The 8th annual Future of Film Showcase Festival takes place July 9-22, 2021. FOFS is a short film festival featuring 12 works from Canada’s most promising new voices aged 40 and younger. Once again this year, the Festival will remain fully virtual and available to stream for free on CBC Gem.

Complete line-up:

Aries (2020)
Directed by Elian Mikkola
Language: Silent
Runtime 3:20m
A single window frame; a portal. As the circular nature of time begins to reveal itself, a new decade begins.

Faraway (2020)
Directed by Aziz Zoromba
Language: French, English and Arabic w/ French and English subtitles
Runtime: 17:53m
After being estranged from his family for his homosexuality, we observe a young Arab man over four seasons and from far away as he navigates his solitude – all the while attempting to reconnect with his mother.

Flower Boy (2019)
Directed by Anya Chirkova
Language: English
Runtime: 16:25m
As August creeps in, Nav forms an intimate bond with an audacious painter and a middle-aged laser tag owner. Just as he begins to find himself, summer inescapably comes to an end.

Kajanaqtuq (2020)
Directed by Ella Morton
Language: English
Runtime: 10:39m
Inuk elder Naulaq LeDrew reflects on her home in Nunavut, Canada.

My Head Aches When I Look Too Long (2020)
Directed by Callahan Bracken
Language: English
Runtime: 3:18m
Through a patchwork of digital and traditional animation techniques, My Head Aches When I Look Too Long follows a teenage boy as he confronts the implications of modern technology on his queerness.

Parlour Palm (2020)
Directed by Rebeccah Love
Language: English
Runtime: 24:37m
An overworked lawyer attempts to care for his partner while she descends into a climate-change-anxiety fuelled manic episode.

Sophie and Jacob (2021)
Directed by Max Shoham
Language: English
Runtime: 8:48m
Inspired by the true story of family, and finding home, no matter the circumstance. Sometimes home cannot be a place, and becomes simply a memory, a mindset.

Sunken Cave and a Migrating Bird (2020)
Directed by by Qiuli Wu
Language: Chinese with English subtitles
Runtime: 10:31m
Between a dilapidated building and a zoo, humans and animals are trapped. Out of boredom, two siblings decide to steal a fish from the artificial lake. Wandering about, they gradually realize their surroundings seem to echo mysteriously with the past of the land……

This is a Period Piece (2020)
Directed by Bruna Arbex
Language: English
Runtime: 14:26m
The short film tells the story of Riley, a 13 year old tomboy that confronts her fears of becoming a woman at the night she gets her period for the first time.

tulips are my father’s favourite flower (2019)
Directed by Nisha Platzer
Language: English
Runtime: 3:03m
This prosaic title serves as a jumping off point for the viewer to reflect on personal associations that arise from the abstract aesthetic of the work. Tulips… is shot on 16mm, hand processed, contact printed, tinted, and toned. Soundtrack by Apollo.

Wash Day (2020)
Directed by Kourtney Jackson
Language: English
Runtime: 9:52m
As they get ready for the day, three young Black women discuss the public perception of their Blackness in relation to their cultivation of a strong sense of self. Wash Day is an intimate exploration into how private, domestic acts such as washing your hair or putting on makeup
become a significant re-acquaintance with the body, before and after navigating the politics of one’s outwardly appearance.

Learn more about FOFS here.

(Photo/video credit: FOFS)

An incredible Cast star in THE HARDER THEY FALL, from Executive Producer Jay-Z!

Synopsis:

When outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose. Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel, and featuring a red hot soundtrack and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Damon Wayans Jr., Deon Cole with Regina King and Idris Elba revenge has never been served colder.

THE HARDER THEY FALL arrives on Netflix and in select theatres this Fall.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Oscar, Golden Globe and seven-time-Grammy Award-winning Artist and DJ/Producer Mark Ronson is profiled six-part Docu-Series WATCH THE SOUND WITH MARK RONSON! See the new Trailer!

Synopsis:

Each episode of “Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson” will follow Ronson as he uncovers the untold stories behind music creation and the lengths producers and creators are willing to go to find the perfect sound. Ronson explores music’s intersection with artistry and technology in candid conversations with music legends and icons including Paul McCartney, Questlove, King Princess, Dave Grohl, Adrock and Mike D from the Beastie Boys, Charli XCX and more, where he discovers the ways in which these unique tools have influenced their work.

At the end of each episode, Ronson will create and unveil a unique piece of original music using groundbreaking technology and techniques including reverb, synth, autotune, drum machines, sampling and distortion

WATCH THE SOUND WITH MARK RONSON arrives July 30, 2021 on Apple TV+.

(Photo/video credit: Apple TV+)

Not sure how many of you remember Turner & Hooch from the late ’80s, a fan favourite starring Tom Hanks. The Film is being spun-off now into a Series coming soon to Disney+. Here’s a first glimpse!

Synopsis:

The series also stars as Carra Patterson as Jessica Baxter, Scott’s brave, street-smart partner; Brandon Jay McLaren as Xavier Wilson, a cool, enigmatic marine-turned-US Marshal; Anthony Ruivivar as Chief James Mendez, Scott’s boss with a secret soft spot for Scott’s new dog, Hooch; Lyndsy Fonseca as Laura Turner, Scott’s sweet, animal-loving sister; Jeremy Maguire as Matthew Garland, Laura’s dog-loving son; and Vanessa Lengies as Erica Mouniere, the quirky head of the US Marshals dog training program. Becca Tobin recurs as Brooke, Scott’s former flame; and Reginald VelJohnson reprises his role as Mayor David Sutton. Five French Mastiffs also star as Hooch, Scott’s slobbery, loveable French Mastiff.

TURNER & HOOCH arrives July 21, 2021 on Disney+.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Best news all year! We’re so excited to hear confirmed today a return to the in-person component at this Fall’s Toronto International Film Festival. Along with that, the first wave of Films to screen at the Festival September 9-18, 2021 have been announced!

Denis Villeneuve‘s DUNE will headline the Festival with a special screening at the historic Cinesphere IMAX Theatre. Other high-profile films to debut at the Festival include: Le Bal des Folles, Belfast (Kenneth Branagh), Benediction (Terence Davies), Charlotte (Eric Warin, Tahir Rana), Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over (Dave Wooley), The Guilty (Antoine Fuqua), Jagged (Alanis Morissette Documentary by Alison Klayman), Lakewood (Philip Noyce), Last Night in Soho (Edgar Wright), Night Raiders (Danis Goulet), Petite Maman (Céline Sciamma), and The Starling (Theodore Melfi) are part of TIFF‘s Official Selection.

What does this mean? With Quarantine rules having relaxed in Ontario, we could be seeing the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Timothy Olyphant, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Anya Taylor-Joy, Catriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Alanis Morissette, Riley Keough, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Irvine and several more in-town this September!

In total there will be 100 films premiering at TIFF ’21 plus public digital experiences presented by Bell, with film screenings on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox available across Canada. In Conversation With… talks and interactive Q&A sessions with actors and creators will be hosted on TIFF Bell Digital Talks, available worldwide.

The 2021 TIFF Tribute Awards once again will be returning this year, and will be broadcast nationally by CTV and streamed internationally by Variety.

Digital ticket package sales start June 30, 2021 for TIFF’s Contributors Circle Members and all ticket dates are available at tiff.net/tickets. Ticket sales are serviced online and by phone only.

(Photo credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

STAGED Season 2 arrives next month on Hollywood Suite, the acclaimed BBC One Series filmed during the pandemic, starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant playing fictionalized versions of themselves.

Synopsis:

Season 2  follows the “real” Michael Sheen (The Queen) and David Tennant (Doctor Who) following the success of the first season of Staged. Simon Evans (portrayed by creator… Simon Evans) begins work on an American remake of the first series, but the stars are not asked to reprise their roles. Whoopi Goldberg joins the cast as Michael and David’s agent and Ben Schwartz as her assistant.

This eight-part, half-hour series was filmed entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic and features guest appearances by Simon Pegg, Christoph Waltz, Ewan McGregor, Ken Jeong, Jim Parsons, and Josh Gad. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Cate Blanchett.

The first four episodes of Staged Season 2 will premiere July 20 starting at 9pm ET, with the last four episodes following on July 27 at 9pm ET.  Viewers can catch up on Season 1 now On Demand. 

Episode One “Saddle Up Sheen” – July 20, 9pm ET

Episode Two “Long Time, No See” – July 20, 9:25pm ET

Episode Three “The Dirty Mochyns” – July 20, 9:50 ET

Episode Four “Woofty Doofty, David” – July 20, 10:15pm ET 

Episode Five “The Warthog and the Mongoose, Part 1” – July  27, 9pm ET

Episode Six “The Warthog and the Mongoose, Part 2” – July  27, 9:25pm ET

Episode Seven “The Loo Recluse”, July 27 , 9:50pm ET

Episode Eight: “Until They Get Home”, July 27, 10:15pm ET 

(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)

Actress Emily Mortimer makes her TV directorial debut in THE PURSUIT OF LOVE. See this first look from the Series!

Synopsis:

Based on Nancy Mitford’s classic novel, The Pursuit of Love is unlike many other period dramas (e.g. Jane Austen romances). Witty, sexy and quirky—steeped in a rich historical setting, it explores the complex realities of finding purpose as a woman in 1930s England. By satirizing classic British tropes and modernizing a period drama, this series is the antidote to Downton Abbey. At the heart of the tale we see Fanny and Linda, two young women on a lifelong pursuit of love and marriage, but what’s really left are the bonds of intimacy and friendship—and the love between these women. As pre-war political divisions split the nation, these women’s diverging choices raise intimate personal questions that are relevant today – about freedom, love, sex, politics and the mystery of the human heart. Like other successful period dramas, we will see beautiful sets and costumes, and the lifestyles of the very posh and privileged juxtaposed with the confined societal realities for the characters, especially the women, as told through a woman’s lens. Beyond the themes and historical setting of Pursuit of Love, Prestige Romantics will be drawn to the noteworthy, attractive celebrity cast, particularly as it is Emily Mortimer’s TV directorial debut. 

Cast: Lily James (“Linda Radlett”), Emily Beecham (“Fanny Logan”), Dominic West (“Uncle Matthew Radlett”), Dolly Wells (“Aunt Sadie Radlett”), Andrew Scott (“Lord Merlin”), Emily Mortimer (“The Bolter”), Beattie Edmondson (“Louisa Radlett”), Assaad Bouab (“Fabrice de Sauveterre”), Shazad Latif (“Alfred Wincham”), Freddie Fox (“Tony Kroesig”). 

THE PURSUIT OF LOVE is coming to Amazon Prime Video July 30, 2021.

(Photo credit: Amazon Prime Video)

An announcement was made earlier on the upcoming TRANSFORMERS film which will star Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) and Dominique Fishback (Judas & The Black Messiah).

LOGLINE:

Returning to the action and spectacle that first captured moviegoers around the world 14 years ago with the original Transformers, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in theatres June 24, 2022.

Paramount Pictures Canada release TRANSORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS June 24, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures Canada)

A new Trailer has arrived for James Gunn‘s THE SUICIDE SQUAD! Check it out below!

Synopsis:

Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.

The film stars Margot Robbie (“Birds of Prey,” “Bombshell”), Idris Elba (“Avengers: Infinity War”), John Cena (upcoming HBO Max series “Peacemaker,” “Bumblebee”), Joel Kinnaman (“Suicide Squad”), Jai Courtney (the “Divergent” franchise), Peter Capaldi (“World War Z,” BBC’s “Doctor Who” ), David Dastmalchian (upcoming “Dune,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp”), Daniela Melchior (“Parque Mayer”), Michael Rooker (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films), Alice Braga (“Elysium”), Pete Davidson (“The King of Staten Island,” TV’s “Saturday Night Live”), Joaquín Cosio (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” TV’s “Narcos: Mexico”), Juan Diego Botto (“The Europeans”), Storm Reid (“The Invisible Man,” “A Wrinkle in Time”, “Euphoria”), Nathan Fillion (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” TV’s “The Rookie”), Steve Agee (“Brightburn,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”), Sean Gunn (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, the “Avengers” films), Mayling Ng (“Wonder Woman”), Flula Borg (“Ralph Breaks the Internet”), Jennifer Holland (“Brightburn,” upcoming HBO Max series “Peacemaker”) and Tinashe Kajese (TV’s “Valor,” “The Inspectors”), with Sylvester Stallone (the “Rocky,” “Rambo” and “Expendables” franchises), and Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Suicide Squad”).

THE SUICIDE SQUAD opens in theatres August 6, 2021 via Warner Bros. Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

By Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

There are plenty of Novels that get adapted into Features or Miniseries and down the road the author of the original text comes out against the final Hollywoodized version of their product. Stephen King is rather famous for disliking adaptations of his own work, even when the Hollywoodization is regarded as a classic, King still opposes. When watching some of the more recent King adaptations, there is usually a lot to be desired still, however with Apple TV+’s Lisey’s Story there is very little more to desire after the eight episodes. This is in part due to the fact that King adapted his own work and legendary Director Pablo Larrain directed the Series, but it hits the bullseye precisely.

Lisey Landon (Julianne Moore) lost her literary genius husband, Scott (Clive Owen) and decided to try and move on with her life and leave his unpublished works as such. Unfortunately for Lisey, a stalker Jim Dooley (Dane DeHaan) cannot accept that Scott’s work will go unpublished and starts to torment and stalk Lisey. As this progresses, it gets more intense and terrifying for Lisey as she is a caregiver for her sister, Amanda (Joan Allen), who needs around the care attention for her mental health. Lisey is helped by her other sister, Darla (Jennifer Jason Leigh) with Amanda but has her own griefs and traumas to process as well.

What makes Lisey’s Story so captivating is the story. King brilliantly interweaves flashbacks of Lisey remembering her romance with Scott, the modern day and supernatural occurrences. The way the story comes together is seamless, full of suspense, awe, and thrills. Pablo Larrain also masterfully directs this rich tapestry of words with such ease and brilliance that audiences will be captivated throughout the Series. The entire Show is engulfed in beautiful storytelling, visuals and direction that is sensational.

With any strong direction and storytelling only so much can be accomplished without a powerhouse Cast, and thankfully for Lisey’s Story everyone brings their A-Game. Moore astounds as Lisey, trying to process her PTSD of losing her husband, while being tormented by her stalker and flashbacks she so desperately tried to move on from. Clive Owen playing Scott, trying to help Lisey through his puzzle in helping her process her grief is nothing shy of captivating. However it is Dane DeHaan who gives a career best performance, as his performance is chilling, haunting, and terrifying. He embodies the darkness of King excellently and does not shy away from becoming the monster he was written out to be.

When there is a hauntingly brilliant Script, beautiful direction, and superb acting the final product is nothing short of fantastic. Lisey’s Story may start off with a lot of supernatural elements begging the audience to suspend belief briefly, but the payout and deliverance of the final product is more than worth the time. Sheer ingenuity and execution makes Lisey’s Story another phenomenal entry into the Apple TV+ catalogue and an adaptation King himself can approve of Lisey’s Story streams on Apple TV+ now.