Today, 3x GRAMMY and 7x BRIT Award-winning global pop powerhouse Dua Lipa announces her highly-anticipated third album, Radical Optimism. The album will be released May 3rd and consist of 11 songs including the euphoric club-ready track “Houdini” and recently released single “Training Season.” You can pre-order/pre-save Radical Optimism here.

Inspired by Dua’s own self-discovery, Radical Optimism is an album that taps into the pure joy and happiness of having clarity in situations that once seemed impossible to face. The hard goodbyes and vulnerable beginnings that previously threatened to crush your soul, become milestones as you choose optimism and start to move with grace through the chaos.

Rolling Stone has called the album “pop bliss,” while noting it is “uniquely and utterly Dua Lipa: confident dance pop full of witty Instagram-caption-ready one-liners.”

Infused with the energy of Dua’s hometown, London, the attitude of the album embodies the rawness, honesty, confidence and freedom of ‘90s Britpop. Radical Optimism transports its listener to a dreamy pop world rich in musicality, lyrically unapologetic and sonically liberating.

“A couple years ago, a friend introduced me to the term Radical Optimism. It’s a concept that resonated with me, and I became more curious as I started to play with it and weave it into my life,” Dua shares. “It struck me – the idea of going through chaos gracefully and feeling like you can weather any storm. At the same time, I found myself looking through the music history of psychedelia, trip hop, and Britpop. It has always felt so confidently optimistic to me, and that honesty and attitude is a feeling I took into my recording sessions.”

Dua worked with a team of core collaborators throughout the project including Caroline Ailin, Danny L. Harle, Tobias Jesso Jr. and Kevin Parker.

Earlier this month, Dua opened up the BRIT Awards with an electric performance of “Training Season” and subsequently took home her 7th BRIT Award for Best Pop Act. She also opened up the GRAMMY Awards this year, where she performed a medley of “Training Season,” “Dance The Night” and “Houdini.” Dua recently became the first female artist to have four songs each with over two billion streams on Spotify (“One Kiss,” “Don’t Start Now,” “New Rules” and “Levitating”).

Radical Optimism Tracklist:

1. End Of An Era
2. Houdini
3. Training Season
4. These Walls
5. Whatcha Doing
6. French Exit
7. Illusion
8. Falling Forever
9. Anything For Love
10. Maria
11. Happy For You

Pre-order / Pre-save Radical Optimism HERE

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of MONKEY MAN! Screenings take place as follows Wednesday, April 3, 2024:

Toronto: Scotiabank Theatre

Vancouver: Scotiabank Theatre

Synopsis:

Oscar® nominee Dev Patel (Lion, Slumdog Millionaire) achieves an astonishing, tour-de-force feature directing debut with an action thriller about one man’s quest for vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.

Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash.

After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.

Packed with thrilling and spectacular fight and chase scenes, Monkey Man is directed by Dev Patel from his original story and his screenplay with Paul Angunawela and John Collee (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World).

The film’s international cast includes Sharlto Copley (District 9), Sobhita Dhulipala (Made in Heaven), Pitobash (Million Dollar Arm), Vipin Sharma (Hotel Mumbai), Ashwini Kalsekar (Ek Tha Hero), Adithi Kalkunte (Hotel Mumbai), Sikandar Kher (Aarya) and Makarand Deshpande (RRR).

Monkey Man is produced by Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas (Hotel Mumbai, The Man Who Knew Infinity), Oscar® winner Jordan Peele (Nope, Get Out), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Hunters series), Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Basil Iwanyk (John Wick franchise, Sicario films), Erica Lee (John Wick franchise, Silent Night), Christine Haebler (Shut In, Bones of Crows) and Anjay Nagpal (executive producer of Bombshell, Greyhound). 

Serving as executive producers are Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney and Steven Thibault.

Universal Pictures presents a Bron Studios production, a Thunder Road film, a Monkeypaw production, a Minor Realm/S’Ya Concept production, in association with WME Independent and Creative Wealth Media.

Genre: Action Thriller

Cast: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Adithi Kalkunte, Makarand Deshpande

Director: Dev Patel

Story by: Dev Patel

Screenplay by: Dev Patel and Paul Angunawela and John Collee

Producers: Dev Patel, Jomon Thomas, Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Christine Haebler, Anjay Nagpal

Executive Producers: Jonathan Fuhrman, Natalya Pavchinskya, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andria Spring, Alison-Jane Roney, Steven Thibault

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate which city you are requesting for in the comments there. You can share this from our X account or IG stories for an extra chance, tagging us!

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release MONKEY MAN April 5, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

CBC and The Canadian Academy of Arts and Sciences (CARAS) are bringing Canada’s biggest celebration of music to audiences on all platforms at home and around the world with a special lineup of programming that showcases the best in Canadian music leading up to The 2024 JUNO AWARDS. Nelly Furtado hosts The 53rd Annual JUNO Awards, broadcasting live in all time zones across the country from Halifax on Sunday, March 24 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. AT/9:30 p.m. NT/ on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, and CBC Listen. The JUNO Awards will also be available on CBC Music’s YouTube page and for audiences around the globe at cbcmusic.ca/junos.

New to the JUNOS broadcast lineup, CBC and CARAS today announced the presenters who will take the Scotiabank Centre stage in Halifax, in addition to previously announced Academy Award®-nominated actor and Nova Scotia native, Elliot Page, who will present Tegan and Sara with the 2024 Humanitarian Award. The broadcast will include appearances by host of CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Best in Miniature, Aba Amuquandoh, two-spirit nurse practitioner and talented drag artist Anita LandBack, Canadian music legend Jim Cuddy, co-founder and executive director of the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance John R Sylliboy, actor/comedian Jonny Harris from CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries and Still Standing, 2024 Single of the Year nominee and pop singer/songwriter LU KALA, R&B/dancehall fusion and 2024 Reggae Recording of the Year nominee Omega Mighty, Minister of Canadian Heritage The Honourable Pascale St-Onge and JUNO Award winner and 2024 nominee William Prince. Crash Adams have been named the 2024 TikTok JUNO Fan Choice Award presenters and CBC Music’s Odario Williams will bring his Afterdark groove to the JUNO party as the Broadcast announcer. 2024 JUNO Award Nominee for Underground Dance Single of the Year, DJ Karaba will be the show’s official DJ, sharing her energy and beats throughout the Broadcast to keep the party going. The 2024 JUNOS will also feature a special moment for this year’s Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Maestro Fresh Wes, who will be inducted by Kardinal Offishall – his Induction will be presented by JUNOS Premier Sponsor, TD Bank Group.

On Sunday, March 24 the 53rd Annual JUNO Awards broadcast will feature performances by host Nelly Furtado, The Beaches, Charlotte Cardin, Jeremy Dutcher and Elisapie with fiery Mi’kmaq fiddler Morgan Toney featuring artistic creator Sarah Prosper, Josh Ross, Karan Aujla, TALK and special performances by Alexandra Stréliski, Allison Russell and Aysanabee paying homage to legendary artists Karl Tremblay, Gordon Lightfoot and Robbie Robertson. Producer and composer Ikky, will make a Broadcast appearance to round out the 2024 JUNO Award performers.

As the home for Canadian music, CBC is dedicated to showcasing homegrown artists throughout the year and during JUNO Week. See below for this week’s full schedule of JUNO programming.

MONDAY, MARCH 18

CBC MUSIC LIVE PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Jenn Grant and Rose Cousins, hosted by CBC Music’s Odario Williams.

Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time (6:30 NT), with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

CBC MUSIC LIVE PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Reeny and Adam Baldwin, hosted by CBC Music’s Odario Williams.

Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES

22 Minutes salutes the JUNOS with special appearances by 2024 JUNOS host Nelly Furtado and JUNO Nominee Amanda Marshall.

Broadcasts on CBC and CBC Gem at 8:00 p.m. local time (8:30 NT)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

RECLAIMED PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by DeeDee Austin, Wolf Castle and Morgan Toney, hosted by CBC Music’s Jarrett Martineau.

Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21

THE BLOCK PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Jah’Mila and Aquakultre, hosted by CBC Music’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe.

Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22

Q WITH TOM POWER

Join host Tom Power for a sit-down interview with 2024 JUNOs host Nelly Furtado. she’ll talk about returning to the 53rd annual JUNO Awards as a host and how she’s grown over 25 years in music.

Broadcasts on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen at 10 a.m. local time (10:30 NT). The Nelly Furtado interview will also be available on CBC News: The National at 10 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem.

MAINSTREET WITH JEFF DOUGLAS

CBC Nova Scotia host Jeff Douglas celebrates the 2024 JUNOS with a special Atlantic-wide show with industry insiders and musical performances, live from the Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Halifax.

Broadcasts on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. AT (3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. NT)

MARVINS’ ROOM PRESENTS: ROAD TO THE JUNOS

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Marquee Ballroom in Halifax, audiences can enjoy performances by Zamani Folade and Gary Beals, hosted by CBC Music’s Jemini.

Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 p.m. local time, with a video version available to stream on CBC Gem.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

THE 2024 JUNO OPENING NIGHT AWARDS

Presented by Music Canada

Celebrating Canada’s top musical talent. This year’s Opening Night Awards shine bright all the way from beautiful Halifax, NS. Catch electric performances and award presentations from new faces and treasured favourites as well as winners of coveted JUNO statuettes for: The Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, and 40+ JUNO Awards.

Available to stream live at 5 p.m. ET (2 PT/ 3 MT/ 5 CT/ 6 AT / 6:30 NT) on CBC Gem, CBC Music’s YouTube page and globally at CBCMusic.ca/junos

SUNDAY, MARCH 24

JUNO SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE

Presented by SOCAN and FACTOR in association with Music Publishers Canada

Taped in front of a live audience from Halifax’s LightHouse Arts Centre on Friday, March 22, the 2024 JUNO nominees join CBC Music host Damhnait Doyle in Halifax for a unique event that strips away the layers of production to present the essence of music in its purest form: the song itself. Hear candid conversations, acoustic performances, and unforgettable connections from Begonia, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Jeremy Dutcher, Leith Ross, Luna Elle, Matt Andersen, Rêve and William Prince.

Broadcasts on CBC Music at 6:00 p.m. ET and on CBC Radio One at 6:30 p.m. ET (7:30 AT, 5 CT, 4 MT, 3 PT)

THE 2024 JUNO AWARDS BROADCAST

Hosted by music icon Nelly Furtado, Canada’s Biggest Night in Music features the presentation of various JUNO Awards and performances by Canada’s hottest artists live from Halifax for the 53rd annual celebration of Canada’s top musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, and more.

Broadcasts live on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC Radio and CBC Listen at 8 p.m. ET (5 PT/ 6 MT/ 7 CT/ 9 AT / 9:30 NT) with encore broadcasts on CBC TV in PT and MT time zones at 8 p.m.. In addition to described video and closed captioning CBC Gem will also offer ASL interpretation made available courtesy of the Disability Screen Office, CBC and Insight Productions with the support from the Canada Media Fund.

MONDAY, MARCH, 25

CBC MUSIC MORNINGS WITH DAMHNAIT DOYLE

Host Damhnait Doyle is live from Halifax, looking back at Canada’s biggest night in music. Hear interviews with 2024 JUNO winners and nominees, as well as some of the top music headlines to come out of Halifax’s JUNO week.

Broadcasts on CBC Music and CBC Listen at 6 a.m. local time (6:30 NT)

COMMOTION WITH ELAMIN ABDELMAHMOUD

Featuring a panel live from Halifax, host Elamin Abdelmahmoud brings together music critics from across the country to recap the wins and surprises of the 2024 JUNO awards.

Broadcasts on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen at 11 a.m. local time (11:30 NT)

TIFF is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of the Next Wave Film Festival, supported by the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Toronto back for its 13th edition, which invites young audiences and cinephiles for a weekend of exciting new films and special events. This year, TIFF Next Wave will open the weekend with Battle of the Scores, during which four up-and-coming bands score the silent short film Moontime, directed by Julia Harris and Adlyn Gilbert, and compete for a grand prize. From April 11–14, audiences can expect an electrifying showcase of emerging talent and innovative storytelling. Programmed for youth, by youth, the Next Wave Film Festival offers free Official Selection films for anyone under 25. Tickets are available starting March 13 for TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Pass holders, and to the general public on March 15.

“At the heart of TIFF’s Next Wave Film Festival lies our profound commitment to nurturing emerging talents and igniting a love for cinema among the next generation,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “As an organization dedicated to fostering creativity and inclusivity, TIFF’s impact reverberates far beyond the silver screen, shaping the cultural landscape and inspiring communities worldwide. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of film at the 2024 edition of New Wave.”

This year’s Official Selection promotes nine debut and sophomore features ― from Canada, China, Sweden, Madagascar, India, Brazil, USA, and the United Kingdom ― that explore gripping and authentic stories of teenagehood and coming of age in communities across the globe. Highlights include: Luna Carmoon’s 2023 directorial debut Hoard, which follows a close bond between mother and daughter while exploring the intricate layers of human attachment and the emotional weight of possessions; Swedish director Mika Gustafson’s Paradise Is Burning, an intimate portrait of three sisters and the growing pains that come with transitioning from girlhood to womanhood; She Sat There Like All Ordinary Ones, directed by Youjia Qu, follows Zhuang, a laid back high school senior whose life becomes intertwined with his classmate Meng after taking the blame for her theft of a starting pistol; Shuchi Talati’s Girls Will Be Girls, a thrilling depiction of 16-year-old Mira’s journey to maturity navigating love, desire, and rebellion at a strict boarding school nestled in the Himalayas; and director Luck Razanajaona’s first feature Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story, the story of a 20-year-old sapphire miner that returns home after an unforeseen tragedy and must grapple with questions of grief, loyalty, and revolution.

“TIFF Next Wave is all about sharing youth stories from all over the world! I hope everyone who catches a film feels that much more connected to young people everywhere,” said Serena Hao, TIFF Next Wave Committee Member.

Alongside film screenings, audiences will have the opportunity to attend special events at TIFF Lightbox, notably Loved It: Priyanka on Hustlers, during which the winner of the first-ever season of Canada’s Drag Race, joins us to dissect the 2019 film starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu; and a special screening of The Concierge, directed by Yoshimi Itazu, who’s known for his work on popular anime films Paprika (2006) and Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises (2013).

Ranging in age from 15 to 18, the TIFF Next Wave Committee is made up of 12 teen film enthusiasts, many of whom are young creators and filmmakers from across the Greater Toronto Area. With the guidance of TIFF staff, the Committee is charged with planning major teen-oriented events year-round at TIFF Lightbox, including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, a one-of-a-kind talent incubator.

TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Pass Holders receive access to year-round TIFF benefits, including free access to more than 300 Cinematheque screenings. To learn more and join as a TIFF Member, visit tiff.net/join.

• Free tickets for TIFF Next Wave Film Festival are limited to 1 ticket per film screening for anyone under 25

2024 TIFF NEXT WAVE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival Official Selection — April 11 to 14

She Sat There Like All Ordinary Ones (Kai Shi De Qiang) dir. Youjia Qu –
Intro and Q&A with the filmmaker
China | 2024 | Mandarin

Disco Afrika: A Malagasy Story dir. Luck Razanajaona – Virtual Q&A with the filmmaker
Madagascar/France/Germany/Mauritius/Qatar | 2024 | Malagasy

Power Alley dir. Lillah Halla – Virtual Q&A with the filmmaker
Brazil/Uruguay/France | 2023 | Portuguese

Hoard dir. Luna Carmoon
UK | 2023 | English

Les Rayons Gamma (Gamma Rays) dir. Henry Bernadet
Canada | 2023 | French

Paradise Is Burning (Paradiset Brinner), dir. Mika Gustafson
Denmark/Finland/Italy/Sweden | 2023 | Swedish

Girls Will Be Girls , dir. Shuchi Talati
India | 2024 | Hindi, English

A Song Sung Blue (Xiao Bai Chuan), dir. Zihan Geng
China | 2023 | Mandarin, Korean

Big Boys dir. Corey Sherman – Open-captioned screening
USA | 2023 | English

Loved It: Priyanka on Hustlers — April 11, 6:30pm
Multi-talented pop sensation, musical artist, and winner of Canada’s Drag Race Priyanka joins us to present Hustlers, one of the most dazzling and fun pop movies of all time. Priyanka will be joined by drag performer and host Allysin Chaynes to discuss the film’s cultural relevance and why it holds a place as one of her favourites.

Opening Night: Battle of the Scores — April 12, 7pm
Battle of the Scores challenges four up-and-coming bands to score a silent short film — and the audience picks the winner. See the bands perform their music LIVE in-cinema and kick off the festival weekend in style. Co-programmed by Insomniac Film Festival, this year’s competition features the bands Mifune Moods, The Sedges, Life Sized, and RoadKill, all scoring Moontime, directed by Julia Harris and Adlyn Gilbert. Visit @TIFF_NET on Instagram starting April 1 to see the films, hear the scores, and to cast a vote.

Young Creators Co-Lab — April 13, 9am
The Young Creators Co-Lab is a gathering space for young and emerging artists in Toronto to connect with industry professionals and hear about all things film. Develop your craft, meet like-minded peers, and learn how to build a career in the media arts. The Co-Lab offers a full day of connective and engaging programming for filmmakers and creatives, 9am–3pm on April 13 at TIFF Lightbox. Session topics include Thriving as an Artist presented by ArtWorksTO, featuring panelists Dwayne Holness (CEO, Corex Creative), Sid Naidu (Photographer, ScarboroughMade), Cristal Buemi (Animator/Educator, Frame by Frame), and V.T. Nayani (Writer-Director, This Place), moderated by career coach and film producer Betty Xie; Low-Budget Filmmaking: Do It Yourself – writer-directors Ethan Eng (Therapy Dogs), Minerva Navasca (Guardians, Desync) and Prajj Rajawat (AbsAbsAbs) break down their low-budget practice and take us behind the scenes of their productions; and Breakout Sessions with industry professionals discussing their experience navigating the film landscape within their current roles, from production and costume design, to editing and VFX.

The Young Creators Co-Lab is presented by the City of Toronto. The Supporting Educational Partner is Toronto Film School.

TIFF Next Wave x Family Films Presents: The Concierge — April 14, 1pm
We all know the customer is always right, but what about when your customers are anthropomorphic animals shopping for new clothes? For Akino, an anxious and eager-to-please trainee at the Hokkyoku department store, it makes no difference! With stunning art and animation, The Concierge offers a vibrant and light-hearted story for audiences of all ages.

Closing Night: Young Creators Showcase — April 14, 7:30pm
Discover the next wave of Canadian filmmakers in this series of shorts created for youth, by youth. Celebrating the work of young and emerging filmmakers, this programme focuses on themes of community, belonging, and altered realities. From animation to documentary, these films feature a dynamic mix of voices, visions, and methods of storytelling. They showcase daring new ways youth are engaging in film to create honest, intersectional stories about their experiences.

Young Creators Showcase Awards: Presented by Cineplex
New this year, the Young Creators Showcase films are eligible for awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Writing, and Best Editing, presented by Cineplex in support of the next generation of Canadian filmmakers. The winners will be selected by jury members, Matt Devuono (Executive Director, Event Cinema – Cineplex), Shasha Nakhai (TIFF 2021 Official Selection Scarborough, Compy Films), and Winnie Wang (Next Wave alumni and winner of Telefilm Canada’s 2023 Emerging Critic Award). Awards will be presented in-cinema as part of the Young Creators Showcase event.

Additional information is available at tiff.net/nextwave.

TIFF prefers Visa.

Jennifer Lopez is about to take you on a thrilling journey this Victoria Day weekend! ATLAS arrives May 24, 2024. Today a new Teaser arrives.

Director: Brad Peyton
Writers: Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite
Producers: Brad Peyton and Jeff Fierson for ASAP Entertainment; Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell for Safehouse Pictures; Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Benny Medina for Nuyorican Productions; and Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter for Berlanti/Schechter Films
Executive Producers: Samson Mücke, Michael Riley McGrath

Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown, Gregory James Cohan, Abraham Popoola, Lana Parrilla and Mark Strong

Watch & Link to Teaser
Download Teaser Art
Download First Look Photo
Visit Media Center

LOGLINE
Atlas Shepherd (Jennifer Lopez), a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. But when plans go awry, her only hope of saving the future of humanity from AI is to trust it.

Today, Disney+ unveiled the action-packed official trailer for upcoming Original series “Renegade Nell”. The eight-part series is written and created by BAFTA-award-winning writer Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley) with lead director Ben Taylor (Sex Education). All episodes will be available to stream on March 29, 2024, exclusively on Disney+.

Nell Jackson, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England. But when a magical spirit called Billy Blind appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined.

“Renegade Nell” stars Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) in the leading role of “Nell Jackson” with Frank Dillane as “Charles Devereux”, Alice Kremelberg as “Sofia Wilmot”, Ényì Okoronkwo as “Rasselas”, Jake Dunn as “Thomas Blancheford”, Bo Bragason as “Roxy Trotter”, Florence Keen as “George Trotter”, with Nick Mohammed as “Billy Blind”, Joely Richardson as “Lady Eularia Moggerhangar” and Adrian Lester as “Robert Hennessey, Earl of Poynton”. Pip Torrens as “Lord Blancheford” and Craig Parkinson as “Sam Trotter” also star.

“Renegade Nell” is produced by Lookout Point. Executive Producers are Sally Wainwright, Ben Taylor, Faith Penhale, Will Johnston and Louise Mutter for Lookout Point, and Johanna Devereaux for Disney+. Amanda Brotchie (Gentleman Jack) and MJ Delaney (Ted Lasso) also direct episodes. Jon Jennings is Series Producer and Stella Merz is Producer.

Hollywood Suite is absolutely chuffed to announce the Canadian premieres of two highly acclaimed drama series from ITV Studios, Mr Bates vs The Post Office and the powerful forthcoming drama produced by the award-winning World Productions, Until I Kill You. Hollywood Suite will be the exclusive Canadian home for both titles.

Mr Bates vs The Post Office is ITV’s biggest new drama in over a decade, even beating the launch of Downton Abbey in 2010.

The ITV Studios and Little Gem Media series, written by acclaimed screenwriter Gwyneth Hughes (Honour, Vanity Fair, Dark Angel) and executive produced by Patrick Spence (Adult Material, Marvellous), ITV Studios, Gwyneth Hughes, Natasha Bondy and Ben Gale (Surviving the Virus, This is our Family) on behalf of Little Gem, has sparked debate in Britain’s parliament and led to the introduction of legislation to overturn the wrongful convictions of hundreds of postmasters. With an exceptional cast featuring Toby Jones (Empire of Light, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Sherlock), Monica Dolan (Eye In The Sky, Sherwood), and Shaun Dooley (Saltburn, The Woman In Black), the show will air over the course of two nights, May 28 and May 29 at 9pm ET. It will be available on Hollywood Suite On Demand on May 29.

Based on a shocking true story, the powerful drama Until I Kill You stars Line of Duty’s Anna Maxwell Martin as Delia Balmer, an agency nurse who survived a near-fatal relationship with murderer John Sweeney, played by Shaun Evans (Endeavour). The four-part series will premiere April 18 at 9pm ET and be available on Hollywood Suite On Demand beginning April 1.

“ITV Studios has an incredible track record of bringing the best in dramatic television to audiences, and we’re thrilled to sign on to these two projects with them,” said Sharon Stevens, Vice-President of Programming for Hollywood Suite. “The Pembrokeshire Murders, which we premiered in April 2021, was a massive success both for us in Canada as well as across the pond and we’re confident that Until I Kill You and Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office will be similarly embraced by Canadians.”

Mr Bates vs The Post Office synopsis:

Four-part drama, based on the true story of one man’s fight against one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history. Starting more than 20 years ago, the Post Office wrongly dismissed, harassed, and prosecuted hundreds of innocent subpostmasters for theft, fraud, and false accounting. Subpostmasters were told they were the only ones to report a problem with a new computer system called Horizon. When Alan Bates was sacked, he refused to accept the Post Office line. He found and brought together a group of other isolated and wrongly accused victims to form the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance. Alan Bates and his friends exposed a shocking scandal at the heart of the Post Office, a government-owned and much-loved national institution.

Until I Kill You synopsis:

When Delia Balmer meets John Sweeney, he seems like the kindred spirit she has been searching for. But as his anti-establishment persona gives way to a darker, violent side, Sweeney taunts Delia with the revelation that he murdered his ex-girlfriend. Sweeney is arrested, but released on bail after the court fails to recognise how dangerous he is, leaving him free to subject Delia to a near-fatal attack. She survives, but Sweeney disappears. Delia tries to rebuild her life, but when Sweeney is arrested years later, she must face him all over again in court as the key prosecution witness.

By David Baldwin

If you hear the name Stormy Daniels, what do you think of? Her career as an adult entertainer in front of and behind the camera, or her involvement in a legal shitstorm with the former President of the United States? STORMY demystifies the woman behind those headlines, and chronicles the immediate fallout from her “hush money” payment becoming international news, the on-going legal saga she remains intrinsically attached to and the turmoil and toll it has taken on her personal life.

Whether you know all the facts or not, watching STORMY is a riveting and sobering experience – not just because of how aggravating it is, but by how harrowing and emotional it quickly becomes. Daniels is a give-no-fucks firecracker at the start and by the end, she is a visibly strained, shell of a woman who has gone through hell and fears for her safety.

Though Daniels is refreshingly candid and holds nothing back, the Documentary spends most of its time focusing on the legal shenanigans and sparring and not enough on who she is as an Entertainer and more to the point, as a person. We get glimpses into her dance tours, television appearances, her love for horses and her private life. They all feel fleeting though, especially when so many of the talking head interviews are journalists just speaking about what happened because of the payment details going public. What they discuss and what is shown is interesting and vital, but the Film is called STORMY and needed to be more about her and a whole lot less about him.

Stormy screens at SXSW’24:

Mar 8 at 5:15PM at Stateside Theatre

Mar 13 at 11:45AM at Alamo Lamar 5

By Mr. Will Wong

Sydney Sweeney has been front and center much of late as Hollywood’s new “It Girl”. Whether you know her from her powerful performance as Cassie in HBO‘s EUPHORIA or Olivia in THE WHITE LOTUS; saw her in ANYONE BUT YOU, produced by her own production company Fifty-Fifty Films; are just learning about her from her hosting Saturday Night Live recently, chances are you were smitten by her likeability.

Sweeney is at SXSW ’24 this year for both an In-Conversation, and also to promote and present new Horror IMMACULATE, out March 22, 2024, which she helped develop.

Sweeney appeared at an In-Conversation at Austin Convention Center Ballroom EF, reflecting on her path as both an Actress and a Producer.

Sweeney is filled with gratitude for having the privilege of playing some very fascinating characters.

Sweeney: “I get to play such incredible, diverse, interesting, challenging roles and that’s what I dream of doing, whenever I get the chance to play a character like Cassie or Cecilia in Immaculate, that makes me feel really good.”.

With her huge surge in popularity over the past few years, fan encounters never quite get old for her.

Sweeney: “I get so happy whenever people come up to me and they share their stories how they watched Euphoria or whatever project it was, and that’s why I do what I do. To be able to connect to so many people through my characters is such a beautiful experience.”.

She tells us about the importance of feeling challenged in her work.

Sweeney: “It’s what I said about being challenged. Making sure I find characters that challenge me in different ways, different stories to tell. I want to play anything and everything that people won’t expect me to do.”.

With the landscape changing greatly in how consumers access Film and Television, Sweeney is asked what she looks for most when producing a project.

Sweeney: “It’s honestly whether the story makes you question things, excites me and what it boils down to is whether I think this will be a conversation piece for people, or whether I think this will make people feel a certain way.”.

Sweeney equates being a Producer to like being a parent, and reflects upon the success of sleeper hit ANYONE BUT YOU. She also reveals her favourite Rom-Com of all time is MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING, which led to her casting Dermot Mulroney as her dad in ANYONE BUT YOU.

Sweeney: “To me, being a Producer is like being a parent and helping a project grow.”.

“ANYONE BUT YOU was such an incredible experience when I was working on the Script, when I hired Will Gluck and I hired Glen Powell, went to Sony. I wanted to really bring back those early 2000s Rom-Coms where people winked and people were left wanting to fall in love, they left wanting to sing and dance in the rain and have big romantic gestures. I didn’t want to look at the Rom-Com as something small. I wanted to have big set pieces and Will did such an incredible job at it, really amping-up those set pieces in the Film. By creating a set where we all wanted to have so much fun, we were able to just share in that. That love and excitement we felt while filming, the audience really felt that on-screen. I hope I can make more projects where the audience feels that love and energy.”.

The full Conversation will be available on-demand via SXSW.

(Photo credit: SXSW)

Hot Docs is excited to announce the full lineup of new documentary features that will screen in this year’s Festival’s Special Presentations program, a stellar lineup of films that promise to inspire, inform, and entertain Festival audiences. Titles in this program feature visionary filmmakers, intriguing subjects, and riveting storytelling. The 2024 Hot Docs Festival will take place April 25 to May 5, 2024 in cinemas across Toronto.

The 2024 Special Presentations program will delve into narratives of power, corruption and tragedy,
offering a critical lens on societal issues. Additionally, it will turn the camera onto celebrated artists and
filmmakers themselves, providing audiences with intimate insights into their lives and creative
processes. The program will also transport audiences on immersive journeys into the worlds of BASE
jumping, magic, psychics, and cats, enticing them to explore a captivating array of diverse and
fascinating subjects.

World premieres include Red Fever, which sees Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond travel to the four corners
of Turtle Island and across Europe to explore the world’s fascination with Native Americans; American
Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly, in which hilarious Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
correspondent Amy Hoggart explores the controversial practice of declawing cats; The Ride Ahead, an
expansion of co-director Samuel Habib’s short film My Disability Roadmap (Honourable Mention, Best
International Short Documentary, Hot Docs Festival 2022), exploring a typical 21-year-old itching to
move out, start a career and find love—all while navigating life with a disability; Lost in the Shuffle,
which follows world champion magician Shawn Farquhar as he simultaneously devises a new trick and
delves into a medieval murder cold case; and Le Mans 55: The Unauthorized Investigation, which
explores the tragic Le Mans race in 1955 where more than 80 spectators were killed.

Hot Docs 2024 will also see the International Premiere of the thrilling new National Geographic doc Fly,
in which incredible cinematography and all-access storytelling follow three couples whose passion for
BASE jumping means they’ll risk everything for the rush of feeling alive; and the North American
Premiere of Michel Gondry, Do It Yourself, an intimate look at the music video director and filmmaker’s
life, work and creative process.

2024 Special Presentations will also include the Canadian premieres of Power, examining the history,
scale and social effects policing has had on the United States and its culture; Black Box Diaries, which
sees journalist and filmmaker Shiori Ito take on one of the most powerful institutions in Japan to
prosecute her high-profile sexual assailant in a landmark legal case; Union, in which a group of Amazon
workers on New York City’s Staten Island take on one of the world’s largest and most influential
companies in the fight to unionize; Never Look Away, the directorial debut of Lucy Lawless that follows
CNN combat camerawoman Margaret Moth, whose appetite for danger is challenged following a lifechanging injury; Look Into My Eyes, acclaimed filmmaker Lana Wilson’s new film featuring an eclectic
group of New York City psychics; Born Hungry—the latest from acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Barry
Avrich—chronicles the rags-to-riches tale of Sash Simpson, a runaway child from the streets of India,
who was adopted into a Toronto family with 31 siblings before becoming a world-renowned chef; and
Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger, in which Martin Scorsese shares his lifelong love
affair with the “subversive commercial movies” of filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger,
whose collaboration thrived in the adversity of WWII.

Descriptions for films in the Special Presentations program appear below. In many cases, filmmakers will
be in attendance for post-screening discussions. For more information on the program visit
http://hotdocs.ca/festivals/hot-docs-festival/announcements.

AMERICAN CATS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE CUDDLY
D: Todd Bieber | P: Grace Leeson | USA | 2024 | 88 min | World Premiere
Ontario is the only province in Canada without a ban on cat declawing. Amy Hoggart, the hilarious
correspondent from Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, cracks jokes, cuddles kittens and attacks this
controversial practice using satire to expose a heart-wrenching catspiracy.

BLACK BOX DIARIES
D: Shiori Ito | P: Eric Nyari, Hanna Aqvilin | Japan, UK, USA | 2024 | 104 min | Canadian Premiere
Journalist Shiori Ito takes on one of the most powerful institutions in Japan to prosecute her high-profile
sexual assailant in a landmark legal case. Using personal footage and hidden cameras, Ito puts it all on
the line for justice.

BORN HUNGRY
D: Barry Avrich | P: Jay Hennick, Mark Selby, Barry Avrich | Canada | 2024 | 77 min | Canadian Premiere
The true rags to riches tale of Sash Simpson, a runaway child from the streets of India, who was adopted
into a Toronto family with 31 siblings before becoming a world-renowned chef.

FLY
D: Shaul Schwarz, Christina Clusiau | P: Christina Clusiau, Shaul Schwarz | USA | 2023 | 106 min |
International Premiere
To stand on the edge and jump into the wind, one must be willing to lose everything. That could mean the love of your life, or the life you love. Three couples in the world of BASE jumping risk everything to
feel alive.

LE MANS 55: THE UNAUTHORIZED INVESTIGATION
D: Emmanuel Reyé | P: Isabelle Dagnac | France | 2023 | 90 min | World Premiere
The Le Mans race in 1955 made history through tragedy when more than 80 spectators were killed.
Uncover the story of the crash that took the lives of so many and, to this day, looms over the world of
motorsports.

LOOK INTO MY EYES
D: Lana Wilson | P: Kyle Martin, Lana Wilson | USA | 2023 | 105 min | Canadian Premiere
In this unique journey into the human desire for connection, acclaimed filmmaker Lana Wilson follows
an eclectic group of New York City psychics whose intimate readings reveal a kaleidoscopic view of
loneliness, connection and healing with humour and intrigue.

LOST IN THE SHUFFLE
D: Jon Ornoy | P: Jon Ornoy, Ana Carrizales | Canada | 2024 | 100 min | World Premiere
Pick a card, any card! World champion magician Shawn Farquhar delves into a medieval murder cold
case among Jacks, Queens and Kings as he devises a new trick inspired by the world’s best sleight-ofhand artists.

MADE IN ENGLAND: THE FILMS OF POWELL AND PRESSBURGER
D: David Hinton | P: Matthew Wells, Nick Varley | UK | 2024 | 131 min | Canadian Premiere
Martin Scorsese tells of his lifelong love affair with the movies of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
and their “subversive commercial movies.” Drawing on a rich array of archival material, Scorsese
explores their collaboration that thrived in the adversity of WWII.

MICHEL GONDRY, DO IT YOURSELF
D: François Nemeta | P: Olivier de Bannes, Robin Accard, Philippe Savine | France | 2023 | 80 min |
North American Premiere
French filmmaker Michel Gondry re-invented the music video and challenged Hollywood with his
distinctive handmade visual style. Intimately documented, Gondry’s career and playful creative process
receive an overdue review, from his earliest music videos to his latest feature film at Cannes.

NEVER LOOK AWAY
D: Lucy Lawless | P: | New Zealand | 2024 | 85 min | Canadian Premiere
CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth was facing down war’s inhumanity when one bullet changed
everything but her resolve. Debut filmmaker Lucy Lawless turns the camera’s gaze on this
groundbreaking woman and her legacy.

POWER
D: Yance Ford | P: Sweta Vohra, Jess Devaney, Yance Ford, Netsanet Negussie | USA | 2024 | 87 min |
Canadian Premiere
Part essay, interview and archival collage, Power traces the explosion of police power from the founding
of the U.S. to our present. Power makes the historical continuity of unchecked police power legible—
examining who’s policed, who’s protected and why.

RED FEVER
D: Neil Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge | P: Lisa M. Roth, Rebecca Lessard | Canada | 2024 | 104 min
| World Premiere
Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond travels to the four corners of Turtle Island and across Europe to explore
the world’s fascination with Native Americans, recognizing the profound impact Indigenous people have
had in shaping modern Western culture.

THE RIDE AHEAD
D: Samuel Habib, Dan Habib | P: Dan Habib, Erica Lupinacci | USA | 2024 | 97 min | World Premiere
An expansion of his short film My Disability Roadmap, Samuel Habib is a typical 21-year-old, itching to
move out, start a career and find love. But “no one tells you how to be an adult, let alone an adult with a
disability.”

UNION
D: Brett Story, Stephen Maing | P: Samantha Curley, Mars Verrone, Martin DiCiccio | USA | 2024 | 104
min | Canadian Premiere
The Amazon Labor Union (ALU)—a group of current and former Amazon workers on New York City’s
Staten Island—takes on one of the world’s largest and most powerful companies in the fight to unionize.

More at hotdocs.ca.