Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) returns from April 8-12, 2026 at TIFF Lightbox, bringing together global creators, studios, and audiences for a five-day celebration of animation, industry, and career development.

The festival will showcase more than 100 animated films from around the world, alongside a
robust slate of programming designed to help creators navigate a competitive and rapidly
changing industry. At its core, TAAFI is committed to supporting creators through access,
education, and meaningful industry connections.

“The animation industry is evolving quickly, and creators need more than exposure to succeed,”
said Louis-Philippe Vermette, Co-Chair of TAAFI. “TAAFI is designed to connect artists with
real opportunities, practical knowledge, and the people who can help move their careers
forward.”

Now in its latest edition, TAAFI continues to evolve beyond a traditional festival, positioning itself
as a central meeting point for the international animation community where storytelling meets
opportunity.

TAAFI’s integrated “mega fest” experience includes:
● A film festival spotlighting global animation talent
● The Toronto Animation Industry Conference (TAIC), featuring panels, talks, and
workshops
● Networking events and job opportunities connecting artists with studios
● Signature programs such as Perfect Pitch and Speed Pitching, offering direct access to
decision-makers

This year’s festival features industry-leading voices including Bobby Chiu, Suzanne Wilson,
Mark Edwards, and Nic Cabana of Claynosaurz, reflecting TAAFI’s growing role as a hub for
both creative and professional development.

The Toronto Animation Industry Conference anchors the festival’s professional programming,
delivering two days of curated sessions that bridge the creative and business sides of
animation, gaming, and VFX. Attendees gain direct access to industry leaders and opportunities
to build relationships through targeted networking events.

TAAFI also looks ahead to the future of animation with programming exploring emerging
technologies and creator-led ecosystems, including discussions on AI tools and artist-focused
strategies.

Founded as a not-for-profit, TAAFI has grown into a recognized player on the global animation
stage, what it describes as a “local reunion for global animation.” By uniting its festival,
conference, and career programming under one roof, TAAFI continues to champion discovery,
collaboration, and the next generation of creative talent.

Event Details
Location: TIFF Lightbox
Dates: April 8-12, 2026
Tickets: https://taafi.com

Festival Programming
https://taafi.com/film-festival-2026

Conference Programming
https://taafi.com/conference-2026

Fresh off the release of the latest North America’s 50 Best Bars list, which saw both Toronto’s No Vacancy and Cry Baby Gallery recognized, No Vacancy will host a one-night-only guest shift on Tuesday, April 14, welcoming Cry Baby Gallery as the evening’s guest bar. A rising sensation in Toronto’s cocktail scene, Yuki Kuroiwa of Cry Baby Gallery will step behind the bar as guest bartender, bringing one of the city’s most in-demand cocktail perspectives to No Vacancy alongside resident bartender Kat Yu for a collaborative service from 6:00 PM to late. Guests can expect a menu of cocktails that reflects both bars’ distinct approaches, coming together in a night that highlights women shaping Toronto’s hospitality scene. Reservations are available via No Vacancy’s OpenTable HERE.

A Meeting of Two of Toronto’s Most Celebrated Bars

The collaboration brings Cry Baby Gallery, one of Canada’s most internationally recognized cocktail bars, into No Vacancy’s intimate Ossington space. Ranked No. 11 on Canada’s 100 Best Bars (2025) and No. 69 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026, Cry Baby has built a reputation for precise, technique-driven drinks and a strong cultural identity.

No Vacancy, ranked #82 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026, is known for a cocktail program shaped by global influences, with ingredients like yuzu, shiso, pandan, and ume woven throughout the menu. For one night, these perspectives come together in a shared format, presenting cocktails that balance technical precision with expressive flavour.

The Talent Behind the Bar

The evening will spotlight guest bartender Yuki Kuroiwa, a rising force in the cocktail world. Based in Canada since 2010, Yuki has spent over a decade in hospitality and has been bartending professionally at Cry Baby Gallery since 2021. Known for her curiosity and precision, she brings a deep passion for spirits and innovation to every drink she creates. Her featured cocktails for the evening will reflect her signature style, thoughtful, globally inspired, and meticulously crafted.

Working alongside her will be No Vacancy’s Kat Yu: A rising talent in Toronto’s cocktail scene and a key member of the team at No Vacancy. Though early in her tenure, she has quickly earned recognition for her confident approach and strong point of view behind the bar. Her debut cocktail, Golden Hour, has become a standout on the menu, resonating with guests and signalling her instinct for balanced, memorable drinks. With a sharp palate and a clear creative voice, Kat is quickly establishing herself as one to watch.

Together, the duo will create unique cocktails that highlight both individuality and shared creativity, showcasing the power of women-led talent behind the bar. Designed to celebrate and elevate female voices in hospitality, the event creates space for connection, creativity, and recognition within Toronto’s thriving bar community. The evening is proudly supported by Perrier and The House of Suntory, two globally respected names synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and innovation in the beverage world.

Reservations available via No Vacancy’s OpenTable HERE.

About No Vacancy
No Vacancy is a vibrant cocktail bar where nostalgia meets modern edge. Located on Ossington, the space blends retro charm with a contemporary spirit. Known for its craft cocktails, cozy-chic interiors, and lively atmosphere, it’s a go-to destination for locals, industry insiders, and first-time visitors alike.
With a beverage program inspired by global flavours, featuring ingredients like yuzu, pandan, shiso, and ume, No Vacancy delivers a cocktail experience that is both innovative and approachable. Paired with its moody, design-forward interior and commitment to showcasing local art, the bar offers an immersive and memorable night out in Toronto.

About Cry Baby Gallery
Cry Baby Gallery is a Toronto cocktail bar known for its creative, technique-driven drinks and strong cultural identity. Ranked No. 11 on Canada’s 100 Best Bars (2025) and No. 69 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026, it has quickly gained recognition on the global stage.

The bar combines precise mixology with a focus on music, art, and community, creating a space that is both intimate and energetic. Its program emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and a modern approach to hospitality.

PHOTON FILMS PRESENTS
A FILM BY GRAMMY-NOMINATED ANDY HINES

LITTLE LORRAINE’S CANADIAN THEATRICAL RELEASE BEGINNING APRIL 17, 2026

SPECIAL EVENTS UPDATE

APRIL 15, 2026 – TORONTO
LITTLE LORRAINE ADVANCE SCREENING AS PART OF
NATIONAL CANADIAN FILM DAY

Talent in attendance:
WRITER-DIRECTOR ANDY HINES
CAST: STEPHEN MCHATTIE, AUDEN THORNTON, DAX RAVINA, SUGAR LYN BEARD
PRODUCERS: TIM DOIRON, JAMES VAN DER WOERD, MICHAEL VOLPE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: VANESSA AMODEO

HOSTED BY RICHARD CROUSE

APRIL 17 AND APRIL 18, 2026 – SYDNEY (NS)
LITTLE LORRAINE OPENING WEEKEND POST-SCREENING Q&AS AT
CINEPLEX CINEMAS SYDNEY

Talent in attendance April 17 and April 18 in Sydney (NS):
WRITER-DIRECTOR ANDY HINES
WRITER ADAM BALDWIN
CAST: AUDEN THORNTON
PRODUCERS: TIM DOIRON, MICHAEL VOLPE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: VANESSA AMODEO, NIC NEARY

APRIL 18, 2026 – SYDNEY (NS)
LITTLE LORRAINE: KEEP THE LIGHT ON
SPECIAL OPENING WEEKEND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
AT THE MEMBERTOU TRADE & CONVENTION CENTRE

Talent in attendance:
WRITER-DIRECTOR ANDY HINES
WRITER ADAM BALDWIN
CAST: AUDEN THORNTON
PRODUCERS: TIM DOIRON, MICHAEL VOLPE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: VANESSA AMODEO, NIC NEARY

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS, INCLUDING PERFORMANCES BY ADAM BALDWIN, THE MEN OF THE DEEPS, AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Photo Courtesy of Photon Films
“‘Little Lorraine’ has it ALL and it’s based on a true crime story that happened right here in Cape Breton” – Tyrone Edwards, ETALK

“Little Lorraine” places a gritty crime story against Cape Breton’s economic struggles post-coal mining to create a story that authentically portrays the moral dilemmas of the lengths desperate people will go to in order to provide for their families.” – Richard Crouse, Bell Media

“McHattie is a great villain. He radiates a shady quality even when he’s trying to be nice.” – Sarah Gopaul, Digital Journal

Selected Official Selections:
Toronto International Film Festival 2025 – world premiere
Atlantic International Film Festival 2025 – Best Director (Andy Hines) and Best Actor (Stephen McHattie)
Calgary International Film Festival 2025
Windsor International Film Festival 2025
Whistler Film Festival 2025
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2026

Synopsis:
Directed by Grammy-nominated Andy Hines (feature film debut), based on a true story and Adam Baldwin’s song “Lighthouse in Little Lorraine”. Between 1986 and 1990, Little Lorraine (Cape Breton) became embroiled in an international cocaine smuggling operation under the noses of multiple governments and federal agencies, distributing drugs and money in coffins driven around in hearses by a network of funeral homes. Experienced through the eyes of three entrapped best friends (Stephen Amell, Joshua Close, Steve Lund), LITTLE LORRAINE tells the gripping true tale of how this unlikely story was born, prospered and imploded over a season in the life of this township.

Principal Cast:
Stephen Amell (Arrow, The Flash, The Borderline) as Jimmy
Auden Thornton (Broke, This is Us, Beauty Mark) as Emma
J Balvin (feature film debut – best-selling Latin artist, winner of 11 Billboard Latin Music Awards; 4 Grammy Award nominations; Guinness World Records acknowledged him as a “leader of a second-generation reggaeton revolution”) as Lozano
Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings Film Series, Stranger Things, The Conners) as Father Williams
Matt Walsh (Vladimir, Veep, Ghosts) as Captain Douglas
Rhys Darby (Guns Akimbo, Wrecked, Flight of the Conchords) as Tim
Stephen McHattie (My Animal, Orphan Black, Pontypool) as Huey
Joshua Close (Wayward, American Solitaire, A Breed Apart) as Tommy
Kaelen Ohm (From, Hit & Run, Last County) as Alice
Hugh Thompson (What We Dreamed of Then, Sullivan’s Crossing, Reacher) as Gordy
Steve Lund (Sullivan’s Crossing, Schitt’s Creek, Bitten) as Jake
Directed by: Andy Hines (feature film debut)
Screenplay by: Andy Hines, Adam Baldwin
Based on a song by Adam Baldwin called “Lighthouse in Little Lorraine”.

Editors: Jeff Betancourt, Anna Hauger, Yoni Reiss
Cinematographer: Jeff Powers
Composer: Blain Morris
Production Designers: Krystyna Byers
Costume Designer: Olivia Hines

Producers: Tim Doiron, James van der Woerd, Michael Volpe
Executive Producers: Nic Neary, Vanessa Amodeo, April Mullen

Country: Canada
Runtime: 115 minutes
Language: English

Canadian Distributor: Photon Films

Follow @littlelorrainefilm

ABOUT PHOTON FILMS AND MEDIA
Launched in 2010, Photon Films and Media (photonfilms.ca), formerly Pacific Northwest Pictures, is a leading Canadian entertainment company specializing in the development, financing, production and distribution of feature films for the domestic and international marketplace. With an emphasis on high quality films from leading filmmakers in diverse genres, Photon Films brings those films to consumers with innovative forms of marketing and distribution across all distribution platforms.

Recent theatrical releases include Richard Linklater’s Golden Globe nominated Nouvelle Vague starring Spirit Award nominated Zoey Deutch for her role as Jane Seberg and Guillaume Marbeck, the SXSW Grand Jury and Audience Award Winner Bob Trevino Likes It from writer/director Tracie Laymon and starring Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo, Tribeca Audience Award Winner Bad Shabbos with Kyra Sedgwick, David Paymer and Method Man, and the critically acclaimed documentary One to One: John & Yoko from directors Kevin Macdonald and Sam Rice-Edwards. Upcoming films include Youngblood from director Hubert Davis and starring Blair Underwood and Ashton James, and Little Lorraine from director Andy Hines and starring Stephen Amell, Sean Astin, J Balvin, Matt Walsh, Rhys Darby and Stephen McHattie.

Contrada announces the appointment of Lifni Kalikutty as Executive Chef, alongside the introduction of a refreshed menu with a more focused, distinctly Italian approach in the kitchen. A longtime member of the team, Kalikutty now leads the kitchen with a clear point of view and renewed momentum.

Kalikutty’s approach is defined by discipline and clarity, with a strong foundation in pasta-making and a detail-driven style that brings a sharper focus to the menu. He has worked in leading kitchens including Enoteca Sociale, Ascari, Montecito, Giulietta and the Michelin-starred Giulia, and was mentored by respected Italian chefs including Rob Rossi of Giulietta and Osteria Giulia.

“Contrada has always been about great ingredients and a certain kind of energy in the room,” said Lifni Kalikutty, Executive Chef at Contrada. “I’m excited to build on that and keep pushing the food forward.”

The refreshed menu introduces several standout additions, including vitello tonnato with prosciutto di san daniele, picked mushrooms and watercress, ricotta gnocchi with morels and asparagus, and a vibrant dish of beets with Jimmy nardello pepper sauce and stracciatella. Primi offerings are further elevated by tagliatelle with a white rabbit ragu and stinging nettle, alongside a seafood risotto with shrimp, crab, and scallop, finished with a touch of mascarpone and espelette pepper. These new dishes represent a confident, seasonal take on modern Italian cooking.

Alongside these new additions, guests will continue to find several Contrada classics on the menu, including the restaurant’s signature pork chop alla Milanese and duck agnolotti, ensuring that longtime favourites remain part of the dining experience.

“Lif brings a strong point of view and a real sense of momentum to the kitchen,” said Patrick Groves, Sommelier and General Manager of Contrada. “There’s a lot of excitement around what he’s doing, you can feel it the moment the food hits the table.”

Beginning April, the refreshed menu will roll out over the coming months, featuring new dishes that are precise, seasonal and grounded in a modern Italian approach. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.contradarestaurant.com.

CONNECT
Instagram: contrada.to
Web: www.contradarestaurant.com

ABOUT CONTRADA
Located in Toronto’s Little Italy, Contrada is a modern Italian-Canadian restaurant focused on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, low-intervention and neo-classical Italian wines and modern Italian cocktails served in a warm, intimate setting. The name Contrada, Italian for “district,” reflects both the historic districts of Siena and the single-contrada vineyards of Mount Etna in Sicily, celebrating a sense of place and the restaurant’s connection to neighbourhood and tradition.

It may be cold outside, but it’s getting swicy at DQ® Canada.

Spring has never been so hot with the release of DQ’s NEW Swicy Menu: a bold lineup of sweet-meets-heat menu items for Canadians ready to tap into those warm-weather vibes ahead of schedule.

From a spicy chicken and soft serve dip duo to beverages with Tajín®, DQ’s new menu is proving heat has never been so sweet. Here’s a look at the swiciest launches of the season:

FlameThrower® Chicken Strip Basket

Crispy chicken strips with a fiery kick, the FlameThrower Chicken Strip Basket for $9.99 and is served with a side of DQ’s signature vanilla soft serve for dipping. “Canadians have been dipping chicken strips into soft serve for years, so we made it official as the ultimate cool‑down to the heat,” said Candida Ness, Vice President of Marketing for DQ Canada.

DQ Sparklers & Coolers

A bold, swicy lemonade line that’s citrusy, refreshing, spicy and sweet, featuring the Pineapple Lemonade DQ Sparklers with Tajin and DQ Coolers with Tajin.

Blizzard® Double Flip BOGO

DQ is currently offering its fan-favourite BOGO $1.99 Blizzard® deal, giving fans even more reason to treat themselves. For a limited time, Canadians can enjoy a Buy One Blizzard Treat, Get One for $1.99 offer, available exclusively through the DQ Mobile App until April 19. The best part: the offer refreshes daily, giving even more chances to indulge.

Stay tuned for upcoming menu items, deals and promotions by downloading the DQ Mobile App and signing up for a DQ® Rewards account.

Apple TV’s acclaimed drama “Your Friends & Neighbours” returns for season two this week. In the new season, Andrew Cooper (Jon Hamm) doubles down on his life as an unlikely suburban thief, until the arrival of a new neighbour threatens to expose his secrets and place his family at risk.

Today, Apple TV released the teaser for “Cape Fear,” the new psychological horror thriller showrun and executive produced by Nick Antosca and executive produced by Academy Award winners Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, with both Academy Award nominee Amy Adams and Academy Award winner Javier Bardem starring and executive producing. The 10-episode limited series will make its global debut on Friday, June 5, 2026 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through July 31, 2026.

Plus, new episodes of “For All Mankind,” “Imperfect Women,” “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” “Shrinking” and “The Last Thing He Told Me” also premiere this week.

“Your Friends & Neighbours” – season two
“Your Friends & Neighbours” is the acclaimed drama from creator Jonathan Tropper (“See,” “Warrior,” “Banshee”) and starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” “Fargo”).
After being fired in disgrace, Andrew “Coop” Cooper (Hamm), a hedge fund manager still grappling with his recent divorce, resorts to stealing from his neighbours’ homes in the exceedingly affluent Vestment Village, only to discover that the secrets and affairs hidden behind those wealthy facades might be more dangerous than he ever imagined.

In season two, Andrew Cooper doubles down on his life as an unlikely suburban thief, until the arrival of a new neighbour threatens to expose his secrets and place his family at risk. Emmy Award-nominee James Marsden joins the cast for season two, alongside returning stars Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, Hoon Lee, Mark Tallman, Lena Hall, Aimee Carrero, Eunice Bae, Isabel Gravitt and Donovan Colan.

Hailing from Apple Studios and produced by Tropper Ink, the series is created by bestselling author Tropper, who serves as showrunner and executive producer under his overall deal with Apple TV. Additionally, Hamm executive produces alongside Connie Tavel and Craig Gillespie.

The second season of “Your Friends & Neighbours” will make its global debut on Apple TV with one episode on Friday, April 3, 2026, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, June 5, 2026.

Coming Soon

“Outcome” – New Apple Original Film
“Outcome” is a dark comedy that centres on Reef Hawk (Keanu Reeves), a beloved Hollywood star who must dive into the depths of his hidden demons after he is extorted with a mysterious video that’s sure to shatter his image and end his career. With the support of his lifelong besties Kyle (Cameron Diaz) and Xander (Matt Bomer), along with his crisis lawyer Ira (Jonah Hill), Reef embarks on a soul-searching journey to make amends with anyone he could have possibly wronged in hopes of identifying the blackmailer. Co-writer and director Hill brings a unique lens to Reef’s wild but spiritually cleansing, nostalgic and eye-opening trip down memory lane, where confronting his past might be the only way to rescue his future.

Alongside Reeves, Diaz, Bomer and Hill, the ensemble cast includes Martin Scorsese, Susan Lucci, Laverne Cox, David Spade, Atsuko Okatsuka, Roy Wood Jr., Kaia Gerber, Ivy Wolk and more.

Written by Hill and Ezra Woods, “Outcome” hails from Apple Studios, and is produced by Matt Dines, Alison Goodwin and Hill under their Strong Baby banner, with Adam Merims serving as executive producer.

“Outcome” will premiere globally on Apple TV on Friday, April 10.

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles”
Hailing from multi-Emmy Award winner David E. Kelley, and starring and executive produced by Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominee Elle Fanning and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Michelle Pfeiffer, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” is a bold, heartwarming and comedic family drama following recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooter’s waitress (Pfeiffer) and ex-pro wrestler (Nick Offerman), as she’s forced to make her way with a new baby, a mounting pile of bills and a dwindling amount of ways to pay them. The series also stars Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden, Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Greg Kinnear, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty and Lindsey Normington.

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles” is produced for Apple TV by A24. Kelley serves as showrunner and writer, and executive produces alongside Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning and Brittany Kahan Ward for Lewellen Pictures; Kidman and Per Saari of Blossom Films; and Matthew Tinker for David E. Kelley Productions. Pfeiffer, Thorpe, Eva Anderson and Boo Killebrew also executive produce. BAFTA and Emmy Award winner Dearbhla Walsh directs the pilot and serves as an executive producer. Additional directors include Kate Herron and Alice Seabright.

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles” will premiere globally on Wednesday April 15, 2026 with three episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through May 20, 2026.

“Criminal Record” season two
From BAFTA Award nominee Paul Rutman, “Criminal Record” is the critically hailed crime thriller starring Academy Award winner and BAFTA Award winner Peter Capaldi, and Laurence Olivier Award nominee and Critics Choice Award nominee Cush Jumbo. A powerful, character-driven drama set in the heart of contemporary London, the series explores the impossibility of policing when the truth is up for grabs.

In season two, when a young man is stabbed to death at a political rally, rival police officers June Lenker (Jumbo) and Daniel Hegarty (Capaldi) are forced into an uneasy alliance. But what starts as a hunt for a murderer escalates into an undercover operation to foil a far-right bomb plot in the heart of London.

Season two reunites Capaldi as Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty and Jumbo as Detective Sergeant June Lenker. Dustin Demri-Burns, Luca Pasqualino, Luther Ford, Lyndsey Marshal and Peter Sullivan join the cast in addition to the returning ensemble that includes Shaun Dooley, Stephen Campbell Moore and Charlie Creed-Miles.

“Criminal Record” is produced for Apple TV by Tod Productions and STV Studios, and executive produced by BAFTA Scotland Award winner Elaine Collins, Rutman, Capaldi and Jumbo. The series is directed by Ben A. Williams and Joelle Mae David.

The eight-episode second season of “Criminal Record” will make its global debut on Apple TV with the first episode on Wednesday, April 22, followed by new episodes weekly through Wednesday, June 10.

“Widow’s Bay”
Led by Emmy Award winner Matthew Rhys, who also serves as executive producer, Widow’s Bay is a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England. But something lurks beneath the surface. Mayor Tom Loftis (Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community. There’s no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and he must contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. He wants these people to respect him. They don’t. They think he is soft and cowardly. And he is. But Loftis is determined to build a better future for his teenage son and turn the island into a tourist destination. Miraculously, he succeeds: tourists are finally coming. Unfortunately, the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true start happening again. “Widow’s Bay” blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy. Rhys stars alongside an ensemble cast led by Kate O’Flynn, Stephen Root, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Kevin Carroll and Dale Dickey.

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Widow’s Bay” hails from creator Katie Dippold, and is directed and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Hiro Murai through his banner Chum Films alongside Carver Karaszewski, Claudia Shin and Rhys. Murai directs five episodes this season, in addition to directors Ti West, Sam Donovan and Andrew DeYoung.

“Widow’s Bay” will make its global debut on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with the first three episodes, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through June 17, 2026,

“Unconditional”
“Unconditional” is an eight-episode thriller that follows a mother-daughter vacation-turned-nightmare when 23-year-old Gali (Ronn) is arrested for drug smuggling in Moscow. Her mother, Orna (Chamami), refuses to accept the charges — but her fight for Gali’s freedom pulls her into a deadly web of crime and corruption.

In addition to Ronn and Chamami, the ensemble cast includes French-Israeli singer-songwriter Amir Haddad (“La Belle et Le Boulanger”), Yossi Marshek (“Yellow Peppers,” “Manpower”), Evgenia Dodina (“Invisible,” “Virgins”) and Vladimir Friedman (“Bad Boy”).

“Unconditional” is written by Bizanski and directed by Johnathan Gurfinkel (“The Accursed”). The series is produced for Keshet 12 by Spiro Films’ Eitan Mansuri and Jonathan Doweck (“No Man’s Land,” “When Heroes Fly”), who also executive produce alongside Bizanski, Idisis, Keshet Media Group’s Avi Nir, Keshet International’s Keren Shahar, and Keshet 12’s Karni Ziv, Yuval Horowitz and Eze Sakson. Keshet International is the international distributor for “Unconditional.”

“Unconditional” will make its global debut on Apple TV with the first two episodes on Friday, May 8, 2026, followed by new episodes every Friday through June 19.

“Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” – new series
Apple TV’s highly “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” is a new stars Emmy Award winner Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson. The half-hour, 10-episode season from creator and showrunner David J. Rosen will make its global debut on Apple TV with the first two episodes on Wednesday, May 20, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through July 15.

A new darkly comedic thriller starring Emmy Award winner Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson, “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” follows newly divorced mom Paula (Maslany), who falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder and youth soccer. Convinced she witnessed a murder — while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis — Paula begins her own investigation, one that could unravel a greater conspiracy while also holding the keys to rebuilding her family and sense of self. The series also stars Brandon Flynn, Murray Bartlett, Dolly De Leon, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Charlie Hall, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg and Nola Wallace.

Hailing from Apple Studios and Counterpart Studios, the series is written and executive produced by creator and showrunner David J. Rosen, and directed and executive produced by David Gordon Green. The series is also developed by and executive produced by Simon Kinberg and Audrey Chon for Genre Films under their first-look deal with Apple TV, and Bard Dorros for Anonymous Content.

“Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” will make its global debut on Apple TV with the first two episodes on Wednesday, May 20, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through July 15.

“Star City” – new series
“Star City” is the new, highly anticipated drama from award-winning creators Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert and Ronald D. Moore, which expands the world of “For All Mankind.” A bold new chapter inspired by the critically acclaimed space-race drama, “Star City” is a propulsive paranoid thriller that takes us back to the key moment in the alt-history retelling of the space race — when the Soviet Union became the first nation to put a man on the moon. But this time, we explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain, showing the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers and the intelligence officers embedded among them in the Soviet space program, and the risks they all took to propel humankind forward.

The series stars Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O’Casey, Alice Englert, Solly McLeod, Adam Nagaitis, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Josef Davies and Priya Kansara.

“Star City” is created by Nedivi, Wolpert and Moore. Wolpert and Nedivi serve as showrunners and executive produce alongside Moore and Maril Davis of Tall Ship Productions, and Andrew Chambliss and Steve Oster.

“Star City” will debut globally on Apple TV with two episodes on Friday, May 29, followed by one new episode every Friday through July 10.

“Cape Fear” – new series
In “Cape Fear,” inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.

The highly anticipated new series is created, showrun and executive produced by Nick Antosca, with Academy Award winners Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg serving as executive producers. Academy Award winner Bardem stars alongside Academy Award nominee Adams, who also executive produces. Patrick Wilson, CCH Pounder, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, Jamie Hector, Malia Pyles and Anna Baryshnikov round out the ensemble cast.

Hailing from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Amblin Television, “Cape Fear” is based on both the novel “The Executioners,” which inspired Gregory Peck’s 1962 Universal Pictures feature of the same name, as well as the acclaimed 1991 remake directed by Scorsese. The series is executive produced by Spielberg, who produced the 1991 film alongside Scorsese. Creator Antosca showruns and produces alongside Alex Hedlund for Eat The Cat; and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey produce alongside Spielberg for Amblin Television. Academy Award nominee Morten Tyldum will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. The series is developed and produced through Antosca’s overall deal at UCP, where he’s been based since 2017.

“Cape Fear” will make its global debut on Friday, June 5, 2026 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through July 31, 2026.

“Sugar” – new season
Starring and executive produced by Colin Farrell, the second season of “Sugar” ushers in the return of Los Angeles’ iconic private detective and film connoisseur John Sugar. Emmy Award nominee Farrell returns for a new case, tracking the troubled older brother of an up-and-coming local boxer as his search for his beloved missing sister continues. As the investigation expands into a citywide conspiracy with sinister intentions, Sugar must reckon with himself to answer the question — how far will he go to do what’s right?

In addition to Farrell, the second season of “Sugar” introduces a brand-new cast including Jin Ha, Raymond Lee, Tony Dalton, Laura Donnelly, Sasha Calle and special guest star Shea Wingham.

Season two of “Sugar” is showrun by Sam Catlin, who also executive produces under his Short Drive Entertainment banner. Audrey Chon and Simon Kinberg executive produce for Genre Films under Kinberg’s overall deal with Apple TV. Farrell, Scott Greenberg and Chip Vucelich also serve as executive producers. “Sugar” is created by Mark Protosevich.

Season two of “Sugar” will make its global return on Friday, June 19 on Apple TV with one episode, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through August 7.

“Lucky” – new series
A new limited series starring Golden Globe Award winner, SAG Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Anya Taylor-Joy, who also serves as executive producer, “Lucky” is based on the New York Times bestselling novel and Reese’s Book Club pick of the same name by Marissa Stapley. The series stars Taylor-Joy as a young woman who left behind the life of crime she was raised in years ago, but must now embrace her darker, criminal side one final time in a desperate attempt to escape her past. The star-studded ensemble cast also includes Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins Jr. and William Fichtner,

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Lucky” is created, co-showrun, written and executive produced by Jonathan Tropper through his Tropper Ink banner and under his overall deal with Apple TV, and co-showrun, written and executive produced by Cassie Pappas. The series is executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, a part of Candle Media. Taylor-Joy will executive produce through her production banner, LadyKiller.

“Lucky” will make its global debut on Apple TV with the first two episodes on Wednesday, July 15, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through August 19.

“The Dink” – New Apple Original Film
Washed up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck’s (Ed Harris) suburban country club. Desperate for his father’s approval, Dusty blindly supports Chuck’s vendetta against the new craze taking over the club: pickleball. But when Dusty reaggravates an old injury, taking away his ability to play tennis, he resorts to the unthinkable in the name of rehab. He not only tries pickleball, but, thanks in part to his enchanting new partner Candace (Mary Steenburgen), he finds himself actually enjoying it. Torn between two worlds, Dusty is forced to finally face the ghosts of his past athletic failures, including his childhood nemesis, Andy Roddick (Andy Roddick). Ultimately, Dusty is drawn into a desperate battle for the future of the club, his father’s affection and his very identity.

Alongside Johnson, Steenburgen, Harris and Roddick, the all-star cast includes Patton Oswalt, Chloe Fineman, Chris Parnell and Aaron Chen, as well as Ben Stiller.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum, “The Dink” is a laugh-out-loud underdog story produced by Stiller and John Lesher for Red Hour Films, and Rob Paris and Mike Witherill for Rivulet Entertainment. In addition to starring, Johnson serves as producer. The film is written by Sean Clements and executive produced by Rick Steele, Clements, Greenbaum, Joe Hardesty, Jonathan McCoy and Daniel Crosser.

“The Dink” will debut globally on Apple TV on July 24, 2026.

“Mayday” – New Apple Original Film
Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh team up in “Mayday,” a genre-bending, action-packed buddy comedy that flips the spy thriller on its head. When hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy “Assassin” Kelly (Reynolds) is sent on a top-secret mission into Russian territory at the height of the Cold War, the operation implodes, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines. Discovered by Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent with a penchant for American culture, Troy thinks he’s toast — but could an unlikely alliance between the two lead to Troy’s rescue and a bond neither saw coming?

Alongside Reynolds and Branagh, the ensemble cast includes Marcin Dorocinski, Maria Bakalova, David Morse and more.

An Apple Original Film hailing from Skydance Media, “Mayday” is written, directed and produced by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger produce for Skydance, alongside Maximum Effort’s Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau. Reynolds and George Dewey, through Maximum Effort, along with John G. Scotti, serve as executive producers.

“Mayday” will debut globally on Apple TV on September 4, 2026.

“Ted Lasso” season four
Returning for its highly anticipated fourth season this summer, “Ted Lasso” is one of the most celebrated comedies in history with back-to-back Emmy Award wins for Outstanding Comedy Series for its freshman and sophomore seasons. Fan favourites including Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Emmy Award winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Jeremy Swift are all set to return as their celebrated characters, alongside new season four additions Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern and Grant Feely.

In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.

“Ted Lasso” season four adds Emmy Award winner Jack Burditt (“Nobody Wants This,” “Modern Family,” “30 Rock”) as executive producer under a new overall deal with Apple TV. Sudeikis stars and executive produces alongside Hunt, Joe Kelly, Jane Becker, Jamie Lee and Bill Wrubel. Goldstein serves as writer and executive producer alongside Leann Bowen. Sarah Walker and Phoebe Walsh will serve as writers and producers for season four, and Sasha Garron co-produces. Julia Lindon will write for season four, and Dylan Marron will serve as story editor. Bill Lawrence executive produces via his Doozer Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television Studios and Universal Television, a division of NBCUniversal content. Doozer’s Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer also serve as executive producers. The series was developed by Sudeikis, Lawrence, Kelly and Hunt, and is based on the preexisting format and characters from NBC Sports.

Season four of “Ted Lasso” will make its global debut this summer on Apple TV.

“Matchbox The Movie” – New Apple Original Film
Inspired by the iconic Mattel toys, “Matchbox The Movie” is an action-packed, globetrotting adventure about a group of friends since childhood who have their lives upended when undercover CIA agent Sean (John Cena), their long-absent former leader, returns to their small town and unwittingly gets them embroiled in a frantic international pursuit to save the world.

Alongside Cena, the film stars Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris and Arturo Castro. Additional ensemble cast includes Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, Danai Gurira, Golshifteh Faranhani and more.

An Apple Original Film hailing from Skydance Media and Mattel Films, “Matchbox The Movie” is directed and executive produced by Sam Hargrave and written by David Coggeshall. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger produce for Skydance, alongside Robbie Brenner and Ynon Kreiz through Mattel Films as well as Jules Daly. Patrick Newall and Elizabeth Bassin serve as executive producers.

“Mayday” will debut globally on Apple TV on October 9, 2026.

“Way of the Warrior Kid” – New Apple Original Film
Middle school has been a nightmare for Marc (Jude Hill), a good kid who’s bullied by his classmates and feels like he’s behind in everything, from academics to P.E. to just making friends. That changes when his injured Uncle Jake (Chris Pratt), a decorated Navy SEAL, comes to spend the summer and recuperate with Marc and his mom, Sarah (Linda Cardellini). To help Marc defend himself, Jake devises an ambitious program he calls “Operation Warrior Kid” based on his SEAL training. Instead of teaching his nephew how to fight, Jake shows Marc what real courage is, facing down his own demons along the way. Based on the bestselling novel by former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, “Way of the Warrior Kid” is directed by McG from a screenplay by Will Staples. Alongside Pratt, Cardellini, Hill and Willink, the cast also includes Ava Torres, Levi McConaughey, Darien Sills-Evans, Carl McDowell, Parker Young and more.

Hailing from Apple and Skydance Media, “Way of the Warrior Kid” is produced by Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger, alongside McG and Mary Viola for Wonderland Sound, Chris Pratt for Indivisible Productions, Ben Everard for Everard Entertainment, Bruce Wayne Gillies and author Willink. Staples, Steven Bello and Cliff Lanning serve as executive producers.

“Way of the Warrior Kid” will debut globally on Apple TV on November 20, 2026.

Acclaimed film and television actor Brittany Snow will take the stage at The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada to present the IMPACT Award to Malin Ȧkerman in what promises to be one of the most memorable moments of the May 28, 2026 event at Toronto’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Known for her dynamic performances across film and television, Snow brings both star power and a deep connection to the honouree, making her an especially meaningful presenter for this prestigious recognition.

Snow and Akerman co-star in the Netflix, Lionsgate and 3 Arts smash hit The Hunting Wives, where their on-screen chemistry and compelling performances have generated significant buzz and turned the series into a cultural phenomenon.

Their collaboration adds a personal dimension to the IMPACT Award presentation, underscoring a shared commitment to bold, character-driven storytelling and the kind of creative partnership that continues to propel the series’ unbridled success. The Hunting Wives season one is available for streaming on Crave in Canada, and will be released on Netflix in Canada on April 21, 2026.

The IMPACT Award recognizes Akerman’s outstanding career and influence across film and television, as well as her ability to lead with authenticity, versatility, and global appeal, while maintaining her Canadian roots.

As the Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada continues to spotlight the voices defining the entertainment industry, Snow’s participation further elevates the gala — bringing together two accomplished artists in a celebration of talent, impact, and enduring creative influence on the world stage.

The IMPACT Award is presented in partnership with Lionsgate.

The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada is a first-of-its-kind summit and awards that brings the industry together across television, film, and music to celebrate and recognize the achievements of Canadian women who are driving the industry forward in their respective fields.

Honourees announced to date include Akerman and Andrea Martin who will receive the ICON Award at the May 28 gala. Additional honourees and special guests to be announced in the coming weeks.

For tickets and more information including all schedule and programming details visit www.womeninentertainment.ca.

(Photo credit: Hunter Moreno)

Beloved series When Hope Calls is back for Season 3, premiering Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 8 pm ET on Super Channel Heart & Home. The spinoff to Janette Oke’s beloved book series and fan-favourite hit When Calls the Heart, returns with a new six-episode season centred in the heartwarming town of Brookfield, where family, friendship, and faith shine bright. With uplifting stories, a stellar cast, and timeless values at its core, the series invites viewers to experience heartfelt moments, small town charm, and the power of love and resilience. When Hope Calls is a Super Channel Heart & Home Original, with episodes also available on demand the following day.

Set in the same world as When Calls the Heart, Season 3 features a celebrated cast, including Cindy Busby (“When Hope Calls,” There’s No Place Like Christmas), Christopher Russell (“When Hope Calls,” A Christmas Prayer), Sarah Fisher (“When Hope Calls,” Someone Like You), Nick Bateman (“When Hope Calls,” A Christmas Miracle with Daisy), and Trevor Donovan (“When Hope Calls,” Mario Lopez Presents: Chasing Christmas), bringing new life and unforgettable moments to the cherished community of Brookfield. Also returning is Wendy Crewson (“When Hope Calls”), Hanneke Talbot (“When Hope Calls”), Simon Arblaster (Bringing Christmas Home), and Jon McLaren (“When Hope Calls,” Christmas in Midnight Clear).

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of the team behind the third season of When Hope Calls,” said Kim Ball, EVP, Content & Communications, Super Channel. “The series has resonated strongly with audiences, and its popularity speaks to the kind of storytelling our viewers want – warm, uplifting and inspiring. We’re delighted to bring another season to fans who have embraced the world and characters so wholeheartedly.”

When Hope Calls is executive produced by Brad Krevoy, Don McDonald, Alfonso H. Moreno, David Anselmo, All Canadian Entertainment and Hideaway Pictures. Don McCutcheon, Melanie Orr and Jerry Ciccoritti will direct the episodes written by Alfonso H. Moreno, Sara Snow and Kirsten Hansen.

About Super Channel Entertainment Network:

Super Channel offers viewers exceptional entertainment value, uncut and commercial-free, with four diverse channels – Super Channel Fuse, Heart & Home, Vault and Quest – plus access to Super Channel On Demand where available by service provider. Super Channel is available via most cable providers across the country as well as streaming live and On Demand with Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV+ and Fubo, with Super Channel+ available to download and stream from anywhere in Canada. Super Channel offers two free ad-supported channels, Super Channel Uncovered and Super Channel Hearties, available on streaming platforms includi

MUBI’s multi-award-winning MUBI Podcast returns for an eleventh season. Titled Needle on the Record – Side 2, the audio documentary series revisits the theme of one of its most-streamed seasons, with a fresh exploration of the power of music in film. A special preview episode will launch on April 16, 2026 with the full series launching from June 4, 2026.

The latest episodes dive into the enduring impact of cinematic “needle drops” – moments where filmmakers deployed pre-existing music instead of an original score, for maximum impact. Across the season, host Rico Gagliano explores iconic musical moments that have shaped pop culture, from British pop and house, to bhangra and electronic dance in Gurinda Chada’s Bend it Like Beckham, to the ska and punk soundtrack of Shane Meadows’ This is England.

Guests this season include Jack O’Connell (This is England, Sinners), and Gurinder Chadha (Bend it like Beckham), alongside some of cinema’s greatest music supervisors, with further names to be announced.

A special preview episode, releasing April 16, spotlights Whisper of the Heart (1995) – the beloved coming-of-age classic from celebrated Director Yoshifumi Kondo, based on the original manga by Aoi Hiiragi and screenplay and storyboards by Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. Featuring its memorable use of the country classic ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ the episode unpacks the film’s surprising reimagining of the song to match its urban Tokyo setting and to deepen its emotional resonance.

The episode features interviews with the producer of the film and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki and his daughter Mamiko Suzuki, who adapted the lyrics of the song with Miyazaki for the film. Host Rico Gagliano shared his excitement to cover the film’s beautiful use of the song:

“Growing up in ‘70s-era West Virginia, ‘Country Roads’ — basically a hymn to the state — was just always around, like oxygen. Learning Studio Ghibli made it kind of the same for ‘90s Japan has been a trip.”

The film will return to cinemas with an exclusive IMAX re-release by GKIDS across the US and Canada from April 21, newly remastered in 4K.

To celebrate the launch of Season 11, MUBI Podcast will also re-release standout episodes from Season 3: Needle on the Record throughout the month of May, including those dedicated to Chungking Express, Donnie Darko, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

LISTEN TO SPECIAL PREVIEW EPISODE FROM APRIL 16 AND FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON YOUR PREFERRED APP HERE

About MUBI
MUBI is a global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. MUBI creates, curates, acquires and champions visionary films, bringing them to audiences all over the world.

MUBI is a place to discover ambitious films, from both iconic directors and emerging auteurs. All carefully chosen by MUBI’s curators. With MUBI GO, members in select countries can get a free ticket every week to see the best new films in cinemas. And Notebook explores all sides of cinema culture — both in print and online.

Some previous and upcoming MUBI Releases include: Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Joshua Oppenheimer’s The End, Magnus von Horn’s The Girl with the Needle, Pinny Grylls & Sam Crane’s Grand Theft Hamlet, Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, Ira Sachs’ Passages, Pedro Almodóvar’s Strange Way of Life, Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex, Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun, Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World, Lukas Dhont’s Close, and Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman.

MUBI Productions include Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind starring Josh O’Connor, Christopher Andrews’ Bring Them Down starring Christopher Abbott and Barry Keoghan, Elizabeth Sankey’s Witches, and Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ Gasoline Rainbow. MUBI Co-productions include Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother starring Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat, Karim Aïnouz’s Rosebush Pruning starring Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Jamie Bell, Lukas Gage, Elena Anaya, Tracy Letts, Elle Fanning and Pamela Anderson, and Michel Franco’s Memory starring Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard.

Founded in 2007 by Efe Cakarel, MUBI is the biggest community of film lovers anywhere, with members across 190 different countries. MUBI is headquartered in London, with 15 offices across the world and over 400 employees. MUBI acquired renowned sales agent and production company The Match Factory and Match Factory Productions in January 2022, and a majority stake in leading Benelux film distributor Cinéart in February 2024.

Subscription plans are $14.99 a month or $119.88 for 12 months, or $19.99 a month or $167.88 for 12 months to include MUBI GO. MUBI is available on the web, Roku devices, Apple Vision Pro, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, as well as on mobile devices including iPad, iPhone and Android.

The Shaw Festival is advancing its bold movement for real human connection with the expansion of its innovative Positive Aging programming. New events and workshops will be developed over the next three years to shift the narrative around aging from ‘decline management’ to a powerful new focus on preservation through creativity.

“Positive Aging is not simply programming for older adults – it is a shift in how we understand aging itself. For too long, aging has been framed as a process of decline to be managed. At the Shaw Festival, we believe growing older is something else entirely,” said Pragna Desai, Shaw Festival’s Director of Community Engagement and Outreach. “We are proud to be at the forefront of advancing a new vision for aging – one defined by possibility, not by limitations, where older adults are active creators of culture, rediscovering their purpose, connections, and voices.”

Demonstrating the powerful role the arts can play in aging well, The Shaw’s new Positive Aging programming builds on the success of its innovative pilot programs developed for older adults over the past two years including classes in memorization techniques, theatre improv and dance and the acclaimed Defy Dementia™ event, developed by Baycrest and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI).

The Shaw Festival’s expanded Positive Aging programming is made possible through a generous $5 million gift from the Weston family as part of The Shaw’s All.Together.Now. campaign. This contribution, alongside the generosity of other visionary donors, is enabling the Shaw Festival to create and offer thousands more positive aging initiatives, empowering older adults to explore their creativity, strengthen cognitive vitality and build meaningful social connections through theatre and the performing arts.

Registration Open for New Positive Aging Programs

Positive Aging events, workshops, performances and community partnerships will be featured in The Shaw’s annual calendar of events. Registration for new Positive Aging workshops in improv, voice control, scene study, memorization and dance is now open at shawfest.com/positiveaging.

Delivered by Shaw Festival artists and professional coaches, these programs are designed to celebrate lifelong creativity, build skills and strengthen social connections. With the expansion of its facilities, starting with the Shaw Artists’ Village this summer, and the new Royal George Theatre rebuild in the future, The Shaw will be able to offer more workshops and programming to more people, amplifying the impact of this critical work.

“At the Shaw Festival, positive aging isn’t about staying young; it’s about growing whole,” added Desai. “When older adults engage their creativity, we have witnessed them strengthen their emotional resilience and reconnect with their sense of identity, agency and purpose. The Shaw is proud to create spaces where imagination remains limitless, and where creativity continues to flourish in every chapter of life.”

These programming advancements demonstrate how the Shaw Festival is applying performing arts expertise in new ways to connect and uplift people of all interests and ages. Last year, the Shaw Festival offered more than 5,000 interactive experiences in addition to its exceptional theatre performances – piloting new events, programs, and educational initiatives designed to inspire and create belonging.

For more information about Shaw’s All.Together.Now. campaign for real human connection, visit shawfest.com/alltogethernow.