Hot off its tiff50 Premiere, all episodes of RISE OF THE RAVEN are available on CBC Gem beginning Friday September 19, 2025, following its sold-out North American Premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival.

A Robert Lantos Production

Synopsis:

The lifelong attempt of fearless army commander János Hunyadi to defend Europe against an Ottoman invasion. Torn between family and duty, he re-shapes the history of the continent against geopolitical intrigues within his own ranks.

(Photo credit: The Orbital Strangers Project)

Paul Feig is back with a stellar cast in THE HOUSEMAID. Today we get new character posters for this Cineplex Pictures release, coming to us December 19, 2025.

Directed by: Paul Feig
Based on the Novel by: Freida McFadden
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone
Synopsis: THE HOUSEMAID is a wildly entertaining thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, based on the best-selling book. From director Paul Feig, the film plunges audiences into a twisted world where perfection is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems. Trying to escape her past, Millie (Sweeney) accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power. Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Lionsgate presents, in association with Media Capital Technologies, a Hidden Pictures / Pretty Dangerous Pictures production. Based on the book by Freida McFadden. Screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine. Directed by Paul Feig.

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of genre films. Recent titles include Flight Risk, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Strangers: Chapter 1, The Queen of My Dreams, The Boy and the Heron, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, SAW X, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and John Wick: Chapter 4.

Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner and UofT Hart House are putting on a festive night market in celebration of it!

Here are the details:

Event: Hart House Mid-Autumn Festival Market

Experience an enchanting Mid-Autumn Festival celebration! Enjoy cultural performances, delicious mooncakes and many other amazing food vendors, family activities and lots of fun instagrammable activations, and a bustling marketplace of over 30 local vendors under the glow of the full harvest moon.

Date: Thursday, Oct 2, 2025
Time: 3 pm – 9 pm
Location: Hart House, University of Toronto, St. George Campus (Great Hall, RM 1022, The Quad)

Link to tickets

Pricing:
UofT Students, Hart House Staff – $5
Alumni / UofT Staff – $10
General: $15
Group (4-6 guests) – $35
Children (8 & under) – free

Today, HGTV announced a nationwide call for Canadians to show their small-town pride and nominate their community to be featured in the new Canadian original series Home Town Takeover Canada, set to premiere on HGTV and stream on Citytv+ in fall 2026/winter 2027.

Beginning today, Canadians can visit hometowntakeovercanada.ca to share why their town is deserving of this life-changing makeover.

Previously announced as part of Rogers Sports & Media’s slate of new Canadian original unscripted series for HGTV, Home Town Takeover Canada is the first expansion of the popular U.S. “Home Town Takeover” franchise.

Home Town Takeover Canada is on a mission to spark a nationwide small town revitalization movement, starting with one special town. Inspired by the success of three seasons in the U.S., the new Canadian series will shine a light on a Canadian small town facing real challenges and give it the boost it needs to get back on its feet.

“We’re excited to celebrate and showcase the resilience, heart and deep sense of community rooted in small towns across our country,” said Kale Stockwell, Head of Original Programming, Rogers Sports & Media. “Home Town Takeover Canada will not only revitalize one special town but also share the stories of the people who make the selected town so unique.”

Home Town Takeover Canada will see support from HGTV stars Ben and Erin Napier (Home Town, Home Town Takeover) along with fellow Canadian designers and builders all contributing to make a big impact.

HGTV is looking for a Canadian small town that has a population of 20,000 or fewer and is asking for submissions to include photos and videos of the areas in the community that need the most love, whether it be public parks, main streets, gathering places or changemakers’ homes.

Home Town Takeover Canada is produced by RTR Media and will begin production in 2026. Selected location, host and broadcast details to be announced in the coming months.

About Rogers Sports & Media

Rogers Sports & Media is a diverse sports and content company that engages more than 30 million Canadians monthly. The company’s dynamic portfolio of media assets includes more than 50 radio stations, 67 community TV channels, 31 conventional and specialty television channels and more. Rogers Sports & Media delivers unique storytelling through its range of powerful brands: HGTV, Food Network, Bravo, Citytv, Citytv+, Discovery, ID, OMNI Television, FX, Breakfast Television, 98.1 CHFI, KiSS, CityNews and Sportsnet – Canada’s #1 sports network. Rogers Sports & Media is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX, NYSE: RCI). Visit rogerssportsandmedia.com.

Tickets are now available for the start of the seminars and events at the first annual Toronto Cocktail Festival, taking place across the city from October 22 to 26, 2025. More seminars and events are scheduled to follow in the coming weeks. Watch https://www.thealchemistmagazine.ca/tcf/

Presented by The Alchemist magazine, the festival offers a week of immersive experiences that highlight both the artistry and innovation of cocktail culture. More than just a celebration of cocktails, it’s a destination event that aims to showcase Toronto’s award-winning bartenders, chefs, and brand ambassadors.

At the heart of the festival are its two signature gatherings. THE MAIN TCF EVENT: The Gala of Cocktails takes place on October 24 at Water Works. It will be a glamorous evening featuring more than two dozen cocktail stations, DJ, and a gourmet bar bite plate station, hosted by bartenders and brand ambassadors from the city and around the world.

Also headlining the week is the Neighbourhood Cocktail Crawl, a guided exploration of Toronto’s vibrant bar scene. Each cocktail crawl spans three neighbourhoods, with three featured bars per route. At every stop, guests will be welcomed by a brand ambassador, while bar teams serve a signature cocktail paired with a curated bite. It’s a fun, sip-and-stroll experience showcasing the city’s cocktail creativity, block by block.

The festival concludes on October 26 with the Closing Cocktail Brunch at Reign Restaurant & Bar in the Fairmont Royal York. This lively, gourmet 5-course finale brings imbibers together over inventive brunch cocktails and celebratory fare.

The seminar series introduces guests to some of the most engaging voices in the industry. In The World of Liquid Transformations, Massimo Zitti, the 2022 World Class Bartender of the Year and founder of Mother Cocktail Bar, will guide an in-depth exploration of fermentation and its role in sustainable cocktail programs. Meanwhile, Alex Black’s session, The New Wave of Baijiu, will explore the history and offer a rare opportunity to discover one of the world’s oldest spirits and its new place in modern cocktail culture. Both speakers will be available for media interviews.

Or, step behind the bar at Bar XXX for this Classic Martini Seminar, presented by Tanqueray and led by the one-of-a-kind H. Equal parts education and entertainment, this session takes the martini off its pedestal and explores its many personalities: crisp, dirty, dry, or just plain unexpected. Guests will taste three martinis, each paired with a playful amuse bouche, while H shares stories, techniques, and a few surprises along the way. Come ready to sip, snack, and see the martini in a whole new light.

Beyond the seminars, Toronto Cocktail Festival’s event program offers distinctive experiences that showcase Toronto’s dynamic cocktail scene. Step into No Vacancy for Understanding Umeshu– this multi-course experience spotlights the versatility of Choya Umeshu, from bright highballs to bold, spirit-forward cocktails, each paired with inventive Japanese bites. Expect flavour combinations that range from delicate and refreshing to rich, playful, and unexpected, showcasing why umeshu is more than a liqueur; it’s a canvas for creativity. A night of balance, surprise, and exploration, designed for those who love discovery in every sip and bite. Hosted by CHOYA Brand Representative, Shotaro Ozawa and GM and Beverage Director of No Vacancy, Troy Gilchrist.

The Toronto Cocktail Festival proudly supports the hospitality sector by donating a portion of its proceeds to Mind The Bar, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to mental health.

We recently attended a preview of what to expect:

Toronto’s nightlife is about to change. On Friday September 26, 2025, FYE Ultraclub will open as Canada’s first burlesque inspired ultraclub – a brand-new concept unlike anything Toronto has seen. This sophisticated, high-energy venue is built around world-class burlesque performances, immersive acts, and international DJs.

FYE is located at 7 Saskatchewan Road, Canadian National Exhibition grounds.

With performances on the hour, every hour, FYE offers a nightlife experience that constantly evolves throughout the night, blending elevated service, globally inspired small plates, and striking design with entertainment unfolding all around you.

What to expect at FYE:

-Show-stopping performances throughout the night, from burlesque and aerial acts to unexpected tableside surprises

-Globally inspired small plates by Chef Robert Rainford, paired with signature cocktails

-International DJs rotating throughout the year

More to come! More here.

Forget awkward dating apps and overpriced dinners—this show is the ultimate antidote to the dating blues. The smash-hit comedy HOOKUP is back, and it’s the ultimate interactive experience.

This fully improvised romantic comedy takes the quirks, crushes, and turn-ons of real audience members and spins them into a one-of-a-kind love story. You’ll hook up, break up, live the single life, and fall in love all over again without ever leaving your seat.

Directed by Paul Bates (The Second City, Dan For Mayor), HOOKUP boasts an all-star lineup of Toronto’s funniest comedians, including Christy Bruce (Schitt’s Creek), Alastair Forbes (Join Canada, Eh!), Natalie Metcalfe (The Second City), Aurora Browne (Baroness Von Sketch Show), Jan Caruana (Because News), Sharjil Rasool (Run the Burbs), and Kris Siddiqi (The Boys). With technical wizardry by Seann Murray (Sex T-Rex), this show is a comedic rollercoaster you won’t want to miss.

Looking for love, laughter, or just a fun night with your crew? HOOKUP delivers all the excitement of a first date, minus the awkward silences. So grab your friends, or come solo—you never know who you might meet.

This show is the perfect way to spend your Sunday night. Get your tickets now and make your night one to remember!

HOOKUP live at The Second City
September 21 and October 19
7:30 PM
1 York Street, Toronto

For tickets and information, visit https://www.secondcity.com/shows/toronto/hookup-tor

About The Second City

The Second City is a world-renowned comedy institution known for its groundbreaking work in improvisation and sketch comedy. With a legacy of nurturing top comedic talent, The Second City continues to produce innovative and hilarious shows for audiences worldwide.

Paramount+ announced today that the delightful, family-friendly adventure SMURFS, from Paramount Animation, will arrive on the service on September 16, 2025 in Canada and the U.S.

Hailed as “a great film for the whole family to enjoy” (Jade Carmen Davie / CLICK AND TELL PODCAST), SMURFS blends humor with wholesome, high-stakes fun and follows the beloved characters as they team up to face epic challenges with heart, courage, and comedy.

In SMURFS, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the crew on a daring rescue mission to save Papa Smurf (John Goodman) after he is mysteriously kidnapped by the evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel. The Smurfs team up with new friends on an epic adventure that takes them into the real world, where they discover that their true destiny is to save the universe.

The film features an all-star voice cast including Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, with Kurt Russell and John Goodman.

SMURFS joins additional titles in the franchise available on Paramount+, where subscribers with a penchant for the powder blue pint-sized pals can check out The Smurfs and The Smurfs 2, which feature Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays in live-action roles alongside Hank Azaria as a curmudgeonous Gargamel.

Additionally, Paramount+ is the go-to streaming service for a never-ending offering of family-friendly entertainment, including iconic series like SpongeBob SquarePants and Paw Patrol, as well as blockbusters in the SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES universes.

Paramount Animation Presents in association with Domain Entertainment a Ty Ty and Jay Brown Production: SMURFS, executive Produced by Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary. Produced by Jay Brown, Ty Ty Smith, Robyn Rihanna Fenty and Ryan Harris, p.g.a. SMURFS is based on the characters and works of Peyo, written by Pam Brady and directed by Chris Miller.

SMURFS is rated PG for action, language and some rude humor.

The first 10 pages (the full prologue) of the upcoming Robbie Amell graphic novel, Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City, Vol. 1, are now available as a free download exclusively through the Indiegogo campaign page. This early preview gives fans their first look at the story and artwork from breakout Hellboy artist Alex Nieto, legendary DC/Marvel cover artist Raúl Allen, and visionary X-Men graphic designer Tom Muller, as the campaign heads into its final stretch on Indiegogo.

The campaign is being managed by Collective Digital, the same team behind the record-breaking Code 8 Indiegogo film campaign in 2019, which raised $3.4M and became one of the platform’s biggest successes.

Additional details:

The gritty sci-fi universe of the Code 8 films is expanding from screen to page with the launch of the graphic novel, Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City, Vol. 1. To officially introduce this new installment in the Code 8 saga, star and producer Robbie Amell (Upload, The Flash, Code 8) will make a special appearance at FAN EXPO Canada in Toronto on Saturday, Aug. 23. Fans will get an exclusive first look at the artwork, story direction, and hear behind-the-scenes insights during a highly anticipated Code 8 panel.

Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City is being brought to life through a crowdfunding campaign, launching tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 23, on Indiegogo.com. Fans looking to get in on the action early can sign up now and receive an exclusive discount on a signed hardcover of the graphic novel.

Connor Reed as depicted in the new graphic novel Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City

Created by Robbie Amell, Stephen Amell, Jeff Chan, and Chris Paré, the Code 8 franchise began as a short film in 2016 and quickly grew into a fan-fuelled phenomenon. Its 2019 Indiegogo campaign raised over $3.4 million, making it the platform’s second-biggest film project ever, and sparked a passionate global following for its grounded, unflinching take on a superpowered underclass. That groundbreaking campaign was run by the team now known as Collective Digital, who are reuniting with the creators to launch this next chapter and once again put fans at the heart of the story.

“Code 8 has always felt bigger than just a film,” said Robbie Amell. “Getting to tell my character’s origin story as a graphic novel is such a full-circle moment for me. And the best part is, we get to do it alongside the fans who made this world a reality.”

“With Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City, we’re not just telling a single story – this is the launch of a new era that expands the Code 8 universe far beyond the screen,” said director and co-creator Jeff Chan. “The graphic novel opens the door to new characters, deeper histories, and untold stories. It’s the first step in a much bigger journey for both the series and its fans,” said writer and producer Chris Paré.

“At Indiegogo, we celebrate creators who dare to bring bold visions to life. The success of the Code 8 campaign helped redefine what’s possible for independent original storytelling,” said Julie dePontbriand, CEO, Indiegogo. “We’re proud to back that momentum with Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City and continue empowering the fans to help shape the future of the franchise.”

Featuring breakout Hellboy artist Alex Nieto, legendary DC/Marvel cover artist Raúl Allen, and visionary X-Men graphic designer Tom Muller, the series is written by Tom Selenow, with creative oversight from the original Code 8 filmmakers. Code 8: Tales of Lincoln City, is the first volume in a must-read graphic novel series that explores the origin stories of Connor, key characters from the film, and Lincoln City itself.

Fans who back the campaign will have access to exclusive perks, including:

Digital, softcover, and hardcover versions of the graphic novel, only available through the campaign

Comics and trading cards signed by Robbie Amell

Their name immortalized in the credits of the comic

Their likeness drawn into the comic as a citizen of Lincoln City

The legendary El Mocambo is turning up the volume on philanthropy with Music That Moves, a new concert series supporting Canadian charities. The series launches October 16, 2025 with Canadian rock icons Loverboy, with funds raised from opening night supporting the highest priority needs at SickKids.

Future editions of Music That Moves will spotlight world-class talent while raising funds for a range of Canadian causes, combining unforgettable nights of live music with meaningful community impact.

“SickKids has a special place in the hearts of Canadians,” said Dr. Shilpa Madon, Director of Philanthropy at El Mocambo. “This series is about bringing people together through music and giving back.”

With only 350 spots available, fans will experience Loverboy up close in one of Canada’s most iconic venues. Tickets are $200 for general admission and $300 for VIP seating, on sale September 16 at www.elmocambo.com.

“This partnership with the El Mocambo is a wonderful example of how community and culture can come together to support our mission to heal the future,”said Jennifer Bernard, President & CEO, SickKids Foundation. “We are so grateful to our incredible community partners for rallying for SickKids to champion child health.”

Funds raised will provide unrestricted support to SickKids, enabling the hospital to respond with agility to its most urgent needs and to continue leading the way in paediatric care and research.

In addition to its performance spaces, the El Mo is a premier destination for private events, birthdays, weddings and branded experiences. Its state-of-the-art recording studio and production facilities make it one of the most vibrant and versatile event spaces in the country.

“The El Mocambo isn’t just a venue, it’s a cultural institution,” said Mike Chalut, Executive Director of El Mocambo. “We’re rolling out the green carpet under the neon palms and creating a space where Canadian icons, international stars, and emerging artists all share the same stage. The El Mo is about unforgettable nights, endless memories, and a legacy that will shine for another 80 years.”

For more information, visit elmocambo.com and follow on social: Instagram and Facebook

About The El Mocambo
An icon of Canadian music history, Toronto’s El Mocambo has hosted legendary performances from The Rolling Stones, U2, Blondie, and many more. Today, the El Mo continues its legacy of world-class music while expanding its role as a hub for community impact.

About SickKids Foundation:

SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and has raised more than $3 billion since 1972. Thanks to the generosity of the community, it is the largest charitable funder of child health care, research and learning in Canada. This incredible philanthropy has helped fuel advancements in paediatric health and contributed to SickKids’ Newsweek ranking as the number one specialized paediatric hospital in the world. Precision health for every child is the future. At SickKids, it’s already begun. Join us at HealtheFuture.ca.