#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “TETRIS”

Today Apple Original Films unveiled the trailer for the highly anticipated thriller, “Tetris,” starring Taron Egerton. 

“Tetris” tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by travelling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes, and a nail-biting race to the finish.

“Tetris” will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on March 31, 2023

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

#FIRSTLOOK: FIRST WAVE OF ACTS ANNOUNCED FOR NXNE 2023

Canada’s discovery music festival, NXNE, has announced its initial lineup of invited artists for this year’s event taking place June 13-17, with close to 300 acts showcasing the most exciting emerging talent. NXNE is also pleased to announce a festival partnership with Neo Financial that will allow fans to score a FREE full festival pass, plus a $10 credit by signing up for a Neo product with no financial commitment at nxne.com. This exciting partnership will make NXNE even more accessible this year, in addition to full festival passes available now for just $25 and single tickets available for $15. 

Each year thousands of music fans descend on Toronto’s live music venues at NXNE to see bands often before they break it big, in a massive week-long club crawl of intimate performances. With the buzziest artists and venues, this year promises to be one of the best yet! NXNE is committed to diversity and gender equity when selecting artists, welcoming all marginalized communities and genres.

“NXNE has never been more committed to reducing financial barriers for people to make and consume music than we are right now as demonstrated by our elimination of fees to apply to play, our commitment to paying all performing artists and our extremely low cost festival passes,” said NXNE Founder, Michael Hollett. “Our revolutionary partnership with Neo allows us to go one step further and offer NXNE fans a chance to attend the festival for free and even have some cash for a drink, parking or the TTC. It has never been easier — or cheaper — to explore the future of music at NXNE.”

“NXNE is the ultimate celebration of music and creativity, where art and entertainment come together to create unforgettable memories,” said Richard Okeke, Director, Channel Growth, Neo Financial. “A must-attend festival for music lovers and culture seekers alike, we are excited to partner with NXNE to bring this experience to life!”

Featuring some of the world’s best bands of today and tomorrow, music lovers will be able to catch a diverse group of acts that will be the next generation of headliners. The first wave of invited performers include Black Note Graffiti, Broken Fires, Charmaine, Housewife, Josh Bogert, Missy D, Platinum Moon and Shawnee Kish with more announcements to come in the lead-up to the festival. NXNE Headquarters, located at It’s OK* (468 Queen Street West), will feature a lounge, parties, band merchandise, performances and more! It will also be home to a series of enriching music industry panels for performing artists programmed in conjunction with the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA). 

Showcase lineups this year will see the city of Memphis’ music export initiative (MEM) bring the BBQ and five incredible contemporary Memphis acts for day and evening showcases, while Humber College will host a special battle of the bands competition for a coveted spot to play in their showcase. Additional showcase partners this year also include the Corporation of the city of Brampton, Canada’s Music Incubator, the City of Kitchener and Side Door Access with more announcements to come. 

A partial list of artists invited to perform include:

36? (Calgary, AB)

Accolades (Toronto, ON)

Alex Southey (Toronto, ON)

Almyr Jules (Ottawa, ON)

Ariel View (Ontario, CA)

ashlye (Brampton, ON)

Balto (Los Angeles, CA)

Banditos (Nashville, TN)

Bandits on the Run (Brooklyn, NY)

Bealby Point (North Vancouver, BC)

Big Loser (Winnipeg, MB)

Black Note Graffiti (Ann Arbor, MI)

Black Pontiac (North Vancouver, BC)

Blvck Hippie (Memphis, TN)

Borderline Toxic (London, UK)
Borito (Tel Aviv, Israel)

Bree Taylor (Mississauga, ON)

Broken Fires (Swansea / London, UK)

CHARMAINE (Toronto, ON)

Chris Pierce (Savannah, GA)

Cindë (Toronto, ON)

Cinzia & The Eclipse (Montréal, QC)

Dali Van Gogh (Halifax, NS)

Danny Toeman (London, UK)
Diamond Weapon (Toronto, ON)

Dilettante (Manchester, UK)

Durham County Poets (Ormstown, QC)

Electric Religious (Edmonton, AB)

Equal (Oshawa, ON)

Eric Ryan (Toronto, ON)

Fame Cartel (Hamilton, ON)

Fionn (Vancouver, BC)

FKB (Edmonton, AB)

Flamél (El Paso, TX)

FRANKIE FLOWERS (Waterloo, ON)

Gunner & Smith (Saskatoon, SK)

Half Tangerine (San Jose, Costa Rica)

Harkness (Toronto, ON)

Hot Fudge Sundae (Guelph, ON)

Housewife (Toronto, ON)

Jessica Sevier (Toronto, ON)
Joey O’Neil (Dawson City, YT)

Josh Bogert (Vancouver, BC)

Kevin Daniel & The Bottom Line (Nashville, TN)

King Kuda (Brighton, UK)

King of Foxes (Edmonton, AB)

KYLO (Toronto, ON)

LGS (Ottawa, ON)

Living Room for Small (Kitchener/Waterloo, ON)

Luxe (Toronto, ON)

Lynn (Taipei City, Taiwan)

Maddisun (Cranbrook, BC)

Mark and the Tiger (Pasadena, CA)

Missy D (Vancouver, BC)

Monad (Tel Aviv, Israel) 

monarch. (Brooklyn, NY)

Moving City (Vancouver, BC)

Napoleon (Toronto, ON)

Nederveen (Bristol, UK)

Nicole Ariana (Halifax, NS)

Osyron (Calgary, AB)

Pixie & The Partygrass Boys (Salt Lake City, UT)

Platinum Moon (New York, NY)

Pony Girl (Ottawa/Hull, ON)

Prado Monroe (Vancouver, BC)

Queens & Kings (Toronto, ON)

Rip Pop Mutant (Montreal, QC)

Sadé Awele (Vancouver, BC)

Saults (London, UK)

Shawnee Kish (Edmonton, AB)

Sky Olson & The Valley (Salt Lake City, UT)

Sleep Outside (Cardiff, Wales)

Sorry, Peach (Spartanburg, SC)

St.Arnaud (Edmonton, AB)

Stuck On Planet Earth (Vaughan, ON)

Surf Dads (Regina, SK)

Taylor Ashton (Vancouver, BC)

The 12/21 (Winnipeg, MB)

The Band Ice Cream (Toronto, ON)

The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers (Los Angeles, CA)

The Garrys (Saskatoon, SK)

The Magnettes (Pajala, Sweden)

The Motive (London, UK)

The People Versus (Oxford, UK)

The Q-Tip Bandits (Boston, MA)

The Vanrays (Vancouver, BC)

theWorst (Portland, ME)

Velvet Rouge (Philadelphia, PA)

Victory (Toronto, ON)

VISSIA (Edmonton, AB)

Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys (Boston, MA)

Wave Montega (Malton, ON)

We Demand Parachutes (Boston, MA)

Wonderstate (Minneapolis, MN)

YASSiN & Sean Terrio (Oakville, ON)

ZELA (Newcastle, UK)

Zeroscape (Toronto, ON)

#FIRSTLOOK: 2023 TORONTO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL

By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

The TORONTO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (TBFF), presented by TD, celebrated the kick-off of its 11th edition this past Wednesday, where the opening night festivities were awash with panache and style. From February 15 to 20, 2023, TBFF will present 125 films from 20 countries and moviegoers will have the option to watch these live at the theatre or online. Two highlights of the evening included Founder Fabienne Colas presenting Writer/Producer/Director Jennifer Holness with the 2023 Career Achievement Award (who gave a heartfelt and inspired speech) and Director Matt Waldeck searing Documentary, LOVELY JACKSON, about Rickey Jackson’s 39-year incarceration for a crime he did not commit. Filmed in muted black and white and using recreations and live interviews, the Documentary was provocative and life affirming and both gentlemen basked in the positive audience response.

Check out the website TorontoBlackFilm.com for titles, dates, times and venues to discover new and exciting Cinema.

(Photo credit: George Kozera)

#FIRSTLOOK: “BACKSPOT” TO BEGIN PRODUCTION IN TORONTO MID-MARCH

Page Boy Productions, Night is Y and Prospero Pictures announce principal photography has started on the queer-led, highly anticipated BACKSPOT, marking the feature film debut of creator/director D.W. Waterson (That’s My DJ) starring award-winning actor Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs, Marvel’s Echo) and newcomer Kudakwashe Rutendo in lead roles. Acclaimed actors Thomas Antony Olajide (Learn to Swim, White Lie, The Spencer Sisters) and Olunike Adeliyi (The Porter, Revenge of the Black Best Friend), the incomparable Wendy Crewson (On the Basis of Sex, Room, Gray) and the iconic Shannyn Sossamon (A Knight’s Tale, Wristcutters: A Love Story, 40 Days and 40 Nights) also join the cast. Produced by Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson, Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs, Martin Katz, and Executive Produced by Elliot Page, BACKSPOT is written by Joanne Sarazen, based on a story by Waterson. The film will shoot until mid-March in the Toronto area.

Riley and Amanda are formidable members of their mid-level cheerleading squad until professional coach, Eileen McNamara, gives them the opportunity to join The Thunderhawks, a high-performance squad. Young, ambitious and in love, Riley (Jacobs) and Amanda (Rutendo) would be on top of the world if only Riley could get her anxiety under control and Amanda had less overwhelming responsibility. Desperate to be heard and appreciated, two qualities her home life severely lacks, Riley will do anything to ingratiate herself to her new coach. Amanda, on the other hand, has begun to notice a shift in Riley and is a bit suspicious of Eileen’s tactics. Battered, unrelenting and with a competition looming, these two young athletes must negotiate their space, find their voices and come to an understanding with the generation of women who came before them.

“I’m so proud and excited to finally be going to camera after five long years. We’ve assembled an absolutely stacked cast, and an incredible crew, and we are thrilled to be creating something that’s truly kick*ass, raw, and that has a magic energy behind it,” said D.W. Waterson, director. “Competitive cheer is incredibly athletic, and our young, queer youth are so resilient. I am beyond looking forward to highlighting both of these communities in Backspot.”

Executive Producers are Elliot Page, Matthew Jordan Smith, John Davidson, and Katisha Shaw. BACKSPOT will be distributed by levelFILM in Canada, and will subsequently stream on Crave, followed by CBC and CBC Gem. The film is produced in association with Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, CBC Films, and Shaw Rocket Fund. International and US rights to BACKSPOT are represented by UTA.

#FIRSTLOOK: “YOU” SEASON FOUR PART TWO TRAILER

When will these people learn to stop pissing Joe Goldberg off? Here’s a new look at the second half of YOU Season Four, arriving March 9, 2023 on Netflix.

About Season 4:
After his previous life went up in flames, Joe Goldberg has fled to Europe to escape his “messy” past, adopt a new identity, and, of course, to pursue true love. But Joe soon finds himself in the strange new role of reluctant detective as he discovers he may not be the only killer in London. Now, his future depends on identifying and stopping whoever’s targeting his new friend group of uber-wealthy socialites…

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: “STRANGER THINGS” IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE COMING TO TORONTO

The year is 1986. The town is Hawkins. But the location is Toronto. Netflix and leading global live-entertainment discovery platform Fever have teamed up to deliver Stranger Things: The Experience, a new immersive experience which opens at Cinespace Studios Marine Terminal in Toronto on March 31, 2023. With this experience, fans are thrown into a world of supernatural mystery, enduring friendships, and ‘80s nostalgia in an atmospheric celebration of the Stranger Things universe.

Guests are taken on a perilous adventure through the darker side of Hawkins, including the infamous Hawkins National Lab and the Upside Down. This brand new storyline, developed exclusively with the show’s creators, propels guests into a parallel universe where they must run the gauntlet of terrors lurking in the dark and unlock their secret powers to help save the town. With the gang’s hometown on the line, there’s room in Hawkins for heroes of all ages (5+) to work together to save the day.

After their escape from the Upside Down, guests will be free to explore Mix-Tape, where they can meet real-life characters from the Stranger Things world, grab a USS Butterscotch sundae at Scoops Ahoy, attempt to knock off MADMAX’s high score, sample a tasty pie from Surfer Boy Pizza, try a unique cocktail at the first ever Stranger Things-themed bar, snatch up exclusive merchandise, and even get up close and personal with Vecna himself.

Join the waitlist now for the chance to purchase tickets before anyone else! Sales will open to the general public starting February 21. Tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance by visiting strangerthings-experience.com/toronto.

Details:

Co-produced by Netflix and Fever, this groundbreaking experience takes fans of the global hit series inside some of its most iconic settings on an intimate guided new adventure alongside their favourite characters before the chance to hang out and explore major locations from the show.

Stranger Things: The Experience follows the smash-hit successes of the first official Stranger Things Stores that brought the “Upside-Down” to New York City and Los Angeles in Fall 2021, welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests and fans of the show over the course of its run. That followed Stranger Things: The Drive-Into Experience which took place in Los Angeles in Spring 2021, selling out every day for more than seven months and receiving rave reviews.

Netflix and Fever are bringing the groundbreaking, in-person live multimedia experience Stranger Things: The Experience to Canada for the first time.

The venue, located at Cinespace Studios Marine Terminal, will be transformed into iconic sets and challenges from Stranger Things.

Tickets are limited and prices will start at $49 per person and can be booked at strangerthings-experience.com/toronto. Fans can follow @strangerthings.experience for more.

Though there’s room in Hawkins for heroes of all ages, this experience contains mature language and graphic imagery and effects. Children under 5 will not be admitted, and anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

The Experience traveled to various cities in 2022 including New York, San Francisco, London, LA and Atlanta, with Paris and Toronto opening this March.

Fans can expect mind-blowing audiovisual effects but are warned that they will also have to face their fears as things can quickly turn uʍop ǝpᴉsdn.

Follow @strangerthings.experience on Instagram to keep up to date with exclusive news and surprises.

Location & Opening Times:

Location: Cinespace Studios Marine Terminal at 8 Unwin Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5A 3L1

Opening times:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 4 pm–9 pm

Saturdays and Sundays: 10:30 am–9 pm

Time slots available every half hour

The immersive multimedia experience lasts for 45 minutes before attendees can spend unlimited time at Mix-Tape, a collection of Stranger Things greatest hits, including themed food and drinks, exclusive merchandise, and unique photo opportunities.

#FIRSTLOOK: TIFF PARTNERS WITH WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY ACCESS CANADA

In memory of Festival programmer Ravi Srinivasan, The Toronto International Film Festival® announced today its exciting partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada for the Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship, a training and development programme that will support Canadian talent who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, and Francophone members of the aforementioned communities. Running from April 2023 to September 2023 and with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the fellowship will empower one individual to build and advance their career in film festival programming, curation, and communication through one-on-one expert mentorship.

“The film industry is an ecosystem, and film programmers play a defining role,“ said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “We are very proud to launch our first curatorial programme in honour of Ravi Srinvivasan, our late Canadian programmer who represented TIFF’s commitment to discover and champion diverse stories on screen. This programming Fellowship focuses on equity and inclusion, taking us one step further in transforming how we see the world by growing the next generation of Canadian curatorial talent.”

The successful applicant will become an integral part of the curatorial process, taking on the role of Programming Associate to one of TIFF’s International Programmers for the duration of the 2023 Festival Programming Cycle. With a commitment of up to 25 hours a week over the 24 week fellowship, the Fellow will be supported in the development of both their administrative and stakeholder management skills in order to grow a comprehensive toolkit for the future of their career. Compensation of $15,000 over the course of the fellowship will be paid to the successful applicant to support their learning experience. The Fellowship also includes a complimentary one-year TIFF Membership and complimentary Festival accreditation to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

“The continued diversification of roles of influence, like film programmers and curators, is a meaningful area of opportunity for Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada to contribute to impactful change in the Canadian industry,” said WBD Access Canada Executive Director, Melanie Nepinak Hadley. “We are thrilled to be partnered with TIFF on this innovative program.”

Over the course of the programme, the Fellow will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of international professionals and build on their knowledge of the Canadian and international film industries. Upon completion of the Fellowship, the successful applicant will have an extensive understanding of film curation, as well as a demonstrable set of practical skills in the craft of curation with which to advance their career.

Applications for the 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship will be open from Monday, February 13 to Monday, March 13. Visit tiff.net/careers for full eligibility.

For more than 20 years, TIFF Industry has delivered tailor-made professional development programmes, which include curated, bespoke opportunities to fast-track the careers and projects of the next generation of filmmakers, writers, directors, and actors. TIFF Industry provides emerging film industry professionals with critical professional development training throughout the year and during the Festival. Industry meetings and workshops push participants to explore film as a business, and to expand their creative approach.

The 48th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7–17, 2023.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW SERIES “EXTRAPOLATIONS” COMING SOON TO APPLE TV+

Apple TV+ today revealed the trailer for the highly anticipated, star-studded drama “Extrapolations,” from writer, director and executive producer Scott Z. Burns (“Contagion,” “An Inconvenient Truth,” “The Report”). Told over a season of eight interconnected episodes and produced by Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res, “Extrapolations” will make its global premiere on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on Friday, March 17, 2023, followed by one new episode every Friday through April 21, 2023.

“Extrapolations” is a bracing limited series that introduces a near future where the chaotic effects of climate change have become embedded into our everyday lives. Eight interwoven stories about love, work, faith and family from across the globe will explore the intimate, life-altering choices that must be made when the planet is changing faster than the population. Every story is different, but the fight for our future is universal. Are we brave enough to become the solution to our own undoing before it’s too late?

The series stars (in order of appearance) Yara Shahidi, Kit Harington, Daveed Diggs, Matthew Rhys, Heather Graham, Sienna Miller, Tahar Rahim, Meryl Streep, David Schwimmer, Neska Rose, Judd Hirsch, Cherry Jones, Edward Norton, Michael Gandolfini, Indira Varma, Diane Lane, Adarsh Gourav, Gaz Choudhry, Keri Russell, Gemma Chan, Marion Cotillard, Forest Whitaker, Hari Nef, Eiza González, Tobey Maguire, Ben Harper, Murray Bartlett and MaameYaa Boafo.

“Extrapolations” is executive produced by Burns, Ellenberg, Gregory Jacobs, Dorothy Fortenberry and Media Res’ Lindsey Springer. The series marks another partnership for Apple TV+ and Media Res, joining Emmy, SAG and Critics Choice Award-winner “The Morning Show,” and AFI Award-winning series “Pachinko.”

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

#FIRSTLOOK: “POLITE SOCIETY” TRAILER & POSTER

Official Sundance selection POLITE SOCIETY is about to hit theatres this Spring. Here’s a look at the Trailer and a new Poster!

Synopsis:

A merry mash up of sisterly affection, parental disappointment and bold action, POLITE SOCIETY follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan who believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.

Focus Features release POLITE SOCIETY in Theatres on Friday, April 28, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Focus Features)

#FIRSTLOOK: “QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY” TEASER

Today, Netflix and Shondaland hosted a global event for Bridgerton universe super fans ahead of the upcoming launch of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. During the event Creator and Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes revealed the May 4, 2023 premiere date and a first look at new footage for the highly anticipated six-episode limited series.

A panel discussion with Shonda Rhimes along with cast members Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), India Amarteifio (Young Queen Charlotte), Corey Mylchreest (Young King George), Arsema Thomas (Young Lady Danbury) as well as taped appearances with Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury) and Ruth Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton) included a conversation about what to expect from the series, how it relates to the Bridgerton universe, the themes it delves into for these beloved characters and how the actors drew inspiration for their roles.

Fans were also rewarded with never before seen clips of the series and a surprise reveal of the first teaser:

Logline: Centered on Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and power, this Bridgerton-verse prequel tells the story of how the young Queen’s marriage to King George sparked both a great love story and a societal shift, creating the world of the Ton inherited by the characters in Bridgerton.

Format: Limited Series
Episodes: 6
Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer: Shonda Rhimes
Director/Executive Producer: Tom Verica
Executive Producer: Betsy Beers
Cast includes:

Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), and Ruth Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton) reprise their roles from Bridgerton in this series. India Amarteifio (Line of Duty) plays Young Queen Charlotte. Michelle Fairley (Gangs of London) plays Princess Augusta. Corey Mylchreest (The Sandman) plays Young King George. Arsema Thomas (television debut) plays Young Lady Danbury. Rounding out the cast are Sam Clemmett (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – West End and Broadway, The War Below) as Young Brimsley, Freddie Dennis (The Nevers ) as Reynolds, Richard Cunningham (The Witcher) as Lord Bute, Tunji Kasim (Nancy Drew) as Adolphus, Rob Maloney (Casualty) as the Royal Doctor, Cyril Nri (Cucumber) as Lord Danbury, and Hugh Sachs (Bridgerton Seasons 1 & 2) as Brimsley (older).

(Photo credit: Netflix)