy SUBURBICON, this time as Director. The Film stars Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Julianne Moore.Â
Matt Damon stars also in Toronto-made DOWNSIZING from Alexander Payne (Sideways)Â which also appears at the Festival.
Margot Robbie and Allison Janney are getting tons of Oscar buzz for I, TONYA, a Biopic about disgraced Figure Skater Tonya Harding and the controversy surrounding her conspired attack against opponent Nancy Kerrigan.
SUBMERGENCE is a Thriller from Win Wenders, based on J.M. Ledgard‘s Novel of the same name and stars Academy Award-winner Alicia Vikander and James McAvoy.Â
Andy Serkis makes his directorial debut with romantic drama BREATHE starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy.
THE CURRENT WAR stars red-hot Tom Holland and fan favourite Benedict Cumberbatch, centering on Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse‘s competing to create a sustainable power system and marketing it to Americans.
Stars donât come more accomplished than Glenn Close who costars with Christian Slater in THE WIFE about a woman who makes the difficult decision to leave her husband.
Elle Fanning and Maisie Williams star in the highly-anticipated biopic about the first lady of horror fiction MARY SHELLEY.
From the director of TIFF ’15âs Mustangs comes KINGS starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig about a foster family in South Central in the aftermath of the Rodney King trial.
Fans of the incredible Annette Benning will be sure to line-up early to see her in FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL co-starring Jamie Bell about a young actor who falls for his leading lady.
Starring Guy Pearce and Paul Rudd THE CATCHER WAS A SPY marks the triumphant return of Director Ben Lewin to TIFF.
Directed by Indie darling Greta Gerwig and starring Saoirse Ronan, LADY BIRD will open the Special Presentations section.
VICTORIA AND ABDULÂ reunites Judi Dench with her TIFF ’13Â selection Philomena Director Stephen Frears.
THE SQUARE is sure to be a big with fans of Elisabeth Moss and director Ruben Ăstlund as they visit the issue of more courage and egocentricity.
HOSTILES brings Black Mass Director Scott Cooper back to TIFF with powerhouse actors Christian Bale and Rosamund Pike.
DISOBEDIENCE Rachel Weisz produces and stars along with Torontonian Rachel McAdams in this story about a woman returning to her Orthodox Jewish home.
THE CHILDREN ACT from the pen of Atonement Scribe Ian McEwan and starring Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci comes a Movie that feels very relatable with headlines in the UK right now.
MOM AND DAD (stars Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair) â a pair of siblings must survive the mass hysteria that ensues over 24 hours as their parents inexplicably attack them.
REVENGE (stars Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz and Jevin Janssens)
GREAT CHOICE (stars Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector) â a woman gets stuck in a Red Lobster commercial.
LET THE CORPSES TAN (Elina Löwensohn and Stéphane Ferrara), an Adaptation of the 1971 Crime Thriller by Jean-Patrick Manchette and Jean-Pierre Bastid.
Untitled Kevin Hart/Bryan Cranston Project also stars Nicole Kidman and is rumoured to be a remake of the massive 2011 hit The Intouchables.
Emma Stone, who attended last year for La La Land en route to winning an Oscar, and Steve Carrell join forces in BATTLE OF THE SEXES, based on the true story of the famed 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Some Trailers from this year’s Films:
BORG/MCENROE (stars Shia LaBoeuf and Sverrir Gudnason) – OPENING NIGHT GALA
BATTLE OF THE SEXESÂ (stars Emma Stone and Steve Carell)
SUBURBICONÂ (directed by George Clooney)
MOTHER! (stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem)Â
BRAD’S STATUS (stars Ben Stiller and Austin Abrams)
THE BREADWINNERÂ (produced by Angelina Jolie)
THE SHAPE OF WATERÂ (stars Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon)
BREATHEÂ (stars Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy)
CALL ME BY YOUR NAMEÂ (stars Armie Hammer)
TIFF’s Documentary Programme also was highlighted today and some higher-profile titles include Opening Night Film GRACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT AND BAMI, BOOM FOR REAL: THE LATE TEENAGE YEARS OF JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, ERIC CLAPTON: LIFE IN 12 BARS, THE FINAL YEAR (features Barack Obama and John Kerry), THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ANDRĂ (as in AndrĂ© Leon-Talley), JIM & ANDY: THE GREAT BEYOND (centes on Jim Carrey and Andy Kaufman), JANE (on conservationist Jane Goodall), SAMMY DAVIS JR. I’VE GOTTA BE ME and SUPER SIZE ME 2: HOLY CHICKEN!. The Programme’s Closing Night Film is MAKALA.
UPDATE 8/9/17:
Canadian titles have been announced for TIFF ’17 and they include: Alanis Obomsawinâs Our People Will Be Healed, Alan Zweigâs There is a House Here, Simon Lavoieâs The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches (La petite fille qui aimait trop les allumettes, Mina Shumâs Meditation Park; Robin Aubertâs Les AffamĂ©s, Ingrid Veningerâs Porcupine Lake; Pat Millsâ Donât Talk to Irene; Oscar nominee Kim Nguyenâs Eye on Juliet; Adam MacDonaldâs Pyewacket; Denis CĂŽtĂ©’s Ta peau si lisse (A Skin So Soft); and Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencierâs Long Time Running.
An announcement also was made on TIFF ’17‘s Rising Stars and they are: Daniel Doheny, Mary Galloway, ThĂ©odore Pellerin and Ellen Wong.
UPDATE 8/15/17:
Some additional Galas and Special Presentations for TIFF â17 were announced today and there definitely are some great ones including Toronto-made directorial debut for Oscar-winning Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, MOLLYâS GAME and KODACHROME from Director Mark Raso.
GALAS added include:
55 STEPS is a patientsâ rights Drama starring Helena Bonham Carter and Hilary Swank.
CHAPPAQUIDDICK follows the derailment of Ted Kennedyâs political career after the death of political strategist Mary Jo Kopechne, starring Jason Clarke and Kate Mara.
THE LEISURE SEEKER follows a couple who go on an unforgettable journey in their RV of the same name as the Filmâs title, starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland.
THREE CHRISTS stars Richard Gere and Peter Dinklage, centering on a doctor treating three paranoid schizophrenic patients, each believing they are Jesus Christ.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS added include:
THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER follows a teenagerâs attempts to bring a brilliant surgeon into his dysfunctional family. It stars Nicole Kidman, Alicia Silverstone, Barry Keoghan and Colin Farrell.
KODACHROME (made in Toronto) is set in the final days of the photo development system of the same name. Stars Elizabeth Olsen, Ed Harris and Jason Sudeikis.
JOURNEYâS END stars Sam Claflin and Asa Butterfield, about a group of British officers in World War I, led a young officer who is mentally disintegrating.
I LOVE YOU, DADDY, Funnyman Louis C.K.âs first feature Film in over 16 years, also stars him as a Producer and Writer. ChloĂ« Moretz also stars in the black and white Film.
THE FLORIDA PROJECT is about a six-year-old and her friends and their wonder-filled summer. It stars Willem Dafoe a Brooklynn Prince.
THE ESCAPE follows an ordinary woman who makes an extraordinary decision one day that changes her life. Stars Gemma Arterton and Dominic Cooper.
THE CURED is about a disease that turned people into zombies having been cured. The once-infected zombies then get rejected from society and their families. Stars Ellen Page and Sam Keeley.
LEAN ON PETE is about a boy who moves to Oregon to begin a new life and befriends a horse trainer and failing racehorse. Stars Steve Buscemi, Chloe Sevigny and Travis Fimmel.
LOVING PABLO has real-life couple Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz playing Pablo Escobar and Virginia Vallejo.
MICHAEL JACKSONâS THRILLER 3D, preceded by MAKING OF MICHAEL JACKSONâS THRILLER.
MOLLYâS GAME (made in Toronto) is about an Olympic skier who ran the most exclusive high-stakes poker game, becoming an FBI target. Stars Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
MARK FELT â THE MAN WHO BROUGHT DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE is about the man who went by the name âDeep Throatâ to help journalists uncover the Watergate Scandal. Stars Julian Morris, Liam Neeson and Diane Lane.
ON CHESIL BEACH centers on a young coupleâs honeymoon, set in the â60s. Stars Saoirse Ronan and Billy Howle.
OUTSIDE IN has Laggies and Your Sisterâs Sister Director Lynn Shelton returning to TIFF ’17 with her latest effort.
REDOUBTABLE centers on French Director Jean-Luc Godardâs romance with 17-year-old Anne Wiazemsky. From Oscar-winning Director Michel Hazanvicius.
UNICORN STORE has Oscar-winner Brie Larson making her directorial debut. She also stars in it and it is about a woman who receives a mysterious invitation which fulfills her childhood dreams.
WHO WE ARE NOW is about a woman sentenced to ten years in prison and she hires a young public defence lawyer to help her children. Stars Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts.
What didn’t make the cut or yet get announced?Â
We heard a lot of great titles but not all the Movies on our Wish List were mentioned. The most anticipated and buzzed-about Movie this morning was the Denis Villeneuve-directed Blade Runner 2049. With a Canadian Director and Canadian Ryan Gosling as its star, Blade Runner 2049 seems like a strong guess for future TIFF ’17 announcements. Staying strong on the Can-Con front we were surprised not to hear Xavier Dolanâs The Death and Life of John F Donovan at todayâs press conference. What is TIFF without a Movie starring Ethan Hawke? To check that TIFF Bingo box weâd like to suggest Paul Schraderâs First Reformed costarring Amanda Seyfried. Already in town for the Festival will be Julianne Moore who stars in Todd Haynesâ Wonderstruck, based on the book by Hugo scribe Brian Selznick. Wonder Wheel from Director Woody Allen starring Kate Winslet (who is in town for The Mountain Between Us) and Justin Timberlake.
Stay tuned. There definitely will be more…
For more, visit the Toronto International Film Festival website here.
(Photo credit: Paramount Pictures/Fox Searchlight/Elevation Pictures)
Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes to see TIFF â16 selection, GIANTS OF AFRICA! Included with the win are official T-Shirts from the Film!
Synopsis:
A native of Nigeria, Masai Ujiri’s love for basketball paved his way to becoming the first African- born General Manager for a major North American sports team and he never forgot his roots, or the opportunities presented to him. Giants of Africa exists to create those same opportunities for not only African youth, but also for coaches and mentors who go back to their own homeland to influence future generations. What began simply as a basketball camp in one African country has now spread across four nations: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda.
See the Trailer:
Artwork:
The Prize Pack:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. This giveaway is open to Toronto only.
Elevation Pictures release GIANTS OF AFRICA exclusively at Cineplex Events Cinema (Yonge & Dundas, Toronto) Friday, April 7, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)
Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Run-of-Engagement Passes in Canada to see PERSONAL SHOPPER starring Kristen Stewart. Â The TIFF ’16 selection was one of our favourites of the Festival.
Synopsis:
Kristen Stewart reunites with director Olivier Assayas (Clouds of Sils Maria) for this artful ghost story about a young woman trying to reconnect with the spirit of her departed brother.
Trailer:
Artwork:
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook.
Mongrel Media release PERSONAL SHOPPER in select cities Friday, March 24, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)
Filmed right here in Vancouver, COLOSSAL won big raves at TIFF ’16. Since then it has gotten distribution in the U.S. from newly-created NEON and it premiered at Sundance yesterday where it won more accolades.  An April release date has been set for the Sci-Fi/Action/Thriller/Comedy starring Jason Sudeikis, Dan Stevens and Anne Hathaway.
Synopsis:
After losing her job and boyfriend in New York, Gloria (Hathaway) moves back to her home town and is shocked to discover that the catastrophic events hitting Earth are somehow connected to her mental state.
See the Trailer:
Cannot wait to see this!
We’ll NEVER forget meeting Hathaway at TIFF ’16!
Amazing Anne. #AnneHathaway #Colossal #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
NEON release COLOSSAL Friday, April 7, 2017.
(Photo/video credit: NEON)
One of our favourite TIFF bashes annually is the UniFrance Party, held at The Fifth Social Club. While the Red Carpets during the Festival are very Hollywood-centric, this one event stretches the scope of the Festival to include French-language Film. Several high-profile names graced the Carpet at the Party this year including iconic actress Isabelle Huppert and auteur Filmmakers like Paul Verhoeven, François Ozon and Olivier Assayas. Legendary French actress AgnÚs Varda who was a dear friend of the late Jim Morrison, also attended in a rare appearance.
The Cocktail Party is brought to us by the Centre National du CinĂ©ma et de l’Image AnimĂ©e (CNC), MinistĂšre des Affaires EtrangĂšres et du DĂ©veloppement International (MAEDI), MinistĂšre de la Culture et de la Communication, Institut Français, Procirep, Mairie de Paris, Air France, Lacoste, m0851 and Renault Nissan.
See some Snaps from the glamorous bash!
François Ozon
Karolina Gruszka
Amanda Brugel
Paul Verhoeven + Isabelle Huppert
AgnĂšs Varda
Olivier Assayas
Andréa Grau (Touchwood PR) + Kristian Bruun
Olivier Assayas + Isabelle Huppert
Isabelle Huppert + Bavo Defurne
Jean-Paul Salomé (UniFrance President), Isabelle Huppert + Piers Handling (Director + CEO, TIFF)
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
It’s so hard to believe we’re only a couple days away from the end of what has been a memorable TIFF ’16! Highlights tonight around town included our v. own Jacob Tremblay and Vera Farmiga walking the Red Carpet for BURN YOUR MAPS at Ryerson Theatre, plus Lily James, Jai Courtney and Oscar Winner Christopher Plummer walking the Red Carpet for the World Premiere of THE EXCEPTION at VISA Screening Room. Rooney Mara also walked the Carpet at her third Film of the Festival, THE SECRET SCRIPTURE, at Princess of Wales Theatre.
See some of our sightings:
Lily James, THE EXCEPTION
Christopher Plummer, THE EXCEPTION
Â#ChristopherPlummer at #TIFF16 for #TheException.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Jai Courtney, THE EXCEPTION
Peter Gallagher
ÂSo awesome seeing #PeterGallagher today! #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
While TIFF ’16 begins to wind down, we still are seeing some quality Films premiere. At VISA Screening Room, we have Rebecca Hall in what Critics are calling a riveting performance in CHRISTINE, baaed on real events surrounding a reporter who commit suicide on-air. Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver also brought starpower to Ryerson Theatre for (Re)ASSIGNMENT. Gerard Butler is set too to walk the Red Carpet at Roy Thomson Hall for Toronto-made THE HEADHUNTER’S CALLING. Meanwhile, Rooney Mara walks the Red Carpet at Princess of Wales for UNA.
Michelle Rodriguez, (Re)ASSIGNMENT
Sigourney Weaver, (Re)ASSIGNMENT
Â#SigourneyWeaver making a low-key escape to her #ReASSIGNMENT Premiere. #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Jacob Tremblay, BURN YOUR MAPS
My favourite!!! #JacobTremblay back at #TIFF16 for #BurnYourMaps.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
LeeHom Wang, Concert Documentary + Performance
Rebecca Hall, CHRISTINE
ÂThe beautiful and elegant #RebeccaHall. #ChristineMovie #TIFF16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
The Canadian Film Fest in association with the Directors Guild of Canada always throw the most relaxed and fun-filled parties during TIFF and this year was no exception! With no VIP section and a strict âno posers, just hosersâ policy in effect, this yearâs SoirĂ©e was spread across two floors at the iconic DRAKE HOTEL.
The fashionable Canuck Glitterati feasted on luxurious poutine, cupcakes, craft beers, wines and ciders and munched from huge bowls of a variety of flavours of the addictive Miss Vickieâs chips strewn throughout. And when special guest DIRECTOR X took over the DJ duties, inhibitions were lost and everyone danced to the classics from Prince to Michael Jackson from a booth decorated with retro radios, tuners and speakers.
After an evening of talking about whatâs and whoâs been seen at TIFF ’16, all guests left with a swag bag that included wild socks from GOTSTYLE, tea from GENUINE TEA and goodies from M0851.
Another great evening from the hosts with the mosts!
(Photo credit: George Kozera)
Telefilm Canada and Birks joined forces once again this year to honour 12 Canadian Women in Film at the Birks Diamond Tribute. Â Honourees were selected based on their accomplishments at home and abroad. Held traditionally during TIFF, the event took place tonight at the Shangri La Hotel in a dazzling display of fashion among many of Toronto’s top social influencers and screen talents.
Notables celebrating the affair included Nolan Funk, Kris Holden-Reid, Stacey Mackenzie, Tracy Moore, Steven Lund, Amanda Brugel, The Property Brothers, Kiesza, Eric Johnson and several more.
I am honoured to be among a jury of 20 who selected this year’s recipients of the Birks Diamond Tribute and together we selected the following brilliant women:
Amanda Crew
Tracey Deer
Caroline Dhavernas
Emma Donoghue
Ann Marie Fleming
Christine Horne
April Mullen
Sandra Oh
Jennifer Podemski
LĂ©a Pool
Ann Shin
Marie Vien
See some Snaps from the Affair:
(Photo credit: Birks/Mr. Will Wong)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com