“World’s Best,” Disney’s all-new hip-hop musical comedy adventure, produced by the director of “Hamilton,” will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning June 23, 2023. Co-written, co-executive produced and starring Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts,” “Free Guy”), who co-wrote the film’s original songs, this Disney+ Original Movie was directed by radiation oncologist turned filmmaker Roshan Sethi (“7 Days”). Joining Ambudkar in the film are newcomer Manny Magnus, Punam Patel, Jake Choi, Max Malas, Piper Wallace, Kayla Njeri, Dorian Giordano, Kathryn Greenwood, Christopher Jackson and Doug E. Fresh. “World’s Best” was written by Jamie King & Ambudkar, with original songs by Ambudkar and Charlie Wilder. Produced by Thomas Kail, who directed the Broadway smash “Hamilton” and produced and directed the 2020 film version, and Kate Sullivan, the film reunites Kail and Ambudkar who first collaborated as director and performer, respectively, of the improvisational hip-hop comedy musical group Freestyle Love Supreme. Terry Gould and Ambudkar serve as the film’s executive producers.

Ambudkar says, “We are all really excited to be bringing this film to Disney+. It’s got dope music and great comedy, and it brings up some important themes in a really accessible way. It’s emotional, it’s full of love and amazing energy and is a film the entire family can watch together. Plus, it presents for the first time a South Asian family at the core of a Disney movie–something I never had growing up–and was something I really wanted to give young people today.”

In “World’s Best,” 12-year-old mathematics genius Prem Patel (Magnus), in the midst of navigating the tumultuous hardships of adolescence, discovers his recently deceased father was a famous rapper and immediately sets out to pursue a career for himself as a rap superstar. While his actions may appear reckless and the quickest way for him to lose everything, Prem, empowered by imaginative hip-hop music-fueled fantasies where he performs with his father (Ambudkar), is determined to find out if hip-hop truly is in his DNA. As his father always used to say, “the world’s best never rest.”

Ambudkar’s additional film credits include “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” “Blindspotting” and “Pitch Perfect.” A rapper and creative force from a young age, Ambudkar was an original member of The Beatards, a NYC-based underground hip-hop group that performed alongside acts like Santigold, Azealia Banks, G-Easy, Public Enemy, Questlove and more. His work with the Beatards eventually helped Ambudkar land “Pitch Perfect.” Originating the role of Aaron Burr in the developmental readings of “Hamilton,” Ambudkar later reunited with Lin-Manuel Miranda as part of the improvisational rap group Freestyle Love Supreme, which garnered a special Tony® Award in 2021. “Vanity,” Ambudkar’s debut album as a solo artist, dropped in 2019 and was quickly followed by “Petty.” In 2020, he released “The Misfits EP” and single “Self Respect.”

Who said Mini-Vans can’t be fun? Honda is here with the 2023 Odyssey Touring to change everything you think about them. We had quite a Test Drive with plenty of excitement including the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards, celebrating excellence in Canadian Television, Film and Digital realms, plus a luxurious and sustainable staycation at 1 Hotel in Toronto. This and some pretty big stars in the City and we were there, thanks to the Honda Odyssey Touring. Plus, the long-awaited racing season is back at Woodbine Racetrack! This is the first year the King’s Plate will run since 1951!

Empowered with a 3.5-litre, 24-valve, Direct Injection, SOHC, i-VTEC® V6 engine and 280 @ 6000 horsepower, this isn’t just any Mini-Van. This eight-seater is equipped to handle any circumstance life throws at you – whether it be a daily commute for you and your loved ones, family travels or heavy hauls.

Despite utility being first, the 2023 Honda Odyssey Touring is incredibly sleek and sophisticated. It defies preconceived notions about the Mini-Van as you know it. For one, it gives you and your passengers a unwavering sense of security and comfort. Right away, we love a ride with Proximity Entry, making those heavy hauls a little easier to navigate before you even step into the driver’s seat. Know your little ones are protected with childproof locks at the back.

The Driver’s seat with 12-way power adjustment including 4-way power lumbar support and that level of care goes to the front passenger also who gets a seat with 8-way power adjustment including 4-way power lumbar support. Seats are ventilated with heating and cooling options. This is one of those features you could only appreciate in these extreme temperatures we get. Case in point, how about that July in April we had last week?

That being said, the Odyssey Touring being more spacious, does exert a bit of effort in cooling the space and our recommendation is to let it do its thing on “AUTO”. You do have the flexibility being in control of front and rear temperatures.

We admit it, we’re actually a little obsessed with those sliding passenger doors (with tinted windows and sunshades) and immense amount of cargo space in the back. It is everything and our passengers thought it was the coolest thing too!

The Odyssey Touring‘s entertainment system is stadium-quality. Navigated through a display audio system, you get 550-watt AM/FM audio system with MP3/Windows Media^® Audio playback capability and 11 speakers including subwoofer, with an Advanced Rear Entertainment System with 10.2-inch, high-resolution WSVGA (1024×600) screen, Blu-ray™ player and embedded streaming media apps. Wireless charging and an array of USB charging options in front, second and get this, third row as well! It is also Bluetooth-ready for all your mobile device needs, and SiriusXM-ready too! We can’t remember life and drives without Hits 1!

Did you know Row Two passengers have their own screen to watch Blu-rays? You can basically live in the Odyssey Touring. There, I said it! All this, plus a scenic panoramic moonroof make for these picture perfect drives.

The Odyssey Touring runs on Regular fuel which we can all appreciate. While larger rides like this can consume more gas, its Fuel Economy of 12.2/8.5/10.6 (city/highway/combined) is very reasonable, enhanced further byhaving an ECON mode.

Let’s talk about Safety. The Odyssey Touring‘s rear-view Camera and sensors of oncoming traffic and obstacles – hyper-aware and you need it when you are driving something larger. In fact, if you are parked too closely to another care behind you – which happens, this is Toronto after all – the trunk won’t open altogether as a protective measure. Immobilizer theft-deterrent system is important at a time when car theft is on driver’s mind of late.

The Odyssey Touring is guided by intuitiveness, helping elimiate those things that can be out of sight, like its Blind Spot Information (BSI) system, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).

Active Safety Measures include Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS^®), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system (HS*), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system (HS*), Hill Start Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with tire fill assist, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA^®) with Traction Control. Having experience a flat earlier this year, I can tell you the value of having all this at your ready.

Can we talk about Rear-Seat Reminder with Cabin-Watch? How cool was it see on our display overhead footage to ensure nothing gets left behind in row two? Iconic. I distinctly recall turning the engine off and on over and again just to see this work. Guilty.

Passive Safety features include Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, HondaLink™ Assist Automatic Emergency Response System, i-SRS airbag system (front), SmartVent™ side airbags, Front knee airbags, Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor system and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong)

Though we don’t have kids of the human variety, we still can vouch for and appreciate its thoughtful design, immense value and the great comfort it brings our loved ones. And yes, it IS fun!

The 2023 Honda Odyssey Touring starts at $58,921 CAN. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

There’s no stopping THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE as it takes the top spot yet again at the Box Office, with $58 million from 4,350 theatres in its third weekend out for Universal Pictures. This takes its total run thus far, to $434.1 million domestically.

In second is EVIL DEAD RISE with a smashing $23 million from 3,402 theatres in its debut for New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. It gets 86% on the Tomatometer from Critics. Franchise best still goes to 2013’s EVIL DEAD, which opened with $25 million.

Third is Guy Ritchie’s THE COVENANT with $6.1 million from 2,611 theatres for MGM. It gets 81% on the Tomatometer.

AIR lands in fourth with $5.4 million for Amazon Studios/Warner Bros., a total $41 million to date.

Rounding-out our Top Five is DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES with $5.4 million for Paramount Pictures.

By Mr. Will Wong

After winning raves out of its Premieres in Berlin and at SXSW ’23, Elevation Pictures release BLACKBERRY readies a release in theatres next month. The Film centers on the rise and fall of the world’s first ever Smartphone, developed just an hour outside of Toronto. The Comedy-Drama is directed and written by Toronto’s Matt Johnson, the Script adapted from Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff’s book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry. And not only this, Johnson also stars in the Film as well.

The Red Carpet was rolled-out at TIFF Bell Lightbox as the Film got a full circle moment, premiering before a Canadian audience, after having filmed last year in Waterloo – where exactly the story is set and history was made.

Those to walk the Red Carpet tonight included:

Jay Baruchel as Mike Lazaridis
Glenn Howerton as Jim Balsillie
SungWon Cho as Ritchie Cheung
Michelle Giroux as Dara Frankel
Mark Critch as Bettman
Ian Rosen, President & COO of Harry Rosen
Co-Authors Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff
Director and Writer Matt Johnson as Douglas Fregin

The real Jim Balsillie, former Chair and CEO of Research in Motion even made an appearance! We hear he loved the Film.

We had the great pleasure of chatting with the evening’s special guests.

Ian Rosen, President & COO of Harry Rosen, graced the Red Carpet as the refined men’s fashion retailer was a partner of the event. Rosen himself oversaw fashion for star Jay Baruchel at the Premiere. We ask him what he’s most excited about.

Rosen: “My wife and I met over BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), so we’re just getting in this nostalgic mood thinking about this Film, and getting to see a different angle of this story.”.

Sean Silcoff is Co-Author of the book on which Matt Johnson based his Script. He tells us about the process of the book making it to the big screen.

Silcoff: “After the book came out, we started hearing from people interested in making it into a movie. We signed an option deal and I knew right away, an option is a longshot. You believe it when you see it. Early last year, we got the call the Movie’s being made and I still thought ‘I can’t believe it’s true’. We got to visit the set in Hamilton and it was surreal to see all these people working on the Movie, making a living because of the work you did and knowing the story’s going to live on in another format.”.

Michelle Giroux plays an Investigator named Dara, who arrives at a critical turning point in the Film.

Giroux: “Dara comes in the latter half of the Film, which I haven’t seen yet. She’s an investigator who’s been trying to reach the boys at BlackBerry and she wants to look the hiring of technicians under false pretenses. It’s actually at the point in the Film when they start to catch-on and things start to implode.”.

Mark Critch certainly is a busy man, coming off a Canadian Screen Award win last weekend for his work on THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES and also prepping the third season of CBC’s hit series SON OF A CRITCH. He stars in BLACKBERRY as Bettman.

Critch: “Bettman at first thinks this is going to go great, but realizes slowly but surely that maybe there’s more to it. It’s been fun. I was only on the Film for a couple days, but it was so many exciting people. I loved working with Jay and Matt is such an exciting Filmmaker. When Jay actually sent me the Script, I started on my kitchen counter and finished the whole thing before I even realized what I was doing. It was like my BlackBerry, I couldn’t put it down.”.

We ask Matt Johnson about the many caps he gets to where in this Film – what his greatest challenges were and what his favourite parts were.

Johnson: “The biggest challenge was learning to communicate with these Actors so that we could be a true unit, because I’d never met them before and I wanted to have a sense that we’d known each other for years. The funnest part? Making movies is not fun – like production. So the funnest part was when we were shooting stuff in the ’90s and I was with the other Engineers and we were just kinda screwing around. But honestly it was all kinda painful.”.

Jay Baruchel is winning raves for his performance as Mike Lazaridis, Founder of BlackBerry with his work being called his most mature performance to date. He happens to be a huge fan of BlackBerry and was actually still using one up till a couple years ago.

Baruchel: “I had almost all of them! Whatever the last one was where they put the QWERTY keyboard back on it because for a while they had Android phones with a hybrid keyboard on it, or you could buy a QWERTY Keyboard to use on your Android.”.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelpha star Glenn Howerton also is getting acclaim for his portrayal of charismatic Businessman Jim Balsillie. He tells us a bit about his process.

Howerton: “For me it’s all about the Script. It’s all about reading the Script over and over and over again. You do the research, especially something like this which is based on a true story. Fill out the story that’s not exactly on the page so that you have an idea what it is. For me it’s all about information-gathering and letting it slowly seep into my bones and by the time it’s time to film, I know what the character’s going through so well that I don’t have to think about what goes before or after because on the day of filming, you don’t want to be thinking about all that stuff. You want to just throw it all away and have fun.”.

Our Chats below, including some footage filmed on our old BlackBerry Key2!

Backdrop by Coolab.

Elevation Pictures release BLACKBERRY May 12, 2023.

Review to come.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/Mr. Will Wong)

Today, Disney+ revealed the official trailer for the upcoming Original series “American Born Chinese.” The genre-hopping action-comedy series premieres with all eight episodes on May 24, 2023 only on Disney+. The Disney Branded Television series is produced by 20th Television.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang, “American Born Chinese” chronicles the trials and tribulations of a regular American teenager whose life is forever changed when he befriends the son of a mythological god. This is the story of a young man’s battle for his own identity, told through family, comedy, and action-packed Kung-Fu.

The coming-of-age adventure features an all-star international cast, including Academy® Award winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Ben Wang (“Chang Can Dunk”), International Emmy(R) Award Nominee Yeo Yann Yann (“Wet Season”), Chin Han (“Mortal Kombat”), Daniel Wu (“Reminiscence”), former Taekwondo champion Jimmy Liu and Sydney Taylor (“Just Add Magic”).

Introducing audiences to a pantheon of iconic Chinese mythical characters, are guest stars Academy® Award nominee Stephanie Hsu as Shiji Niangniang, the Goddess of Stones; Ronny Chieng as unconventional monk, Ji Gong; Jimmy O. Yang as Dragon King, Ao Guang; James Hong as Jade Emperor; Leonard Wu as Niu Mowang/Bull Demon; and Poppy Liu as Princess Iron Fan. The series also welcomes Lisa Lu as soon-to-be retired acupuncturist Ni Yang and Rosalie Chiang as student activist Suzy Nakamura.

Emmy® Award-winning writer/producer Kelvin Yu (“Bob’s Burgers,” “Central Park”) serves as executive producer and showrunner. Destin Daniel Cretton (Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” “Short Term 12”) is set to direct and serves as executive producer, alongside Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan (both of “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and “Jumanji: The Next Level”), Erin O’Malley (“Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.”), Asher Goldstein (“Short Term 12,” “Just Mercy”) and Gene Luen Yang.

You know how much we love INDIAN MATCHMAKING, but here comes a new series on Netflix, JEWISH MATCHMAKING! This new Trailer already brings the laughs! Matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom, we cannot wait to meet you!

Synopsis:

When Jewish singles are ready to get serious, they call on Aleeza Ben Shalom to find their perfect romantic match from across the US and Israel.

JEWISH MATCHMAKING arrives May 3, 2023 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

In anticipation of the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, audiences can take a stroll with MUBI down the Boulevard de la Croisette and enjoy past favourites with the Cannes Takeover collection. Plus, stunning double bills by Ana Vaz and Ken Loach.

MUBI RELEASES

Friday, May 12
The Five Devils | dir. Léa Mysius, 2022

Vicky has a mysterious gift: she can recreate any scent she comes across, even that of her beloved mother Joanne (Adèle Exarchopoulos). When her estranged aunt suddenly returns to town, the invocation of her fragrance plunges the young girl back in time to unravel a past replete with family secrets and queer romance. (Trailer)

Thursday, May 25
The Potemkinists | dir. Radu Jude, 2022

In 1905, the sailors on the battleship Potemkin are given political asylum in Romania – an act of defiance against Russia. In 2021, a sculptor wants to create an artwork inspired by the event. This 18-minute, short film about art, history, memory and cinema won the Directors’ Fornight at Cannes 2022.

MUBI HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, May 5
Apollo 11 | dir. Todd Douglas Miller, 2019

This documentary looks at the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon led by commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin. (Trailer)

Saturday, May 13
Requiem for a Dream | dir. Darren Aronofsky, 2000

Harry (Jered Leto) and his girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) dream of transcending their life of hustling and owning a store. While his mother is obsessed with TV and diet pills and envisions her chance to shine again on a game show. However, their dreams are shattered when their drug addictions begin spiralling out of control. (Trailer)

Sunday, May 14
Downtown 81 | dir. Edo Bertoglio, 2000

The film is a day in the life of a young artist, Jean Michel Basquiat, who needs to raise money to reclaim the apartment from which he has been evicted. (Trailer)

Sunday, May 28
Midnight Family | dir. Luke Lorentzen, 2019

In Mexico City’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, this documentary follows the Ochoa family, as they run a for-profit ambulance, competing with other unlicensed EMTs for patients in need of urgent care. In this cutthroat industry, they struggle to keep their financial needs from compromising the people in their care. (Trailer)

NEW + CONTINUING MUBI SPECIALS

CANNES TAKEOVER

Take a stroll with MUBI down the Boulevard de la Croisette and enjoy a few favourites from past editions of this annual, never less than glittering affair.

Titles:
May 17 – Butterfly Vision (2022)
May 18 – The Lunchbox (2013)
May 19 – The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
May 20 – The Blackout (1997)
May 21 – Woman at War (2018)
May 22 – The Skin (1981)
May 23 – Hyenas (1992)
May 24 – Padre padrone (1977)

ARTIST IN FOCUS: ANA VAZ

This month, MUBI is proud to present a double bill, celebrating the work of experimental artist Ana Vaz. Her films explore intricate and powerful portraits of land, animals and people, both foreground narratives and perspectives that have been absent, or erased, from history – The Age of Stone (2013), a voyage into the far west of Brazil inspired by the epic construction of Brasília, and It is Night in America (2022), a wildlife eco-horror and nocturnal documentary that blurs the perspective of animals and humans.

Titles:
May 8 – The Age of Stone (2013)
May 9 – It Is Night in America (2022)

KEN LOACH: A DOUBLE BILL

A household name with more than five decades in film and television behind him, it would be tempting to think of Ken Loach as something approaching an institution in British cinema. Nothing would horrify the man himself more, given his dedication across those years to railing against all manner of hierarchical and structural injustice, both at home and abroad. Even now, in his mid-80s, Loach’s cinematic activism—much like his productivity—remains undimmed.

Titles:
May 6 – Jimmy’s Hall (2014)
May 7 – Black Jack (1979)

GILDED PASSIONS: FILMS BY MERCHANT IVORY

Known for their meticulous lyricism and literary qualities, Merchant Ivory productions are the crème de la crème of British cinema. Founded in 1961 by producer-directors Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, the film company is a multi-hyphenated affair. Echoing the diverse, transnational backgrounds of their creators, Merchant Ivory are drawn to stories about in-between experiences, and the boundaries of social class and financial wealth.

Titles:
May 2 – Heat and Dust (1983)
May 4 – The Bostonians (1984)
May 11 – Maurice (1987)
May 15 – Howards End (1992)

More on Mubi.com.

A new trailer and poster for 20th Century Studios’ “White Men Can’t Jump” are now available to download and share. The all-new comedy begins streaming on May 19, 2023, exclusively on Disney+ in Canada.

Synopsis:

“White Men Can’t Jump” is a modern remix of the iconic 1992 film that celebrates the streetball hustling culture of Los Angeles. Sinqua Walls stars as Kamal, once a promising player who derailed his future in the sport, and multi-platinum rap superstar Jack Harlow makes his movie debut as Jeremy, a former star of the game whose injuries stalled his own career. Juggling tenuous relationships, financial pressures and serious internal struggles, the two ballers—opposites who are seemingly miles apart—find they might have more in common than they imagined possible.

Directed by Calmatic, the movie also stars Teyana Taylor, Laura Harrier, Vince Staples, Myles Bullock and Lance Reddick. The film is written by Kenya Barris and Doug Hall. “White Men Can’t Jump” is produced by Kenya Barris and Paul Hall; it’s executive produced by Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil, Noah Weinstein, Calmatic, Doug Hall, E. Brian Dobbins and James Powers.

Are you ready to see Jack Harlow in his acting debut?

(Photo/video credit: 20th Century Studios/Disney)

The Toronto International Film Festival® is excited to announce early details about its 48th edition. Recognized as the world’s largest public film festival, TIFF 2023 will welcome audiences from across the globe to Toronto to experience the best in international and Canadian cinema, press and industry screenings, special events, and red carpets featuring some of the biggest names in film.

Taking place from September 7–17, 2023, TIFF 2023’s official screening venues will include TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Glenn Gould Studio at the Canadian Broadcast Centre, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The fifth edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards Gala presented by BVLGARI® will take place on September 10, 2023, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. TIFF is also delighted to announce its dynamic programming team and newest additions, as well as an update to the TIFF Members’ journey at the Festival.

With the goal of delivering another incredible Festival and under the leadership of TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, TIFF 2023’s programming team includes: Robyn Citizen, Director of Programming & Platform Lead; Norm Wilner, Acting Lead Programmer for Canada and Industry Selects; Kelly Boutsalis, International Programmer (Canada); Jane Schoettle, Senior Programmer, Special Presentations; Andréa Picard, Senior Curator, Wavelengths & Classics; Thom Powers, Lead Programmer, TIFF Docs; Peter Kuplowsky, International Programmer, Midnight Madness; Geoff Macnaughton, International Programmer, Primetime; Giovanna Fulvi, Senior International Programmer (East Asia); Dorota Lech, International Programmer and Discovery Lead (Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Caucasus Regions); Nataleah Hunter-Young, International Programmer (Africa and Arab West Asia); Jason Anderson, International Programmer & Short Cuts Lead (Nordic Countries and Benelux); Diana Cadavid, International Programmer (Latin America, Southern Europe, the Caribbean); Jason Ryle, International Programmer, Indigenous Cinema; Jane Kim, Producer of Industry Programming; and Christoph Straub, Producer of In Conversation With.

Joining the programming team in new roles are: Meenakshi Shedde, Senior Programme Advisor, South Asia; and Ivan Giroud, Senior Programme Advisor, Latin America; June Kim, Associate International Programmer, Southeast Asia; Jesse Cumming, Associate Curator, Wavelengths.

TIFF is also pleased to announce a significant Film Programme name change: Contemporary World Cinema, or CWC, has been renamed Centrepiece to better reflect and amplify the full spectrum of programming in this section. “Centrepiece is a showcase for acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries,” said Robyn Citizen.

“We are proud to bring the world together through film, and we are especially proud of TIFF’s legacy of centring international art-house cinema,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “The name change to Centrepiece crystallises the importance of this programming within the festival at large and a renewed spirit.”

Festival Street is back for TIFF 2023 as part of King Street — from Peter Street to University Avenue — will be celebrating all things film. The free, family-friendly street festival will feature live performances, partner activations, and outdoor screenings, and will take place from September 7–10, 2023.

“With the Festival only five months away, we are focused on delivering a festival experience which brings together film lovers from around the world,” added Lee. “Whether you’re a veteran TIFFer, a first time Under-25 Passholder, a new TIFF Member, or a family who wants to experience Festival Street, TIFF 2023 promises an enriching experience for everyone.”

TIFF is thrilled to announce new updates to the ticketing journey at the Festival, which have been designed in response to audience and Member feedback:

Single ticket on-sales are happening earlier this year — this will give audiences more time to discover the full Festival 2023 programme.

Ticket packages are changing — TIFF is retiring redemption windows, but will be keeping Buzz List and Opening Night packages, and will be rolling out a slate of new and exciting curated packages at a variety of price points over the summer.

TIFF Members will save 20% on tickets to Regular screenings when purchasing in multiples of 10 tickets or more.

Information on Membership levels, benefits, and pricing can be found at tiff.net/membership.

Key ticketing dates:

June (dates TBA)
Curated package pre-sale exclusively for Visa cardholders and TIFF Members (details to be announced in mid-May)

July 31
Deadline: Join as a Patrons Circle Member

August 15
Official Film Schedule released online at tiff.net/schedule

August 18
Ticket pre-sale: Patrons Circle Members (by level)

August 21
Deadline: Become a TIFF Member for early access to tickets before the public

August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Contributors Circle Members (by level)

August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Visa Infinite cardholders

August 24
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Members

August 25
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Insiders and Under-25 Free Passholders

August 28
Ticket on-sale: General public

Key ticketing details:

TIFF has simplified ticket pricing, with all prices inclusive of taxes and fees:

Regular screenings: $26 – $32
Premium screenings: $39 – $88

Select Regular screenings will be available to Under-25 Free Passholders and community partners beginning at $13. For more information, please visit tiff.net.

To become a TIFF Member visit tiff.net/join.

The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7–17, 2023.

Cirque du Soleil welcomed more than 2500 VIP guests, stars of film, television and music, notable influencers as well as business and philanthropic leaders to the Big Top last night to celebrate the Toronto premiere of the acclaimed and most daring touring production to date, KOOZA.  Cirque du Soleil CEO Stephane Lefebvre joined the  festivities to mark KOOZA’s 16^th anniversary since debuting in 2007.

The ‘Gold’ carpet was abuzz with celebrity sightings including newly minted Canadian Screen Award Winners Olunike Adeliyi (The Porter) and Amanda Brugel (Sort Of), as well Workin’ Moms Juno Rinaldi and Dani Kind, Daniel Maslany, Karen LeBlanc, Kevin Hanchard, John Ralston, and Kris Holden-Ried.

TV and media personalities such as Tracy Moore, Cheryl Hickey, Canada’s Got Talent judges Kardinal Offishall and Trish Stratus, Big Brother Canada host Arisa Cox, and Dragon’s Den’sWes Hall — all made it a family night out.  

Literary icon Margaret Atwood, Champion figure skater Elvis Stojko, celebrity chefs Massimo Capra and Claudio Aprile, and HGTV star Sarah Richardson were among the notable guests who took a front row seat to the jaw-dropping acrobatics. 

Red Carpet Photos:

About KOOZA

An awe-inspiring return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil, KOOZA pays tribute to traditional circus in all its splendor, complete with audacious acrobatic prowess and bold slapstick comedy. Filled with chills, thrills, laughter and wonder, KOOZA unfolds a non-stop, adrenaline-packed series of edge-of-your-seat surprises.

Acclaimed the world over since its debut in 2007, KOOZA has mesmerized close to 8 million spectators with over 4,000 performances in 65 cities across 22 countries and saw record-breaking attendance numbers at its 2022 relaunch in Montreal.

Cirque du Soleil KOOZA runs through to June 18, 2023 at its new location in Huber Bay Shores. Limited tickets are still available at cirquedusoleil.com/kooza.

(Photo credit: Matthew Tsang)