#FIRSTLOOK: STARS ANNOUNCED FOR NETFLIX TUDUM 2025: THE LIVE EVENT

The stars you love are joining Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event on Saturday, May 31st! Hosted by Sofia Carson (Feel The Beat, Purple Hearts, Carry-On, The Life List, and coming this summer, My Oxford Year), the event will include exclusive sneak previews, surprise performances, and an incredible lineup that you won’t want to miss.

See you at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31st at 5:00PM PT, or join us LIVE on Netflix from wherever you may be!

NETFLIX TUDUM 2025: THE LIVE EVENT
THE EVENT WILL FEATURE YOUR FAVORITE STARS FROM: Emily in Paris, Frankenstein, Happy Gilmore 2, Love is Blind, One Piece, Outer Banks, The Rip, Squid Game, Stranger Things, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, The Life List, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Wednesday, WWE, Ginny & Georgia, My Life with the Walter Boys, Forever …AND MORE!

ABOUT TUDUM:

Tudum LIVE is Netflix’s global fan event, named after the iconic sound that plays at the start of every Netflix movie, series or event. It is Netflix’s biggest celebration of fandom and culture-defining storytelling—spotlighting movies, shows, stars and creators that fans around the world love.

The first Tudum event was held in January 2020 at the Bienal Pavilion of São Paulo, Brazil, as a multi-title festival that celebrated Netflix’s young adult content, drawing more than 50,000 fans over four days. Since then, Tudum has evolved across multiple formats—festival, livestream, and digital almanac—cementing its place as a signature global event. In 2023, Tudum returned to São Paulo, drawing over 35,000 in-person attendees and recorded more than 78 million views across Netflix’s global social channels.

Now, Tudum LIVE returns on May 31, 2025, streaming live at 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET from the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. This must-see event will feature Netflix’s biggest stars, can’t-miss performances, jaw-dropping reveals, and unforgettable moments. Tudum.com remains a year-round destination for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and deeper connections to Netflix’s most beloved titles.

HOW TO WATCH: Audiences can watch the live event on Netflix. The livestream will begin at 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET.

TICKET SALE INFO: The event will take place at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31st. General public ticket sales will begin starting Friday, May 9 at 10:00 AM PT. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.

#FIRSLTOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE LONG WALK”

Today, we get a new Trailer for THE LONG WALK, coming to theatres September 12, 2025 via Cineplex Pictures.

Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Screenplay by: JT Mollner
Based on the Novel by: Stephen King
Produced by: Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Francis Lawrence, Cameron MacConomy
Cast: Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, Josh Hamilton, with Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill
Synopsis: From the highly anticipated adaptation of master storyteller Stephen King’s first-written novel, and Francis Lawrence, the visionary director of The Hunger Games franchise films (Catching Fire, Mockingjay – Pts. 1 & 2, and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), comes THE LONG WALK, an intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: how far could you go?

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of genre films. Recent titles include Flight Risk, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Strangers: Chapter 1, The Queen of My Dreams, The Boy and the Heron, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, SAW X, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and John Wick: Chapter 4.

#FIRSTLOOK: “TRAINWRECK” COMING TO NETFLIX STARTING JUNE 10, 2025

Starting June 10, 2025, Netflix will be launching an 8-part documentary anthology that focuses on some of the wildest and most bizarre events ever to blow up in mainstream media. Each week, tune in to a new story told from the perspective of those at the heartbeat of the chaos. Opening with the tragedy of the 2021 Astroworld Festival, the series then ranges from political scandals and media hoaxes to cult-like corporations and reality TV disasters. Trainwreck delves into the stories the world could not look away from.

The Astroworld Tragedy | Releasing June 10, 2025
Mayor of Mayhem | Releasing June 17, 2025
Poop Cruise | Releasing June 24, 2025
The Cult of American Apparel | Releasing July 1, 2025
The Real Project X | Releasing July 8, 2025
Balloon Boy | Releasing July 15, 2025
P.I. Moms | Releasing July 22, 2025
Storm Area 51 | Releasing July 29, 2025

#FIRSTLOOK: MARGARET ATWOOD TO BE HONOURED AT THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT CANADA RECEPTION

The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada will honour celebrated author, poet and activist Margaret Atwood with the prestigious ICON Award at this year’s second annual event on Thursday, May 29 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto.

Margaret Atwood

2025 ICON Award Honouree

The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada’s ICON Award was created to recognize Canada’s cultural icons who have advanced the representation of women in the media and entertainment industry, and whose artistic vision and excellence have inspired audiences at home and around the world.

Margaret Atwood is the author of more than 50 books of fiction, poetry, critical essays and graphic novels. Her 1985 classic, The Handmaid’s Tale, was adapted into an Emmy Award-winning MGM Television series now in its sixth and final season on Hulu and Crave. It was followed in 2019 by a sequel, The Testaments, which was a global number one bestseller and won the Booker Prize. In November, Atwood will publish Book of Lives, her long-awaited memoir.

Atwood’s other works of fiction include Cat’s Eye, a finalist for the 1989 Booker Prize; Alias Grace, which won the Giller Prize in Canada and was also adapted into an award-winning CBC series; The Blind Assassin, winner of the 2000 Booker Prize; The MaddAddam Trilogy; and Hag-Seed. She has received numerous awards, including the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the Franz Kafka International Literary Prize, the PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Los Angeles Times Innovator’s Award.

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

View the complete schedule of all panels and speakers here.

As previously announced, acclaimed actress Tantoo Cardinal will receive the Equity in Entertainment Award; iconic fashion and lifestyle journalist Jeanne Beker will be honoured with the IMPACT Award; and actor, writer, comedian and activist Amrit Kaur will receive the Breakthrough Award at this year’s event.

For tickets and more information, visit www.womeninentertainment.ca.

(Photo credit: Luis Mora)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “HONEY DON’T”

Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada will release
HONEY DON’T! in theatres Nationwide on Friday, August 22nd
Following a World Premiere at The 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Details:

Directed By: Ethan Coen
Written By: Ethan Coen & Tricia Cooke
Producers: Ethan Coen, Tricia Cooke, Robert Graf, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Cast: Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, Billy Eichner, and Chris Evans
Genre: Dark Comedy
Synopsis: HONEY DON’T! is a dark comedy about Honey O’Donahue, a small-town private investigator, who delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church.

#FIRSTLOOK: TELEFILM CANADA ANNOUNCE FUNDING OF 12 ENGLISH FEATURE FILMS (MAY 2025)

Telefilm Canada announces funding of $25.8 million in 12 feature-length films – including a new one from Brandon Cronenberg – in the English market under the Production Program, as part of the first round of decisions in the big budget stream, including international coproductions.

The selection of projects showcases diversity across regions, genres, languages and distribution, spanning a global presence, with eight out of the 12 films involving international coproduction partners.

Last week, 12 feature-length films in the French market were announced to receive funding from the big budget stream and the low-budget stream of the Production Program.

All Night Wrong (comedy)
Director: Jason James
Screenwriter: Jason Filiatrault
Production: ALL NIGHT WRONG Productions Inc
Distribution: Mongrel Media
Province: British Columbia
*Canada/UK coproduction

Cohen (drama)
Director: Louise Archambault
Screenwriters: Louise Archambault and Conner Molander
Production: Immina Films, A Media and Rhombus Media
Distribution: Elevation Pictures and Immina Films
Provinces: Quebec and Ontario
Languages: English and French

Daudistan (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Ariel Nasr
Production: Périphéria Productions Inc.
Distribution: Mongrel Media
Province: Quebec
Languages: English and Dari
*Canada/France coproduction

Dragon (science fiction/horror)
Director and screenwriter: Brandon Cronenberg
Production: Plausible Communications Corporation
Distribution: Elevation Pictures
Province: Ontario
*Canada/UK coproduction

Here We Are (comedy/drama)
Director and screenwriter: Mina Shum
Production: Thoughts From the Asylum Productions Ltd.
Distribution: Mongrel Media
Province: British Columbia
Languages: English, Cantonese and Mandarin

The Long Way (romantic comedy)
Director: Philip John
Screenwriter: Michael Amo
Production: Picture Plant Limited
Distribution: Game Theory Films
Province: Nova Scotia
*Canada/UK coproduction

Oddly Flowers (comedy/drama)
Director and screenwriter: Jordan Canning
Production: Shut Up & Colour Pictures Inc.
Distribution: VVS Films
Province: Nova Scotia
*Canada/UK coproduction

The Otters (family/adventure)
Director: Julien Decoin
Screenwriter: Cynthia Knight
Production: Multipix Management (Canada) Inc.
Distribution: Photon Films
Province: Quebec
*Canada/France coproduction

Taking the Waters (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Sophie Jarvis
Production: Reign Films Inc. and Ceroma Films Inc.
Distribution: Game Theory Films
Province: British Columbia
Languages: English and French
*Switzerland/Canada coproduction

Tombs (drama)
Director and screenwriter: Marie Clements
Production: Tombs Production Inc.
Distribution: Photon Films
Province: British Columbia
Languages: English and Cherokee

Trish (comedy)
Director: Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais
Screenwriter: Marc Tulin (story by Marc Tulin, Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais and Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne)
Production: Microscope Inc.
Distribution: Mongrel Media
Province: Quebec
*Canada/Belgium coproduction

Post Production:

Little Lorraine (thriller)
Director: Andy Hines
Screenwriters: Andy Hines and Adam Baldwin
Production: WANGO Films Inc. and Topsail Productions Limited
Distribution: Photon Films
Provinces: Ontario and Nova Scotia

Telefilm continues to receive a high volume of applications under the Production Program. In this first intake, 48 projects were assessed in the big budget stream including international coproductions, representing $116 million in funding requests. Telefilm met with all the teams from each of the projects. A shortlist was then created, and clients were informed after the federal election. Project submissions were considered by an Advisory Committee.

More funding decisions, including projects from the low budget stream in the English market, will be announced in the coming weeks. Statistics on all films funded in the year will be published in the 2025-2026 Annual Report.

An advisory committee composed of external and internal representatives has evaluated the projects and made its recommendations. The decision-making process is designed to ensure that Telefilm funds a balanced production portfolio reflecting a variety of genres, budgets, company sizes, regions of the country, and perspectives. A list of the selection committee members will be posted on Telefilm’s Project Financing Advisory Committees page once all funding decisions have been made.

#FIRSTLOOK: “LILO & STITCH” ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Advance tickets for “Lilo & Stitch,” the live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, are now available for purchase at www.disneymovie.ca/lilo&stitch or wherever tickets are sold. To celebrate, new posters are now available to download and share. “Lilo & Stitch” opens exclusively in movie theatres on May 23, 2025 in Dolby Atmos, RealD 3D, 4DX, and premium screens everywhere.

“Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp, with a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha. “Lilo & Stitch” is produced by Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a. and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.

#FIRSTLOOK” “SUNSHINE” WILL SCREEN AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2025

It was announced today that the award-winning film SUNSHINE (2000) will screen at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 as a Cannes Classics Selection. Academy Award winning director István Szabó will be in attendance with award winning producer Robert Lantos at the special screening. The film recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and stars Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Rosemary Harris, Jennifer Ehle, Molly Parker, Deborah Kara Unger, William Hurt and Mark Strong. SUNSHINE was a Canada / Germany / Hungary co-production. It was recently restored by the NFI (National Film Institute Hungary), under the supervision of cinematographer Lajos Koltai.

SUNSHINE follows three generations of a Hungarian-Jewish family as they navigate anti-Semitism, assimilation, fascism, war, communism and revolution — with Ralph Fiennes playing his own son and grandson across all three eras. Sunshine debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival before going on to play in theatres across the world. It was nominated for three Golden Globes, including Best Picture, won three European Film Awards and Canada’s Genie Award for Best Picture.

“We are survivors of the tragedies of the 20th century in Central Europe, children and grandchildren of the persecuted and persecutors. This is the story of the Sunshine family,” says director István Szabó. “This film also gave me a friend, producer Robert Lantos, who read the script on a long flight and called me on the phone as soon as he landed: ‘We’re going to make this film together.’ I’m delighted that the National Film Institute’s film lab and film archive has restored Sunshine.”
**Quote in Hungarian below.

“In the 1990s, signs of resurgent Jew hatred surfaced throughout the Western World. This is what motivated Oscar winning director István Szabo and I to make a cautionary tale about the events that preceded World War II and paved the way for the Shoah,” says producer Robert Lantos. “For self evident reasons, this screening at Cannes could not be any more timely.”

#TIFF: TIFF UNVEIL 50 FILMS THAT SHAPED ITS LEGACY

TIFF is proud to unveil the full lineup of its summer marquee series, The TIFF Story in 50 Films, celebrating the Festival’s 50th edition this September. Curated by TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey with contributions from programmers past and present, the series highlights 50 pivotal films that have shaped TIFF’s rich history of curatorial excellence and influenced global cinema.

The screenings will run June 13 to August 27 at the Lightbox. Audiences will hear an explanation of each film’s significance to TIFF and the role the Festival played in the film’s journey. This will include in-person Q&As with filmmakers, video introductions from artists, and behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes shared by former and current TIFF programmers offering personal insights into these defining cinematic moments. Tickets, free for TIFF Members with the exception of some special presentations, will be available starting Wednesday, May 14 at 10am and to the general public beginning Friday, May 16 at 10am. More information about the films can be found at tiff.net/50films.

“Fifty wasn’t enough!” says Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “But putting together this list was as much fun as it was daunting. Guided by input from many of TIFF’s programmers and leaders of the past five decades, we landed on 50 films that tell the story of our festival’s obsessions, discoveries, and lasting influence. At the heart of it: those moments when TIFF’s curation met the Toronto audience and the world found a new movie to fall in love with.”

Spanning diverse genres, filmmakers, countries, and decades, these 50 films echo the spirit captured in the first ever Festival of Festivals 1976 programme book by founders Bill Marshall, Henk Van der Kolk, and Dusty Cohl, who wrote: “Hopefully, there is something for everyone. Not everything for everyone, but something.”

In addition to the marquee series, TIFF is celebrating throughout the summer leading into the Festival with free outdoor screenings, streamings on MUBI Canada, limited edition TIFF 50 merch, a digital timeline, and more.

The TIFF Story in 50 Films (in order of screening date)
June 13: The Princess Bride (1987) dir. Rob Reiner, USA (People’s Choice Award winner)
June 14: Memories of Murder (2003) dir. Bong Joon-ho, South Korea
June 15: Antonia’s Line (1995) dir. Marleen Gorris, Netherlands (PCA winner)
June 18: In the Cut (2003) dir. Jane Campion, USA/Australia
June 19: My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) dir. Stephen Frears, United Kingdom
June 21: Rhymes for Young Ghouls (2013) dir. Jeff Barnaby, Canada
June 22: Viva Riva! (2010) dir. Djo Tunda Wa Munga, Congo – Kinshasa
June 22: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) dir. Frank Darabont, USA (special presentation, Q&A with James and Roger Deakins moderated by Cameron Bailey) June 24: Next of Kin (1984) dir. Atom Egoyan, Canada June 28: Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010) dir. Werner Herzog, France/Canada/USA/Germany/United Kingdom (special presentation/ shown in 3D)
June 28: Jennifer’s Body (2009) dir. Karyn Kusama, USA
June 29: Love in the Time of Hysteria (1991) dir. Alfonso Cuarón, Mexico
July 2: Lady Macbeth (2016) dir. William Oldroyd, United Kingdom
July 4: My Winnipeg (2007) dir. Guy Maddin, Canada (special presentation/live narration with Q&A) July 5: Revenge (2017) dir. Coralie Fargeat, France July 6: I Am Not Your Negro (2016) dir. Raoul Peck, France/USA/Belgium/Switzerland (PCA TIFF Docs winner) July 10: Away from Her (2006) dir. Sarah Polley, Canada July 11–13: Boogie Nights (1997) dir. Paul Thomas Anderson, USA (special presentation/70mm print)
July 12: The Big Chill (1983) dir. Lawrence Kasdan, USA (PCA winner)
July 15: Phoenix (2014) dir. Christian Petzold, Germany
July 17: Matador (1986) dir. Pedro Almodóvar, Spain
July 18: Saint Maud (2019) dir. Rose Glass, United Kingdom
July 19: A Brighter Summer Day (1991) dir. Edward Yang, Taiwan
July 20: Whale Rider (2002) dir. Niki Caro, New Zealand/Germany (PCA winner)
July 20: Dead Ringers (1988) dir. David Cronenberg, Canada
July 24: Braindead (1992) dir. Peter Jackson, New Zealand
July 25: Drugstore Cowboy (1989) dir. Gus Van Sant, USA
July 26: The Killer (1989) dir. John Woo, Hong Kong
July 27: Highway 61 (1991) dir. Bruce McDonald, Canada
July 29: Sexy Beast (2000) dir. Jonathan Glazer, United Kingdom
August 1: The Raid: Redemption (2011) dir. Gareth Evans, Indonesia/France/USA (PCA Midnight Madness winner)
August 2: Eve’s Bayou – Director’s Cut (1997) dir. Kasi Lemmons, USA
August 2: After Life (1998) dir. Kore-eda Hirokazu, Japan
August 3: Let Each One Go Where He May (2009) dir. Ben Russell, USA
August 7: Maelström (2000) dir. Denis Villeneuve, Canada
August 8: Leaving Las Vegas (1995) dir. Mike Figgis, USA
August 9: Slumdog Millionaire (2008) dir. Danny Boyle, United Kingdom (PCA winner)
August 10: Roger & Me (1989) dir. Michael Moore, USA (PCA winner)
August 10: Water (2005) dir. Deepa Mehta, Canada/USA/India
August 14: A Soldier’s Story (1984) dir. Norman Jewison, USA
August 15: Maqbool (2003) dir. Vishal Bhardwaj, India
August 16: The Fabelmans (2022) dir. Steven Spielberg, USA (PCA winner)
August 17: Near Dark (1987) dir. Kathryn Bigelow, USA
August 19: Brothers (2004) dir. Susanne Bier, Denmark
August 21: The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) dir. Juan Jose Campanella, Argentina/Spain
August 22: Jallikattu (2019) dir. Lijo Jose Pellissery, India
August 23: Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993) dir. Alanis Obomsawin, Canada
August 24: Thank You for Smoking (2006) dir. Jason Reitman, USA
August 26: Harlan County USA (1976) dir. Barbara Kopple, USA
August 27: The Boy and the Heron (2023) dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Japan

Other TIFF 50 Events
In Conversation With… James and Roger Deakins (June 22 at 5:30pm)
Iconic cinematographer Roger Deakins and his wife and collaborator James Deakins (together they host the film industry podcast TeamDeakins) are participating in an In Conversation With… series to discuss their illustrious career. Deakins is an English cinematographer and the recipient of five BAFTA Awards for Best Cinematography, and two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography from 16 nominations including his first ever Oscar nomination for The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont (still the number one movie on IMDb to this day).

Downtown Movies in the Park (Wednesdays 9:30pm, July 9 – August 13)
Presented in partnership with the Downtown West BIA, Downtown Movies in the Park features six free outdoor screenings at David Pecaut Square. Each Wednesday night screening will start at 9:30pm, with a pre-show beginning at 9pm, offering photo ops, live performances, film introductions, and other outdoor activities. All screenings will have open captions, with TIFF concessions on site for purchase.
July 9: The Princess Bride dir. Rob Reiner, introduced by Cameron Bailey
July 16: That Thing You Do dir. Tom Hanks
July 23: Beans dir. Tracey Deer
July 30: The Wild Robot dir. Chris Sanders
August 6: The Martian dir. Ridley Scott,introduced by Cameron Bailey
August 13: School of Rock dir. Richard Linklater, introduced by TIFF’s Next Wave Committee

Harbourfront Centre’s Free Flicks
In partnership with Harbourfront Centre and in celebration of TIFF’s 50th edition, a free outdoor screening of Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water will take place on July 8, fittingly on the water, kicking off their “free flicks” summer series.

TIFF 50 on MUBI
To extend the celebration beyond in-cinema events, TIFF has partnered with MUBI to bring a selection of films curated by Cameron Bailey to subscribers in Canada. Available from June 13 to December 31, this collection features stand-out titles that have premiered at the Festival over the decades. MUBI is offering TIFF audiences a 60-day free trial to the streaming service with an in-cinema QR code promotion.

TIFF 50 available now at TIFF Shop
Brand new TIFF 50 merchandise is now available in the TIFF Shop and online at tiff.net/shop. This includes limited-edition t-shirts and rugby jerseys, as well as caps, socks, and more.

Test your TIFF IQ with the new TIFF Timeline!
Now live on tiff.net/tiff50timeline, discover the new digital timeline to explore (or recall!) key moments in TIFF’s history and find the answers to these questions below.
Which film caused a near-riot in 1978 after hundreds of eager would-be audience members were turned away after the Ontario Censor Board requested the removal of a sex scene and the Festival compromised to only show it, in its entirety, the night of its premiere?
In which year was the People’s Choice Award (PCA) introduced? This award is voted on by audiences and has become a strong predictor of Oscar success. Films like Chariots of Fire, Slumdog Millionaire, and The Fabelmans all won it before going on to Academy Award glory.
Which star of 1987’s People’s Choice Award–winning film needed a custom-made chair to be built in order to watch his film’s World Premiere in the theatre?
Which movement did director Alanis Obomsawin capture behind barricades for her 1993 documentary that went on to win TIFF’s Best Canadian Feature Film award?
How much did a Festival of Festivals pass cost in 1976?
Not found on the timeline, but feel free to reach out to proffice@tiff.net if you’re stumped.

Be part of TIFF history
From unforgettable screenings and surprise celebrity encounters, to your favourite red carpet moments, we want to hear your TIFF stories that helped shape our Festival. Visit tiff.net/tiff50stories to upload your favourite memories and photos. Your story could be featured all summer long across TIFF’s social channels.

Coming up
The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will run September 4–14, 2025. Festival media accreditation opens June 2 at 8am ET and closes on July 7 at 8pm ET.

#FIRSTLOOK: “CANADA’S GOT TALENT” MAY 5, 2025 EPISODE RECAP

On tonight’s episode of Canada’s Got Talent on Citytv, the #CGT judges – Howie Mandel, Katherine Ryan, Kardinal Offishall – and host Lindsay Ell selected the first six of eight acts moving on to the live two-hour finale, airing Tuesday, May 13 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Citytv and Citytv+. They are:

NEW BRUNSWICK

• THE MARTIN BOYS – Singer/Musician, Woodstock

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

• JACOB LEWIS – Singer/Musician, Butlerville – **Shania’s Golden Buzzer**

ONTARIO

• DARREN LEO – Comedy, Toronto – **Katherine’s Golden Buzzer**
• SAI KIT LO – Comedy, Markham
• ILLUMIN DRONE SHOWS – Variety, Toronto
• FUNKYVERSE – Dance, Toronto – **Group Golden Buzzer**

Of the remaining acts, four were eliminated, and four have been sent to the public vote, where Canada will determine their fate. Starting now, Canadians have until 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT to vote two additional acts from tonight’s episode into the finale at www.Citytv.com/vote. They are:

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• CARSIM BIRMINGHAM– Singer/Musician, Vancouver – **Kardinal’s Golden Buzzer**

ONTARIO

• NICOLINA – Singer/Musician, Vaughan – **Lindsay’s Golden Buzzer**

INTERNATIONAL

• THE JAMBO BROTHERS – Variety, Kenya
• TULGA – Variety, Mongolia

Plus, key moments from tonight’s episode of Canada’s Got Talent, include:

• THE JAMBO BROTHERS (Nairobi, Kenya) had the audience and judges on the edge of their seats with their gravity-defying performance.
• TULGA (Mongolia) set the stage on fire with an intense demonstration of his unmatched strength and skill.
• Howie Mandel called THE MARTIN BOYS (Woodstock, NB)“hit makers” after an incredible performance of their original song, “Gotta Be Country”.
• DEEDEE AUSTIN (Abegweit First Nation, PEI)performed a deeply personal original track for the audience and judges called “Breathe”
• Comedian DARREN LEO (Toronto, ON) entertained the crowd with a hilarious and authentic set, sharing his experiences as an Asian-Canadian.
• SAI KIT LO (Markham, ON) leveraged his unique blend of awkwardness and charm to deliver a performance that had everyone laughing.
• ILLUMIN DRONE SHOWS (Toronto, ON) dazzled the audience with an enchanting drone show of a ballerina dancing in the night sky.
• CHANTAAAAL (Cancon, France) sang, danced, and entertained the audience with a lively performance featuring a French twist.
• TWOFOURSEVEN (Vancouver, BC) commanded the stage with an emotional dance performance that left a lasting impression.
• FUNKYVERSE (Toronto, ON) received the Golden Buzzer after pouring their heart and soul into every step of their dance routine, sending them straight through to the finale.
• NICOLINA (Vaughan, ON) showed off her powerful voice and had the audience cheering for her after performing an original song titled, “Situations”.
• CARSIM BIRMINGHAM (Vancouver, BC) delivered an impressive performance of “I’m With You” by Avril Lavigne.
• Singer JACOB LEWIS (Butlerville, NL) earned a surprise Golden Buzzer from the judges, securing him a spot in the finale, and bringing him one step closer to the $1M prize from Rogers.
• BEN KAHAN (Toronto, ON) once again brought his digital assistant, ChatCGT, to the stage for a bold attempt at AI-infused magic.

Rogers is once again providing the winner of Canada’s Got Talent with a life-changing prize of $1M (plus $50 from Howie Mandel) – the biggest cash prize in Canadian television history, plus financial advice from CIBC. And that’s not all! Every Golden Buzzer recipient will receive $25,000 (totaling $150,000), courtesy of CIBC, to help realize their ambitions.

Tonight’s Performances (Tuesday, May 6)

THE JAMBO BROTHERS – Variety

Nairobi, Kenya
Check Out THE JAMBO BROTHERS’ Performance

TULGA – Variety

Mongolia

Check Out TULGA’s Performance

THE MARTIN BOYS – Vocal Group

Woodstock, NB

Check Out THE MARTIN BOYS’ Performance

DEEDEE AUSTIN – Singer/Musician

Abegweit First Nation, PEI

Check Out DEEDEE AUSTIN’s Performance

DARREN LEO – Comedy

Toronto, ON
Check Out DARREN LEO’s Performance

SAI KIT LO – Comedy

Markham, ON
Check Out SAI KIT LO’s Performance 

ILLUMIN DRONE SHOWS – Variety

Toronto, ON

Check Out ILLUMIN DRONE SHOWS’ Performance 

BEN KAHAN – Magic

Toronto, ON

Check Out BEN KAHAN’s Performance 

CHANTAAAAL – Singer/Musician

Cancon, France

Check Out CHANTAAAAL’s Performance 

TWOFOURSEVEN – Dance

Vancouver, BC

Check Out TWOFOURSEVEN’s Performance

FUNKYVERSE – Dance

Toronto, ON

Check Out FUNKYVERSE’s Performance  

NICOLINA – Singer/Musician

Vaughan, ON

Check Out NICOLINA’s Performance

CARSIM BIRMINGHAM – Singer/Musician

Vancouver, BC

Check Out CARSIM BIRMINGHAM’s Performance

JACOB LEWIS – Singer/Musician

Butlerville, NL

Check Out JACOB LEWIS’ Performance

**COMING UP**

A Sneak Peek at Next Week’s Contestants (Tuesday, May 13)

THE MARTIN BOYS – Vocal Group

Woodstock, NB

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

JACOB LEWIS – Singer/Musician

Butlerville, NL

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

DARREN LEO – Comedy

Toronto, ON
CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

SAI KIT LO – Comedy

Markham, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

ILLUMIN DRONE SHOWS – Variety

Toronto, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

FUNKYVERSE – Dance

Toronto, ON

CGT.Citytv.com / YouTube

Canada’s Got Talent is produced by MEM Inc., and Fremantle, in association with Citytv, a division of Rogers Sports & Media based on the Got Talent format owned by Fremantle and SYCO Entertainment.