#FIRSTLOOK: “YOUR FRIEND, NATE BARGATZE” SPECIAL COMING TO NETFLIX

Hot off hosting SNL this past weekend. Nate Bargatze also has a Netflix Comedy Specials on the way! The first of two specials arrives December 24, 2024!

Executive Producers of Your Friend, Nate Bargatze: Nate Bargatze, John Irwin, Alex Murray, Tim Sarkes
Director of Your Friend, Nate Bargatze: Ryan Polito
Production Company of Your Friend, Nate Bargatze: John Irwin Entertainment
Premiere Date of Your Friend, Nate Bargatze: December 24, 2024
About the Special: Back for his third Netflix comedy special, Nate Bargatze brings his humor to discuss wanting a second dog, how much pizza to order for guys night, his wife being the responsible one, and more.

Nate Bargatze Bio:
Hailed as “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” by The Atlantic Magazine and “One of the Funniest People,” by CBS Morning, Grammy nominated comedian, podcaster, director and producer Nate Bargatze is selling out shows and breaking venue attendance records with more than 1.2 million tickets sold on his The Be Funny Tour. He is currently the #1 earning comedian in the world according to Pollstar’s recent report, and #12 in overall live tour tickets sales, putting him in the company of Coldplay, Madonna and U2.

Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live last weekend, to rave reviews with Vulture.com asking the question, “Has Nate Bargatze Cracked The SNL code?” This Fall, Nate will co-produce a holiday Variety special with Lorne Michaels for CBS. Last week, Bargatze also announced his new book from Grand Central Publishing, “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories From A Simpler Mind”, set to be published in May 2025.

In 2023, Bargatze broke the attendance record at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The next month, he also broke the record for tickets sold at The Delta Center in Salt Lake City – the highest amount ever sold by a comedian at the venue. In 2024 he broke 20 total arena records.

Nate’s first solo one-hour Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, premiered globally with rave reviews in 2019. In 2021, he released his critically acclaimed second Netflix special, The Greatest Average American, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album. In 2023, Nate released his latest and third one-hour special, Nate Bargatze: Hello World, on Amazon Prime which now holds the record as Amazon’s most-streamed original comedy special in its first 28 days of viewership.

Bargatze was recently signed to Universal Music Group Nashville as their flagship comedian under their new Capitol Comedy label. He also recently performed two sold out shows at The Hollywood Bowl with Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan and Sebastian Maniscalco.

Bargatze’s comedy is both clean and relatable, evident in his 13 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the most appearances by any comedian. He also appeared on Conan four times and has appeared on Seth Meyers and James Corden’s respective late night shows.

Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time in 2023, earning rave reviews and securing high ratings for the program, with Vanity Fair calling him, “A Great Saturday Night Live Host,” and Entertainment Weekly exclaiming, “A frighteningly funny Halloween episode.”

In 2023, Bargatze unveiled Nateland Entertainment, a family friendly content company where he produces standup comedy specials, showcases, sketches, and scripted episodic content for film, television, podcasts, music and more.

Bargatze is currently on tour with all new material. For more information and tickets go-to: https://natebargatze.com/

#FIRSTLOOK: TRAILER FOR “THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG”

TIFF ’24 selection THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG will soon hit theatres in Canada via Elevation Pictures. Today we get a new Trailer.

Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof
Starring Misagh Zare, Soheila Golestani, Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Niousha Akhshi, Reza Akhlaghi, Shiva Ordooei, Amineh Arani

Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof’s award-winning thriller, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realizes that his job is even more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan.

#FOOD: KOST THANKSGIVING MENU 2024

As Thanksgiving approaches, Kost is offering not only the City’s most scenic view, but also a special limited-time Thanksgiving menu in your upcoming roundups.

Their $89 set menu offers a delicious variety, including roasted butternut squash soup, turkey with all the trimmings, glazed carrots, and a delectable pumpkin pie to finish. Plus, we’re offering a signature cocktail, the “Harvest Moon Sour,” to add a festive touch.

Please see below for menu:

Here for reservations and more.

#FIRSTLOOK: “BORN HUNGRY” TO PREMERE OCTOBER 21, 2024 ON CRAVE CANADA

A new Trailer has arrived for HOT DOCS ’24 selection BORN HUNGRY from Director Barry Avrich. It arrives October 21, 2024 on Crave Canada.

Trailer here.

Synopsis:

Sash Simpson, who went from street kid in India to one of North America’s most sought after chefs, is the subject of a new feature documentary BORN HUNGRY, that will be released on Crave in Canada on October 21st. The film premiered to SOLD OUT crowds at festivals across North America and was directed by Barry Avrich and produced by Mark Selby, and award-winning actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Purple Pebble Pictures).

An inspiring true story brought to life, BORN HUNGRY is a gritty yet life-affirming human drama about a young Indian boy who finds himself abandoned by his family in rural India, lost on trains and thousands of miles from home. Ultimately rescued and adopted by a Canadian family, Sash Simpson, now a Toronto based celebrity chef returns to India armed with only blurry memories to find his lost family and reclaim his Indian roots. BORN HUNGRY is a raw, true and important story with a huge heart that deals with identity and cultural heritage that The New York Times called Slumdog Millionaire meets Lion.

“Sash’s story immediately captivated me, presenting a stunning opportunity to not only showcase India but to also capture his journey and his profound passion for finding his family and himself. At Purple Pebble Pictures, we are grounded by the mission of leveraging the power of cinema to tell global stories that shift people’s perspectives, and I am immensely proud of our collaboration on this project.” – Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Producer

“I have always loved the brilliantly colorful storytelling from India and the vibrancy of iconic Bollywood filmmaking. When I discovered this story, I was immediately struck by the passion and complexity of this emotional journey” – Barry Avrich, Director, Producer

BORN HUNGRY premiered at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival, screened at Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto to three sold out audiences.

Written and Directed by
Barry Avrich

Producers
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Mark Selby
Barry Avrich, p.g.a.

Executive Producers
Jay Hennick
Mark Selby
Barry Avrich

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW FEATURETTE FOR “GLADIATOR II”

A new Featurette has arrived for GLADIATOR II titled “MAKING OF AN EPIC”. This eagerly awaited follow-up to the 2000 Oscar-sweeper arrives in theatres November 22, 2024 via Paramount Pictures Canada.

SYNOPSIS

From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY:

Walter Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Raymond Kirk, Aidan Elliott

PRODUCED BY:

Douglas Wick, p.g.a., Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Lucy Fisher, p.g.a., Michael Pruss, p.g.a., David Franzoni

BASED ON CHARACTERS BY:

David Franzoni

STORY BY:

Peter Craig and David Scarpa

SCREENPLAY BY:

David Scarpa

DIRECTED BY:

Ridley Scott

STARRING:

Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “A COMPLETE UNKNOWN”

A new Trailer has arrived for A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, in theatres this Christmas.

Synopsis:

Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the ballad of a true original. A Film by James Mangold. Co-starring Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro.

Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician BOB DYLAN’s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.

A Film By James Mangold.

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, Norbert Leo Butz, Dan Fogler, and Scoot McNairy.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER SEASON 2 of “THE DIPLOMAT”

Netflix releases the official trailer for season two of The Diplomat, premiering October 31, 2024. Only on Netflix.

The hit political drama returns for its second season with Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell at the helm – with higher stakes, wider scope and one very impressive Vice President (Allison Janney).

About The Diplomat Season 2
The call is coming from inside the house.

A deadly explosion in the heart of London shatters US Ambassador Kate Wyler’s world (Keri Russell). Struggling to rebuild the lives that broke and the team that split apart, Kate’s worst fears unfold: The attack that brought her to the UK didn’t come from a rival nation, it came from inside the British government. As Kate chases the truth, her only real ally is her almost-ex-husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), very much alive, and very much involved. She faces a fraught marriage, a complex dynamic with British Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and a threatening visit from Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney).

Stately homes. State secrets. High treason. High tea. From Creator, Showrunner, and Executive Producer Debora Cahn, the Emmy-nominated series THE DIPLOMAT returns for a second season. Janice Williams, Alex Graves, and Keri Russell serve as Executive Producers. Also starring Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh.

Series Launch Date: Thursday, October 31 at 12:00 AM PT
Creator / Showrunner / Executive Producer: Debora Cahn
Executive Producers: Janice Williams, Keri Russell, Peter Noah, Alex Graves
Starring: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh
Additional Cast: Celia Imrie, Michael McKean, Nana Mensah, Miguel Sandoval
Guest Starring: Allison Janney

#FIRSTLOOK: 2024 GOVERNOR GENERAL’S LITERARY AWARDS (GGBOOKS) FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The Canada Council for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2024 finalists in the Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks). These prestigious awards celebrate works published in Canada, in both official languages, across seven categories, and include books for readers of all ages.

“At the Canada Council for the Arts, we are delighted to celebrate the announcement of the 2024 Governor General’s Literary Awards finalists. These extraordinary books are not just stories—they are works of art that offer readers immersive and enriching experiences. Each of the creators has crafted something truly special, inviting us to see the world from a new perspective. We hope readers will embrace these works with the appreciation they deserve as enduring contributions to our literary and cultural heritage.”

— Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts

Following a rigorous process, the peer assessment committees convened by the Canada Council have selected 70 books published in Canada over the last year as the 2024 finalists.

Mark your calendars
The 14 winners will be announced on ggbooks.ca on November 13, 2024.

About the GGBooks
Founded in 1936, the Governor General’s Literary Awards are some of the oldest and most prestigious literary prizes in Canada, with a total annual prize value of $450,000.

The Canada Council for the Arts has funded, administered and promoted these awards since 1959.
Finalists are selected by category-specific, language-based peer assessment committees (seven in English and seven in French). This year, the committees considered eligible books published between August 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

The writers, translators and illustrators whose books are selected as the winner in a given category receive a $25,000 prize. Publishers receive $3,000 to promote the winning book; finalists receive $1,000 each.

English-language finalists for 2024 (seven categories)
Fiction
Code Noir – Canisia Lubrin (Whitby, Ontario), Knopf Canada (Penguin Random House)
Empty Spaces – Jordan Abel (Edmonton, Alberta), McClelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House Canada)
The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle: Vol. 1: A True and Exact Accounting of the History of Turtle Island – Kent Monkman, Gisèle Gordon (Toronto, Ontario (both)), McClelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House Canada)
Her Body Among Animals – Paola Ferrante (Toronto, Ontario), Book*hug Press
Naniki – Oonya Kempadoo (Montréal, Quebec), Dundurn Press

Poetry
The Work – Bren Simmers (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island), Gaspereau Press
Precendented Parroting – Barbara Tran (Toronto, Ontario), Palimpsest Press
The All + Flesh – Brandi Bird (Burnaby, British Columbia), House of Anansi Press
Sonnets from a Cell – Bradley Peters (Chilliwack, British Columbia), Brick Books
Scientific Marvel – Chimwemwe Undi (Winnipeg, Manitoba), House of Anansi Press

Drama
I Forgive You – Scott Jones, Robert Chafe (Scotsburn, Nova-Scotia / St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador), Playwrights Canada Press
New – Pamela Mala Sinha (Toronto, Ontario), Playwrights Canada Press
The Green Line – Makram Ayache (Toronto, Ontario), Playwrights Canada Press
Shorelines – Mishka Lavigne (Gatineau, Quebec), Playwrights Canada Press
There Is Violence and There Is Righteous Violence and There Is Death, or the Born-Again Crow – Caleigh Crow (Calgary, Alberta), Playwrights Canada Press

Non-fiction
Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir – Danny Ramadan (Vancouver, British Columbia), Viking Canada (Penguin Random House)
Becoming a Matriarch – Helen Knott (Fort St. John, British Columbia), Knopf Canada (Penguin Random House)
The Walls Have Eyes – Petra Molnar (New York City, United States), The New Press
The Age of Insecurity – Astra Taylor (Saugerties, United States), House of Anansi Press
Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre – Niigaan Sinclair (Winnipeg, Manitoba), McClelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House Canada)

Young People’s Literature – Text
Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams – Shari Green (Campbell River, British Columbia), Andrews McMeel Publishing
A Crane Among Wolves – June Hur (Scarborough, Ontario), Feiwel and Friends (MacMillan Publishers)
Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix – Cherie Dimaline (Midland, Ontario), Feiwel and Friends (MacMillan Publishers)
Crash Landing – Li Charmaine Anne (New Westminster, British Columbia), Annick Press
Mortified – Kristy Jackson (Corman Park, Saskatchewan), Harper Collins Canada

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books
I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf – Danielle Daniel, Matt James (Little Current, Ontario / Toronto, Ontario), Tundra Books (Penguin Random House Canada)
The Gulf – Adam de Souza (Vancouver, British Columbia), Tundra Books (Penguin Random House Canada)
Do You Remember? – Sydney Smith (Halifax, Nova Scotia), Groundwood Books
Skating Wild on an Inland Sea – Jean E. Pendziwol, Todd Stewart (Thunder Bay, Ontario / Montréal, Quebec), Groundwood Books
One Giant Leap – Thao Lam (Toronto, Ontario), Owlkids Books

Translation (from French to English)
So Long Sad Love – Aleshia Jensen (Montréal, Quebec), Drawn and Quarterly; translation of Adieu triste amour, by Mirion Malle
The Hollow Beast – Lazer Lederhendler (Montréal, Quebec), Biblioasis; translation of La bête creuse, by Christophe Bernard
Sadie X – Aimee Wall (Montréal, Quebec), Book*hug Press; translation of Sadie X, by Clara Dupuis-Morency
Morel – Melissa Bull (Montréal, Quebec), Baraka Books; translation of Morel, by Maxime Raymond Bock
Nights Too Short to Dance – Katia Grubisic (Montréal, Quebec), Second Story Press; translation of Un cœur habité de mille voix, by Marie-Claire Blais

French-language finalists for 2024 (seven categories)
Fiction
Lait cru – Steve Poutré (Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, Quebec), Éditions Alto
De grandes personnes – Mathieu Rolland (Montréal, Quebec), Les Éditions du Boréal
La version qui n’intéresse personne – Emmanuelle Pierrot (Montréal, Quebec), Le Quartanier
Le compte est bon – Louis-Daniel Godin (Montréal, Quebec), La Peuplade
Muette – Pascale Beauregard (Montréal, Quebec), Les Éditions du Boréal

Poetry
Soleil sans heures – Olyvier Leroux-Picard (Cookshire-Eaton, Quebec), Poètes de brousse
poème dégénéré – névé dumas (La Pêche, Quebec), L’Oie de Cravan
Les couteaux dans ma gorge ne sont pas des fruits de mer – Annie Landreville (Rimouski, Quebec), Poètes de brousse
L’air fou – Jonas Fortier (Montréal, Quebec), L’Oie de Cravan
Lettres au ciel blanc – Emmanuel Simard (Lac-Mégantic, Quebec), Poètes de brousse

Drama
Ciseaux – Geneviève Labelle, Mélodie Noël Rousseau (Montréal, Quebec (both)), Éditions du remue-ménage
La dernière cassette: Un portrait d’André Brassard – Olivier Choinière (Montréal, Quebec), Atelier 10
Wollstonecraft – Sarah Berthiaume (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions de Ta Mère
Ornithorynques – Johanne Parent (Bathhurst, New Brunswick), Éditions Perce-Neige
Rose – Isabelle Hubert (Québec City, Quebec), L’instant même

Non-fiction
Hors jeu: Chronique culturelle et féministe sur l’industrie du sport professionnel – Florence-Agathe Dubé-Moreau (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions du remue-ménage
Noir satin – Stanley Péan (Montréal, Quebec), Les Éditions du Boréal
Oser l’humour éthique: De Socrate à Virginie Fortin – Jérôme Cotte (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions Somme toute
Porter plainte – Léa Clermont-Dion (Saint-Lambert, Quebec), Le Cheval d’août
Une abeille suffit: Carnet d’observation d’un jardin urbain – Geneviève Boudreau (Québec City, Quebec), Éditions du Noroît

Young People’s Literature – Text
Carreauté Kid – Marc-André Dufour-Labbé (Montréal, Quebec), Leméac Éditeur
Déménager au ciel – Jean-Guy Forget, Mélodie Bujold-Henri (Montréal, Quebec (both)), la courte échelle
Une bulle en dehors du temps – Stéfani Meunier (Montréal, Quebec), Leméac Éditeur
Envole-toi, Mikun – Moira-Uashteskun Bacon (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions Hannenorak
Les quatre vérités – Dominique Chicoine (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec), Les Éditions du Boréal

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books
Histoires fantastiques (et peut-être vraies) – Caroline Merola (Montréal, Quebec), la courte échelle
Jour d’orage – Marianne Ferrer (Montréal, Quebec), Monsieur Ed
Le fil d’Alphée – Marie-Andrée Arsenault, Dominique Leroux (Montréal, Quebec / Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec), Les éditions la Morue verte
Le premier arbre de Noël – Ovila Fontaine, Charlotte Parent (Maliotenam, Quebec / Bécancour, Quebec), Éditions de la Pastèque
Margot veut une moustache – Iris Boudreau, Richard Écrapou (Montréal, Quebec (both)), Les Éditions de la Bagnole

Translation (from English to French)
Ristigouche: Le long cours de la rivière sauvage – Éric Fontaine (Montréal, Quebec), Les Éditions du Boréal; translation of Restigouche: The Long Run of the Wild River, by Philip Lee
Charlie Muskrat – Daniel Grenier (Québec City, Quebec), Éditions Hannenorak; translation of Charlie Muskrat, by Harold Johnson
Cours vers le danger – Madeleine Stratford (Ottawa, Ontario), Les Éditions du Boréal; translation of Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory, by Sarah Polley
La messagère – Sophie Voillot (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions Alto; translation of The Book of Rain, by Thomas Wharton
Mourir pour la cause : révolution dans le Québec des années 1960 – Alexandre Fontaine Rousseau (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions Pow Pow; translation of Are You Willing to Die for the Cause? Revolution in 1960s Quebec, by Chris Oliveros

Makeup of the 2024 English-language peer assessment committees
Fiction: Chris Eaton, Francesca Ekwuyasi and Jen Ferguson

Poetry: Kathryn Mockler, Heather Nolan and Tolu Oloruntoba

Drama: Kevin Kerr, Marcia Johnson and Kamila Sediego

Non-fiction: Jordan Abel, Robyn Maynard and Mary Soderstrom

Young People’s Literature – Text: Sarah Everett, Louisa Onomé and Ken Setterington

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books: Kyrsten Brooker, Shauntay Grant and Kevin Sylvester

Translation (from French to English): Peter Feldstein, Jessica Moore and Anne-Marie Wheeler

Makeup of the 2024 French-language peer assessment committees
Fiction: Michael Delisle, Andrée Michaud and Maya Ombasic

Poetry: Bathélemy Bolivar, Virginie Chaloux-Gendron and Daria Colonna

Drama: Madeleine Blais-Dahlem, Antoine Côté Legault and Anne-Marie Olivier

Non-fiction: Marie-Andrée Lamontagne, Pierrot Ross-Tremblay and Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny

Young People’s Literature – Text: Mario Brassard, Christine Sioui Wawanoloath and Élise Turcotte

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books: Clément de Gaulejac, Diane Obomsawin and Isabelle Picard

Translation (from English to French): Jeannot Clair, Danielle LeBlanc and Nésida Loyer

About the Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.”

The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes and payments contribute to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene and support its presence across Canada and abroad. The Council’s investments foster greater engagement in the arts among audiences in Canada and internationally.

#FIRSTLOOK: “CINEMA A TO Z: COSTUMES” COMING TO HOLLYWOOD SUITE

Film fans can turn to Hollywood Suite for fashion inspo this November with the exclusive broadcast premiere of Cinema A to Z: Costumes. The popular Hollywood Suite original series continues November 7, 2024 at 9pm ET with a new hour-long episode featuring an expertly curated selection of iconic apparel in film. Viewers can also catch the show on Hollywood Suite On Demand starting November 1, 2024.

The history of costumes in Hollywood is a vibrant one that reflects the evolution of film and societal trends. Cinema A to Z: Costumes seeks to celebrate these sartorial achievements, singling out 26 memorable moments from films such as Marie Antoinette (2006), Black Panther (2018), The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Velvet Goldmine (1998).

“From Dorothy’s ruby-red slippers to vampires cloaked in Yves Saint Laurent, from the far reaches of Wakanda to the surreal unreality of The Matrix, costume design in film is pivotal to cinematic worldbuilding,” says the always fashionable Hollywood Suite Producer of Originals and co-writer of Cinema A to Z, Alicia Fletcher. “Cinema A to Z: Costumes highlights iconic looks throughout cinematic history and celebrates the designers behind some of our most cherished fashion on film moments.”

Many titles explored in Cinema A to Z: Costumes can be enjoyed on Hollywood Suite, including Marilyn Monroe showcases Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955), latex-clad dramedy Irma Vep (1996), and the sportswear-forward Kill Bill films.

About Hollywood Suite

Hollywood Suite owns and operates four exclusive HD channels featuring the iconic movies that defined the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s, plus essential Hollywood classics from the Golden Age, always uncut and commercial-free. With hundreds of movies every month on four HD channels and Hollywood Suite On Demand, Hollywood Suite provides unparalleled value to consumers. Hollywood Suite is available to over 10 million households across Canada, exclusively through Canadian television service providers, Amazon Prime Video Channels, and Freedom Mobile. Visit hollywoodsuite.ca for more information.

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA AND THE TALENT FUND WELCOME 17 NEW TEAMS TO TALENT TO WATCH PROGRAM

Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund are pleased to welcome 17 new film teams through the Talent to Watch Program with an investment of $3.45 million. The new selection of first-feature films from across the country highlights the dynamic and distinctive storytellers from different regions, markets and communities.

“The Talent to Watch Program continues to be a driving force for discovering the remarkable talent that thrives within our country,” Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada. “This year’s teams represent the voices of both the present and future of Canada, and we are excited to see their bold imagination brought to life in every frame. We are proud to champion the next generation of storytellers as they enrich our creative economy.”

“Through the Talent Fund, we get to empower the next generation of storytellers that shape the stories we see on screen,” Sandi Treliving, Chair of the Talent Fund Advisory Committee. “We’re so thankful to our generous donors – from Vancouver to Regina, Toronto to Halifax – whose steadfast contributions ensure that the Talent Fund can continue its vital mission: investing in the future of Canadian and Indigenous filmmakers.”

Here are the projects selected under the streams of the Talent to Watch Program:

Indigenous Stream

Under this stream, all key members of the creative team must be Indigenous.

Houseboat (science fiction / fantasy)

Director and screenwriter: Jerry Wolf

Producer: Adeline Bird

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Industry Partner Stream

For projects that are recommended by a designated industry partner. 

Danse Laurence! (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Laura Marroquin-Éthier

Producer: Francesca Rubartelli Barcenas

Province: Quebec

Language: French

Partner organization: National Institute of Image and Sound (INIS)

EXP (drama)

Director: Ted Sakowsky

Screenwriter: Ed Sakowsky

Producers:  Momo Daud and Katarzyna Anielak

Executive Producer: Joseph Sindaha

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Partner organization: York University

Meat (science fiction/fantasy)

Director: Ryan Steel

Screenwriters: Ryan Steel and Sean Henderson

Producer: Sean Maheux Galway

Province: Manitoba

Language: English

Partner organization: Winnipeg Film Group

Festival Selection Stream

For emerging filmmakers who have directed a short film that was selected at a recognized film festival. 

Hair Or No Hair (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Janessa St. Pierre

Producer: Mariam Barry

Province: British Columbia

Language: English

Hue & Cry (drama-comedy)

Director and screenwriter: Maziyar Khatam

Producers: Tyler Mason and Anya Chirkova

Executive Producer: Guy Maddin

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Filmmaker Apply-Direct Stream

Under this stream, all key members of the creative team must be Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, women, gender-diverse individuals, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities; and/or members of an Official Language Minority Community.

Alice (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Mélissa Savoie-Soulières

Producer: Sophie Gagnon-Bergeron

Province: Quebec

Language: French

Cette Terre m’appellera Maître (documentary)

Director, screenwriter and producer: Katia Café-Fébrissy

Executive Producer: Alexandrine Torres de Figueiredo

Province: Ontario

Language: French and Creole

Civilian (documentary)

Director and producer: Raya Hamdan

Screenwriters: Mazin Almusharaf and Raya Hamdan

Province: Ontario

Language: English and Sudanese Arabic

External Neighbours (science fiction/fantasy)

Director and screenwriter: Anna Maguire

Producers: Erin Carter and Anna Maguire

Executive Producers: Anaëlle Béglet, Jeanne-Marie Poulain – Art et essai

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Fios da Terra (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Kayla Fragman

Producer: Amélie Tremblay

Executive Producer: Dominique Dussault

Province: Quebec

Language: Portuguese (Azorean dialect), French and English

Homewrecker (drama)

Director: Simon Paluck

Screenwriter: Caleb Harwood

Producer: Graeme D. Blyth

Province: Ontario

Language: English

Les Priants (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Martine Gignac

Producer: Evelyne Lafleur Guy

Province: Quebec

Language: French

MARCHEUSES (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Carlos Cortés

Producers: Hippolyte de Chanlaire and Nathalie Guérard

Province: Quebec

Language: French, English and Algonquin

Puddy Tat (drama)

Director and screenwriter: Kaytlyn Turner

Producers: Kyla Ferrier and Kevin Dong

Province: Alberta

Language: English

Requiem For A Sad Girl (thriller)

Director and screenwriter: Maude Michaud

Producers: Jen Viens and Maude Michaud

Executive Producer: Philip Kalin-Hadju

Province: Quebec

Language: English

Uninvited (documentary)

Director and screenwriter: Rose Katché

Producer: Mérédith Gonzalez-Bayard

Province: Quebec

Language: French and English

Telefilm received a high volume of applications under the Talent to Watch Program for the fiscal year 2024-2025, with 150 projects assessed representing nearly $35 million in funding requests.

Statistics on all films funded in the year will be released once all funding decisions have been made.

An advisory committee of external and internal representatives assessed the projects and made recommendations to Telefilm. The decision-making process considered Telefilm’s goal of fostering a diversity of voices in the industry, ensuring that Telefilm funds a balanced portfolio of productions that reflect a variety of genres, budgets and company sizes, regions of the country and points of view. Names of selection committee members will be published on the Project Financing Advisory Committees webpage once all funding decisions have been made.     

Quotes from past Talent to Watch recipients:

Receiving anchor financing from the Talent Fund for my debut feature film, In Flames – was absolutely transformational. The fund recognizes the challenges faced by early-stage creators, and empowers them to take risks on projects that might otherwise never see the light of day. In Flames went on to be the first film from the Talent Fund to be selected at Cannes, and later won the Canadian Screen Award for Best First Feature. This journey began with the Talent Fund believing in the film, and I hope will continue to be the place for generations to come – where the first spark for Canadian filmmakers is ignited! – Zarrar Kahn

Being a Talent to Watch recipient has easily been the most significant leap forward in my filmmaking journey. The Talent Fund funding my first feature film DO I KNOW YOU FROM SOMEWHERE? allowed me to make a film I’m incredibly proud of, but also allowed me to create something that has opened doors for me in this industry. I’m so excited for what the future holds and Talent to Watch has been a crucial first step in what I hope to be a long and accomplished career. – Arianna Martinez

The Talent Fund has helped me considerably in moving to the next level of my career; it has also strengthened my voice and shown my abilities as a director. – Jason Karman

About Telefilm Canada   

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund raises private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Telefilm_Canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.   

About the Talent Fund  

The Talent Fund is a national donation initiative dedicated to the impact and longevity of first-time filmmakers’ careers from across Canada. Igniting career paths in cinema, the Talent Fund invests in emerging talent and provides support to build their professional portfolios, fosters community and knowledge-sharing through professional mentorship, and prioritizes emerging creators from historically underrepresented communities. Funds raised are invested in Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program – a career accelerator and launchpad – which helps the next generation of storytellers contribute to a thriving Canadian film industry. Since 2012, the Fund has supported over 199 film projects, brought to life by more than 400 emerging artists (writers, producers, and directors) and has financed films that have earned over 200 awards worldwide. Individual donors, family foundations, corporations and sponsors invest in the Talent Fund as they believe in the power of storytelling through film, and the impact this program has on the careers of emerging artists. To learn more about the Talent Fund or to make a donation, visit thetalentfund.ca