Alice Halsey (she/her) (Lessons in Chemistry, Days of Our Lives) will play Laura Ingalls. Everyone sees themselves in Laura. That’s why these books endure. Laura is a disruptor. Honest to a fault. Questions authority. She’s our window into this adventure. An American icon in waiting. Forget your modern ideas of childhood — the stakes are high for children living in the 19th century. They have responsibilities — and freedoms — that seem extraordinary in this era of helicopter parenting. Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery. She is observant, tender, strong-willed, hot-tempered. She resists the bounds of 19th-century ladylike behavior — she likes to run barefoot and feel the sun on her face. She is curious and optimistic and fearless, like her father; resourceful and hardworking and honest, like her mother. She is quick to call out anyone who is cruel or unjust. She loves fiercely and unapologetically and is utterly devoted to her dog, Jack. She rubs some adults the wrong way — too many hard questions, too much personality, too much energy — but to the people who matter, she’s a bright light. She absorbs every detail she sees around her, collecting them for stories she will someday share with the world. (Series Regular)

Alice Halsey Bio

About Little House on the Prairie

Logline: Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier

Showrunner/Executive Producer: Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Boys, Vampire Diaries, Archive 81)

Executive Producers: Joy Gorman Wettels for Joy Coalition, Trip Friendly for Friendly Family Productions, Dana Fox, Susanna Fogel

Directors: Sarah Adina Smith is set to direct the first episode.

Studio: Produced by CBS Studios and Anonymous Content Studio

Since its original publication in the 1930s, the LITTLE HOUSE book series and brand has remained a constant in the global zeitgeist. The classic novels have sold over 73 million copies in more than 100 countries, translated into at least 27 languages. Most recently, 50 years after the 1974 show first debuted, Nielsen reports that fans of all generations have embraced the nostalgic show garnering an astonishing 13.25 billion minutes of viewing in 2024 alone.

Follow along the Little House on the Prairie journey online: Tudum.com, Little House Website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, Youtube, X.

(Photo credit: Joanna Degeneres)

The Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival returns this May 23 to June 1, 2025, marking 35 years of celebrating bold, brilliant and trailblazing queer cinema from Canada and around the world.

The festival’s milestone edition was unveiled last night at a special launch event at Toronto’s historic Paradise Theatre. A full house of film lovers and industry insiders gathered to get a first look at this year’s programming.

Inside Out 2025 promises a rich cinematic journey with 28 feature films and 69 shorts representing over 20 countries. Screenings will be held at TIFF Lightbox, and films will also be available online across Ontario.

Opening this year’s festival is the Canadian Premiere of Outerlands, the striking debut feature from Elena Oxman, fresh off its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival where it earned a coveted Grand Jury Award nomination. This deeply resonant drama follows Cass, who finds themself unexpectedly caring for their longtime crush’s 11-year-old daughter, an experience that forces them to confront the unresolved trauma of their own turbulent childhood. Closing out the festival is the Canadian Premiere of The Best Friend, a heartfelt Brazilian gem that explores the quiet ache of reconnection, as two best friends reunite after five years apart. Amid the swirl of change, the spark of an old feeling flickers back to life.

“We are thrilled to welcome audiences back for the 35th annual Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival.” said Elie Chivi, Executive Director of Inside Out. “In a challenging landscape for film festivals and queer organizations, we are profoundly grateful to our members, donors, and partners. Their unwavering loyalty and support make this festival possible and help propel us into the future.”

“For our anniversary, we looked back to move forward—honouring the iconic films and filmmakers that shaped us, while championing bold new voices from around the world,” said Jenna Dufton, Festival Director of Inside Out. “After 35 years, one thing remains true: Inside Out is where we come together to reflect, to advocate, and to ensure 2SLGBTQ+ stories are seen. This year’s Festival—and the films it showcases—serve as a powerful reminder of that truth, and of why Queer spaces continue to matter.”

This year, Inside Out brings two Emmy® contenders to the big screen. One of the festival’s most anticipated documentaries, Enigma, directed by Emmy® nominated filmmaker Zackary Drucker, takes the spotlight at this year’s Re:Focus Gala. Following its acclaimed premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Enigma dives deep into the lives and legacies of icons—Amanda Lear and April Ashley—whose identities were contested throughout their lives. Enigma is a mesmerizing portrayal of gender, fame and reclamation. Festival goers will also have the chance to attend the Season Finale Watch Party of the Emmy® Award-winning comedy Hacks presented in partnership with Crave. This special event invites fans to gather, laugh and revel in one of television’s sharpest and most beloved series.

The festival’s Centrepiece Gala is Cactus Pears, a romantic drama that marks the feature directorial debut of Rohan Parashuram Kanawade. This compelling co-production between India, Canada and the United Kingdom, won the 2025 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize. The film follows Anand, a man returning to his hometown after a family loss, and reconnects with his childhood friend Balya in a tender love story.

Among this year’s standout selections are a wave of must-see films, including the World Premiere of the dazzling Canadian IndigiQueer musical Starwalker; the Canadian Premieres of The Crowd, a candid portrayal of Gen-Z/Millennial social dynamics; SALLY, National Geographic’s award-winning documentary about pioneering astronaut Sally Ride, and the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival award nominees Dreams in Nightmares and The Nature of Invisible Things.

Also, not to be missed are the International Showcase films, including the International Premiere of Chris Coats first feature documentary Flamingo Camp and Kimberly Reed’s Paris is Burning follow up I’m Your Venus; the Canadian Premieres of the Sundance hit Rains Over Babel and the multi-award winning thriller Ponyboi; and notable Canadian documentaries featured in the Icons section, the undeniable Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance and the thought-provoking World Premiere of Unlabelled.

Festival Director Jenna Dufton heads the programming team with programming staff Lu Linares and Claire Jarvis, and programmers Ferdosa Abdi, Syriah Bailey, Rasheed Bailey, Cailin Ball, Ashley Bodika, Ferrin Evans, Allia McLeod, Nik Redman, Raphael Sanchez, and Scott Smart.

Please see the Inside Out’s programming highlights below. For the full Festival program, schedule and to purchase tickets, please visit insideout.ca.

OPENING GALA

OUTERLANDS
Dir Elena Oxman | United States 2025 | 100 mins | English | Drama/Family | Canadian Premiere
This emotionally resonant film follows Cass juggling multiple jobs, both legal and illegal, to keep their head above water in San Francisco. Soon after Cass hooks up with their crush, Kalli, they are asked to watch Kalli’s daughter, Ari, for a couple days. A smitten Cass agrees. But when days pass with no sign of Kalli, Cass worries that Ari has been abandoned, bringing up Cass’s unresolved feelings about their own childhood abandonment. Featuring an outstanding cast, including Asia Kate Dillon and Lea Delaria in a small but pivotal role, Outerlands empowers its characters to have the complex, and at times contradictory, emotions we all experience.
FRI, MAY 23 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

CLOSING NIGHT GALA

THE BEST FRIEND
Dir Allan Deberton | Brazil 2024 | 96 mins | Portuguese | Musical | Canadian Premiere
Spooked by his long-term boyfriend’s very public proposal, Lucas flees to the resort town of Canoa Quebrada. It’s here, walking the white sand beaches, that he’s reunited with his unrequited college crush, Felipe. The tall and tan and young and lovely Felipe, a self-proclaimed professional lover, helps the shy and timid Lucas out of his shell and reignites his feelings in the process. Lucas is forced to decide: will he continue to live life ruled by insecurities or will he succumb to his burning passions? Just like From Justin to Kelly and Mamma Mia, this campy resort musical will have you dancing in the aisles and bouncing in your seats.
SAT, MAY 31 • 7:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

CENTREPIECE GALA

CACTUS PEARS
Dir Rohan Kanawade | India 2025 | 112 mins | Marathi | Drama| Canadian Premiere
Anand leaves his rural hometown in western India to seek a free and uncomplicated life in Mumbai. However, when his father falls ill and passes away, he reluctantly returns home to fulfill his obligations during the mourning period. He finds comfort in the presence of his mother but is quickly confronted by relatives eager to question his life choices, especially his unmarried status. When he reconnects with Balya, an old childhood friend, who, like Anand, has resisted the pressure to marry, the two bond over their shared experiences and mutual understanding. Yet, as they rekindle their relationship, they must confront a deeper question: can they set aside their families’ expectations and create the lives they’ve always dreamed of? Rohan Kanawade’s debut feature, which won the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance, is a profoundly tender exploration of love and personal freedom under the weight of familial and societal pressures.
TUE, MAY 27 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

RE:FOCUS GALA

ENIGMA
Dir Zackary Drucker | United States 2024 | 94 mins | English | Documentary | Canadian Premiere
April Ashley and Amanda Lear began their journeys on strikingly similar paths in the 1950s, dazzling Paris’s cabaret scene and mingling with celebrity elites. Both were rising stars—radiant, magnetic, and seemingly unstoppable—until their trajectories suddenly diverged. April Ashley faced a wave of transphobic backlash during a highly publicized divorce, while Amanda Lear sidestepped scrutiny, reinventing herself as a disco icon known as much for her enigmatic allure as for her refusal to clarify the mysteries surrounding her past and identity. Enigma, true to its title, is a layered exploration of two icons, examining the delicate balance of living in the spotlight while staying true to oneself and the complexities of legacy. With sensitivity and insight, Zackary Drucker weaves a story rich with remarkable moments, guiding this journey with the care and brilliance it deserves.
SAT, MAY 24 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

PREMIERES

THE CROWD
Dir Sahand Kabiri | Iran 2024 | 70 mins | Persian | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Throwing a party for a partner or friend may seem to many an easy task, but not in Tehran, and especially not for Hamed and his friends. As they attempt to throw good friend Raman a going away party, they do so at the risk of their freedom. Nonetheless, they get to work cleaning out an abandoned garage owned by Hamed’s family, booking DJs, and working on a guest list, but when Hamed’s religious brother appears, they must band together and fight for their right to party. Based on the filmmaker’s own experience with his community and their fight for individual freedoms, the film was self-funded and shot independently over just 12 days. The very existence of the film is miraculous, and as a tale of the importance of the chosen family, is essential viewing.
FRI, MAY 30 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

DREAMS IN NIGHTMARES
Dir Shatara Michelle Ford | United States 2024 | 120 mins | English | Drama | Canadian Premiere
After losing their jobs, Z and Tasha pull in their friend Lauren to embark on a road trip searching for their missing friend, Kel. The trio begin their journey with a clear goal in mind, to find a dearest friend, a member of their chosen family. However, the road through the Midwestern landscape offers them a chance to confront what it means to be Black Queer femmes in contemporary America. Shatara Michelle Ford’s sophomore film confronts the constricting ideals of society with an overtly aspirational take that asserts that Black women have agency over their identity.
SAT, MAY 24 • 9:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

THE NATURE OF INVISIBLE THINGS
Dir Rafaela Camelo | Brazil, Chile 2025 | 90 mins | Drama | Canadian Premiere
During the summer holidays, 10-year-old Gloria accompanies her mother, Antônia, a dedicated nurse, to work. As Gloria wanders the sterile hallways, she meets Sofia, a spirited girl convinced that her great-grandmother, Bisa, is growing weaker because of her time in the hospital. United by a longing to escape, the two girls form a deep connection, one that soon extends to their single mothers, Antônia and Simone. As the shadow of Bisa’s passing draws near, the families retreat to the countryside, where Antônia assumes responsibility for her final care. Surrounded by nature and tradition, they find a community ready to honor Bisa’s life and guide her spirit onward. In this sacred place, where endings and beginnings intertwine, the cycle of death and rebirth gains profound meaning for Gloria, Sofia, and the women who raise them.
SUN, MAY 25 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SALLY
Dir Cristina Costantini | United States 2025 | 103 mins | English | Documentary| Canadian Premiere
In 1983 Sally Ride became the first American woman to blast off into space, catapulting her into the spotlight as a household name and feminist icon. Beneath her unflappable composure, however, she carried a secret. Through present day interviews and incredible archival footage, Sally’s life partner Tam O’Shaugnessy, reveals the romance and sacrifices of their 27 years together, telling for the first time the full story behind Ride’s public journey. In addition to interviews with Tam O’ Shaughnessy, SALLY features acclaimed tennis star and groundbreaking advocate for women and LGBTQ+ rights, Billie Jean King, as well as celebrated astronauts from Sally Ride’s NASA class of 1978: Kathy Sullivan, Anna Fisher, John Fabian, and Steve Hawley.
SAT, MAY 31 • 2:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

STARWALKER
Dir Corey Payette |Canada 2025 | 116 mins | English | Musical | World Premiere
Star, an IndigiQueer Two-Spirit callboy, finds themselves newly entranced by the world of drag after being introduced to The House of Borealis, a vibrant drag house led by the charismatic Mother Borealis. As Star immerses themselves in this newfound passion, they are confronted with a cultural past they once neglected. But when painful memories resurface, their love for drag and their chosen family is put to the test. Director Corey Payette infuses Starwalker with deep authenticity and personal connection, making every frame resonate with heart and purpose. This charming musical is a testament to the life-changing moments that come when we embrace who we are without looking back.
FRI, MAY 23 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SAT, MAY 24 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SPOTLIGHT ON CANADA

LAKEVIEW
Dir Tara Thorne | Canada 2024 | 100 mins | English | Comedy
Set against Nova Scotia’s scenic eastern shore, Lakeview brings together a group of Queer friends, opening the doors to both fun and chaos. During a girls’ weekend celebrating a divorce, old feelings, new relationships, and shifting dynamics collide in the fading glow of summer. Tara Thorne’s sophomore feature captures both the thrill of newfound freedom and the bittersweet nostalgia of letting go. Lakeview is a refreshing take on modern relationships, lesbian drama, and the havoc a few too many drinks can wreak on a friend group. A warm, laugh-inducing, and authentic story about friendship—the queer kind, at least.
SUN, MAY 25 • 4:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

REALLY HAPPY SOMEDAY
Dir J Stevens | Canada 2024 | 90 mins | English | Drama
Before he transitioned, Z was a rising star in Toronto’s theatre scene. But now, with testosterone affecting his voice, he must learn to navigate his evolving body in order to return to his passion—without sacrificing his present. Along the way, Z finds support in Shelly, a vocal coach helping him reconnect with his voice, and Santi, a bar owner who offers both a barback job and a listening ear, sharing in Z’s experiences. Really Happy Someday is a labour of love and community. Director J Stevens and lead actor Breton Lalama, who stars as Z, collaborated at every stage of the film’s production, drawing from their own experiences. The result is a deeply authentic and tender work, rich with understanding in both its performances and visuals.
TUE, MAY 27 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SWEET ANGEL BABY
Dir Melanie Oates | Canada 2024 | 96 mins | English | Drama
Life in Eliza’s small Newfoundland fishing community is simple and tranquil. She participates in church activities, organizes fundraisers, and appears to be fully integrated into her tight-knit town. Yet, beneath this peaceful exterior, Eliza harbors a secret: a social media alter ego who wears a ski mask and poses provocatively amidst the rugged landscape. In addition to this, she is involved in a clandestine relationship with Toni, the town’s only openly lesbian resident. Eliza’s life teeters on a delicate balance, as she strives to keep her two worlds from colliding. When her secrets are inevitably exposed, Eliza is forced to confront how she is now seen by her community, and decide what she is willing to sacrifice in order to live the life she truly desires.
SAT, MAY 31 • 4:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SUN, JUN 01 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

TWO WOMEN
Dir Chloé Robichaud | Canada 2024 | 100 mins | French | Comedy
When Violette invites her neighbour Florence over for tea, they realise they have a lot in common. They’re both mothers, they both feel trapped in their apartments, and they’re both not having sex. Their shared dissatisfaction unites them, creating a duo that sits somewhere between Thelma & Louise and Dumb and Dumber. After Florence has an eye-opening affair with the cable guy, Violette decides to follow suit, booking an exterminator, a painter, and a cleaning service. With each fling their to-do lists get shorter, but their relationships are still in disrepair. Chloé Robichaud’s playful remake of Claude Fournier’s comedy classic, Two Women in Gold, explores how to exist in a world when your realities don’t align with your expectations.
SUN, MAY 25 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

ICONS

M​​OVE YA BODY: THE BIRTH OF HOUSE
Dir Elegance Bratton | United States 2025 | 92 mins | English | Documentary
In the 1970s, disco democratized the dancefloor, putting Black, brown and queer music at the top of the charts. When the industry and some of the white public turned against the genre (“Disco sucks”), that talent, energy and feeling of community had to go somewhere. House music, born in a Chicago gay club, answered the call. Director Elegance Bratton tells the story of house—the parties, the feuds, the exploitation and the legacy—through the story of Vince Lawrence. As a teenager, Lawrence was at the infamous 1979 Disco Demolition Night and went on to be one of the forces behind influential house label Trax Records. With commentary from Kevin Aviance, Lena Waithe and other queer cultural figures, the doc argues that “house history is queer history”.
THU, MAY 29 • 6:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

PARADE: QUEER ACTS OF LOVE & RESISTANCE
Dir Noam Gonick | Canada 2025 | 96 mins | English | Documentary
If there was ever a necessary time for an authoritative no-more-shit documentary about the history of Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ activism, it’s right now. Parade is that documentary. Featuring interviews with the who’s who of six decades of Canadian queer activism, along with astonishing archival footage—including crowds at the 1970s drag balls on Yonge Street—it’s a far-reaching and thoughtful film that should be taught in schools (sorry, not sorry, Anita Bryant). But its heft doesn’t make Parade any less inspiring for casual viewers. If history is repeating, this documentary will give audiences the hope (and ideas and anger and empathy) to carry them through whatever comes next.
SAT, MAY 31 • 11:45 AM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

ROW OF LIFE
Dir Soraya Simi | United States 2025 | 82 mins | English | Documentary
Row of Life tells the story of one woman’s irrepressible ambition to defy all odds, a journey that led her from the Marine Corps to three Paralympic Games and 14 Guinness World Records. In 2020, at the age of 60, Angela Madsen embarked on her most ambitious challenge yet: rowing 2,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles to Hawaii. As if this feat weren’t already remarkable, Madsen became the first paraplegic and the oldest woman to attempt this solo, unassisted ocean row. As we follow her journey, we discover a poetic tale of bravery, resilience, and—perhaps most importantly—love. Throughout her quest, Madsen and her wife, Deb, support each other’s dreams, despite being separated by the vast expanse of the ocean and risking what would ultimately become the greatest cost.
SUN, MAY 25 • 1:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SPEAK.
Dir Jennifer Tiexiera, Guy Mossman | United States 2024 | 103 mins | English | Documentary
SPEAK. follows five of the nation’s top teenage speech competitors, capturing the euphoria of victory and the devastation of defeat as they craft and perform original oratories over the course of a 9-month season. Their dream is simple: To win the Super Bowl of public speaking, the NSDA Nationals. We witness these five competitors, their coaches and their parents as they fight to keep school speech programs alive amid budget cuts, book bans, and censorship efforts that reach a fevered pitch during the 2024 election year. SPEAK. captures the passion, joy, and courage of unforgettable teens using their voices to change hearts and minds.
SAT, MAY 24 • 1:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SUN, MAY 25 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

UNLABELLED
Dir Colette Johnson-Vosberg | Canada 2025 | 83 mins | English | Documentary | World Premiere
Unlabelled follows the lives of three members of the trans community in Toronto—Lucah, Emery, and Lucy—who graciously take us on a journey through their experiences, both joyful and painful, as they navigate their own paths in the world. This documentary thoughtfully explores the diversity of trans experiences, the importance of community, and the power of being patient with yourself in a society that often rejects your identity. With care and honesty, Johnson-Vosberg presents Unlabelled as a moving portrait of extraordinary individuals who too often go unnoticed in everyday life. The film invites us to reflect on the role of identity and poses a bold question: what if we imagined a future without labels?
SUN, MAY 25 • 3:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE

BABY
Dir Marcelo Caetano | Brazil 2024 | 107 mins | Portuguese | Drama
São Paulo’s streets can offer both danger and opportunity and, for Wellington, they deliver both. After being released from a juvenile detention center, he finds himself alone and adrift, with no contact from his parents. While wandering the city, he encounters Ronaldo, an experienced and charming older man who takes him under his wing, teaching him new ways to survive. Their romance is fiery, vibrant, dizzying, and tumultuous—turning from a fairytale to a nightmare in the blink of an eye. Nominated for the Queer Palm at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Baby is an exhilarating exploration of self-discovery, desire, and the precarious nature of love and survival in an unforgiving city
FRI, MAY 23 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

FLAMINGO CAMP
Dir Chris Coats | United States 2025 | 80 mins | English | Documentary | International Premiere
In the near-lawless squatter town of Slab City, a group of young queer and trans anarchists create a thriving safe space for themselves known as Flamingo Camp. Out in the harsh Sonoran Desert, the camp flourishes through the mild winter months under the leadership of its founder, Nova. But when Nova departs for the summer and the brutal heat sets in, the unthinkable happens–fracturing this once close-knit chosen family.
SAT, MAY 24 • 3:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2
SUN, MAY 25 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SEASON FINALE WATCH PARTY: HACKS
Dir Lucia Aniello | United States 2025 | 25 mins | English | Comedy
In Season 4 of the multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning Max Original comedy series Hacks, tensions rise as Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) endeavor to get their late night show off the ground and make history doing it. Stream Season 4 of Hacks Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Crave, then join Inside Out for an unforgettable Season Finale Watch Party on May 29th.
THU, MAY 29 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

I’M YOUR VENUS
Dir Kimberly Reed | United States 2024 | 85 mins | English | Documentary
One of the most memorable real-life characters in Paris Is Burning, the monumental 1990 documentary about New York’s drag ball scene, was aspiring model and complete spitfire, Venus Xtravaganza. In 1988, before the film was finished, Venus was found dead in a hotel room. Now, almost 35 years later, three of her biological brothers are working with members of her ballroom family to honour Venus’s legacy, in part by trying to have her murder case reopened. Mixing new and archival footage, award-winning director Kimberly Reed touchingly captures what made Venus so magical and the emotional journey of two families.
SAT, MAY 31 • 4:45 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 1

IN ASHES
Dir Ludvig Christian Næsted Poulsen | Denmark 2025 | 82 mins | Danish | Drama| Canadian Premiere
After getting dumped by his first love, Christian is spiralling. The breakup was brutal, one-sided, and he’s still stuck—mentally replaying every moment of their romance. Desperate for connection, he dives headfirst into hookup apps, but finds himself caught in a cycle of fleeting, awkward encounters that only leave him feeling emptier. In the chaos of heartbreak, sex, and self-sabotage, he’s forced to ask: can he finally let go of the past, or is he too far gone to find something real? Director Ludvig C. Poulsen’s striking debut feature is raw, unapologetically intimate, and an emotionally resonant portrait of what it takes to crawl out from under heartbreak, and start again.
FRI, MAY 30 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

LUCKY, APARTMENT
Dir Garam Kangyu | South Korea 2024 | 95 mins | Korean | Drama | North American Premiere
Seonwoo and Heeseo’s dream of safe and secure housing becomes a reality when they put everything they have into purchasing a small apartment. The shine quickly comes off of their newly renovated apartment when Seonwoo loses her job and breaks her leg, leaving Heeseo solely responsible for paying their mortgage. Unable to find work and confined to their apartment, Seonwoo becomes obsessed with finding the source of a foul odour coming from downstairs. When it’s discovered that their elderly neighbour has passed, Seonwoo takes it upon herself to find their estranged family. Seonwoo’s investigation into the life of their solitary neighbour brings light to the cracks forming in her own relationship with Heeseo. Will they be able to weather this storm together, or will outside forces push them apart?
FRI, MAY 30 • 9:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

PONYBOI
Dir Esteban Arango | United States 2024 | 100 mins | English | Coming of Age/Drama | Canadian Premiere
Based on River Gallo’s award-winning short film, Ponyboi takes audiences on a wild, neon-lit ride through the underbelly of New Jersey. Unfolding over the course of Valentine’s Day, Ponyboi is just trying to get through the day when a drug deal goes horribly wrong. As chaos and violence erupt, Ponyboi is forced to confront both personal and existential trials. Laundromats, handsome cowboys, 24-hour diners, and neon lights all come together in this exhilarating tale that asks: how far can one go when their life is at stake? Director Esteban Arango brings this extraordinary story to life with an outstanding ensemble cast, including Dylan O’Brien, Indya Moore, Victoria Pedretti, and Murray Bartlett. Thrilling and unrelenting, Ponyboi mesmerizes with its fearless storytelling, blending suspense, sensuality, high-stakes conflict, and nonstop action.
SAT, MAY 24 • 9:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

RAINS OVER BABEL
Dir Gala del Sol | Colombia/United States/Spain 2025 | 110 mins | Spanish | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Step into a world where the living and the dead share the stage for one unforgettable night at Babel, a mythical bar pulsing with secrets, spirits, and second chances. This darkly imaginative riff on Dante’s Inferno blends the surreal with the spiritual, the sacred with the profane, and the tragic with the transcendent. As drag queens, fallen angels, and restless souls collide with Death herself, stories of love, identity, and transformation emerge from the shadows. Gala del Sol brings a genre-bending journey into the afterlife that’s infused with dark humor, unspoken truths, and flashes of defiant, Queer joy. Through grief, desire, and glitter-stained resistance, Babel becomes more than a bar—a portal to what we’re willing to risk for the people, passions, and parts of ourselves we refuse to let die.
SAT, MAY 31 • 7:15 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 2

SANDBAG DAM
Dir Čejen Černić Čanak | Croatia 2024 | 90 mins | Croatian | Drama | Canadian Premiere
A story about a forbidden love, set in a village threatened by the swollen rivers. Upon his return home for his father’s funeral, Slaven revives relationship with his childhood friend, a young sportsman Marko, his teenage love and the reason his father kicked him out of the house. Now tempted to reunite, they need to make peace with their own decisions and struggle against the family restraints.
SAT, MAY 24 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

SAUNA
Dir Mathias Broe | Denmark 2025 | 105 mins | Danish | Drama| Canadian Premiere
Johan has been living a carefree life. Bars, parties, Grindr hookups, and steamy bathhouse encounters. But when William, a transgender man, enters his world, everything shifts. Sauna explores the transformative power of love, revealing both its tenderness and its madness. Based on the novel of the same name by Mads Ananda Lodahl, the film delves deep into the complexities of desire, identity, and community. Through Johan and William’s relationship, director Mathias Broe crafts an intimate and raw portrayal of contemporary Queer romance. With striking visuals and an unflinching gaze, Sauna immerses us in a world where passion and vulnerability collide.
SUN, MAY 25 • 9:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3

SOME NIGHTS I FEEL LIKE WALKING
Dir Petersen Vargas | Philippines 2024 | 103 mins | Tagalog | Drama | Canadian Premiere
Manila at night is teeming with possibility—of danger but also of tenderness. Uno meets distressed teenager Zion in a bus terminal and they bond in their brief encounter. Two years later, they meet again as hustlers booked by the same client. The night turns sour when Uno’s friend, Miguelito, is found overdosing after being with a client. Zion reveals to Uno and his buddies, Bayani and Rush, Miguelito’s dying wish: to take him home. Together, they lug Miguelito’s body around the city and into the countryside, via buses and highways. With each step, the conclusion becomes clearer: there is no place in the world for these kids, except with each other. Despite their differences, they have been forged into a singular pack of brothers.
SUN, MAY 25 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX 3
MON, MAY 26 • 12:00 PM • VIRTUAL

SHORTS

Information on this year’s shorts lineup can be found here.

Inside Out 2025 Digital Programme Book here.

In a year of economic uncertainty and declining support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and arts organizations, Inside Out is grateful for the returning sponsors for its 35th anniversary festival. RBC returns for the 17th year as Lead Sponsor, with Netflix and Crave back as Premier Sponsors. New this year—and making a strong impact—are Hinge, LCBO, and DoorDash. Inside Out is especially thankful to our returning public funders for their steadfast support, including: the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Creates, and Telefilm Canada.

For more information, visit insideout.ca

Inside Out Film Festival

Inside Out is Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ film festival and the single largest promoter and distributor of 2SLGBTQ+ content in Canada. Founded in 1991, Inside Out is committed to representing the interests of 2SLGBTQ+ voices within the Canadian film industry. We are dedicated to developing, presenting, and promoting 2SLGBTQ+ content that showcases and supports the broad diversity of voices and identities within our communities, and ensuring that authentic and positive representation of 2SLGBTQ+ people is central in that content.

Annually, Inside Out presents the 10-day Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival (Toronto’s third largest festival after TIFF and Hot Docs), a year-round screening and event series, and innovative professional development initiatives including the world’s only 2SLGBTQ+ Feature Film Financing Forum and the RE:Focus Fund. Inside Out is a Canadian Academy qualifying festival.

From three-time Oscar® nominee and Golden Globe winner Dean DeBlois, the creative visionary behind DreamWorks Animation’s acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, comes a stunning live-action reimagining of the film that launched the beloved franchise. Universal Pictures Canada release in theatres June 13, 2025.

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames; The Black Phone, For All Mankind) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society.

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (BAFTA nominee Nico Parker; Dumbo, The Last of Us) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost; Snow White and the Huntsman, Shaun of the Dead) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.

As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.

The film also stars Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Gabriel Howell (Bodies), Bronwyn James (Wicked), Harry Trevaldwyn (Smothered), Ruth Codd (The Midnight Club), BAFTA nominee Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Murray McArthur (Game of Thrones).

How to Train Your Dragon is written, produced and directed by DeBlois. It is also produced by three-time Oscar® nominee Marc Platt (Wicked, La La Land) and Emmy winner Adam Siegel (Drive, 2 Guns). How To Train Your Dragon is part of the Filmed For IMAX® Program, which offers filmmakers IMAX® technology to help them deliver the most immersive movie experience to audiences around the world.

Inspired by Cressida Cowell’s New York Times bestselling book series, DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon franchise has captivated global audiences, earning four Academy Award® nominations and grossing more than $1.6 billion at the global box-office. Now, through cutting-edge visual effects, DeBlois transforms his beloved animated saga into a breathtaking live-action spectacle, bringing the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life with jaw-dropping realism as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny.

Genre: Epic Action-Adventure

Cast: Mason Thames, Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, Murray McArthur

Written and directed by: Dean DeBlois

Producers: Marc Platt, Dean DeBlois, Adam Siegel

Gilda’s Toronto, a cancer support community named in honour of beloved comedian Gilda Radner, has announced its upcoming fundraiser: It’s Always Something: Open Mike. The comedy event, hosted by David Shore, featuring Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, and Monkey Toast: The Improvised Talk Show will take place at The Second City Toronto on Monday, May 12, 2025.

“At Gilda’s Toronto, we believe laughter connects us all, even in the hardest moments,” said Elizabeth Dalgleish, Executive Director Gilda’s Toronto. “It’s Always Something: Open Mike isn’t just a comedy event, it’s a celebration of what Gilda Radner stood for – that no one should face cancer alone. To bring this event to The Second City Toronto, where her comedy journey began, is a powerful tribute to her legacy.”

Gilda’s Toronto stands as a beacon of hope and support for individuals and families facing cancer, providing a welcoming space where no one has to navigate the journey alone. Inspired by the legacy of comedian Gilda Radner, the organization offers free social and emotional support, ensuring that those affected by cancer can find strength, connection, and community during challenging times.

“We are honoured that Gilda’s Toronto approached us to host It’s Always Something: Open Mike at The Second City Toronto,” said Reem Farag, General Manager, The Second City Toronto. “Bringing people together to enjoy a night of laughter for Gilda Radner’s cause with comedy giants Mike Myers and Colin Mochrie, felt not only fitting, but truly special.”

It’s Always Something: Open Mike marks Mike Myers’ first performance at The Second City Toronto in over 30 years and reunites him with fellow alum Colin Mochrie on the iconic comedy stage. Proceeds from this special evening will help Gilda’s Toronto continue to provide resources to those impacted by cancer.

About Gilda’s Toronto
Gilda’s Toronto helps people live, while living with cancer. Comedy legend Gilda Radner believed that no one should have to face cancer alone. Instead, they should have access to complete psychosocial cancer support from communities with shared experiences. Led by highly qualified experts, our innovative programs and services offer personalized and specialized support to those suffering the emotional and psychological impacts of a cancer diagnosis. This would not be possible without the support of a diverse group of professionals, partners and communities who share our vision. With the help of cancer care partners and providers, Gilda’s Toronto continues to foster diversity, equity and inclusion to support growing communities in the GTA and beyond. That’s why we have been a leader in innovative psychosocial cancer support for more than 20 years. And we are just getting started. Learn more visit gildasclubtoronto.org.

About The Second City
The Second City first brought its iconic improv and sketch comedy to Toronto in 1963 for a week of performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. After a decade of sold out shows at the 1200-seat theatre, The Second City established a permanent home in the city with the opening of “The Old Firehall” on Lombard Street. In 1976, The Second City Toronto further solidified its place in comedy history by creating the groundbreaking television show SCTV.

In December 2022, The Second City began an exciting new chapter by relocating to its state-of-the-art facility at One York Street. This move introduced three distinct theatres: The Mainstage, Theatre ’73, and The John Candy Box Theatre, each offering nightly performances that continue The Second City’s tradition of bringing laughter to audiences.

Since making a home in Toronto over 50 years ago The Second City has grown to become the most influential name in comedy launching the careers of countless Canadian comedy legends. Our illustrious alumni list includes names such as Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Bob Martin, Jerry Minor, Gavin Crawford, Kevin Vidal, Darryl Hinds, Chris Wilson, Lauren Ash, Ann Pornel, Alan Shane Lewis and so many more.

Focus Features announced today it will be releasing Bugonia, the latest film from acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos, for a special limited engagement on October 24th, ahead of a wide expansion on October 31st. The weeklong cinematic event will feature screenings of the film, which was shot in VistaVision, at select locations in New York and Los Angeles.

Bugonia stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone. Lanthimos directs from a screenplay by Will Tracy whose recent credits include The Menu and Succession. Lanthimos is an internationally renowned, five-time Academy Award®-nominated director, producer, and screenwriter known for such visionary films as Poor Things, The Favourite, and The Lobster.

Bugonia sees two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced she is an alien intent on destroying Planet Earth. The film is produced by Element Pictures’ Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe; Yorgos Lanthimos via Pith; Emma Stone via Fruit Tree; Square Peg’s Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen; and CJ ENM’s Miky Lee and Jerry Kyoungboum Ko.

The new Bugonia release plan comes as Focus continues to solidify its slate for the fall. Last week, the company set late 2025 release dates for Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, and Craig Brewer’s Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Other upcoming films include Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme; Ronan Day-Lewis’ feature debut Anemone, starring and co-written by Daniel Day-Lewis; Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t!, starring Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans; and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the final installment of the global hit franchise.

About Focus Features
Focus Features’ upcoming slate includes auteur-driven works like Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, featuring an all-star ensemble led by Benicio del Toro; Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons; Ronan Day-Lewis’ directorial debut Anemone, starring and co-written by Daniel Day-Lewis; Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson; Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, based the New York Times bestselling novel, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley; Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t!, starring Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans; and the highly anticipated final chapter of the global franchise Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, among others. Focus’ recent releases include Conclave, directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini; Robert Eggers’ reimagining of Nosferatu, starring Bill Skarsgård; and Steven Soderbergh’s spy drama Black Bag, starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender

Telefilm Canada has announced the titles of 12 feature-length films receiving a total of $17,750,000 in funding, under its Production Program for the French market, in both the big budget and low budget streams.

The selected projects appeal to a wide range of audiences, from children’s films and historical dramas to comedies and dramas. This represents 65 per cent of Telefilm’s annual budget for financing French-language films. The balance of the budget will be allocated following the second application deadline.

Ce qu’on respire sur Tatouine (comedy) 
Screenwriter and director: Ian Lagarde 
Production: Gabrielle Tougas Fréchette 
Distribution: Maison 4:3 and Best Friend Forever 

Créatures du hasard (drama) 
Screenwriter and director: Nadine Gomez 
Production: Rocio Barba Fuentes and Giacomo Nudi 
Distribution: H264  

Folichonneries (comedy) 
Screenwriters: Alexandre Auger and Éric K. Boulianne 
Director: Éric K. Boulianne  
Production: Hany Ouichou, Laurie Pominville and Éric K. Boulianne 
Distribution: Entract Films 

Hantée (comedy) 
Screenwriter: India Desjardins 
Director: Rafaël Ouellet 
Production: Guillaume Lespérance 
Distribution: Immina Films 

Histoire de fous (action/adventure) 
Screenwriter: Émilie Rosas 
Directors: Émilie Rosas and Christine Dallaire-Dupont 
Production: Nancy Florence Savard 
Distribution: Maison 4:3 

La fille du manguier (drama) 
Screenwriter and director: Marilyn Cooke  
Production: Kélyna N. Lauzier 
Distribution: H264

Le prince (mystery/crime/police) 
Screenwriter and director: Nicolas Krief 
Production: Julie Groleau, Toufik Ayadi, and Christophe Barral  
Distribution: H264
*Canada/France Coproduction

Le sablier (drama)  
Screenwriter and director: ​ Kim Nguyen  
Production:​ Pierre Even  
Distribution: ​Les Films Opale  
*Canada/Spain Coproduction

Les filles du Roy (historical drama) 
Screenwriters: Pascal Plante and Dominique Dussault 
Director: Pascal Plante 
Production: Dominique Dussault and Stéphanie Morissette 
Distribution: Entract Films   
*Canada/France  Coproduction

Pauline Julien : Femme pays (historical drama) 
Screenwriters: Véronique Côté and Anaïs Barbeau-Lavallette
Director: Anaïs Barbeau-Lavallette 
Production: Étienne Hansez 
Distribution: Axia Films 

Sortie de zone (comedy) 
Screenwriter: Jean-François Léger 
Directors: Louis Morissette and Rachel Graton 
Production: Marie-Claude Beaulieu and Louis-Philippe Drolet 
Distribution: Les Films Opale / KO Distribution 

Violence du corps de l’autre (drama) 
Screenwriter and director: Denis Côté 
Production: Guillaume Vasseur 
Distribution: H264  

Telefilm continues to receive an increasing number of applications for its Production Program year after year. To date, a total of 85 applications were assessed under the big budget and low budget streams in the French market, representing over $131 million in funding requests. Telefilm will announce other funding decisions, including films titles in the English-language market, in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2025-2026 Annual Report.

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page once all funding decisions have been made.

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 LinkedIn,  X, Facebook,  Instagram and Letterboxd.  

Continue to Stream Canadian in May on nfb.ca! This month, explore two new documentaries from Yukon and British Columbia. Each in its own way offers an inspiring perspective:

In Saturday, by Jessica Hall, the filmmaker explores the joyful, creative life of her sister, who has an intellectual disability.

Incandescence, by Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper, leads us to a new understanding of massive wildfires, a worldwide challenge.

May is also Asian Heritage Month in Canada, which will be celebrated with a rich themed channel. The NFB wants to highlight the importance of sharing the distinctive stories and important contributions of people from Asian communities across the country. This is all the more crucial in the wake of the terrible attack on Vancouver’s Filipino-Canadian community on April 26, Lapu-Lapu Day.

In addition, a blog post in conjunction with Mental Health Week (May 5–11) will explore animation filmmakers’ perspectives on the subject.

Is Montreal on your itinerary? Starting Thursday, May 8, stop by the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre in the Quartier des Spectacles to enjoy a few gems from the NFB’s collection on the big screen, at the Hello Film! series. Free films, first-come, first-wowed!

Remember, nfb.ca is home to more than 7,000 streaming films and a collection of over 100 interactive works.

NEW ONLINE RELEASES

Starting May 16

Saturday by Jessica Hall (2025, NFB)
Documentary (13 min 8 s) / Press kit

Filmmaker Jessica Hall’s sister Katherine manages her intellectual disability by leading an independent, creative and joyful life. Saturday documents her story. An inspiring tribute to a daughter and mother’s close and supportive relationship.
The film has been screened at a number of Canadian festivals, including the Available Light Film Festival in Whitehorse, where it was shot.

Starting May 26

Incandescence by Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper (2024, NFB)
Documentary (105 min 22 s) / Press kit

Wildfires are burning with increasing intensity around the world. Following the rhythms of the seasons, the film is an immersive cinematic experience, weaving on-the-ground footage with extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation that transform our understanding of wildfire. From the flightpath of bees to an osprey’s aerial perspective, floating over the landscape: the Earth comes back.
The doc has been selected for festivals in Canada and the US, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. This spring, it played at sold-out screenings across British Columbia.
Incandescence will be shown in Montreal on Thursday, May 22,* as part of the Hello Film! series at the NFB’s Alanis Obomsawin Theatre.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

THEMED CHANNEL AND BLOG POSTS

Marking Asian Heritage Month

Channel: Asian-Canadian Perspectives

Watch close to 30 NFB animated films and documentaries that centre around Asian communities and stories told from Asian perspectives. The selection includes Eisha Marjara’s Am I the skinniest person you’ve ever seen?, which won the prestigious Betty Youson Award for Best Canadian Short Documentary at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Celebrating the NFB’s 86th anniversary

English Collection Curator Camilo Martín-Flórez is publishing a new blog post on April 30.
“The NFB: 86 Years, 7,000+ Awards… and Counting!” celebrates the NFB’s anniversary on May 2 by taking a deep dive into its long list of awards—a staggering total of more than 7,000 honours received between 1941 and 2025!

Marking Mental Health Week (May 5–11)

French Collection Curator Marc St-Pierre will publish the blog post “An Animated Journey into Mental Health,” available soon.

In it, he explores a variety of perspectives on the subject, drawn from several animated films. A few examples: Zeb’s Spider by Alicia Eisen and Sophie Jarvis, The Great Malaise by Catherine Lepage, I Am Here by Eoin Duffy, The Head Vanishes by Franck Dion, Mystery of the Secret Room by Wanda Nolan, LOCA by Véronique Paquette, Lipsett Diaries by Theodore Ushev and Animal Behaviour by Alison Snowden and David Fine.

HELLO FILM! – FREE SCREENINGS IN MONTREAL

Free admission (reservations required)
Details: events.nfb.ca/hello-film-free-screenings-at-the-nfb

Each of the films below will be preceded by a short to open the program.

Marking Asian Heritage Month
Thursday, May 8, 2025, 7 p.m.: The Apology by Tiffany Hsiung (104 min)

The film follows three former “comfort women” who were among the 200,000 girls and young women kidnapped and forced into military sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

Marking the International Day of Families
Thursday, May 15, 2025, 7 p.m.: Seguridad by Tamara Segura (76 min)

Once dubbed “Cuba’s youngest soldier” in a militia publicity stunt, Tamara Segura uncovers family secrets and portrays her troubled relationship with her father.

Marking International Day for Biological Diversity
*Thursday, May 22, 2025, 7 p.m.: Incandescence by Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper (105 min 22 s)

See the announcement about the film’s May 26 online premiere on nfb.ca.

Looking ahead to Father’s Day in June
Thursday, May 29, 2025, 7 p.m.: Sons by Justin Simms (70 min)

As Donald Trump is elected to a first term in 2016, a first-time dad wrestles with traditional methods of raising boys. How do we teach our boys to become better men?

The Hello Film! series will continue through July 31, with more films to discover or rediscover.

At the NFB’s Alanis Obomsawin Theatre
1500 Balmoral Street
Montreal
Place-des-Arts Metro

Accessible to persons with reduced mobility.

Hollywood Suite invites you to stay awhile this June with the exclusive broadcast premiere of Hell Motel, the highly anticipated new eight-episode limited horror series from Slasher creators Aaron Martin and Ian Carpenter. Featuring Emmy® Award-winner Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Departure), Paula Brancati (Slasher), Shaun Benson (The Boys), Atticus Mitchell (The Hardy Boys), Emmanuel Kabongo (Murdoch Mysteries), Jim Watson (Slasher) and Genevieve DeGraves (Slasher), the first episode of the Shudder original series, Hell Motel, will premiere in Canada on June 13, 2025 at 9pm ET. Additional episodes will then premiere weekly on Tuesdays beginning June 17 2025, and will be available on Hollywood Suite On Demand.

Horror fans are also invited to attend a FREE advance screening of the first episode of Hell Motel on June 13 at Revue Cinema in Toronto, featuring scary surprises and a special Q&A with select cast and crew. Tickets are first come, first served, so follow @hollywoodsuite and @revuecinema for updates in the coming days.

The new series follows a group of 10 true crime obsessives, who are invited to the opening weekend of the newly renovated Cold River Motel. The site of a 30-year-old unsolved satanic mass murder, history soon repeats itself at the motel when the guests are stranded and start getting knocked off one by one, in increasingly gruesome ways.

“We are thrilled to be the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of Hell Motel,” said Suzanne Marshall, Hollywood Suite Senior Manager, Programming. “With a chilling new setting and story, Aaron and Ian have delivered all of the terrifying scares and gore that genre fans have come to expect. We can’t wait for viewers to discover it this June!”

“Our ongoing partnership with Hollywood Suite means that we get to keep bringing Canadian-made horror to fans who love something fresh and fearless,” said Christina Jennings, Chairman and President of Shaftesbury. “Hell Motel is another great example of what we can do together – creating bold, genre-pushing horror that builds on our past successes and takes things in exciting new directions.”

Eric McCormack leads the cast in the role of Hemmingway, a chef with a wickedly sinister flair. He’s joined by fellow motel guests Paige (Paula Brancati), a former actress and scream queen looking to revive her career; Crow (Shaun Benson), a new-age medium with an apparent connection to the massacre’s victims; Blake (Atticus Mitchell), a true crime writer; Kawayan (Emmanuel Kabongo), a talented artist with a dark focus on murder; Andy (Jim Watson), an academic at the forefront of contemporary true crime studies; and Adriana (Genevieve DeGraves), a flight attendant with several notorious serial killer notches on her bedpost.

Canadian drag superstar and winner of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2, Icesis Couture, makes a guest appearance as Magenta, a stylish real estate agent who sells the Coldwater Motel to new owners Ruby (Brynn Godenir) and Portia (Michelle Nolden).

Hell Motel is a Shudder Original Series, developed and produced by Shaftesbury, in association with Hollywood Suite, with the financial participation of the Bell Fund. The series is created and executive produced by
The series is created and executive produced by Aaron Martin and showrunner Ian Carpenter. Additional executive producers include Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie and director Adam MacDonald. AMC Networks holds distribution rights.

Yonge Street Theatricals (Linda Barnett & Natalie Bartello) is thrilled that two of its current Broadway productions, the highly celebrated musicals Buena Vista Social Club and Maybe Happy Ending, both received 2025 Tony Award Nominations for Best Musical this morning.

In total, Buena Vista Social Club and Maybe Happy Ending combined for 20 nominations across all categories.Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, the 78th Annual Tony Awards will return to the legendary Radio City Music Hallin New York City on Sunday, June 8.

Yonge Street’s acclaimed new musical LIFE AFTER is also currently playing at Toronto’s storied CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. Following rave reviews and an extension due to popular demand, the show plays through next Saturday, May 10 only.

LIFE AFTER first debuted at the Toronto Fringe Festival in Summer 2016. It features a book, music & lyrics by Britta Johnson, one of Canada’s most acclaimed young musical theatre writers, and is directed by Annie Tippe.

Canadian critics raved:

“Britta Johnson’s astounding chamber work is brought to life in a slick production with a knockout cast. Sonically, her score is more akin to the works of Sondheim – dense, layered and richly coloured. Annie Tippe’s slick production, moving between scenes with dreamlike ease, pays close attention to the smallest of details. Isabella Esler, onstage for the entirety of Johnson’s 90-minute musical, is superb. And she’s surrounded by an ensemble cast that’s equally strong.”- Toronto Star

“At its core, LIFE AFTER is a poignant and powerful exploration of grief – one of those rare experiences that is both universal and at the same time unique and deeply personal. Johnson, Tippe, and company manage to deftly capture both of those elements in this musical – bringing a sense of familiarity and authenticity without ever relying on tropes or shortcuts as they explore this complex theme. It’s as if Johnson trusts her audience to feel and experience this piece, rather than simply watch it. Her book rewards them with many a warm, hearty laugh to accompany the tears. The humour in the show is such an authentic part of grief and, I suspect, is a huge reason why it works so well.” – BroadwayWorld

“The show’s tender excavation of grief’s ambiguities hasn’t lost any power in its transfer to a bigger house; in fact, it’s clearer than ever.” – Intermission Magazine 

LIFE AFTER is the celebrated and luminous musical that played Toronto’s Canadian Stage and Musical Stage Company in 2017 in a sold-out run at the Berkeley Street Theatre. It was subsequently produced at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre and Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Now it returns to Toronto’s CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in a major new production helmed by Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning producers Yonge Street Theatricals for a strictly limited engagement.

Despite being a famous self-help author, Frank Carter’s optimistic advice offers little solace to his 16-year-olddaughter, Alice. After his untimely death, Alice embarks on a quest for truth, unravelling the events that changed her family forever. Filled with heart, and extraordinary music, the show offers a powerful exploration of love, memory, and the journey of moving forward.

LIFE AFTER is a “stirring, fully original” (Chicago Tribune) new musical, “exquisite from start to finish” (BroadwayWorld) that moves through the complexities of life with wit, humour and grace.

LIFE AFTER‘s cast features Isabella Esler (First National Tour of Beetlejuice the Musical) with Jake Epstein (Beautiful and Spider-Man Broadway), Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful, Jesus Christ Superstar and Mamma Mia! Broadway) and Mariand Torres (Lempicka and Wicked Broadway). Alongside them, Valeria Ceballos (First National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen), Jay Davis (Dear Evan Hansen Mirvish), Kaylee Harwood (First National Tour Beautiful, Titanique (Mirvish/Segal)), Arinea Hermans (Pollyanna Theatre Aquarius), Isidora Kecman (The Louder We Get Theatre Calgary), Zoë O’Connor (Frozen Neptune Theatre), Eva Petris (Mamma Mia! Thousand Islands Playhouse) and Julia Pulo (Original Canadian cast of Six).

LIFE AFTER’s creative team includes Ann Yee (choreography), Lynne Shankel (music supervisor / orchestrations & arrangements), Tony Award winner Todd Rosenthal (scenic design), Tony Award nominee Sarafina Bush (costume design), five-time Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Tony Award winner Kai Harada (sound design), Haley Parcher (sound design), Greg Dougherty and Wendy Churton (production managers),and Kate Sandeson (production stage manager). Canadian Casting by Dayton Walters Casting and New York Casting by Tara Rubin Casting.

We checked it out recently. More here:

Tickets are available now at mirvish.com/shows/life-after.

(Photo credit: Michael Cooper)

Krispy Kreme Canada is proud to announce that it is bringing its iconic Original Glazed Doughnuts® to Hamilton this spring, marking the first location in the city and another sweet milestone for the brand!

Opening on May 13, 2025 at 1290 Rymal Road East, the new shop will be Krispy Kreme Canada’s new Hamilton home and promises more than just doughnuts. The 4,600-square-foot space will include the brand’s signature Hot Light Theatre Shop, where guests can watch doughnuts being made fresh throughout the day. The shop will also feature a drive-thru for added convenience, making it easy to swing by for a dozen Original Glazed Doughnut® or a coffee on the go.

“Hamilton has such an incredible sense of community, pride, and momentum and we’re thrilled to become a part of it,” said Chris Lindsay, Co-CEO at Krispy Kreme Canada. “We can’t wait to introduce the magic of our hot, melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts to Hamilton!”

The new location is another step in Krispy Kreme Canada’s ongoing growth, as the brand continues to expand its presence and connect with more communities across Ontario and beyond. To celebrate the grand opening, guests can look forward to a variety of fresh treats and exciting giveaways. Plus, the first 12 guests in line will receive a coveted Golden Ticket, each redeemable for a free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts every month for an entire year.

Krispy Kreme Canada’s arrival in Hamilton means more than just fresh doughnuts; it also means new local jobs. Hiring is already underway, and the team is looking for enthusiastic, community-minded people to join the crew. Interested applicants can check out current opportunities at krispykreme.ca/recruiting-hamilton.

Connect with Krispy Kreme Canada:

Website: www.krispykreme.ca

Instagram: @krispykremecan

Facebook: @KrispyKremeCanada

X: @krispykremecan

About Krispy Kreme Canada
For over 85 years, Krispy Kreme has been delighting doughnut lovers with its world-famous Original Glazed® doughnuts. The Krispy Kreme experience first came to Canada on December 11, 2001, with the opening of our first shop in Mississauga, Ontario, followed shortly by our debut in Quebec with a location in Montreal. Since then, Krispy Kreme Canada has become a beloved destination for Canadians looking to enjoy hot, fresh doughnuts and premium coffee. Today, Krispy Kreme Canada proudly operates and owns 19 locations nationwide and continues to grow. To learn more, visit www.krispykreme.ca.

About Krispy Kreme
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Krispy Kreme is one of the most beloved and well-known sweet treat brands in the world. Our iconic Original Glazed® doughnut is universally recognized for its hot-off-the-line, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Krispy Kreme operates in 40 countries through its unique network of fresh doughnut shops, partnerships with leading retailers, and a rapidly growing digital business with more than 17,500 fresh points of access. Our purpose of touching and enhancing lives through the joy that is Krispy Kreme guides how we operate every day and is reflected in the love we have for our people, our communities, and the planet. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.krispykreme.com and follow us on social: X, Instagram and Facebook.