#TIFF23: FESTIVAL STREET RETURNS FOR 2023 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Back for its eighth year, the excitement of the Toronto International Film Festival will pour out from the theatres onto Festival Street and David Pecaut Square. King Street West between Peter Street and University Avenue will transform into an open-air experience accessible by the general public.

New and exciting activations will line King Street in addition to food vendors, photo opportunities, and the Festival Street Music Stage housing musical performances throughout the opening weekend. There is no better way to celebrate “the people’s Festival” than with free activations dedicated to the Festival goers in Toronto.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this year’s Festival Street experience at TIFF. Embracing the heart and soul of the Festival, Festival Street will once again be a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and the shared love for storytelling,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “As we welcome filmmakers, artists, and film enthusiasts from around the world, Festival Street will serve as a dynamic hub for connection, creativity, and unforgettable moments. Join us as we transform the streets of Festival Village into a shining example of community spirit at this year’s TIFF.”

MORE MOVIES AND MUSIC FOR FREE

Toronto’s biggest street party kicks off with A Night of Jazz, in partnership with The Rex (194 Queen St. W.). On Thursday September 7, the Festival Street Music Stage will feature jazz legend Dave Young, Thompson Egbo-Ebgo, and the Jacob Chung Quintet, hosted by Raoul Bhaneja. Continuing the musical celebrations on Friday, September 8, Diamond certified rock band Nickelback hits the Festival Street Music Stage to promote the premiere of their TIFF Gala Presentation Hate to Love: Nickelback, an intimate portrait of the Canadian stadium rockers’ celebrated career to date. Additionally, electronica and pow wow techno artist Classic Roots will take the stage also on September 8. On Sunday September 10, revel in additional performances by Luna Elle (RBCxMusic Artist), Toronto Dance Theatre, and Doug Tielli. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, the Festival Street Closing Performance will be by the Godmother of Canadian Rap, Michie Mee.

TIFF’s returning Cinema Park, presented by L’Oreal Paris, will present open-air screenings in David Pecaut Square, showcasing classic films of some of the talent in TIFF 2023 Official Selection films: The Spiderwick Chronicles; Batman; Contact; a 40th-anniversary screening of Superman III; a memorial tribute to Paul Reubens with Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure; Rocky; plus four screenings presented by the Next Wave committee which include a 30th-anniversary screening of Addams Family Values, Clueless, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Where the Wild Things Are.

New this year, the TIFF Next Wave Block Party, presented by Snapchat, takes place on Saturday September 9. This party will include additional performances from The Aubreys, featuring Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard; Alex Porat; winner of TIFF Next Wave’s Battle of the Scores, daydream; Sho Madjozi; and Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini. Also new this year is the Festival Street Art Market, a market filled with fun activities in celebration of art and community from the city’s most exciting community film festivals and arts organizations on Simcoe St. Participants include: Inside Out Film Festival, imagineNATIVE Film Festival, Reel Asian Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Hot Docs, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), Muse Arts, Reel Canada, and Workman Arts.

Taking place during the first three days of Festival Street is the Festival Street Mural Project, where street artists Darcy Obokata and Tim Fukakusa (TIFF’s POP Japan mural artist) will create an exciting and evolving large art mural – a Toronto love letter to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The mural will be an homage to Miyazaki and the studio’s influence on artists and film lovers all over the world, and will celebrate TIFF’s Opening Night International Premiere of Miyazaki’s latest, The Boy and the Heron.

Additional activations on Festival street include: Myseum of Toronto’s 36 Questions That Lead to Loving Toronto to Festival Street, an exhibition that invites Torontonians to fall in love with the city for the first time, or all over again; a Group Morning Mobility, a gentle mix of movement and meditation in David Pecaut Square by Have a Nice Day Pilates Studio on Saturday, September 9 at 11am for 30 minutes; and five additional vendors by BlackOwnedTO.

Torontonians and the City of Toronto are an integral part of TIFF and the Festival. Quite simply, Festival Street would not exist without their tremendous support. To say thank you to the city and the people who call it home, TIFF has once again partnered with the TTC to give Torontonians more access to Festival films. On Saturday, September 16, members of the public are invited to Roy Thomson Hall for the TTC Free Screening of a Festival title. More details will be announced closer to the date.

FESTIVAL STREET PARTNER ACTIVATIONS

Indeed – Indeed is bringing TIFF fans a double feature on the future of work at this year’s Street Festival. Feature One will take you on an exploration of tomorrow’s world of work through the lens of Indeed’s Rising Voices filmmakers, while Feature Two will help you craft your own narrative on the future of work, with a yummy twist. Each feature offers a captivating look at what the future has in store and a fun takeaway.

L’Oréal Paris – Taking a bold stand against street harassment: Join L’Oréal Paris and Right To Be in a powerful activation that empowers individuals to stand up against street harassment. On a mission to foster respect and dignity, we proudly introduce the Stand Up Against Street Harassment program. Through an immersive 5-minute training session, discover the impactful 5Ds methodology — Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct — equipping you to safely intervene against harassment. As a part of this movement, stand up, gain valuable tools to make a difference, and be a catalyst for change while receiving exciting incentives and products. Plus, stay tuned for special guest appearances and join us in creating a culture of empowerment and respect. Take a stand against street harassment: https://www.standup-international.com/ca/en/.

We at TIFF strive to create an inclusive environment for everyone and believe in a world where every individual has the right to move through public spaces without fear of harassment or discrimination. Street harassment can affect people across varying gender identities, sexuality, race, size, ability, and religion.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro – Celebrating premier(e) taste: Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the world’s number one premium Italian beer brand, is bringing a taste of Italy to Festival Village with the House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro in David Pecaut Square! The Italian-style open house will allow guests to enjoy the best of Italian hospitality, take in in red-carpet views with a VIP fan zone, and enjoy the premier(e) taste of Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% alongside an exclusive menu curated by International Celebrity Chef, David Rocco.

Pizza Nova – Celebrating a legacy of delicious style! In honour of its 60th anniversary, Pizza Nova will be serving signature pizza slices during TIFF opening weekend. Located at the corner of King Street and Simcoe, the Pizza Nova sampling booth will keep movie-goers well fed. Be sure to stop by the Pizza Nova Pizzeria for a slice and have a look at the limited-edition retro merchandise on display.

Snapchat Presents: Next Wave Block Party –”We are proud to partner with TIFF to sponsor the inaugural Next Wave Block Party and Creator Talks,” said Matt McGowan, General Manager, Canada at Snap Inc. “Celebrating, supporting, and elevating local creators and content is at the core of what we do. And there is no shortage of exceptional talent and creativity in this city! We can’t wait to see it all come together on centre stage.” The TIFF Next Wave Committee is a group of 12 young film enthusiasts who curate teen-oriented films and events at TIFF Bell Lightbox, including the annual TIFF Next Wave Film Festival. Taking place for the first time ever, the TIFF Next Wave Block Party will take place Saturday, September 9. Performers include The Aubreys (featuring Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things), Zakes Bantwini, Alex Porat, daydream, and Sho Madjozi.

Tourist Office of Spain – Spain, straight out of the movies – The Tourist Office of Spain is presenting a cinematic experience at the Street Festival. Spain, with its diverse landscapes and rich history, has long been a cherished destination for filmmakers worldwide. The activation offers a unique photo studio with green screen technology, allowing attendees to virtually visit famous Spanish film locations, from iconic Westerns to futuristic realms and historical tales. Additionally, a contest offers a chance to win Spanish gourmet products, enhancing the experience with culinary delights.

UPS ― Small Businesses, Big Roles: There are great stories waiting to be told everywhere. But not every filmmaker has the opportunity to tell theirs. Join UPS in uplifting diverse-owned small and medium businesses behind the camera in film with live printed Be Unstoppable Film Project Tote Bags. In 2022, UPS partnered with The Black List to help two emerging filmmakers tell their stories. The films we love wouldn’t be possible without diverse owned small and medium businesses behind the camera. This year, we are uplifting even more unheard voices – with a focus on changing perceptions around diverse small businesses’ roles in the craft of filmmaking by providing new perspectives.

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO ANNOUNCES RETURN OF STREET FESTIVAL

Just For Laughs TORONTO presented by Beneva, in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada, is excited to announce the return of the free street festival as part of the 11^th annual festival, running across the city from September 21 – 30, 2023.

THE RETURN OF THE STREET FESTIVAL

If you know…you know…last year’s inaugural street festival is still the talk of the town. Now, back by popular demand, Just For Laughs TORONTO’s free street festival is set to return September 22-24, 2023.

Occupying a sprawling 100,000 sq-ft space centrally located at Front St. E and Berczy Park, it’s only one block away from Union Station where you can conveniently hop on GO transit to get there to enjoy the festivities.

Come and indulge in delectable bites from food trucks, sip on refreshing drinks from bars featuring Muskoka Brewery’s beers and Muskoka Spirits Hard Sparkling Waters, relish the offerings of local restaurants, and enjoy captivating art installations, all the while picking your perfect spot in front of the main stage presented by Beneva, which promises unforgettable performances by a variety of comedians for all ages, in addition to live brass bands, DJs, and more. This inclusive event will be open to all, ensuring that everyone can revel in the laughter and join the street party in the heart of the city.

The daytime programming is tailored to tickle the funny bones of all ages. From musical performances to drag queen story hour, there will be non-stop cascades of giggles that will create unforgettable memories for your whole family. In the evening, performances by iconic comedy stars who promise to deliver an epic dose of laughter and entertainment that will be talked about for years to come. With more programming to be added next week, this line-up will truly be something for everyone.

Performances run Friday, September 22 from 4:00 PM – 10:30 PM;

Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24 from 1:00 PM – 10:30 PM.

Local restaurants joining in on the fun include patios & in-restaurant dining is Biff’s Bistro, CC Lounge, Fresh On Front, Sultan’s Tent & Cafe Moroc and The Flatiron: A Firkin Pub. If our flavourful Food Truck Lane is more your speed, check out the tasty delights of Jamaican Patty Shack, Poutine Supreme, Rancho Relaxo (Tacos) & Caffeine Cruiser (hot/cold coffee, treats, panini sandwiches).

 “As an insurance company, Beneva is defined by its mutualist roots. We’re committed to the community, and we want our involvement to have a positive impact on everyone. As the presenting partner of Just For Laughs Toronto, our goal is to bring tons of feelgood entertainment to Torontonians,” said Jean-François Chalifoux, President and Chief Executive Officer of Beneva. “We’re proud to be a part of this inclusive and accessible event, and even prouder that the Beneva Stage will be presenting totally free hilarious shows for the second straight year.“

The Beneva Stage will feature performances that Toronto has been waiting for!

Headliners

Fred Armisen – Friday, September 22, 2023 –   9:15 PM

Fred Armisen is a comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is the co-writer and co-star of IFC’s Emmy-nominated series Portlandia, which he created alongside Carrie Brownstein. He is currently in the hit Netflix series Wednesday as Uncle Fester, and as “Tico ” in HBO’s Los Espookys, which he co-wrote and executive produced. He can be heard in the hit animated Super Mario Bros movie. Armisen currently stars in, writes, and produces IFC’s hit show Documentary Now, for which he has received two Emmy nominations. He has also appeared in HBO’s Our Flag Means Death, Judd Apatow’s The Bubble, and Amazon’s series Forever (which he was also an executive producer on). He has appeared as a voice actor in Netflix’s Big Mouth and The Mitchells vs. The Machines. An 11-season veteran of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Armisen has engaged audiences with memorable impressions and characters. In 2014, Armisen was named band leader of the “8G Band” on Late Night With Seth Meyers. The band, curated by Armisen, includes members of indie rock bands Les Savy Fav and Girls Against Boys.

Reggie Watts – Saturday September 23, 2023 – 9:15 PM

Reggie Watts is an internationally renowned Musician/Comedian/Writer/Actor who is well-known as the bandleader on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden. Using his formidable voice, looping pedals, and his vast imagination, Watts blends and blurs the lines between music and comedy, wowing audiences with performances that are 100% improvised. He performed as the DJ at the 2021 Emmy Awards. Watts’ first Netflix special Spatial released to massive critical acclaim, with the New York Times calling it “a giddy rush of escapist nonsense” and dubbing Watts “the most influential absurdist in comedy today.”

Additional headliner to be announced next week!

Additional Performances to include;

The Soul Proprietor – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 4:00 PM

Perhaps best known as a founding member and the bass playing half of Juno Award winning reggae punk rock innovators Bedouin Soundclash, Eon Sinclair is also known as The Soul Proprietor. With his band Bedouin Soundclash, he has released four records and toured the globe extensively, headlining shows in Europe, Australia, China, India and the US, as well as performing alongside acts such as No Doubt, Coldplay, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Nine Inch Nails. The tale of Bedouin Soundclash has been filled with step after step of something special — from live shows that are as emotionally incendiary as they are monstrously entertaining, to albums that have stoked the hearts and minds of thousands.

Samantha Martin & The Delta Sugar – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 6:00 PM

“A powerhouse band and vocals that shake the foundations”. With the worldwide pandemic wrecking utter havoc upon the careers of many musicians, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar elected to use their time off the road to record, mix and master their latest tour-de-force, the astonishingly powerful, funky and deeply soulful “The Reckless One”. The follow up to 2018’s Juno-nominated “Run To Me”, “The Reckless One” represents another massive step forward for Samantha Martin as a songwriter, singer, arranger and band leader. The vocal blend that Delta Sugar produces is pure, unadulterated gospel-tinged, neuron-tingling magic where the sum is even richer than the already soul-melting parts.

Sub-Radio – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 7:15 PM

Few independent bands have had a career as varied and unpredictable as the indie pop sextet Sub-Radio. Founded in Washington DC by a group of childhood friends, the band released a series of EPs between 2018 and 2020, blending the pop-punk they grew up on with the indie-pop stylings of WALK THE MOON and The 1975. Forced online by the COVID-19 pandemic, they found enormous viral success on Reddit and TikTok in 2021, streaming their high-energy live performances to more than 20 million viewers and driving a huge new audience to their single “Flashback”. The band signed with indie label Th3rd Brain in early 2022 and released their latest EP, Past Selves in February of 2023. In support of the new release, Sub-Radio announced The Past Selves Tour which kicks off in August of 2023.

The Fuddles – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 1:00 PM

The Fuddles Are Back! is a catchy collection of silly upbeat songs that the whole family will enjoy. It covers relatable themes such as friendship, growing up, animals, nature and even the chaotic joy of bedtime. The songs explore and encourage creativity while celebrating imaginative play and a simple sense of home. They have performed at a variety of events and look forward to reconnecting with fun seeking audiences in 2023.

Fred Penner – Saturday, September 23, 2023 & Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 2:00 PM

Fred Penner is gentle man with an undeniable ability to make you feel good about

yourself. This musical master brings more than 40 years of commitment, consistency and depth to a career that blends the many genres of performing and communication. He continues to grow and create music for his generations of “Fred Heads”. From hosting the United Way National conference in Saskatoon to emceeing the renowned Polaris Music Awards and being part of the C3 Legacy Expedition supporting the truth and reconciliation process in remote parts of Canada, apparently retirement is not in the cards for him. The phone is still ringing! And his concert touring continues.

The Heavyweights Brass Band – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 3:00 PM

The Heavyweights Brass Band hits hard with its seasoned blend of groove, energy, virtuosity, and originality! For over a decade, this Toronto-based, New Orleans-inspired brass institution has brought theatre-goers to their feet and club-goers to the dance floor with an inspiring blend of original music and unexpected covers. The decision is in and audience members across North America unanimously give the win to HWBB in a knockout! Their music has been featured on film, commercials, radio, and television and they have performed and recorded with the best in the game from percussion legend Giovanni Hidalgo to NOLA legends Roger Lewis of the Dirty Dozen Brass band and Joe Lastie of Preservation Hall fame.

DJ DvS – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 4:00 PM

With over 20 years’ experience, DJ DVS has been a fixture in the greater Toronto area music landscape since 1994. Spending the first 10+ years of his career in the Urban Club and University Market, DVS spun at every major club in the city, as well as every major University and College. After returning from a 5-year hiatus, DVS shifted his focus in 2013 to DJing inside Toronto’s hottest Lounges and Patios, as well as high profile corporate clients. Twice nominated for South Asian DJ of the Year, DVS specialises in open format, playing everything from Hip-Hop, R&B, House, Old School, Top 40 and everything in between.

Luna Elle – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 5:15 PM

Luna Elle is an 18-year-old Canadian emerging artist who is swiftly making her mark on the music scene. With a deep-rooted affinity for the soulful R&B of the 90s and 2000s, Elle creates a musical landscape that transcends generations. Her commanding vocals and heartfelt storytelling have not only garnered her a devoted fan base but have also attracted the attention and support of influential figures in the industry. Most notably, basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal confidently stated, “Luna Elle is next up, you heard it here first.” Following this resounding endorsement, Luna Elle burst onto the scene, capturing the hearts of audiences everywhere. Seamlessly blending the nostalgic elements of classic R&B with the contemporary sounds of today. Her lyrics delve into themes of love, relationships, and the intricate human experience, all conveyed with a lyrical depth and maturity that’s beyond her age.

Rich Aucoin – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 6:30 PM

Rich Aucoin is a multi-sensory spectacle of a show Part Daft Punk-inflected Dan Deacon, part DIY-driven Flaming Lips as filtered through Girl Talk (Austin Chronicle). A band of keyboards/synths/guitar/bass/drums/horns playing in sync to everything from old films to Youtube videos. An interactive show which can be viewed like theatre or immersive; underneath a large parachute from kindergarten and a sea of confetti. He has won 5 Nova Scotia Music Awards and 3 ECMAs and has been nominated 11 times. He won Best New Artist at the Canadian Indies. “How It Breaks” went #1 on the CBC Top 20 Countdown. His music videos and streams have garnered over 2 million views. He cycled across Canada and the US for music tours for charities.

The New Faces of Comedy: Canada – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 7:30 PM

For over twenty years, The New Faces of Comedy showcases have catapulted the careers of so many of today’s most celebrated comedians. It has consistently been a must-see event of the JFL MONTRÉAL Festival, offering a unique platform for exceptionally promising and unrecognized talent to kickstart their careers. Come see the exceptional class of 2023 up-and-coming Canadian comedic talents take to the outdoor stage. The lineup includes: Brendan D’Souza, Dakota Ray Hebert, Faris Hytiaa, Henry Sir, Maddy Kelly, Michelle Forrester, Moe Ismail, Natasha Lyn Myles, Ryan Williams, and Spencer Adamus.

Drag Queen Story Hour ft. Lucy Flawless and Baby Bel Bel – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 1:00 PM

Warrior Princess, Star of Stage and Screen, The Second Coming (Of Shania), Current Reigning Woodys Queen of Halloween and Queen of The Drink. A Dora-nominated actor, plays Sporty in the Spice Queens, reads for Drag Queen Storytimes, and has won several drag competitions across Toronto. She’s had starring roles on CBC, Global TV, and CTV. She’s everyone’s favourite small-town girl turned big city star- Lucy Flawless! Bel Bel started her full-time Drag career shortly after winning Crews & Tangos Drag Race in 2015. In June 2019 She was crowned Miss Crews & Tangos and still currently holds the title until future notice. Her performance background started with musical theatre and film as she studied theatre at York University and Graduated from The Randolph Academy of Performing Arts. She starred as Babs in the CBC GEM Original show Queens which launched in June 2020. Baby Bel Bel is also known for her high energy, bright coloured wigs and costumes, and hosting events with humour to bring all the laughs and smiles to her audience.

RupLoops – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 2:00 PM

RupLoops is an interactive, live looping performance, using vocal percussion, rhythmic rhymes and an arsenal of eclectic instruments from around the globe. He utilises his diverse skills as a musician to create a pulsating, entertaining and engaging musical experience. He is a gifted educator and performer and has a deep passion for intercultural work and intercultural sounds. RupLoops’ show will take you on a journey of sound exploring anatomy, geography and culture. With a mix of hip-hop and global sounds, his tunes into themes of home, identity, culture, justice, dignity and celebration.

Teeno (Nino Brown & Young Teesh) – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 3:15 PM

Two of Toronto’s finest Nino Brown + Young Teeshjoin forces for a back-to-back set of bangers, filled with a love for anything bass and anything waist.

Myst Milano – Sunday, September 24, 2023 –   5:30 PM

Tour de force rapper, DJ, producer and visual/conceptual artist Myst Milano can’t be stopped. She has played shows with Lizzo, Thundercat, Chino Amobi, Ashanti and Ja Rule, LSDXOXO, and many more, amassing nearly 200 shows to date since the beginning of their career in 2016. Recognized locally not only for their performance prowess but also for digital activism with online party platform Club Quarantine in Summer 2020, she is as versatile as they are steadfast and unwavering, in both their beliefs and their creative output. Production-wise, she tends to veer towards the primitive and steady, however changeable and vast their beat catalogue may be; as far as writing goes, Milano effortlessly bounces from the playful and giddy, to the hopeful and serene, to the deep and dangerous and back again, never skipping a beat.

Witch Prophet – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 6:45 PM

(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)

Witch Prophet is a queer, East African, singer-songwriter, and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. She provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul inspired beats. Think Erykah Badu meets Lauryn Hill meets Portishead. She finds depth and connection in creating music as a portal for self-growth and discovery, as she navigates and better understands her cultural and queer identity. She has shared the stage with and opened for acts like Lido Pimienta, Sudan Archives, Shabazz Palaces, The Hallucination (fka A Tribe Called Red), SAMMUS, Sean Leon, JPEGMAFIA, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and THEESatisfaction to name a few.

Tynomi Banks – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM

(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)

Tynomi Banks is an International, world-class Drag Entertainer. Recognized best for her full production performances, Banks dominates a stage while radiating a powerful, but playful energy. Her hustle led her to become the first Drag Entertainer to perform in Toronto’s Dundas Square during World Pride 2014. In just one month, during Pride 2018, she became the first Drag Entertainer to work with Hudson’s Bay Company and the only Queen to partner with Spotify for a featured playlist, which also resulted in a billboard over Dundas Square in Toronto during Pride. She has since partnered with Sephora, Shoppers Beauty, Amazon, Absolut, Netflix, Crest, and Ikea to name a few. Banks became the first Drag Entertainer to be the trophy bearer at the 7th Annual Canadian Screen Awards. In 2021, Banks was the only drag performer to be featured in a Superbowl ad other than Rupaul herself. Then in February, she partnered with Black Lives Matter Canada to create and sell a line of merchandise where partial proceeds went to dismantle all forms of anti-Black racism, liberate Blackness, support Black healing, affirm Black existence, and create freedom to love and self-determine. You can catch Tynomi Banks on Season 1 of Canada’s Drag Race on Crave (Canada), LogoTV (USA) and BBC3 (UK).

Al Val – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM

(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)

Al Val is a comedian/musician/actress from Toronto. Her honest and insightful yet silly and spontaneous account of her transgender journey has turned heads across North America and has earned her appearances at renowned festivals such as Just For Laughs, JFL Toronto and Vancouver, Off-JFL/Zoofest, Halifax Comedy Festival, The Arctic Comedy Festival, and many others, as well as earned her a writing role on the 30th season of CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Though she has taped standup performances for CBC Gem, Crave, & CTV and was a lead cast member on OutTV’s Drag Heals season 3, Al Val is surely an act that must be seen in person to be believed – and celebrated!”

Gay Jesus – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM

(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)

THE ONE AND HOLY GAY JESUS is an internationally recognized drag king serving up a mouth-watering communion of Latinx wine and non-binary bread. Born of virgin-ish loins and baptized in sex-appeal, he’s best known for his multidisciplinary protest pieces decked out in draglesque. Gay Jesus is featured on Season 1 of CBC Arts’ docuseries Canada’s a Drag and, in 2019, received one of his biggest honours to date – a nomination for LGBTQ Person of the Year from the Inspire Awards. In 2022, Gay Jesus flew out to Winnipeg where he headlined a sold-out show for the Cluster Festival and was also a featured performer for Canada Pride hosted in Treaty 1 Territory. Most recently, Gay Jesus performed at lavender wild, Canada’s first ever queer festival which has since been described as the Sapphic Super Bowl.

Thank you to our other generous partners, Virgin Plus (Official Mobile, Internet and TV Partner), Boston Pizza (Official Restaurant Partner), Sussex Strategy (Official Government Relations Partner), Muskoka Brewery (Official Beer & Ready To Drink Partner), Colgate (Official Toothpaste), National Bank of Canada (Official Bank), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) (Official Lottery Partner), Wayne Gretzky Estate (Official Wine and Champagne Partner), Go Transit (Official Public Transit Partner), Kayak (Travel Search Partner), 

Square (Supplier of Payment Solutions), 

The Ontario Government &The Government of Canada.

PASS & TICKET DETAILS TO JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO:

All tickets for Just For Laughs TORONTO can be purchased at toronto.hahaha.com

Festival passes range from $69 CDN (excluding service charges). Single tickets range from $39.50 CDN (excluding service charges).

ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO

Established in 2012 and now in its 12th year, Just For Laughs TORONTO (formerly known as JFL42), is a pass-based interactive comedy festival based in Toronto, created by the Just For Laughs Group, the most important player in the global comedy industry co-owned by Groupe CH, Bell Media and ICM Partners. Developed with a mandate to celebrate the most hilarious, innovative, riveting and relevant comedy experiences in the world with Toronto audiences, Just For Laughs Toronto’s unique interactive pass-based ticketing and reservation system makes it the first comedy festival of its kind. Just For Laughs entertains millions of spectators with its festivals on Canadian and international stages, in Montréal; Toronto; Vancouver; Austin, U.S.A.; Sydney, Australia and London, U.K. The Group organizes shows featuring thousands of comics from Canada and other countries, including established artists as well as up-and-comers; stages its own comedy shows and musicals; produces touring shows; broadcasts digital and televised content (notably Gags, which is shown in 150 countries and followed by an online audience of ten million on YouTube); manages talented artists; and is the originator of the ComedyPRO and JPR Pro industry conferences.

About Beneva

Created by the coming together of La Capitale and SSQ Insurance, Beneva is the largest insurance mutual in Canada with more than 3.5 million members and customers. Beneva employs over 5,000 dedicated employees: people looking out for people. Its human approach is rooted in mutualist values that are shared by its employees. With $25.1 billion in assets, Beneva positions itself as a major player in the insurance and financial services industry. Its head office is located in Quebec City. Policyholders of contracts issued by an insurance company of Beneva Group Inc. are members of SSQ Mutual and La Capitale Civil Service Mutual.

#FIRSTLOOK: “FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S” TRAILER

A new Trailer for FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S starring Josh Hutcherson, has arrived! In theatres October 27, 2023.

Synopsis:

Can you survive five nights?

The terrifying horror game phenomenon becomes a blood-chilling cinematic event, as Blumhouse— the producer of M3GAN, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man— brings Five Nights at Freddy’s to the big screen.

The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.

The film stars Josh Hutcherson (Ultraman, The Hunger Games franchise), Elizabeth Lail (You, Mack & Rita), Piper Rubio (Holly & Ivy, Unstable), Kat Conner Sterling (We Have a Ghost, 9-1-1), with Mary Stuart Masterson (Blindspot, Fried Green Tomatoes) and Matthew Lillard (Good Girls, Scream).

Five Nights at Freddy’s is directed by Emma Tammi (The Wind, Blood Moon) and is written by Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi and Seth Cuddeback.

The film’s iconic animatronic characters will be created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Five Nights at Freddy’s is produced by Jason Blum and Scott Cawthon. The film’s executive producers are Bea Sequeira, Russell Binder, Marc Mostman and Christopher H. Warner. Universal Pictures presents a Blumhouse production, in association with Striker Entertainment.

Genre: Horror

Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Kat Conner Sterling and Piper Rubio, with Mary Stuart Masterson and Matthew Lillard

Directed by: Emma Tammi

Written by: Scott Cawthon, Emma Tammi, Seth Cuddeback, based on the video game series created by Scott Cawthon

Producers: Jason Blum, Scott Cawthon

Executive Producers: Bea Sequeira, Russell Binder, Marc Mostman, Christopher H. Warner

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SALTBURN”

Barry Keoghan stars in SALTBURN coming to theatres this December. Today we get a new Trailer!

Details:

Written and Directed by Emerald Fennell
Produced by Emerald Fennell, p.g.a; Margot Robbie, p.g.a; Josey McNamara, p.g.a
Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, and Carey Mulligan

Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.

Amazon MGM Studios and MRC present SALTBURN

Distributed in theatres in Canada by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 1, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: FINAL TRAILER FOR “ONE PIECE”

Today we get a final Trailer for eagerly-awaited series ONE PIECE! JOIN THE COUNTDOWN For The Live Action Series from Shueisha and Tomorrow Studios premiering Globally TOMORROW August 31, 2023 on Netflix.

About ONE PIECE

Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, ONE PIECE is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.

Starring Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji, ONE PIECE is a live action pirate adventure created in partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix. Matt Owens and Steven Maeda are writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, and Becky Clements also executive produce. Additional cast includes Vincent Regan (Vice Admiral Garp), Ilia Isorelýs Paulino (Alvida), Morgan Davies (Koby), Aidan Scott (Helmeppo), Langley Kirkwood (Captain Morgan), Jeff Ward (Buggy), Celeste Loots (Kaya), Alexander Maniatis (Kuro/Klahadore), McKinley Belcher III (Arlong), Craig Fairbrass (Chef Zeff), Steven Ward (Mihawk), Chioma Umeala (Nojiko), and Michael Dorman (Gold Roger).

For more information, please reference the ONE PIECE Press Packet or visit Netflix’s Media Center.

Become part of our Nakama for exclusive updates and surprises by joining the Straw Hat Grand Fleet.

Check out the Official ONE PIECE podcast ‘The MANA Podcast’ hosted by Matt Owens, screenwriter and co-showrunner, where he invites some of his closest entertainment industry friends to chat all about their favorite anime series and tropes.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE PIGEON TUNNEL”

Today Apple Original Films unveiled the trailer and key art for the highly anticipated documentary, “The Pigeon Tunnel,” a riveting portrait of the master of espionage fiction, John le Carré from Academy Award-winning Errol Morris.

In “The Pigeon Tunnel,” Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwell—better known as John le Carré, author of such classic espionage novels as “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and “The Constant Gardener.” Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le Carré delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatized vignettes. “The Pigeon Tunnel” is a deeply human and engaging exploration of le Carré’s extraordinary journey and the paper-thin membrane between fact and fiction.

“The Pigeon Tunnel” is produced by Fourth Floor Production’s Errol Morris and The Ink Factory’s Dominic Crossley-Holland, Steven Hathaway, Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell, and executive produced by Hossein Amini, P.J. van Sandwijk, Michael Lesslie, Joe Tsai, Arthur Wang, Michele Wolkoff and Katherine Butler.

“The Pigeon Tunnel” will premiere globally on Apple TV+ 

on October 20, 2023.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW FEATURETTE FROM “POOR THINGS”

Today we get a new Featurette with Emma Stone from Yorgos Lanthimos’ POOR THINGS, coming to theatres December 8, 2023 via Searchlight PIctures.

Synopsis:

From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.

Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos

Screenplay by: Tony McNamara

Produced by: Ed Guiney p.g.a., Andrew Lowe p.g.a., Yorgos Lanthimos p.g.a., Emma Stone p.g.a.

Cast: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbot, Suzy Bemba, Jerrod Carmichael, Kathryn Hunter, Vicki Pepperdine, Margaret Qualley, Hanna Schygulla

DECEMBER 8, 2023

#TIFF23: NEW TRAILER FOR “BARGAIN”

Paramount+ today debuted the official trailer and key art for the upcoming festival-award-winning South Korean dystopian thriller series BARGAIN. All six episodes will premiere on Thursday, October 5, 2023 on Paramount+ in the U.S, the UK, Canada, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

In BARGAIN, men are lured to a remote hotel under the guise of sexual encounters only to be caught in a trafficking ring where their organs are auctioned off to the highest bidder. After a catastrophic earthquake, the victims, traffickers and buyers all are trapped inside the crumbling building. Cut off from the outside world, they must fight to survive the aftermath at any cost.

BARGAIN stars actors Jin Sun-kyu (Extreme Job), Jun Jong-seo (Money Heist: Korea) and Chang Ryul (My Name) and is an adaptation of director Lee Chung-hyun’s award-winning short film of the same name that was released in 2015. Director and writer Jeon Woo-sung, who was part of the production team of the original short film, picked up the story and developed it into a six-part series. The series is co-written by Choi Byeong-yun and Kwak Jae-min and executive produced by showrunner and creator Byun Seungmin and Bang Jin Ho.

BARGAIN was developed by Paramount+ and TVING through a partnership between Paramount and the Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM. In Korea, Paramount+ is a branded zone within TVING, a CJ ENM-controlled streaming platform with current operations in Korea. The deal also allows Korean content to flow to Paramount’s overseas streaming operations. BARGAIN is licensed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Korea, Japan and Taiwan.

BARGAIN was awarded the Critics’ Choice Award at Seriencamp Festival in Cologne in June and won Best Screenplay at Canneseries Festival earlier this year. BARGAIN also is an official 2023 Toronto International Film Festival selection, where it will have its North American premiere on September 9.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland and South Korea.

#TIFF23: “SWAN SONG” TRAILER

Premiering at TIFF ’23, SWAN SONG gets a new Trailer premiere today! The Film saw Actress Neve Campbell sign-on as Executive Producer recently.

An expanded four-part limited series will premiere on
CBC Gem and CBC TV November 22, 2023

Synopsis:

SWAN SONG immerses viewers inside one of the world’s leading ballet companies as it mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake, directed by ballet icon Karen Kain on the eve of her retirement. With full access granted to the filmmakers, the verité-driven documentary closely follows Karen Kain and a group of young dancers drawn from across The National Ballet of Canada’s ranks, weaving Swan Lake’s dramatic creation process with intimate scenes from the subjects’ personal lives as they push toward one of the most significant nights in their company’s history. The film’s intimate, character-driven approach chronicles creative conflicts, devastating injuries and personal sacrifices amongst its subjects who, in various ways, confront ideals of race, class and body standards as they navigate a tradition that has historically valued uniformity and compliance.

Directed by: Chelsea McMullan
Produced by: Sean O’Neill
Written by: Chelsea McMullan & Sean O’Neill
Executive Producers: Sean O’Neill, Chelsea McMullan, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Anna Godas, Oli Harbottle, Neve Campbel
Producer: Christina Carvalho
Directors of Photography: Tess Girard & Shady Hanna
Edited by: Brendan Mills
Additional Editing: Sabrina Budiman, John Gallagher
Original Score by: Katie Stelmanis

(Photo/video credit: Visitor Media)

#NEWMUSIC: KARAN AUJLA’S “MAKING MEMORIES” DEBUTS AT #5 MAKING HISTORY

Trailblazing Punjabi lyricist, rapper and singer Karan Aujla makes history as his album Making Memories debuted at #5 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, the highest charting Punjabi album debut ever. In its first week, Making Memories earned 7.5 million streams in Canada alone, while globally it garnered over 24 million streams. What’s more, each of the eight songs from Making Memories charted in the Top 200 in both India and Canada.

Making Memories was executive produced by Ikky, and debuted at #3 on the Spotify Global Top Albums chart and hit #1 on the Apple Music charts in India and Canada.

The album’s lead single “Admirin’ You” welcomed another historic moment as Aujla became the first Indian artist to cover Apple Music’s New Music Daily global playlist with an exclusive interview on the Zane Lowe show. Aujla also became the first artist to get a #1 track placement and cover simultaneously on Spotify’s biggest Punjabi playlist Punjabi 101 on day of release.The single became the #1 trending track on Instagram Reels globally within the first week; inspiring over one million creations on Snapchat in less than two weeks. The success expanded to TikTok and landed on the platform’s viral charts. The official music video surpassed 11.3 million views in 24 hours, reaching #1 trending on YouTube in Canada and Australia and hit the top 20 trending chart in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the UAE.

Making Memories is available as a special limited-edition, orchid purple vinyl now on sale here.

Next up for Aujla is his Making Memories headlining tour in October with eight stops across the United States – get your tickets here.

Making Memories Tour

Oct 13 – New York , NY
Oct 15 – Washington , DC
Oct 20 – San Francisco , CA
Oct 22 – Los Angeles , CA
Oct 24 – Houston , TX
Oct 26 – Atlanta , GA
Oct 27 – Indianapolis, IN
Oct 29 – Chicago , IL

About Karan Aujla

Karan Aujla was born and raised in the village of Ghurala in Northern Punjab amidst the rural and farm lifestyle. At a young age, both of Aujla’s parents passed away and creating rhymes and writing was a pacifier and escape for Karan. When he discovered Punjabi folk music after his parent’s death, he was ultimately inspired to delve into the world of songwriting and realized that he had a unique talent with the pen. Karan Aujla relocated to British Columbia, Canada and during his high school years, he was sought out by many Punjabi artists as a songwriter and would go on to write several singles for the most prominent Punjabi artists at the time. With fate at work, one of Karan’s songs as a full-fledged artist rather than writer garnered international buzz in the Punjabi community worldwide. His debut album, BacTHAfuKUP (B.T.F.U.), released in 2021, highlights his vocal prowess in unison with trance-like Punjabi folk production. This album solidified his place as a global ambassador of Punjabi music worldwide, with a hundred million streams across streaming platforms, and #6 placement on Spotify’s Global Chart. That same year, Karan was dubbed India’s most prominent artist as he was ranked #38 on the Global Digital Artist Ranking. Karan has over 3 billion official video views, has garnered over 1 billion audio streams and 13 million followers across his channels. Equipped with a love of traditional folk Punjabi music and an affinity for melodic hip-hop and trap R&B from moving to Canada – Karan’s sonic essence elevated to uncharted heights. His cumulative musical experience has resulted in a fusion of Punjabi and North American sounds, where Karan serves as a cultural bridge.