#FIRSTLOOK: 2025 CANADIAN FILM FEST ANNOUNCE PROGRAMMING LINEUP

Canadian Film Fest (CFF), the indie-spirited festival dedicated to celebrating Canadian filmmakers, today announced its lineup for the 2025 edition of the festival. Now in its 19th year, CFF continues to champion and support our country’s creatives and homegrown talent, bringing Canadian stories to Canadian audiences. This year, the festival will be showcasing 16 features and 50 shorts. Tickets go on sale March 10 and can be purchased at canfilmfest.ca. CFF returns to Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto and runs from March 24-29, 2025.

This year, CFF welcomes films from across Canada, with feature films from British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. The festival kicks off with Naomi Jaye’s award-winning film Darkest Miriam, an adaptation of Martha Baillie’s novel The Incident Reporter, starring Britt Lower (Severance, Man Seeking Woman) and Tom Mercier (Synonyms, The Animal Kingdom). The film tells the story about a librarian who lives in a fog of grief while working at the Allen Gardens branch of the Toronto Public Libraries.

Other festival highlights include Tarique Qayumi’s CONCEIVING CLARA, a midwife who helps many women give birth but cannot bear a child. Under pressure from her mother-in-law, she undergoes IVF treatment and complications lead her to choose between her life and the baby’s; LARRY (they/them), a documentary directed and written by Catherine Legault, focuses on a young non-binary trans photographer Laurence Philomène, who has emerged as one of the most original and inspiring voices of their generation and an LGBTQ+ community icon; The closing night film is LUNATIC: THE LUNA VACHON STORY, a documentary directed and produced by Kate Kroll, about WWF villain Luna Vachon, reaching the peak of her fame in the 90’s and her mental health struggles.

“Now more than ever, we are proud to be Toronto’s largest film festival dedicated to showcasing Canadian talent and supporting our country’s creative minds. This year’s program features films from five provinces, celebrating our rich culture and diverse regional perspectives, and bringing these stories to film-loving audiences,” said Ashleigh Rains, Festival Director, Canadian Film Fest. “At CFF, we are passionate about bringing Canadian art to Canadian audiences, and continuing to elevate stories that otherwise might go unheard.”

CFF will once again highlight a variety of short films through the six Homegrown Shorts programs, while also screening a short film before each feature presentation. These shorts span over a wide range of genres including Drama, Comedy and Sci-Fi.

CFF is proud to partner with Scotiabank, Heritage Canada, xoTO, Telefilm, Super Channel, Brookstone Consulting, Touchwood PR, Sphere Media, Sesler, Rhombus, Shaftesbury, Pendulum, PurpleDOG Post Production, ACTRA Toronto, ACTRA National, Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV, Canadian Media Producers Association, and is grateful for their ongoing support of the festival and Canadian creatives.

BY THE NUMBERS:

66 Total Films
16 Features
50 Shorts
29 (44%) BIPOC Filmmakers
35 (53%) Female/Non-Binary Filmmakers
31 (62%) Toronto Shorts

To view the complete festival schedule visit www.canfilmfest.ca/2025-Films.

About the Canadian Film Fest
The Canadian Film Fest (CFF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the art of cinematic storytelling by exclusively showcasing Canadian films. The festival unites film-loving audiences with diverse selections of features and shorts from across the country. The CFF provides Canadian filmmakers with essential professional development and networking opportunities through its Industry Series and awards.

#FOOD: MARY BROWN’S CHICKEN X MARVEL TELEVISION’S “DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN” COLLABORATION: HOT HONEY SANDWICH

Calling all daredevils! Mary Brown’s Chicken is turning up the heat with the launch of its new Hot Honey Sandwich to celebrate the release of Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again, now streaming exclusively on Disney+. To align with the series’ two-episode premiere, this bold new creation is designed for those who crave intense, delicious flavours with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

The Hot Honey Sandwich features a 100% Canadian boneless chicken breast fillet, generously smothered in Mary Brown’s Chicken’s signature Hot Honey sauce. This unique sauce combines the natural sweetness of honey with an intense chili pepper kick, delivering a bold, fiery flavour that will excite the taste buds. The sandwich is fully loaded with crispy jalapeño bits, spicy mayo, pickles and tangy Monterey Jack cheese, all piled on a soft, buttery brioche bun for the ultimate flavour-packed experience.

As part of the Hot Honey Sandwich launch, Mary Brown’s Chicken is excited to team up with Marvel Television to celebrate the release of Daredevil: Born Again, which is now streaming on Disney+. This highly anticipated new series features bold action and heart-pounding excitement – the perfect pairing for the Hot Honey Sandwich with its bold, intense flavour.

“We wanted to create a sandwich that truly ignites your tastebuds,” says Jeff Barlow, Chief Marketing Officer at Mary Brown’s Chicken. “The Hot Honey Sandwich is for those who love intense, bold flavours that pack a punch. And it’s not for the faint of heart, either. It’s a sandwich for the adventurous who crave that next-level kick, and the perfect way to fight hunger while watching Daredevil: Born Again. So be sure to try the Hot Honey Sandwich. We dare you!”

In addition to the Hot Honey Sandwich, Mary Brown’s Chicken is also offering fans the opportunity to turn up the heat on their other menu items with the Hot Honey sauce available as a topping for Mary Brown’s Pop-ins, Tenders, and Wings. Whether tossed on crispy wings or served alongside tender chicken pieces, the Hot Honey sauce is the perfect way to add heat to any dish.

For a limited time, fans can enjoy the Hot Honey Sandwich as part of a combo for just $11.99. This special price will be available for the first three weeks of the launch, making it the perfect time to try the bold new flavour at a great value. Plus, Mary Brown’s Chicken fans will get an exclusive chance to unlock the Hot Honey Sandwich through the brand’s secret menu on the MBC app.

Mary Brown’s Chicken is proud to bring this exciting new menu item to its fans, continuing its long-standing tradition of offering exciting and bold flavours. The brand has taken a 360-degree marketing approach with this launch in collaboration with Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again to ensure the Hot Honey Sandwich is front and center in the minds of thrill-seekers across Canada.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “MOBLAND” COMING TO PARAMOUNT+ CANADA

MOBLAND, the new global crime series from Guy Ritchie will premiere on Sunday, March 30, 2025 exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. A global rollout will take place later this year.

MOBLAND features a star-studded cast, including Tom Hardy (Venom: The Last Dance), Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day), Paddy Considine (House Of The Dragon), Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), Lara Pulver (Da Vinci’s Demons), Anson Boon (Pistol), Mandeep Dhillon (CSI: Vegas), Jasmine Jobson (Top Boy), Geoff Bell (Top Boy), Daniel Betts (Fate: The Winx Saga), Lisa Dwan (Blackshore), Emily Barber (Industry) and Helen Mirren (The Queen).

MOBLAND stars Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan as the head of an organized crime family, fighting for power within a global crime syndicate.

The series is produced in association with MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios and is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

MOBLAND is executive produced by Keith Cox, Nina L. Diaz, David C. Glasser, Guy Ritchie, Jez Butterworth, Ronan Bennett, Kris Thykier, Ivan Atkinson, Tom Hardy, Dean Baker, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin and Bob Yari.

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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, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

#HORSERACING: KING’S PLATE RETURNS AUGUST 16, 2025 TO WOODBINE RACETRACK

The King’s Plate returns to Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday, August 16, 2025, for its 166th running. Get ready to secure your tickets this Thursday, March 6 on Ticketmaster and KingsPlate.com.

The King’s Plate is Toronto’s can’t-miss event of the summer, where the most prestigious horse race in Canada is celebrated with a thrilling day filled with fashion, food, betting, and exclusive experiences.

Steeped in royal history, The King’s Plate has been named in honour of the reigning monarch since its inception in 1860. The Canadian-bred Thoroughbred to win the $1 million (CAD) race also receives a symbolic fifty guineas from Buckingham Palace.

Ranelle Larocque of Queen Bee Millinery ​ will once again share her hat and fascinator creations and race day style advice this year as The Official Milliner of The King’s Plate. ​ General Admission tickets, starting at only $35, include grandstand and apron access, and entry to the Hats & Horseshoes Party that features live music, photo ops, and more.

Premium dining, party, and trackside reserved packages are available in limited quantities. Details can be viewed on Kingsplate.com, and waitlist space can be reserved via kp.reservations@woodbine.com. ​ Keep an eye on Woodbine’s social media channels for all King’s Plate updates: @WoodbineTB on X, Instagram, and Facebook. ​

#FIRSTLOOK: ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS, CREATIVES AND ARTISTS ANNOUNCES FOR DEPARTURE FESTIVAL

Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) today announced its second wave of artists and speakers joining the inaugural Departure Festival + Conference. Participants announced include artists Dallas Green (City and Colour), Shad, Shaggy, Jully Black, top music industry commentator Bob Lefsetz and CEO of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Merck Mercuriadis will come together for a special fireside chat, among others who will be part of the Conference portion of the event. Joining this year’s Festival lineup are How Did This Get Made? – Live and comedy stars Trevor Wallace, Pete Holmes and Harland Williams. Departure will run May 6-11, 2025 in Toronto.

“The Departure lineup reflects the depth and diversity of creatives and industry leaders shaping today’s cultural landscape,” said Kevin Barton, Executive Producer at Loft Entertainment. “With top industry decision-makers in the room, our event is where careers will be launched and the next generation of talent gets discovered. We’re excited to roll out a showcase lineup featuring over 100 incredible artists, making Departure a true launch pad for emerging talent and a hub for meaningful connections. These collaborations will define the future of music while delivering world-class entertainment to the city.”

Hotel X Toronto will serve as the central hub for Departure’s Conference activities, while the Festival will span 40+ venues across the city and showcase 100+ emerging and established artists — with more to be announced.

Priority and Conference Passes are on sale now at departureto.com.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMMING
The latest wave of speakers and artists joining Departure’s Conference brings together an extraordinary lineup of musical creatives including Dallas Green (City and Colour / Alexisonfire / You+Me) and Shad. In a candid conversation, they’ll reflect on the 20-year journey of Sometimes, the album that launched Dallas’ solo career, and its impact as an independent success story through Dine Alone Records. Award-winning reggae legend Shaggy; Canada’s Queen of R&B Jully Black; multi-award-winning reggae DJ SPEXDABOSS; and visionary artist Justin Bua, best known for his paintings of musicians and DJs, also join the Conference lineup.

Offering invaluable insights into the evolving music market Departure’s Conference will also bring top music industry commentator Bob Lefsetz and CEO of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Merck Mercuriadis will come together for a special fireside chat; Wasserman Music Executive Tom Windish in conversation with Co-founder & CEO of ROSTR, Mark Williamson; renowned music executive and former SVP of Island Def Jam Music Group Johnnie Walker; EVP of Urban Catalogue at Universal Enterprises Katina Bynum; and Live Nation’s Head of Industry Relations Joey Vendetta.

Continuing to expand its footprint in the creative sector, Departure’s Conference will welcome renowned futurist and WAYE founder Sinead Bovell; the entertainment podcast Click and Tell hosts Sangita Patel and Carlos Bustamante; and social media powerhouse and Indigenous rights advocate Notorious Cree. Also, Rhiannon Rosalind, visionary Founder & CEO of Conscious Economics, and Aseel El-Baba, in-house Financial Therapist, will bring their bold approach to wealth and the new economy by leading an empowering interactive session featuring various artists.

Also joining the impressive lineup of speakers is NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert host Bobby Carter as part of the Radiodays North America programming previously announced here.

Click here for a full list of Conference guests to date.

FESTIVAL MUSIC PROGRAMMING:
Departure is proud to announce 100+ showcase artists across 40+ venues for this year’s Festival and debuts an exciting lineup of emerging artists. All Departure pass holders will have access to these showcases. The Music Pass is currently available at an early bird rate of $60 until April 1.

As part of the Artist Showcase, Departure will present the Canada’s Walk Of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program Winner Showcase on May 7 at Rivoli, spotlighting rising talents Gabriel Fredette, Dallas, Mint Simon, Jackie Art, and Tiger Balme.

In addition, Departure has announced several premium events to join their roster including Noeline Hoffman, Sadboi, Planet Giza, Bobby Bazini, Koven Wei, PACKS, and Adam Melchor.

The SiriusXM Spotlight Series at Lee’s Palace, celebrating its 40th anniversary, brings prominent Canadian artists including Death from Above 1979, Noeline Hofmann, Planet Giza, Rural Alberta Advantage, and Papooz to the iconic venue.

Click here for a full list of artists, venues and schedule of events to date.

FESTIVAL COMEDY PROGRAMMING:
Departure’s laugh-out-loud comedy lineup will feature an impressive slate including How Did This Get Made? – Live, the award-winning podcast that celebrates bad movies with co-host comedians and actors Paul Scheer (The League), Jason Mantzoukas (Big Mouth), and June Diane Raphael (Grace & Frankie); viral stand-up comedian Trevor Wallace; stand-up comedian and actor Pete Holmes (Crashing); and beloved Canadian actor Harland Williams (Dumb and Dumber, RocketMan).

The Festival will place a specific focus on exceptional homegrown talents with two Canadian Comedy Industry Showcases, hosted by Ali Hassan and Rebecca Reeds that highlight some of the best Canadian comics, as well as the Canadian Headliner Series at Comedy Bar, which will welcome some of Canada’s most celebrated comics including acclaimed actress and comedian Caroline Rhea, stand-up powerhouse Mark Forward performing The New Show (where every performance is completely new), Juno Award-winning comedian Ivan Decker, and Indian-immigrant-turned-stand-up comedian Ashwyn Singh, among others, plus American comedian, actress, and writer Leslie Liao.

Departure will also bring Don’t Tell Comedy, the #1 global discovery platform for stand-up comedy, with two special tapings at a secret location featuring 12 of the best Canadian comedians from across the country.

Continuing to spotlight Canadian comedians, Departure will present New Arrivals: A Departure Solo Sketch Showcase. Created in partnership with The Second City, which has played an important role in developing new sketch comedy talent, this show will feature The Second City’s top emerging performers alongside some of Toronto’s best sketch comedians, showcasing their finest solo comedy sketches. Expect a night of fresh, bold voices shaping the future of comedy.

In addition, Canadian comedy veterans Jean-Paul & Jay Martin will host the Trinidad vs. Jamaica Comedy Clash, where top Jamaican and Trinidadian comedians, including Team Jamaica: Julie Mango, Kathy Grant, and Fancy Cat, and Team Trinidad: Jr. Lee, Ro ‘Dey, and a surprise special guest go head-to-head in a clean comedy showdown.

Click here for a list of Comedy Programming to date.

#FIRSTLOOK: 2025 CANADA’S WALK OF FAME INDUCTION GALA TO HONOUR ISADORE SHARP AND TIFF

Canada’s Walk of Fame, the country’s highest mark of excellence, is set to welcome titans of film and hospitality to its prestigious ranks: the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), is celebrating 50 years as a powerhouse of Canadian and global entertainment, and Isadore Sharp, founder of the world’s leading luxury hotel brand Four Seasons. They join a remarkable group of previously announced 2025 Inductees, including:

Liona Boyd (Arts and Entertainment) – Five-Time Juno Award-Winning “First Lady of Guitar”
Dr. Tirone David (Science, Technology and Innovation) – Pioneering Cardiovascular Surgeon
Dr. Samantha Nutt (Humanitarianism) – Champion of Children’s Wellness on the Frontlines of Global Crises
Our Lady Peace (Arts and Entertainment) – Multi-platinum, Diamond-Selling Band
Mike Weir (Sports and Athletics) – One of Canada’s Greatest Golfers
Tonya Williams (Arts and Entertainment) – Award-Winning Actress, Producer and Advocate

These extraordinary Canadians will take their place among the more than 230 Inductees honoured on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Adding to the excitement, the 2025 Canada’s Walk of Fame Induction Gala returns on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, promising a reimagined experience for attendees. This highly anticipated event shines a spotlight on extraordinary Canadians whose achievements and contributions have made a lasting impact. More details on public events and additional 2025 Inductees will be announced.

“The Toronto International Film Festival and Isadore Sharp have made lasting impressions on Canada’s global presence, and their legacies have enriched lives and communities around the world,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Their Induction is a celebration of their profound contributions to our nation, and it is an honour to welcome these two trailblazers to Canada’s Walk of Fame.”

TIFF (Arts and Entertainment) – The Largest Public Film Festival in the World

TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. A global leader in film and entertainment, TIFF initiatives include the annual Toronto International Film Festival® in September; TIFF Lightbox, which features five cinemas, learning and entertainment facilities; the Donald Shebib TIFF Film Circuit, an innovative national distribution program; and the TIFF Content Market launching in 2026. The organization generates an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD. TIFF Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel, and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net. Click here to learn more about TIFF.

Isadore Sharp (Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy) – Visionary Hotelier and Philanthropist

Isadore Sharp is the founder of Four Seasons, a global luxury hospitality brand with 133 hotels and resorts and 55 Private Residences in 47 countries, along with a Private Jet Experience, and soon, the Four Seasons Yacht. Since opening his first hotel in Toronto in 1961, Sharp built Four Seasons into one of the most recognized names in hospitality. His commitment to outstanding guest service and innovative offerings has made the brand a global leader in luxury travel. Sharp continues to serve as the company’s chairman, guiding its development and maintaining a hands-on role in major decisions. A dedicated philanthropist, Sharp has supported causes like the Terry Fox Run and made significant donations to institutions such as the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and Mount Sinai Hospital. Sharp’s legacy extends beyond hospitality, with a deep commitment to service, community, and philanthropy.

Click here to learn more about Isadore Sharp.

For more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit www.canadaswalkoffame.com.

#FIRSTLOOK: PERFORMERS FOR SEASON 4 OF CANADA’S GOT TALENT

Let’s go Canada! As we gear up to take centre stage, Citytv reveals the showstopping performers appearing on Season 4 of Canada’s Got Talent, beginning Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET/PT with a two-hour episode on Citytv or stream it on Citytv+. The highly anticipated talent competition series spotlights 105 acts on the Canadian stage as they face the #CGT judges – Howie Mandel, Shania Twain, Katherine Ryan, Kardinal Offishall – and compete to win the $1M grand prize from Rogers.

Rogers is once again providing the winner of Canada’s Got Talent with a life-changing prize of $1M (plus $50 from Howie Mandel) – the biggest cash prize in Canadian television history. The winner also receives financial advice from CIBC. And that’s not all! Every Golden Buzzer recipient will receive $25,000 (totalling $150,000), courtesy of CIBC, to help realize their ambitions. CIBC Aventura and Jackpot City join Canada’s Got Talent as premium sponsors, in addition to returning partners – Rogers, CIBC, Tim Hortons, Uber Eats, Kruger (Scotties Tissues), and Orville Redenbacher.

Season 4 of #CGT showcases the unique talents of acts from across Canada and beyond underscoring its reputation as the destination for world class talent. Hosted by Lindsay Ell, Canada’s Got Talent culminates in a live two-hour finale on Tuesday, May 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT from OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls.

Contestants for Season 4 of Canada’s Got Talent are listed below.

ALBERTA

ANGIE “i” ROLLA – Variety, Calgary

CAROLINE STOKES – Variety, Edmonton

JANICLE FILIBUSTER – Singer/Musician, Calgary

LLOYD FARLEY – Comedy, Calgary

MARIA PICKERING – Singer/Musician, Lethbridge

MICHELA SHEEDY – Singer/Musician, Okotoks

BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALISTAIR OGDEN – Comedy, Port Moody

BLAKE ALEONG – Magic, Burnaby

CARSIM BIRMINGHAM – Singer/Musician, Vancouver

DANIELE LEQUAGLIA – Singer/Musician, Kelowna

DARBY MILLS – Singer/Musician, Vernon

IMOGEN – Variety, Victoria

MEL & BUGSY – Animal Act, Richmond

RYAN WILLIAMS – Comedy, Kamloops

TERENCE WALSH – Variety, Vancouver

TWOFOURSEVEN – Dance, Vancouver

MANITOBA

JON STOESZ – Singer/Musician, Steinbach

JULIANNA MOORE – Singer/Musician, St. Lazare

NEW BRUNSWICK

IRIS LLOYD – Singer/Musician, Hartland

THE MARTIN BOYS – Vocal Group, Woodstock

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

CODY HARVEY – Singer/Musician, Grand Bank

JACOB LEWIS – Singer/Musician, Butlerville

MATT WRIGHT – Comedy, Gander

NOVA SCOTIA

STUDIO 26 DANCERS – Dance, Halifax

ONTARIO

ANESTI DANELIS – Comedy, Toronto

AARUSH SUREN – Dance, Vaughan

ARCHY JAY – Variety, Mississauga

BADUNKAFUNK – Singer/Musician, Norfolk County

BEN KAHAN – Magic, Toronto

BEVERLY SARAZA – Singer/Musician, Toronto

BRIANNA MONTEROSSO – Singer/Musician, St. Catharines

CARSON AND TAYLOR – Magic, Toronto

CASSANDRA STAR – Singer/Musician, Fort Frances

CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! – Vocal Group, Toronto

DANIELA AGOSTINO – Singer/Musician, Vaughan

DEEP SOUTHWEST – Comedy, Chatham-Kent

DONG D – Variety, Oakville

DUSTIN BIRD – Singer/Musician, Stirling

EZRA JORDAN – Singer/Musician, Toronto

FRANK MOYO – Singer/Musician, Toronto

FUNKYVERSE – Dance, Toronto

HEAVEN’S SOUND – Vocal Group, Toronto

ILLUMIN DRONE SHOWS – Variety, Toronto

JACOB HILLHOUSE – Variety, Lindsay

JOEY ARRIGO – Dance, Toronto

JONATHAN POOLEY – Singer/Musician, Paris

KP STONE – Singer/Musician, Ottawa

KYLE LANDI – Variety, Milton

KYRA DANIEL – Singer/Musician, Kingston

MAPLE STAR & SWIFT – Variety, Toronto

MICAH THE VELAWESOMERAPTOR – Variety, Acton

MIKAEL TAIEB – Variety, Kleinburg

NICOLINA – Singer/Musician, Vaughan

PRANYSQA – Singer/Musician, Mississauga

RESONATE – Vocal Group, Toronto

SABA – Singer/Musician, Toronto

SAI KIT LO – Comedy, Markham

SAINT STELLA – Variety, Toronto

SHARON RILEY & FAITH CHORALE – Vocal Group, Toronto

S.H.E. – Dance, Toronto

STREET LOVE DANCE – Dance, Toronto

THE ANCIENT YOUTH – Vocal Group, Toronto

THE SECRET – Magic, Toronto

DARREN LEO – Comedy, Toronto

AVA VAL – Comedy, Toronto

JENN LABELLE – Comedy, Ottawa

PRECIOUS CHONG – Comedy, Toronto

VALERIE BOYLE – Singer/Musician, Toronto

WHYTE WYNE AND YOUNG RIESLING – Variety, Toronto

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

902 CREW – Dance, Charlottetown

DEEDEE AUSTIN – Singer/Musician, Abegweit First Nation

QUEBEC

ALEX BOYER – Magic, Montréal

BAYARMA – Variety, Montréal

DIFFO – Dance, Sherbrooke

ELIANA DULLA – Singer/Musician, Gatineau

LUC LANGEVIN – Magic, Montréal

MONTREAL TRIO – Variety, Montréal

NICOLAS TARDIF – Magic, Trois-Riviéres

PAT MEYER – Variety, Oka

SANDRINE & ROBIN – Dance, Granby

SWITCH – Dance, Laval

THE RICHARD FAMILY – Vocal Group, Laval

THEA CRUZ – Singer/Musician, Montréal

THOMAS ROCHELET – Variety, Montréal

UMOJA – Dance, Montréal

YAMA LAURENT – Singer/Musician, Lévis

SASKATCHEWAN

HUNISH PARMAR – Variety, Saskatoon

LUCY DARLING – Magic, Prince Albert

ABROAD

ADA VOX – Variety, USA (Texas)

BAYARMA PARRY – Variety, USA (Las Vegas)

CHANTAAAAL – Singer/Musician, France

ERIC MANUEL – Singer/Musician, USA (Florida)

FORBIDDEN NIGHTS – Variety, UK

GARRETT ALLEN – Variety, USA (San Diego)

GERRARDON – Variety, Japan

LEON & ROBERTO – Variety, USA (New York)

MAHIRO – Comedy, Japan

MARCOS & MARCEL – USA (Georgia)

SAMUEL CHONG – Variety, Malaysia

STEFANO BRONZATO – Magic, Italy

TAPE FACE – Variety, USA (Las Vegas)

THE JAMBO BROTHERS – Variety, Kenya

TULGA – Variety, Mongolia

YUIYUI – Dance, Japan

WES-P – Variety, Japan

Canada’s Got Talent is produced by McGillivray Entertainment Media Inc. and Fremantle, in association with Citytv, a division of Rogers Sports & Media based on the Got Talent format owned by Fremantle and SYCO Entertainment.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW FINAL TRAILER FOR THE RUSSO BROTHERS’ “ELECTRIC STATE” | “KID COSMO” GAMING EXPERIENCE

Arriving March 14, 2025 on Netflix, today we get a first look at the official final Trailer for the Russo Brothers’ very star-studded ELECTRIC STATE.

ABOUT THE ELECTRIC STATE

DIRECTED BY: Anthony and Joe Russo
SCREENPLAY BY: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely
BASED ON THE BOOK BY: Simon Stålenhag
PRODUCED BY: Joe Russo, p.g.a.; Anthony Russo, p.g.a.; Mike Larocca, p.g.a.; Angela Russo-Otstot; Chris Castaldi; Patrick Newall
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Tim Connors, Nick van Dyk, Jake Aust, Geoffrey Haley, Jeffrey Ford, Simon Stålenhag, Julia Angelin, Russell Ackerman, John Schoenfelder, Anthony Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti
CO-PRODUCERS: Anthony J. Vorhies, Joseph Micucci, Murtaza Kathawala

RELEASE DATE | On Netflix 2025

KEY CAST: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, with Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci. Featuring the vocal talents of Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo, Alan Tudyk.

SYNOPSIS | The Electric State is a spectacular adventure from the directors of Avengers: Endgame set in an alternate, retro-futuristic version of the 1990s. Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things, Enola Holmes, Damsel) stars as Michelle, an orphaned teenager navigating life in a society where sentient robots resembling cartoons and mascots, who once served peacefully among humans, now live in exile following a failed uprising. Everything Michelle thinks she knows about the world is upended one night when she’s visited by Cosmo, a sweet, mysterious robot who appears to be controlled by Christopher — Michelle’s genius younger brother whom she thought was dead. Determined to find the beloved sibling she thought she had lost, Michelle sets out across the American southwest with Cosmo, and soon finds herself reluctantly joining forces with Keats (Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World), a low-rent smuggler, and his wisecracking robot sidekick, Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie). As they venture into the Exclusion Zone, a walled-off corner in the desert where robots now exist on their own, Keats and Michelle find a strange, colorful group of new animatronic allies — and begin to learn that the forces behind Christopher’s disappearance are more sinister than they ever expected.

The Electric State is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and stars Brown, Pratt, Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Giancarlo Esposito, Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci, and Woody Norman. Mackie, Woody Harrelson, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, and Alan Tudyk lend their talents as the voices of the robots. The film is based on the graphic novel by Simon Stålenhag with a screenplay written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

There’s also a gaming component as well! Introducing THE ELECTRIC STATE: KID COSMO!

Enter The Electric State through the eyes of siblings Chris and Michelle with The Electric State: Kid Cosmo, a new bite-sized adventure puzzle game. This narrative-driven game takes place before the events of the movie and spans five years, blending gameplay with emotional storytelling to create an immersive experience. The prequel will be available on iOS and Android, exclusively to Netflix members on March 18!

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#SPOTTED: MATTHEW GRAY GUBLER IN TORONTO FOR “EINSTEIN”

The kindest soul! Criminal Minds icon Matthew Gray Gubler, known for the fan favourite role of Spencer Reid on that CBS series, is in town filming a new Crime-Drama pilot for CBS, EINSTEIN! The Series has him playing the great-grandson of Scientist Albert Einstein!

Gubler commenced production a few days back and should be filming till middle of the month! For the role, he learned how to play pool here in Toronto!

Fingers crossed all goes amazing, we know how badly we all want to see this kind soul back on our screens!

@mrwillwong Lovely seeing this kind soul! Criminal Minds icon Matthew Gray Gubler is working on a new pilot for a CBS Crime Drama titled Einstein, in which he plays the Scientist’s great-grandson. #MatthewGrayGubler #Einstein #CriminalMinds #Toronto #EinsteinSeries #SpencerReid ♬ original sound – _criminalmindsismylife_

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF THE RUSSO BROTHERS’ “THE ELECTRIC STATE” IN TORONTO & VANCOUVER

We are thrilled to give our Readers in Toronto a chance to attend an Advance Screening of Netflix release THE ELECRTIC STATE on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 6:00PM in Toronto and Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 7:00PM in Vancouver.

Synopsis:

In the aftermath of the robot war, the only path forward is into THE ELECTRIC STATE. Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Stanley Tucci and directed by the Russo Brothers, only on Netflix MARCH 14. Set in a retro-futuristic past, this blockbuster adventure from filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), an orphaned teenager who traverses the American West in search of her younger brother. Joining her on the journey is a sweet but mysterious robot and an eccentric drifter (Chris Pratt). The film also stars Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci. Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo and Alan Tudyk join the cast in voice roles. THE ELECTRIC STATE premieres globally on Netflix MARCH 14, 2025.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK or IG. In the comments, tell us which City you are signing up for and tag 1 friend you will bring with you and you may enter as many times as you wish!

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THE ELECTRIC STATE arrives March 14, 2025 on Netflix Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix Canada)