Contrada, ranked eighth in Toronto Life’s Best New Restaurants list for 2024, is celebrating by launching a new brunch menu and opening its patio doors in time for the summer season.

Last night, Contrada participated in Toronto Life’s Best Restaurants 2024 event alongside the other winning restaurants across the city. Partners Patrick Groves, Jessie Mak and Chef de Cuisine Mike Vieira served their mouth-watering Ricotta Gnocchi with fresh pesto and Calabrian chili to the 1,000 guests at Evergreen Brick Works.

“Contrada was brought to life by industry veterans and trusted friends coming together to make our dream a reality,” said Vieira. “We are incredibly thankful to have been recognized by Toronto Life as one of the best new restaurants in the city and we had an incredible night celebrating.”

To welcome the warmer weather, Contrada has begun seating guests in the restaurant’s two semi-enclosed patios. The patios accommodate up to 50 guests cocktail style and are comfortably heated during cooler evenings. Located on the corner of College St. and Euclid Ave., patrons dine against the lively backdrop of Little Italy while delighting in unique flavours such as their popular Agnolotti ($27) made with smooth chicken liver, rich mascarpone, aged balsamic, cippolini onion, and squash and apple for a touch of sweetness; or their best-selling Cod ($41) served on white beans alongside juicy scallops, fresh artichokes and Tuscan kale.

Contrada’s extensive beverage menu features the perfect summer cocktails including the Contrada Spritz ($17), a perfectly balanced drink made with a base of skin contact wine, prosecco, Cocchi Rosa, akvavit, and tart sumac with tangy pomegranate. The Army Brat ($21) crafted with Tanqueray gin, Teremana tequila, Cocchi Bianco, IPA Orgeat, Nepeta Majora, vincotto and lemon is the drink that will be on repeat all season. Each wine at Contrada has been selected by Patrick Groves, general manager and sommelier at Contrada, for both quality and flavour, from Italian classics to rosés, orange wines, and a variety of sparkling options, making a robust wine list of mostly Italian wines with a focus on sustainably produced wines.

Contrada has also released a newly curated brunch menu featuring breakfast dishes finished with an Italian kiss such as the creamy Breakfast Carbonara ($17), a reinvented classic pasta dish topped with crispy bacon and a poached egg. Guests can also enjoy the decadent Croque Contrada ($22) layered with roasted pork shoulder, prosciutto, mustard, provolone, fonduta and finished with a perfectly fried egg; or their French Toast But Italian ($19), made for those with a sweet tooth, served with Nutella, whipped ricotta, figs, and a drizzle of 100 per cent Canadian maple syrup.

The brunch menu also features brand new signature cocktails such as the Italian Coffee ($18) with Montenegro, Bocale Grappa, Branca Menta, sweet vanilla and cream; or the Contrada Caesar ($18), crafted with vodka, Clamato, colatura di alici, and a blend of pepperoncini, Calabrian chili and lime. Guests looking to enjoy a non-alcoholic drink can sip on Star Witness ($12), a juicy combination of basil, olive oil, cinnamon, lime and grapefruit; or Imposter Syndrome ($13), a fresh blend of cranberry, beet, peach, ginger and tonic for a delicious mocktail.

To learn more about Contrada or book a reservation, visit contradarestaurant.com or connect on Instagram: @contrada.to

Additional imagery of Contrada’s patios and brunch dishes can be found: HERE

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday – Saturday: 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday: Closed

More about Contrada
Contrada is a new Italian-inspired restaurant in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood located at 537 College St. The name Contrada, Italian for district or ward, is a homage to the Contrada team proudly representing the Little Italy neighbourhood and a place where good food and wine can be found. Patrick Groves serves as General Manager and Sommelier, Jessie Mak holds the position of Assistant General Manager and Lead Designer and Mike Vieira heads the kitchen as Chef de Cuisine. Together, they bring an impressive resume full of experience at some of Toronto’s most prominent establishments including Alo and alobar Yorkville, Lee Restaurant, Brothers Food & Wine, Giuletta, Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie and Aburi Hana.

About Chef Mike Viera
After pursuing culinary education at George Brown College, Mike Viera began his career at some of the most prominent dining establishments in Toronto, working as Garde Manger and Expediter at Susur Lee’s eponymous Lee restaurant, followed by a formative role as Saucier at Susur’s Bent. Viera has opened three restaurants with Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants as Executive Sous Chef simultaneously in North York’s Bayview Village: Beauty Barbecue & Smokehouse, where he brined, cured, and smoked his way through the intricacies of Southern American BBQ; and Parcheggio and Village Loft. Currently at Contrada as Chef de Cuisine, Viera returns to his first love – Italian food – interpreting this most essential of cuisines for the modern North American guest, and incorporating all the love, the technique, and the confident playfulness he’s developed in his already long and storied career in gastronomy.

Attendees at Amazon’s inaugural upfront presentation this morning in New York City were transported back to Middle-earth as Prime Video unveiled a first look at the upcoming second season of the hit series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The series’ first season was an unprecedented global success and one of the top original series for Prime Video, viewed by more than 100 million people worldwide, and driving more Prime sign-ups worldwide during its launch window than any other previous content to date.

Prime Video also announced that Season Two will debut globally on Thursday, August 29, 2024, in more than 240 countries and territories in multiple languages.

Stunning new Season Two key art was also revealed today, featuring the return of Charlie Vickers in the role of Sauron, one of the world’s greatest literary villains, appearing in a new form – one that will aid him in deceiving the denizens of Middle-earth.

The debut teaser trailer takes viewers on an action-packed journey back to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Second Age, and shows the ascending evil presence of Sauron as he continues his vengeful quest for complete power. Showcasing the cinematic splendor that the series is known for, and heralding the return of many fan favorite characters, including Galadriel, Elrond, Prince Durin IV, Arondir, and Celebrimbor, this first-look also reveals the much-anticipated creation of more Rings.

In Season Two of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on Season One’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.

From producer M. Night Shyamalan comes “The Watchers,” written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and based on the novel by A.M. Shine. The film follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist, who gets stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland. When Mina finds shelter, she unknowingly becomes trapped alongside three strangers who are watched and stalked by mysterious creatures each night. You can’t see them, but they see everything.

“The Watchers” stars Dakota Fanning (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Ocean’s Eight”), Georgina Campbell (“Barbarian,” “Suspicion”), Oliver Finnegan (“Creeped Out,” “Outlander”) and Olwen Fouere (“The Northman,” “The Tourist”). The film is produced by M. Night Shyamalan, Ashwin Rajan and Nimitt Mankad. The executive producers are Jo Homewood and Stephen Dembitzer.

Joining writer/director Shyamalan behind-the-camera are director of photography Eli Arenson (“Lamb,” “Hospitality”), production designer Ferdia Murphy (“Lola,” “Finding You”), editor Job ter Burg (“Benedetta,” “Elle”) and costume design by Frank Gallacher (“Sebastian,” “Aftersun”). The music is by Abel Korzeniowski (“Till,” “The Nun”).New Line Cinema presents “The Watchers,” set to open in theatres in Canada on June 7, 2024; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Heartstopper season 3 is coming to Netflix on October 3rd! Netflix today announced the date that fans have been waiting for, along with a short clip from the upcoming season. The asset is accompanied by an exclusive snippet of the track BIRDS OF A FEATHER from the upcoming album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish.

Please see all Heartstopper S3 information at: Tudum.com

About Heartstopper S3
Charlie would like to tell Nick that he loves him. Nick also has something important to say to Charlie. As the summer holiday ends and the months race on, the friends begin to realise that the school year will come with both its joys and its challenges. As they learn more about each other and their relationships, plan social events and parties and start thinking about university choices, everyone must learn to lean on those they love when life doesn’t go to plan.

Launch Date: October 2024

Episodes: 8

Creator/Writer: Alice Oseman

Director: Andy Newbery

Based On The Book Series: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Executive Producers: Patrick Walters, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Alice Oseman, Euros Lyn

Key Cast: Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Jenny Walser, Rhea Norwood, Leila Khan

Production Company: See-Saw Films

Great news DOWNTON ABBEY lovers! A third film is on the way and we have some details!

-Focus Features and Carnival Films are thrilled to announce the third film in the beloved Downton Abbey franchise.
-The third film is written by Downton creator and Academy-Award® winner Julian Fellowes.
Produced by BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning Gareth Neame, Fellowes and BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning Liz Trubridge.
-BAFTA and Emmy Award nominee Simon Curtis is returning to direct after helming 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era.
-Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera, Douglas Reith return for the third film, alongside exciting new additions, Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, Simon Russell Beale, Arty Froushan, and many other fan favorites.
-Giamatti is reprising his role as Cora Grantham’s brother Harold Levinson. He joins the film on the heels of his Oscar® nominated performance in Alexander Payne’s award-winning comedy, The Holdovers.
-Dominic West will also reprise his role as Guy Dexter from Downton Abbey: A New Era.
-The film is a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing. Carnival Films is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Paramount+ today debuted the official trailer and key art for the upcoming original South Korean psychological thriller series PYRAMID GAME. All 10 episodes will premiere on Thursday, May 30, 2024 on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

In PYRAMID GAME, Seong Su-ji is a new student at the Baekyeon Girls’ High School. Between the bullies, her studies, and the fight for popularity, high school already feels like a game of survival for Su-ji. But when she’s introduced to a ranking system that chooses class outcasts via secret vote, Su-ji must decide whether to accept her status and its violent fallout or lead an uprising against the Pyramid Game.

PYRAMID GAME stars actors Kim Jiyeon (Twenty-Five Twenty-One), Jang Da A, RYU DA IN, Shin Seul Ki and Kang Na Eon. The series is directed by Bak So Yeon (The Heavenly Idol) and written by Choi Sui.

Following the critically acclaimed BARGAIN and A BLOODY LUCKY DAY, PYRAMID GAME is the next project developed by Paramount+ and TVING through a partnership between Paramount and the leading entertainment company CJ ENM. In Korea, Paramount+ is a branded zone within TVING, a CJ ENM-affiliated streaming platform with current operations in Korea. The deal also allows Korean content to flow to Paramount’s overseas streaming operations. PYRAMID GAME is produced by Film Monster and CJ ENM STUDIOS and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Caribbean, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latin America, South Korea, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

If this doesn’t say OSCARS, I don’t know nothing. NIGHTBITCH is written for the screen and directed by Marielle Heller (A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD) and stars Amy Adams. Recently, we got confirmation the release date for this will be December 6, 2024 via Searchlight Pictures.

Today we get a new Poster!

NIGHTBITCH is based on the novel by Rachel Yoder and is about a woman who pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom, but soon her domesticity takes a surreal turn!

(Photo credit: Searchlight Pictures)

A huge opening for KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES debuting with a smashing $50 million from 4,075 theatres for 20th Century Studios. The Blockbuster starring Owen Teague, Kevin Durand and Freya Allan gets 80% on the Tomatometer. Best franchise opening still goes to 2014’s DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES with $72 million.

Second is THE FALL GUY with $14.5 million, a total $50.5 million gross over two weekends for Universal Pictures.

In third we have CHALLENGERS with $5 million, taking it to $38.3 million over three weekends for Warner Bros.

Fourth is TAROT with $3.4 million, a two week tally of $12 million for Sony Pictures.

Rouding this Top Five out is the resilient GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE, with $3 million, a total run of $192 million domestically for Warner Bros.

Charli XCX today releases ‘360’ – the fourth track taken from her highly anticipated forthcoming new album ‘BRAT’.

You can listen HERE and watch the Aidan Zamari-directed video HERE.

The blockbuster video stars an impressive all-star cast of friends and collaborators including Julia Fox, Chloë Sevigny, Gabbriette, Alex Consani, Rachel Sennott, Emma Chamberlain, A. G. Cook, Hari Nef, Isamaya Ffrench, Matisse Andrews, Quenlin Blackwell, Sakura Bready, Chloe Cherry, Greer Cohen, Anna Collins, Blizzy McGuire, Tess McMillan, Salem Mitchell, Peri Rosenzweig, Richie Shazam and Niki Takesh.

‘BRAT’, Charli’s eagerly awaited sixth studio album, will be released on Friday 7th June and promises to be an exhilarating club record built around high art references and social commentary. The album includes the hit single ‘Von dutch’ – the brash and synth heavy first taste of the record – alongside recent releases ‘Club classics’ and ‘B2b’.

You can pre-order ‘BRAT’ HERE and pre-save ‘BRAT’ HERE.

In support of ‘BRAT’, Charli will be embarking on her biggest ever headline shows in arenas throughout the UK in November and December. Charli is also teaming up with longtime collaborator Troye Sivan for their highly anticipated co-headline US arena tour ‘Charli XCX & Troye Sivan Present: Sweat’, including a newly announced second show at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Tickets can be found HERE.

Charli threw a momentous Boiler Room in New York’s Brooklyn in February to launch the ‘BRAT’ campaign with A. G. Cook, George Daniel, Finn Keane and Doss. The show broke the record for the most ever RSVPs to a Boiler Room event, with over 40k people registering to attend. Featuring special guest appearances from the likes of Addison Rae and Julia Fox, the show has easily become one of the viral moments of the year. You can watch the full stream of ‘Boiler Room & Charli XCX Presents: PARTYGIRL’ HERE.

Alongside her new album, Charli has been working on multiple film & TV projects following the breakout success of her Barbie soundtrack contribution ‘Speed Drive’ last year. She is co-executive producing the score for the A24 film ‘Mother Mary’ with Jack Antonoff and also producing original music for Benito Skinner’s series ‘Overcompensating’ on Prime Video. In addition, Charli will star in the Daniel Goldhaber remake of 1978 cult horror film ‘Faces of Death’.

Avant-pop and electronic superstar Charli XCX has become an iconic figure in the arts, having helped expand the landscape of popular music over the last decade by seamlessly traversing the underground and mainstream with her artistic output. Over the course of a trailblazing career, the multi-hyphenate creative has earned critical acclaim for her innovative style and entrepreneurial spirit and seen her forward-thinking approach reshape pop culture in the process.

Her lasting impact was cemented last year when Charli was honoured with the Visionary Award at the annual Ivor Novellos in London, while she also received the Powerhouse Award at Billboard’s Women In Music ceremony in March and the ASCAP Global Impact Award earlier this week.

‘BRAT’ Tracklist:

1. 360

2. Club classics

3. Sympathy is a knife

4. I might say something stupid

5. Talk talk

6. Von dutch

7. Everything is romantic

8. Rewind

9. So I

10. Girl, so confusing

11. Apple

12. B2b

13. Mean girls

14. I think about it all the time

15. 365

Charli XCX 2024 Tour Dates:

Sat 01/06/24 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera (Live) – Sold Out

Fri 07/06/24 – London, UK – Outernet (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out

Tue 11/06/24 – New York, NY – Knockdown Center (Live) – Sold Out

Wed 12/06/24 – Chicago, IL – Radius (Live) – Sold Out

Sat 15/06/24 – Los Angeles, CA – Shrine (Live) – Sold Out

Wed 19/06/24 – Mexico City, Mexico – Club Loo Loo (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out

Fri 21/06/24 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Club Zig (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out

Fri 28/05/24 – Somerset, UK – Glastonbury Festival (PARTYGIRL DJ Set) – Sold Out

Sat 14/09/24  – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena

Mon 16/09/24 – Montreal, QC – Place Bell

Wed 18/09/24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena

Fri 20/09/24 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena

Mon 23/09/24 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

Wed 25/09/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Thu 26/09/24 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena

Sat 28/09/24 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

Mon 30/09/24 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Wed 02/10/24 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

Thu 03/10/24 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena

Sat 05/10/24 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center

Sun 06/10/24 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center

Wed 09/10/24 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

Fri 11/10/24 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Sun 13/10/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center

Tue 15/10/24 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

Wed 16/10/24 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

Fri 18/10/24 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena

Sun 20/10/24 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center

Tue 22/10/24 – Portland, OR – Moda Center

Wed 23/10/24 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Wed 27/11/24 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Arena

Thu 28/11/24 – London, UK – The O2

Fri 29/11/24 – Birmingham, UK – Resorts World Arena

Mon 02/12/24 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Arena

Telefilm Canada is supporting 24 film festivals, under the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program (first round of decisions), for a funding total of $1.3 million.

Telefilm’s Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program provides financial support to long-established medium to large-scale Canadian film festivals that help promote Canadian films and talent and stimulate demand for our multiscreen content.

As a partner of choice, Telefilm is committed to advancing the development of the industry and reaching audiences where they are. Through this program, Telefilm supports film festivals across the country and remains committed to
equity, diversity, and inclusion to foster and support an industry that is representative of all communities in Canada. Further funding decisions will be announced later this year.

List of all Medium to Large-Scale film festivals supported by Telefilm (starting between October 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025):

·2024 Devour! The Food Film Fest

·2024 Forest City Film Festival

·2024 IFFSA Toronto

·2024 image+nation. festival

·2024 Reelworld Film Festival

·2024 St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival

·2024 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

·2024 Vancouver Asian Film Festival

·2024 Whistler Film Festival

·2024 Windsor International Film Festival

·2025 Available Light Film Festival

·2025 Halifax Black Film Festival

·2025 Kingston Canadian Film Festival

·2025 Toronto Black Film Festival

·2025 Victoria Film Festival

·Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski 2025

·Festival de films francophones CINEMANIA 2024

·Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue 2024

·Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie 2024

·Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal 2025

·Festival International du Film sur l’Art 2025

·Festival REGARD 2025

·Les Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma 2025

·Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal 2024

These funding decisions were made as part of the promotion program modernization, which began in 2021 in collaboration with the industry, to allocate funding more efficiently and transparently. As
announced in September 2022, the promotion program has been segmented by the type of activity into different funding programs to better meet different needs and to meet clear criteria, and further refinements to the program have been done for this year’s program. For the Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program, internal representatives evaluated the applications with the input of external advisors to ensure fair and equitable evaluations.