Celebrating its monumental 10^th edition, Canada’s leading South Asian film festival, the Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF) will make its return in person this March 23^rd – March 26^th, 2023 at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre (4141 Living Arts Dr) and the Cineplex Square One Cinemas (309 Rathburn Rd W). The festival’s opening night red carpet gala film will be the North American premiere of the Pakistani drama film KAMLI directed by Sarmad Khoosat. which revolves around the intertwining stories of three women and their restrained desires. The evening will feature a Q&A with acclaimed actress Sania Saeed in attendance.

MISAFF is proud to continue its mission to feature and spotlight new voices in South Asian Cinema and present thought-provoking and conscientious cinema that uplifts humanity and promotes peace and harmony. This year, the festival will showcase 40 films from Canada, India, USA, Pakistan, UK, and Bangladesh which include 8 feature films, four documentaries and 28 shorts. Highlights include the Canadian premieres of SANAA directed by Sudhanshu Saria and Kuldip Patel’s film POWAI, and the international premiere of the Balochi language film DODA directed by Adil Hussain Bizanjo. The festival will also feature the Oscar shortlisted Pakistani film JOYLAND directed by Saim Sadiq. The closing night film will be WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT directed by Shekhar Kapoor.

This year, MISAFF programming features moving themes that will resonate strongly with audiences during this era including films that explore the emergence from pain and overcoming sorrow, love across cultures, courage in the fight for justice and highlighting the scourge of class and casteism.

MISAFF 2023’s films include:

KAMLI by Sarmad Khoosat (Opening Night Film/North American Premiere) – PAKISTAN

Three women grapple with their restrained desires in a tale of love, loss and hidden secrets wherein their stories intertwine. Pakistan’s leading actresses Saba Qamar (Hindi Medium), Sania Saeed (Joyland) and Nimra Bucha (Ms Marvel) star in this stunning film.

JOYLAND by Saim Sadiq – PAKISTAN

In inner-city Lahore, a severe patriarch is the head of the middle-class Rana family, which includes his two sons, daughters-in-law, and four granddaughters. He wants his children to give him a grandson and forces his daughter-in-law Mumtaz to quit her job after Haider, his younger son and her husband, finds work at an erotic dance theater. But all changes when Haider falls in love with Biba, a transgender dancer.

POWAI by Kuldip Patel – INDIA

Powai is a triptych of stories about three women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds living in the titular developing suburb of Mumbai – a domestic worker, a govt preschool teacher and a software professional. As they struggle to realize their aspirations and claim their autonomy in a fast-changing, male-dominated, chaotic and often unforgiving urban landscape, their lives intersect in small, unexpected ways.

DODA by Adil Bizanjo (International Premiere) – PAKISTAN

This first feature revolves around a former boxer DODA from a small town. The film goes through the journey of Doda, and how he can survive and overcome his past and make things right once again. The Balochi language film is an attempt to push Baloch representation in the film industry.

HAWA by Mejbaur Rahman Sumon – BANGLADESH

The film depicts the journey of an all-men team on a fishing trawler, eventually where the mystery of life and relationships gets re-interpreted. The usual fishing mission of a group of seasoned boatmen of Cox’s Bazar finds an unheard-of catch in the deep of the sea. They caught a beautiful yet mysterious young girl and then entered the world of men on the boat. The story of the film is based on a fairy tale.

SANAA by Sudhanshu Saria (Canadian Premiere)

The film is about an ambitious young woman who is raging against an internal battle that is rooted in unhealed trauma. Sanaa, like Suds last film LOEV, also world premiered at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival to great acclaim.

What’s Love Got To Do With It by Shekhar Kapur – UNITED KINGDOM

Set between London and Lahore, a filmmaker documents her childhood friend and neighbour’s arranged marriage to a bride from Pakistan. The film stars Academy Award winning actress Emma Thompson, Indian parallel cinema diva Shabana Azmi and beloved British star Lily James.

Shankar’s Fairies by Irfana Majumdar – INDIA

A very nice slice-of-life movie set in rural 1960s India. It revolves around Shankar, the very competent lead servant in the household of a middle-class Indian family. He is a very important presence in the life of the young girl of the family. Yet he is treated like a brainless idiot by the bossy, unsympathetic mother of the family.

“MISAFF brings daring films to Canada and offers them the spotlight on the silver screen in Mississauga. The Festival introduces new voices that reflect new ideas in our communities.” said Festival Director Arshad Khan. “Cinema has been a catalyst for change and the programming at MISAFF reflects the daring spirit of today’s South Asian filmmakers.”

For 2023, MISAFF has also programmed an exciting selection of feature documentaries including the award-winning TO KILL A TIGER by Nisha Pahuja, WHILE WE WATCHED by Vinay Shukla, EXEGESIS: A LOVE STORY by Qais Pasha and MARGINALIZING MINORITIES by Dipti Gupta. The festival is also hosting 12 Canadian short films including the world premiere of THE LOVE WE MADE directed by V.T. Nayani.

MISAFF will also host an exciting program of industry events including Instagram Conversations With Filmmakers facilitated by the On Canada Project, MISAFF CHAT with the creators and cast of the hit new television show BOLLYWED in partnership with CBC taking place on Friday, March 24^th at the Cineplex Square One Cinemas, and the announcement of the 2023 MISAFF Star presented by ACTRA Diversity.

For a full list offilms and the schedule, please visit: www.MISAFF.com.

About MISAFF

In 2012, the Canadian Community Arts Initiative, a registered non-profit organization in Mississauga engaged Arshad Khan and Anya Mckenzie to take the small film component of Mosaic outdoor Festival of Mississauga to the next level. Arshad Khan and Anya Mckenzie were inspired by the renaissance in South Asian cinema taking place around the world and seized the opportunity to create an avid cinephile audience and community in the City of Mississauga by launching the MOSAIC INTERNATIONAL SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL (MISAFF). The pair were determined to celebrate and raise awareness about new voices in South Asian cinema. With the help of CCAI and Mosaic Festival (North America’s largest free event celebrating South Asian arts and culture) as a springboard, MISAFF was able to leverage an established cultural brand to attract film audiences in the region.

Since then, MISAFF has evolved with Festival Director Arshad Khan and now Advisory Board Member Anya Mckenzie at the forefront and the support of their collaborative partners the Canadian Community Arts Initiative. Canadian film artists such as Deepa Mehta, Ali Kazimi, Rajkumar Rao, Sami Khan, Anita Majumdar, Raymond Ablack, Syed Fuad Ahmed, Shireen Pasha, Supinder Wraich and Richie Mehta have been involved in the festival over the years and MISAFF attracts acclaimed international artists as well including Anu Menon, Rajat Kapoor, Ravi Patel, Afia Nathaniel, Hansal Mehta and Suraj Sharma. MISAFF features the best of new South Asian film titles and is now a definitive voice in the Mississauga community due to the quality of film selections that build on social consciousness and respect for community.

We get new Artwork for THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE featuring the iconic Rainbow Road! The Film arrives April 5, 2023 in theatres via Universal Pictures Canada!

From Nintendo and Illumination comes a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros. 

Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (collaborators on Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel (The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Minions: The Rise of Gru), the film stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike. 

The film is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. The film will be co-financed by Universal Pictures and Nintendo and released worldwide by Universal Pictures.

Genre: Action-Comedy

Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Kevin Michael Richardson, Sebastian Maniscalco

Screenplay: Matthew Fogel

Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic

Producers: Chris Meledandri, Shigeru Miyamoto

Today, Disney+ released the trailer for upcoming Original comedy series “UnPrisoned,” starring and executive produced by Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo. From creator Tracy McMillan, the eight-episode series will premiere March 10^th on Disney+ in Canada.

Inspired by McMillan’s life, “UnPrisoned” is a half-hour comedy about a messy but perfectionist relationship therapist and single mom whose life is turned right-side-up when her dad gets out of prison and moves in with her and her teenage son.

The series stars Kerry Washington (Paige Alexander), Delroy Lindo (Edwin Alexander), Marque Richardson (Mal Kennedy), Faly Rakotohavana (Finn Alexander) and Jordyn McIntosh (Little Paige).

From ABC Signature, the series is executive produced by Tracy McMillan, Yvette Lee Bowser, who also serves as showrunner, Kerry Washington alongside Pilar Savone through their Simpson Street production company, and Delroy Lindo. Joy Gorman Wettels and Jen Braeden also executive produce. 

Boston Strangler” from 20th Century Studios and writer/director Matt Ruskin premieres March 17, 2023, exclusively on Disney+ in Canada. The trailer for the true-crime thriller about the trailblazing reporters who broke the story of the notorious Boston Strangler murders of the 1960s is available now.

“Boston Strangler” stars two-time Oscar® nominee Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game,” “Pride & Prejudice”), Emmy® nominee Carrie Coon (“Fargo,” “The Gilded Age”), Alessandro Nivola (“Amsterdam”), David Dastmalchian (“Dune”), Morgan Spector (“Homeland”), Bill Camp (“Joker”), and Academy Award® winner Chris Cooper (“Adaptation”). Written and directed by Matt Ruskin (“Crown Heights”), the film is produced by Ridley Scott (“The Martian”), Kevin J. Walsh (“House of Gucci”), Michael Pruss (“American Woman”), Josey McNamara (“Promising Young Woman”), and Tom Ackerley (“I, Tonya”), with Michael Fottrell (“The Fate of the Furious”) and Sam Roston serving as executive producers. Sam Roston is overseeing for Scott Free and Bronte Payne for LuckyChap.

The film follows Loretta McLaughlin (Keira Knightley), a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious killer claims more and more victims, Loretta attempts to continue her investigation alongside colleague and confidante Jean Cole (Carrie Coon), yet the duo finds themselves stymied by the rampant sexism of the era. Nevertheless, McLaughlin and Cole bravely pursue the story at great personal risk, putting their own lives on the line in their quest to uncover the truth.

Paramount+ today announced the premiere date and legendary cast lineup for the highly anticipated second season of QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE. Hosted by five-time BAFTA TV Award winner Graham Norton, the new season will premiere exclusively on the service Friday, March 31 in Canada and the U.S, and on April 1 in the U.K., Latin America, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia. 

QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE follows the world’s most talented drag queens as they battle it out for global domination, and countries go head-to-head spotlighting their top talent. 

Each episode will feature the world’s fiercest queens as they debut a new musical performance in front of a live audience and the “Pop Diva Panel” of judges in the hopes of being crowned the “Queen of the Universe.” This season, global superstar Mel B joins the returning judges including platinum-selling recording artist, three-time Emmy-winning producer and judge of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Michelle Visage; multi-Emmy and GRAMMY® nominee Vanessa Williams; and American drag superstar Trixie Mattel. 

Meet the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE season two cast:

• AURA ETERNAL (Palermo, Italy) Instagram: @aura_eternal

Having previously appeared on the second season of Drag Race Italia where she made it to the top three, Aura Eternal has already demonstrated sickening skills in her homeland. But now Aura’s ready to show the rest of the world she’s got vocal chops that equal her stunning looks and is ready to become the next singing drag queen global sensation!

• CHLOE V (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Instagram: @dragchloe

With Brazil having won last season’s Queen of the Universe, Chloe V knows she’s got big stilettos to fill. But with a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, she’s confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown!

• JAZELL ROYALE (Orlando, Florida, U.S.) Instagram: @jazellbarbieroyale

Jazell Royale is more than just a gorgeous face and an award-winning pageant queen, and the time is now for her star to shine. She may be known in the USA for her many titles and viral videos, but she hopes that the Queen of the Universe stage will allow her to be remembered for her biggest asset – her voice!

• LOVE MASISI (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Instagram: @lovemasisi

Having lived in several different countries throughout their adventurous life, Love Masisi is now proud to call the Netherlands home. After a previous appearance on Drag Race Holland Season 2, they’re ready to showcase their passion for music and spread a message of hope and love all over the world.

• MAXIE (Manila, Philippines) Instagram: @maxieandreison

Maxie may already be known in the Philippines as a top-tier performer and LGBTQ advocate, but now she’s ready to be known as a universal singing sensation! Although she’s appeared on TV several times beginning when she was just a kid, she’s never left her home country. Now she’s ready to step onto the Queen of the Universe stage for a shot at her dream.

• MILITIA SCUNT (San Francisco, California, U.S.) Instagram: @militiasf

Known in California for her edgy drag looks and her soulful singing voice, Militia Scunt is ready to conquer the universe and become the next singing drag queen superstar. A triple threat with singing, dancing, and style skills, she’s confident she’s got the goods to smack down the competition and bring the crown to the USA – period!

• MISS SISTRATA (Tel Aviv, Israel) Instagram: @misssistrata

Miss Sistrata, reporting for beauty! This former soldier is ready to walk onto the Queen of the Universe stage like the true diva that she is. And with vocal abilities and looks that leave audiences gagged and begging for more, she’s ready to make her mark on the competition.

• TAIGA BRAVA (Cancun, Mexico) Instagram: @taigabrava

Taiga Brava arrives to the main stage from the sunny shores of Cancun, ready to make both homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she’s confident she’s got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

• TREVOR ASHLEY (Sydney, Australia) Instagram: @trevor_ashley

Trevor Ashley is a seasoned theater queen who’s been part of the Australian drag community for over 20 years. Despite her many career successes (including winning the Aussie equivalent of the Tony Award) this is her first televised singing competition – and the diva from Down Under is ready to deliver!

• VIOLA (Coventry, England, U.K.) Instagram: @playedbyviola

At only nineteen years old, Viola may be the youngest contender in the competition but don’t be deceived – she’s a talented musician who’s been working towards this opportunity her entire life. Having joined the drag community only a few years ago, this rising star is ready to show the universe just how bright she can shine.

Global drag icon and multi-Emmy® Award winner RuPaul serves as an executive producer on the series, alongside MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, the producers of the Emmy Award-winning franchise “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” 

Today, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced the nominees for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards in 145 television, film, and digital media categories, which also include the inaugural nominations in gender-neutral performance categories for lead and supporting performers in film and television.

The first season of CBC’s The Porter leads both television and overall 2023 Canadian Screen Award nominations with 19, including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Performer, Drama Series nominations for Aml Ameen, Ronnie Rowe Jr., and Mouna Traoré. Both CBC’s Sort Of and CBC Gem’s Detention Adventure received 15 nominations, followed by CBC’s Pretty Hard Cases with 11.

In film, Clement Virgo’s Brother tops nominations with 14, including Achievement in Direction and Performance in a Leading Role for Lamar Johnson. Stéphane Lafleur’s Viking follows with 13, while David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future boasts 11.

Revenge of the Black Best Friend leads digital media nominations with nine, including Best Web Program or Series, Fiction; followed by Avocado Toast The Series with seven and Tokens with four.

“From legendary directors like David Cronenberg to new voices like Bilal Baig, the 2023 Canadian Screen Award nominees reaffirm that our country has an immensely talented industry, and we are lucky to call them Canadian,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “Supporting these artists has never been more important, and we are proud to be at the centre of those efforts. I’m thrilled to share my heartfelt congratulations with all of the nominees and look forward to raising a glass to them in person this April.”

“The nominations for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards shine a much-deserved spotlight on the brilliant creative minds behind some of the best Canadian television, film, and digital media works of the past year, and we could not be more excited to gather in person — for the first time in four years — to celebrate these tremendous achievements,” said John Young, Chair, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

The 2023 Canadian Screen Awards will be presented in a series of seven intimate genre-based awards presentations, with esteemed members of the Canadian screen-based industry who brought us the best work from the last year, gathering in person at Meridian Hall in Toronto from Tuesday, April 11, 2023 through to Friday, April 14, 2023, all culminating with The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee, broadcasting on Sunday, April 16 at 8 PM (9 AT, 9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem.

An intimate look at Canadian storytelling excellence on screen, The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee is an hour-long star-studded broadcast special featuring celebrity interviews, highlights from the awards presentations throughout Canadian Screen Week 2023, and the presentation of the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award. The special will also include exclusive access to this year’s Special Award recipients, including: Ryan Reynolds, recipient of the Humanitarian Award, presented by Paramount+; Catherine O’Hara, who will receive the Academy Icon Award, presented by CBC; and Simu Liu, the recipient of the Radius Award, presented by MADE | NOUS.

The full schedule for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards is as follows:
Tuesday, April 11
12:00 PM ET – The Sports Programming Awards, presented by CTV
6:00 PM ET – The News, Documentary & Factual Awards

Wednesday, April 12
12:00 PM ET – The Children’s & Animation Awards, presented by Shaw Rocket Fund
6:00 PM ET – The Lifestyle & Reality Awards, presented by CTV

Thursday, April 13
12:00 PM ET – The Digital & Immersive Awards
6:00 PM ET – The Cinematic Arts Awards, presented by Telefilm Canada and supported by Cineplex

Friday, April 14
4:00 PM ET – The Comedic & Dramatic Arts Awards

Sunday, April 16
8:00 PM (9:00 PM AT, 9:30 PM NT) – The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee on CBC and CBC Gem

The 2023 Canadian Screen Awards Box Office opens today, Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Each of the awards presentations from Tuesday, April 11, 2023 to Friday, April 14, 2023 will include cocktail receptions for attendees, taking place before and after the shows. Canadian Screen Award nominees and guests can book their tickets online at academy.ca/boxoffice.

The nominees for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards were chosen by voting members of the Canadian Academy and by nominating juries, conducted virtually with representatives from the film, television, and digital media industries. The membership will now cast their votes between Wednesday, February 22, 2023 and Friday, March 10, 2023 to determine the winners.

For the full list of 2023 Canadian Screen Award nominees, please visit academy.ca/nominees; view the full schedule for Canadian Screen Week 2023 at academy.ca/schedule.

Media accreditation for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards opens on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. To receive updates and details for accreditation, as well as red carpet and press room opportunities, pre-register here. For promotional assets, including a fact sheet about the nominees and images, reference our digital toolkit.

About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional arts organization in Canada with a membership of more than 4,000 emerging and established industry professionals. Founded in 1979, the Canadian Academy is dedicated to recognizing, celebrating, and advocating for Canadian talent in the film, television, and digital media sectors while remaining committed to nurturing all levels of talent through professional training, networking opportunities, and guidance. The Canadian Academy produces the Canadian Screen Awards, bringing together the screen-based industries annually to honour and celebrate the country’s top talent during Canadian Screen Week.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television proudly acknowledges the support of its Leading Media Partner, CBC; Premier Partner, Telefilm Canada; Platinum Partner, CTV; and its Lead Partners, Netflix, the Canada Media Fund, Cineplex, the Cogeco Fund, and WBD Access Canada.

For information on membership and programming visit academy.ca.

Paramount+ today announced that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“Ahsoka”, “Kate”, “Birds of Prey”) will join upcoming U.K original drama series A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, starring alongside Ewan McGregor. An adaptation of Amor Towles’ internationally best-selling novel, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW has commenced filming this week. The limited run series is produced by eOne in association with Paramount, and will debut exclusively in Paramount+ markets around the world, and on SHOWTIME® in the U.S.

Winstead will star as Anna Urbanova, a glamorous, independent, and self-made film actress, at the height of her fame. She uses her wit and beauty to dazzle Count Alexander Rostov, played by Emmy Award winning actor Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars” franchise, “Halston”, “Trainspotting”). She’s an enigmatic character, who keeps her cards very close to her chest. Reluctant to reveal her true self, Anna plays a role off-screen as well as on. The Count and Anna’s sizzling chemistry is clear from the moment they meet in the Metropol Hotel where he has been banished by a Soviet trial, but will this be true love, or just the latest in a long line of roles Anna is playing?

Winstead will next be seen in a starring role in “Ahsoka”, the next installment in the Star Wars/Disney+ universe. She recently wrapped filming on Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s independent feature “Rich Flu”, which was produced by Pablo Larraín’s Fabula. Winstead played the title character in Netflix’s No. 1 worldwide hit action-thriller “Kate” opposite Woody Harrelson, and starred alongside Margot Robbie in the Warner Bros/DC feature “Birds of Prey”, directed by Cathy Yan. Winstead earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead for James Ponsoldt’s critically acclaimed “Smashed”.

A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW follows Count Alexander Rostov (McGregor) who, in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, finds that his gilded past places him on the wrong side of history. Spared immediate execution, he is banished by a Soviet tribunal to an attic room in the opulent Hotel Metropol, threatened with death if he ever sets foot outside again. As the years pass and some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold outside the hotel’s doors, Rostov’s reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. As he builds a new life within the walls of the hotel, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love.

A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW is produced by eOne in association with Paramount. The series is written by showrunner and executive producer Ben Vanstone (“All Creatures Great and Small”, “The Last Kingdom”). It is the first production to come through eOne’s first look deal with Tom Harper’s company Popcorn Storm Pictures. Harper (“War and Peace”, “Peaky Blinders”) will also executive produce alongside Ewan McGregor, Xavier Marchand (“Nautilus”, “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris”) and the novel’s writer, New York Times best-selling author Amor Towles. BAFTA® award winning director, and Emmy nominee Sam Miller (“Surface”, “I May Destroy You”, “Luther”) serves as director and executive producer.

Since its release, the novel has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, and counts Barack Obama, Tom Hanks and Ann Patchett among its high-profile fans.

The series, which is part of Paramount+’s strategy to commission 150 international originals by 2025, will debut in the UK and other international territories where the streaming service is available. A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW joins the expanding slate of UK originals for Paramount+, which includes THE KILLING KIND, THE EX-WIFE, THE FLATSHARE, SEXY BEAST, NO ESCAPE and THE BURNING GIRLS.

Winstead is represented by WME, Entertainment 360, and Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer.

20-year-old Nashville Singer-Songwriter Stephen Sanchez very quickly is winning fans and raves around the world. His sheer talent is undeniable and even if you don’t know his name, surely his smash hit “Until I Found You” in its versions with or without Em Beihold, is instantly recognizable. The Crooner known for his nostalgic songcraft would see the single propelled to double-platinum success in Canada and reaching #23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. He’s followed-up with that success with the goods as his latest single “Evangeline” is just as visceral and affecting.

Sanchez headlines his first tour, which effectively is a warm-up to his Fall Tour, and Toronto was so lucky to have him at Opera House, an upgraded venue from the more intimate Drake Hotel where he was to play originally. Donning a red velvet suit, he delivered a 14-song set spanning his accomplished and young career, even taking a moment to challenge the audience, speaking from the heart, about fearing love and being seen-through for who he is He also encouraged us to not waste love, even if it is just expressing one’s love for another alone. Though he brought-on the energy early, as the set progressed, it felt growingly intimate, even performing a chilling, minimalistic cover of “Unchained Melody“, bringing the audience to their knees. It was like witnessing a young Elvis before us. He’ll be back again in November at HISTORY and you cannot miss him next time!

We are so thrilled to have met Sanchez. We were actually supposed to see him last Fall however a surgery had him sidelined, but it’s been well worth the wait. He spent most of the day doing the rounds and was presented a 2x-Platinum certification for “Until I Found You” by Universal Music Canada! He’s everything we hoped!

Some Snaps:

A couple highlights from the night:

“Until I Found You”

“Evangeline”

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music/Mr. Will Wong)

We love Mae Martin and coming soon on Netflix is a Comedy Special, SAP!

• Mae Martin: SAP will premiere globally on Netflix on March 28, 2023.
• This is the comedian’s hour-long Netflix stand-up debut. They previously made their Netflix comedy special debut with a half-hour set in COMEDIANS of the world in 2019.
• The special was filmed last December at the Vogue Theater in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• The special is directed by acclaimed creator, Abbi Jacobson.
• The special will be produced by All Things Comedy.
• About the special: Mae Martin makes their hour-long comedy special debut with SAP, directed by Abbi Jacobson. The award-winning comedian, writer, and actor, best known for their critically acclaimed series FEEL GOOD, reflects on a world off its axis, from a mythical moose encounter to the gender spectrum in “Beauty and the Beast”, in this new stand-up special.
• Mae created and starred in the critically acclaimed and award-winning series, Feel Good and also performed in the Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration special, the largest-ever gathering of LGBTQ+ comics recorded at Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival earlier this year. Both can be streamed on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

The trailer and key art for the new Disney+ Original Film “Chang Can Dunk,” premiering exclusively on Disney+ on March 10, 2023 has just been released. Written and directed by Jingyi Shao, making his feature film debut, the inspiring coming-of-age sports comedy stars Bloom Li, Dexter Darden, Ben Wang, Zoe Renee, Chase Liefeld and Mardy Ma. The film’s producers are Rishi Rajani, Lena Waithe and Brad Weston, with Pamela Thur serving as executive producer.

Said Shao, “This movie is my love letter to basketball and about how it helped me better understand family, friendship and the Asian American/immigrant experience, about growing up and taking responsibility even when the odds are against you, and about learning to believe in yourself and break through not only the barriers set by others but more importantly, the barriers set by YOURSELF.”

Rajani and Waithe said, “We’re so proud of this film. Jingyi and the entire cast and crew have poured their hearts into telling a brilliant, nuanced coming-of-age story that we believe everyone will be able to relate to. Growing up, we all had our version of a “dunk” – a dream, some lofty goal – that we thought would change our lives for the better. ‘Chang Can Dunk’ is about the pursuit of that dream, the desire to be seen, and the lessons we learn along the way. It’s inspiring, empowering, and full of humor and heart. We can’t wait for audiences to see it!” 

“Chang Can Dunk” follows Chang, a 16-year-old, Asian American high school student in the marching band, who bets the school basketball star that he can dunk by Homecoming. The bet leads the 5’ 8″ Chang on a quest to find the hops he needs to dunk in order to impress his crush, Kristy, and finally gain the attention and respect of his high school peers. But before he can rise up and truly throw one down, he’ll have to reexamine everything he knows about himself, his friendships and his family.