This summer, alongside the recently announced marquee series Christopher Nolan: Grand Designs, TIFF honours the great international screen legend and longtime friend of the Festival, Catherine O’Hara, featuring some of her most iconic roles, and TIFF Cinematheque continues its Pride celebration with a rare spotlight on German-born lesbian filmmaker Monika Treut.

Additionally, TIFF Cinematheque’s summer-themed slate features anticipated revivals and landmark anniversary screenings including Henry Hathaway’s Niagara in honour of Marilyn Monroe’s centenary, the 25th anniversary of Lucrecia Martel’s La Ciénaga, and the 55th anniversary and new 4K Toronto Premiere of Gerald Potterton’s Tiki Tiki on Canada Day. Plus, a relaxed screening of The Bob’s Burger Movie, the 2022 animated musical based on Loren Bouchard’s beloved animated sitcom.

Not to be missed, Tsai Ming-liang’s much-lauded fourth feature The Hole (TIFF ’98) — an absurdist mix of dark comedy, Hong Kong musical, and Kafkaesque sci-fi — returns for a limited run on a newly struck 35mm print.

The schedule for Downtown Movies in the Park is now available, with this year’s series celebrating timeless sports films about underdogs and misfits on the unlikely road to victory. Featuring six free weeks of outdoor screenings under the stars at David Pecaut Square, this year’s films are: Next Goal Wins (June 24), Cool Runnings (July 1), A League of Their Own (July 8), The First Slam Dunk (July 15), Bend It Like Beckham (July 22), and Remember the Titans (July 29).

Information is subject to change. Please visit tiff.net for up-to-date programming details. Tickets for July programming will be available to TIFF Members on Wednesday, June 10, and to the public on Friday, June 12. Tickets for August programming will be available to TIFF Members on Wednesday, July 15, and to the public on Friday, July 17.

TIFF CINEMATHEQUE PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

Monika Treut: Transcending Gender

June 26–July 24

This July, TIFF Cinematheque continues its Pride celebration with Monika Treut: Transcending Gender, a rare spotlight on the German-born, lesbian filmmaker, curated by TIFF Cinematheque programmer Jacob Crepeault. Treut explores queer and trans identities through the ambiguities and fluid margins that exist between restrictive binaries, turning the camera to subjects whose interior lives had rarely been documented at the time. This series presents new 2K restorations from the Hamburg Kinemathek released by Muscle Distribution, with Canadian Premieres of My Father is Coming (TIFF ’91), Female Misbehavior (TIFF ’92), Didn’t Do It For Love (TIFF ’97), and Gendernauts (1999), and Virgin Machine (TIFF ’88) with an introduction by Toronto-based drag artist and film curator Weird Alice.

Catherine O’Hara: Queen of Comedy

August 21–26

Moira Rose. Delia Deetz. Cookie Fleck. We know these characters by name because they were brought to life with such precision, vigour, and humanity by the incomparable Catherine O’Hara. In this summer spotlight, Catherine O’Hara: Queen of Comedy, curated by TIFF programmer Keith Bennie, we celebrate O’Hara’s most memorable film roles, trace her comedic evolution from SCTV to Schitt’s Creek, and pay tribute to her ability to balance character eccentricity with emotional truth, cementing her legacy as Canada’s queen of comedy. Films featured in the series: After Hours (1985), Beetlejuice (1988), Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), and A Mighty Wind (2003).

TIFF Cinematheque Special Screenings

June 27, 3:45pm: Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz

June 27, 6:30pm & July 25, 6:30pm: Summer Interlude (1951) dir. Ingmar Bergman, 75th anniversary!

June 28, 4pm: Niagara (1953) dir. Henry Hathaway, Marilyn Monroe centenary

July 5, 6:30pm & July 18, 1pm:La Ciénaga (2001) dir. Lucrecia Martel, 25th anniversary!

July 23, 7pm: Material Practice: Luke Fowler and Corin Sworn, with both directors in attendance

July 26, 6:30pm: Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) dir. John Carpenter, 4K restoration and 50th anniversary!

August 2: Le Rayon Vert (1986) dir. Eric Rohmer, 40th anniversary!

TIFF Cinematheque New and Restored

June 28, 6:30pm: L’enfance nue (1968) dir. Maurice Pialat, Canadian Premiere of new 4K restoration!

July 4, 1pm: La maison des bois (1971) dir. Maurice Pialat, Canadian Premiere of new 4K restoration!; screening with a 20‑minute intermission, 55th anniversary!

July 11, 6:30pm & July 21, 6:30pm: Macho Dancer (1988) dir. Lino Brocka, recorded introduction by Lav Diaz, Toronto Premiere of new 4K restoration!

August 8, 9 & 11: The Hole (1998) dir. Tsai Ming‑liang, limited run; Canadian Premiere of new 35mm print!

See the North presented by MUBI

July 1, 6:30pm: Tiki Tiki (1971) dir. Gerald Potterton, Canada Day celebration; 55th anniversary and Toronto Premiere of new 4K restoration!

From the Collection with Cameron Bailey

July 7, 6:30pm: Salaam Bombay! (1988) dir. Mira Nair, 35mm print!

August 18, 6:30pm: The Crying Game (1992) dir. Neil Jordan, 35mm print!

TIFF Wavelengths Presents

July 8, 6:30pm: Il pianeta azzurro (1982) dir. Franco Piavoli, curated by Dylan Adamson, Canadian Premiere of new 4K restoration!

Animate

July 15, 6:30pm: Redline (2009) dir. Takeshi Koike

August 5, 6:30pm: Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) dir. Tatsuya Nagamine, 40th anniversary of the Dragon Ball TV series!

TIFF Next Wave Presents

July 29, 7pm: Premium Rush (2012) dir. David Koepp, 35mm print!

Presented in partnership with Charlie’s FreeWheels

MDFF Selects

July 30: Student Film Showcase 2026, featuring a lineup of 10 short films representing an exciting range of modes, shining a light on the bright future of Canadian filmmaking.

TIFF PUBLIC PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS
July 11, 1pm: The Bob’s Burgers Movie (2022) dirs. Loren Bouchard, Bernard Derriman, relaxed screening, introduction by author Sarah Kurchak

Sun’s out and (burger) buns are out! Join us for a relaxed screening of the animated musical presented in collaboration with Surrey Place and Cinema from the Spectrum. An accessible entry point for fans and audiences new to the series, this “Sunny Side Up Summer” film finds third-generation restaurateur Bob and his family navigating debt, sinkholes, and a murder mystery. This screening will feature an introduction by Kurchak, author of the memoir I Overcame My Autism and All I Got Was This Lousy Anxiety Disorder, about neurodivergent-coded representation and “headcanons” in TV and film.

August 13: 48-Hour Film Challenge

TIFF Next Wave’s annual 48-Hour Film Challenge returns to the Lightbox this summer, inviting emerging filmmakers to produce a short film in only 48 hours. See youth creativity in motion with a screening of all of the films shot during the challenge and celebrate the future of cinema, presented in partnership with Future of Film Showcase and POV.

The next TIFF Bi-Monthly Programming Alert will be issued October 2026.

Universal Pictures Canada x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY! Screenings take place as follows:

TORONTO // Cineplex Cinemas Queensway & VIP
MONTREAL // Cineplex Cinemas Forum
VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver
CALGARY // Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas
EDMONTON // Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton

Synopsis:
Get ready to snap your fingers!

The first family of Halloween, the Addams Family, is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbour.

Cast: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg as “IT”, with Bette Midler and Allison Janney.

Also starring Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Tituss Burgess, Jenifer Lewis, Elsie Fisher, Aimee Garcia

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Rules and regulations here.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE ADDAMS FAMILY Friday, October 11, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Canada)

SCTV forever has left a legacy behind on Television, becoming a blueprint for Sketch Comedy during its run from 1976 to 1984. The Series made household names of Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, John Candy, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty,  Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, launching long and lasting careers.

In celebration of the iconic Series, Netflix is producing an upcoming as-yet-untitled Special commemorating SCTV. To make it just right, Academy Award-winning Director Martin Scorsese has been enlisted to take the reins and Funnyman Jimmy Kimmel took a quick break from his busy schedule to come to Toronto to moderate the Special, which was taped over three hours at historic Elgin Theatre.

While we often see some of the Cast on Red Carpets locally, having them reunite together on-stage is something remarkable and rare. Preparations began last Friday as the Production Crew began set-up for the Special with finishing touches and rehearsals being done Saturday and early this morning.

We still are pinching our self that we got Selfies with Scorsese and Kimmel. We’ve been lucky in the past to cross paths with some of the Cast prior, several who stayed late to celebrate at the venue.

See our Snaps:

#SCORSESE. Iconic Filmmaker #MartinScorsese in town to direct upcoming Netflix #SCTV Reunion Special!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 13, 2018 at 3:45pm PDT

#KIMMEL. Funnyman in Toronto to moderate #SCTV Reunion Special for Netflix!

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on May 13, 2018 at 3:53pm PDT

We can’t wait to see this Special having grown-up giggling at some of the outlandish humour for which SCTV came to be known and loved!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Many of us grew-up to the quirkly laughs of SCTV and in celebration of the legendary Comedy Sketch Series, Netflix will present an as-yet untiled Special to be directed by Martin Scorcese!

The Special reunites Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in front of a live audience for An Afternoon with SCTV, moderated by Jimmy Kimmel. It will record Sunday, May 13, 2018 at Elgin Theatre, 3 PM.

UPDATE 5.10.18: Rick Moranis is confirmed to be in the Special now too!

A stream date has yet to be set, but we’re so incredibly-ready!

(Photo credit: Cara Howe/Netflix Canada)

Taking place tonight at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the fifth annual Canadian Screen Awards honoured the year’s best in Television, Film and Digital Media.  Earning top honours tonight was ORPHAN BLACK with five wins for Best Dramatic Series, Original Score, Supporting Actor (Kevin Hanchard), Writing and Lead Actress (Tatiana Maslany).  The Toronto-made Series, which currently is filming its final episode, will be premiering its fifth and final season Saturday, June 10, 2017.

Leading the way in the Film categories was Xavier Dolan‘s IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD. The French-Canadian Film which was Canada’s submission at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film this year, took home Best Picture, Best Director (Dolan), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Makeup and Best Supporting Actor (Vincent Cassel).

Regina-born Actress Tatiana Maslany was the queen of the night, winning for both her work on Orphan Black and as Lead Actress in the Feature Film The Other Half in which she stars opposite her real-life partner Tom Cullen.

Toronto’s Stephan James took home Lead Actor for his work on sports drama RACE.  He stated, “The greatest honour of my career was to portray Jesse Owens.”. The Film also won for Visual Effects, Overall Sound and Sound Editing.

Hosted by a spirited Howie Mandel, the evening also saw icon Christopher Plummer win a Lifetime Achievement Award.  He says, “I’ve spent almost 70 years making a fool of myself in this crazy profession of ours.  And I’ve had the time of my life.”.

Comedian Dave Chappelle also flew-in for the occasion, presenting the Icon Award to JUST FOR LAUGHS.  He credits the organization for helping him achieve his big break, joking “I’d never came to Canada before I came to this festival and when I did, I found that Canada was kinder and gentler, like a little gay brother I didn’t know about.”.

See Red Carpet Highlights from the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards:

See Amanda Gilmore‘s and my Interviews with some of the evening’s stars on the Red Carpet including the cast of Kim’s Convenience and Dave Chappelle:

Some Snaps from the Evening:

Shailyn Pierre-Dixon, “Between”

Sangita Patel, “ET Canada”

Dylan Authors x Mike MacMillan, “WEIRDOS”

Simu Liu, “Kim’s Convenience”

Emmanuel Kabongo

Karine Vanasse, “Cardinal”

Michelle Nolden, “Saving Hope”

Rick Mercer

Erica Durance, “Saving Hope”

Chloe Wilde, “eTalk”

Penny Oleksiak, Gold Medal Olympian

Kim Coates, GOON

Francesco Yates

Wendy Crewson

Kevan Funk x Jared Abrahamson, “Hello Destroyer”

Christopher Plummer, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Jason Priestley x Cindy Sampson, “Private Eyes”

Stephan James, “Race”

Dave Chappelle

Cast of “Orphan Black”

#OrphanBlack x #ItsOnlytheEndoftheWorld win top honours at the #CanadianScreenAwards. More on link in Bio! #CdnTalent #CDNScreen17 #CDNScreenAwards #CloneClub #TatianaMaslany

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Mar 12, 2017 at 9:09pm PDT

Complete list of winners here.

All photos taken on the NIKON D3300, video on SAMSUNG S7.

(Photo/video credit: Amanda Gilmore/Mr. Will Wong)

Taking place tonight at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the fourth annual Canadian Screen Awards fêted the very best in both Television and Cinema this past year. Sweeping in the Film categories including Best Film, was Academy Award Nominee for Best Picture, ROOM, shot here in Toronto last winter and subsequently winning the Cadillac People’s Choice Award at TIFF 2015.

In addition to garnering Brie Larson her first Oscar victory last month, the American Actress won Best Film Actress tonight for her work in the Film Adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s best-selling novel, its screenplay also penned by the latter. Director Lenny Abrahamson and Donoghue herself also won in their respective categories.

Child Actor Jacob Tremblay stole the show, garnering a well-deserved victory for Best Film Actor for his portrayal of a child named Jack whom after living all his life isolated from the world with his Ma (Larson), is faced with the challenge of adapting to the real world after he manages to flee from his and his mother’s captor. He tells the Press Room with great pride that he will be displaying his award on his shelf alongside his Millennium Falcon. As we all know by now, he loves Star Wars.

I ask Tremblay what he has to say to Brie Larson whom he has navigated so successfully through Awards Season these past few months. He tells me, “I hope we can work together again”.

CBC Comedy Schitt’s Creek also dominated the Television categories with three wins tonight including Best TV Comedy Series, Best Actor (Eugene Levy) and Actress (Catherine O’Hara) in a TV Comedy. O’Hara and Levy both agree that the Canadian Screen Awards should be given an official nickname of the “Candies” for phonetic and sentimental reasons. The name pays tribute to their SCTV Co-Star John Candy, a Canadian icon who left us far too soon.

Orphan Black also once again was recognized tonight, its upcoming season having wrapped in Toronto just recently. Its star Tatiana Maslany won Best Actress in a TV Drama Series, but unfortunately was busy at the SXSW Festival promoting her new Film with partner Tom Cullen this weekend. Her Co-Star Ari Millen was honoured with Best Actor in a TV Drama Series.

Complete list of winners announced tonight:

TELEVISION

Best Comedy Series
Schitt’s Creek
CBC (CBC)
(Not A Real Company Productions Inc.)
Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy, Andrew Barnsley, Fred Levy, Ben Feigin, Mike Short, Kevin White, Colin Brunton

Best Dramatic Series
Sponsor | Innovate By Day
19-2
Bravo! (Bell Media)
(Sphere Media Plus, Echo Media)
Jocelyn Deschenes, Virginia Rankin, Bruce M. Smith, Luc Chatelain, Greg Phillips, Saralo MacGregor, Jesse McKeown

Best International Drama
Vikings
History Channel Canada (Shaw Media)
(Take 5 Productions)
Sheila Hockin, John Weber, Michael Hirst, Morgan O’Sullivan, James Flynn, Alan Gasmer, Sherry Marsh, Bill Goddard

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role
Schitt’s Creek – Carl’s Funeral
CBC (CBC)
Eugene Levy

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
Orphan Black – Newer Elements of Our Defence
Space (Bell Media)
Ari Millen

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role
Schitt’s Creek – Don’t Worry, It’s His Sister
CBC (CBC)
Catherine O’Hara

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
Orphan Black – Certain Agony of the Battlefield
Space (Bell Media)
Tatiana Maslany

Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble)
Sunnyside – Top Hat
City (Rogers Media)
Kathleen Phillips, Pat Thornton, Patrice Goodman, Kevin Vidal, Alice Moran, Rob Norman, Norm Macdonald

Best TV Movie or Limited Series
Sponsor | Entertainment One
The Book of Negroes
CBC (CBC)
(Entertainment One, Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment)
Damon D’Oliveira, Clement Virgo, Margaret O’Brien, Carrie Stein, Lance Samuels, Bill Niven, Michael Levine

FILM

Achievement in Art Direction / Production Design | Meilleure direction artistique
Ethan Tobman, Mary Kirkland – Room

Achievement in Cinematography | Meilleures images
Sponsor | Commanditaire | RUSHCUT
Yves Bélanger – Brooklyn

Achievement in Costume Design | Meilleurs costumes
Joanne Hansen – Beeba Boys

Achievement in Direction | Meilleure réalisation
Sponsor | Commanditaire | Pinewood Toronto Studios
Lenny Abrahamson – Room

Achievement in Editing | Meilleur montage
Sponsor | Commanditaire | The PostMan Post-Production Studio
Nathan Nugent – Room

Achievement in Make-Up | Meilleurs maquillages
Sponsor | Commanditaire | M●A●C Cosmetics
Sid Armour, Jennifer Gould – Room

Achievement in Music – Original Score | Meilleure musique originale
Michael Brook – Brooklyn

Achievement in Music – Original Song | Meilleure chanson originale
Sponsor | Commanditaire | Slaight Music
Jenny Salgado, André Courcy – Scratch – A Hip-opera | Scratch – Un Hip-Opéra – “C’est aujourd’hui que je sors”

Achievement in Overall Sound | Meilleur son d’ensemble
Sponsor | Commanditaire | Deluxe Toronto
Lou Solakofski, Ian Rankin, Joe Morrow, Russ Dyck, Graham Rogers, James Bastable, André Azoubel, Don White, Jack Hereen – Hyena Road

Achievement in Sound Editing | Meilleur montage sonore
Jane Tattersall, David McCallum, Martin Gwynn Jones, Barry Gilmore, David Evans, Dave Rose, Brennan Mercer, Ed Douglas, Kevin Banks, Goro Koyama, Andy Malcolm – Hyena Road

Achievement in Visual Effects | Meilleurs effets visuels
Phil Jones, Sarah Wormsbecher, Eric Doiron, Anthony DeChellis, Lon Molnar, Geoff D.E. Scott, Nathan Larouche, Mark Fordham – Hyena Road

Adapted Screenplay | Meilleure adaptation
Emma Donoghue – Room

Best Animated Short | Meilleur court métrage d’animation
The Ballad Of Immortal Joe – Hector Herrera, Pazit Cahlon

Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary | Meilleures images dans un long métrage documentaire
Sponsor | Commanditaire | Sony of Canada
Arnaud Bouquet – Last of the Elephant Men

Best Editing in a Feature Length Documentary | Meilleur montage dans un long métrage documentaire
James Scott – How to Change the World

Best Live Action Short Drama | Meilleur court métrage dramatique
She Stoops To Conquer – Zack Russell, Marianna Khoury

Best Motion Picture | Meilleur film
Room – David Gross, Ed Guiney

Best Short Documentary | Meilleur court métrage documentaire
Sponsor | Commanditaire | Hot Docs
Bacon & God’s Wrath – Sol Friedman

Original Screenplay | Meilleur scénario
Benjamin August – Remember

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role | Interprétation masculine dans un premier rôle
Jacob Tremblay – Room

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role | Interprétation masculine dans un rôle de soutien
Nick Serino – Sleeping Giant

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role | Interprétation féminine dans un premier rôle
Brie Larson – Room

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role | Interprétation féminine dans un rôle de soutien
Joan Allen – Room

Ted Rogers Best Feature Length Documentary | Meilleur long métrage documentaire Ted Rogers
Hurt – Peter Gentile, Alan Zweig

See our Snaps of the Talent on the Red Carpet tonight:

Lyriq Bent:

#CDNscreen16 winner #LyriqBent. Love that suit. 😍

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 5:25pm PDT

Wendy Crewson + Missy Peregrym:

 

#WendyCrewson + #MissyPeregrym at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 5:14pm PDT

Jacob Tremblay:

 

The undisputed prince of #CDNscreen16, #JacobTremblay. #RoomtheMovie

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Cast of Schitt’s Creek:

#CatherineOHara + #EugeneLevy of #SchittsCreek agree the #CDNSCREEN16 Awards should be named “Candies”. Also in memory of our John Candy.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 9:36pm PDT

Martin Short receiving Lifetime Achievement Award:

“No chance in hell. America is not a racist country.”, Lifetime Achievement Award winner #MartinShort on #Trump’s chances becoming President. He’s pro-#Clinton. #CDNSCREEN16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 9:35pm PDT

Kardinal Offishall + Vinay Virmani:

 

#KardinalOffishall + #VinayVirmani at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Nick Serino:

#CDNSCREEN16 winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Film (#SleepingGiant), #NickSerino.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 11:12pm PDT

Ari Millen + Kassandra Santos:

#AriMillen + guest at #CDNscreen16. #OrphanBlack

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 5:01pm PDT

Lainey Lui + Cynthia Loyst:

#CTVTheSocial’s #LaineyGossip + #CynthiaLoyst at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 5:00pm PDT

Michelle Nolden + Julia Taylor Ross:

 

#MichelleNolden + #JuliaTaylorRoss of #SavingHope at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:59pm PDT

Jamie Dagg + Rossif Sutherland:

 

#JamieDagg + #RossifSutherland of #RiverMovie at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:58pm PDT

Emily Van Camp:

 

#EmilyVanCamp, star of #Revenge + #CaptainAmerica, at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:57pm PDT

Martin Short:

 

#MartinShort at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT

Emily Hampshire + Annie Murphy:

 

#EmilyHampshire + #AnnieMurphy of #SchittsCreek at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT

Emmanuel Kabongo:

 

#EmmanuelKabongo at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:56pm PDT

Chantal Kreviazuk:

 

Hitmaker #ChantalKreviazuk at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:55pm PDT

Gerry D + Family:

#GerryD + Family at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:54pm PDT

Jay Baruchel:

#JayBaruchel of #ManSeekingWoman at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:54pm PDT

Martin Katz + Helga Stephenson:

 

#MartinKatz + #HelgaStephenson, the masterminds behind #CDNscreen16!

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:53pm PDT

Giacomo Gianniotti:

 

#GiacomoGianniotti of #Reign, #RACEMovie + #GreysAnatomy at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:51pm PDT

Jessi Cruickshank + Evan Gatica:

 

#JessiCruickshank + #EvanGatica at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:49pm PDT

Stephan James:

 

#StephanJames of #RACEMovie at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:48pm PDT

Brent Butt + Eric Peterson:

 

#BrentButt + #EricPeterson of #CornerGas at #CDNscreen16.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 4:48pm PDT

The Tremblay Family:

The Tremblay family after #RoomtheMovie @jacobtremblay’s #CDNSCREEN16 sweep.

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 9:38pm PDT

Matt Hansen:

Our friend @mattiojelly, nominated for Original Screenplay for #ZOOM. #CDNSCREEN16

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 11:27pm PDT

Red Carpet Rollout:

#CDNscreen16 Carpet ready!!!

A video posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 13, 2016 at 12:47pm PDT

See our Chats with Martin Short, Missy Peregrym, Aaron Poole, Stephan James, Julia Taylor Ross + more:

More on the CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS here.

Until next year!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s that time of the year again! Awards Season wouldn’t be complete without the Canadian Screen Awards, set to take place Sunday, March 13, 2016 at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for a fourth year. The Gala to be hosted by comedian Norm MacDonald, recognizes  the finest accomplishments in Canadian Film, Digital Media and Television, revealing its nominees this morning at TIFF Bell Lightbox with the help of Actors Aislinn Paul (Degrassi, Heroes Reborn) and Lyriq Bent (The Book of Negroes).  The Duo were revealed as nominees too.

Leading the Film nominees this year is Academy Award Best Picture-nominated ROOM with eleven nods including Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Art Direction, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Makeup, Music, Original Score, Adapted Screenplay, Actor in a Leading Role (Jacob Tremblay), Actress in a Leading Role (Brie Larson) and Actress in a Supporting Role (Joan Allen). Both Larson and nine-year-old Tremblay are fresh off Critics’ Choice Awards this past weekend for their work in the Toronto-made Film.

Following closely behind were HYENA ROAD, which despite a whopping eight nominations didn’t receive a Best Motion Picture nomination, and French-language Film OUR LOVED ONES with seven nominations.

SCHITT’S CREEK leads Television category nominees with 14 nominations, plus one in the Digital Media division, including Best Comedy Series, Best Direction in a Comedy Series (twice), Best Photography in a Comedy Series, Best Editing in a Comedy Series, Best Writing in a Comedy Series (twice), Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Eugene Levy, Daniel Levy), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Chris Elliott) and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Annie Murphy, Catherine O’Hara). Interestingly, father-son duo Eugene and Daniel Levy are going head-to-head in this category.

CSAs favourite Orphan Black follows closely behind in second with 13 nominations.  Tied with 12 nominations apiece were Mr. D and 19-2.

A star-studded list of nominees were announced with the likes of Rossif Sutherland, Christopher Plummer, Jared Keeso, Tatiana Maslany, Missy Peregrym, Megan Follows and several more. We wait to see the list of talent to grace the Red Carpet in March!

Earlier at the Press Conference, the new Discovery Award was presented to Director Yosef Baraki and Producers Andrew Korogyi and Asef Baraki for their Afghanistan-filmed Feature, MINA WALKING.  The Award is for emerging Filmmakers working with a budget of under $250k.

Once again this year, Fans will get a chance to connect with their favourite Canadian stars  Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Eaton Centre in the Canadian Screen Awards Fanzone.  Fans also will be given a chance to win a spot in the Red Carpet section at the Sony Centre on the day of the Awards and even have a chance to vote for their favourite Canadian star in the Fan’s Choice Award voting.  Details can be found here.

The 2016 Canadian Screen Awards air 8 PM on CBC Sunday, March 13, 2016.  See the full list of Nominees here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

If you’ve seen There’s Something About Mary, chances are the character Woogie has forever left a mark on you! Chris Elliott‘s body of work has ranged from Film to turns on highly-recognizable TV Series like How I Met Your Mother, The Nanny, Wings, Saturday Night Live and now Toronto-filmed Sitcom, Schitt’s Creek.

Elliott in the Series, plays Roland Schitt on the Series about a formerly-wealthy Couple (Eugene Lev forced to start over on their one remaining property in a small town called Schitt’s Creek. The Series wraps filming of its second season at the end of June.

We spotted Elliott stopping for a quick grocery run. Despite working all day, he was more than nice still, taking Selfies with Fans. Coincidentally his Mary Co-Star Lin Shaye also was just in town!

See our Snap:

Awesome meeting this Funnyman, #ChrisElliott. Remember him from #TheresSomethingAboutMary and #SNL? He’s in-town filming #SchittsCreek Season 2.

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Jun 1, 2015 at 9:25pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/CBC)

With great sadness, we must say farewell to another TIFF.  And with fatigue, a limp in my right foot and great pain in my neck today after a gruelling run these past 11 days, I look back at the happy times, the regrets and what TIFF ’14 might hold.  Despite all these mixed emotions, I know it won’t be long before I’m begging for more!  I live for the Toronto International Film Festival – the greatest in Film Festival the World – and wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.

Here’s a look back at some of the Highlights for me of the Festival in Compiled Lists:

MR. WILL’S MOST GRACIOUS 10

Anyone who encountered these Stars up-close and personal during TIFF ’13 can vouch that they deserve a warm round of applause for the respect, appreciation and courtesy they’ve shown our City. Whether it be Jessica Chastain‘s consistent grace and humility towards her Fans, Brad Pitt‘s surprise Red Carpet appearance in which he took several Photos with Fans at the 12 Years a Slave Premiere, Hugh Jackman stopping in the rain outside the Press Conference for Prisoners to meet and great all his Supporters individually – these Stars understand exactly what the Festival is all about for us Fans!

1. Jessica Chastain
2. Sandra Bullock
3. Tom Hiddleston
4. Daniel Radcliffe
5.. Brad Pitt
6. Josh Brolin
7. Hugh Jackman
8. Jennifer Aniston
9. Nicolas Cage
10. Emma Thompson

MR. WILL’S  SUCCESSFUL 6

These six Films gained a great amount of buzz and momentum coming out of TIFF ’13 in advance of their forthcoming Awards Season Best Picture Campaigns.  Sadly, August: Osage Country didn’t wind up getting critical love universally (I enjoyed it much!) hoped for, but it still remains a major Contender in the Acting categories – especially for a heartbreakingly-absent Queen Meryl Streep.

1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Labor Day
3. Dallas Buyers Club
4. Prisoners
5. Gravity
6. Rush

MR. WILL’S EMERGING 5

These five up-and coming Stars caused quite a stir wherever they spotted around TIFF ’13.  This time next year, expect to know them pretty much on a first name-basis.

1. Benedict Cumberbatch
2. Emilia Clarke
3. Daniel Brühl
4. Jai Courtney
5. Taylor Schilling

MR. WILL’S NAUGHTY LIST

Although we try to keep things positive here, we remain hopeful that next time these Stars visit our City, they show us a bit more Fan Appreciation – not just only when the Cameras are on – than they showed this year.  Little things like picking-up a  Sharpie or taking time to pose for Photos with Fans, or maybe not distancing themselves a 15 feet from the Barricades where their Fans had queued for hours to see them, would be a first step.  In all fairness, some had hyper-assertive Handlers or lateness to blame.

1. Benedict Cumberbatch
2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
3. Scarlett Johansson
4. Mila Kunis
5. Emilia Clarke

MR. WILL’S FASHIONABLE 5

These Stars certainly made a Statement whether it be out and about in our City or on the Red Carpet. I still cannot get over Kitsch‘s gray-on-gray Suit he wore at the Premiere of The Grand Seduction and certainly was a bit obsessed with Toni Collette‘s new Bangs. Julia Roberts was a Vision in her Dolce & Gabbana Dress at the Premiere of August: Osage County too, but my favourite look was Sandra Bullock at the Gravity Premiere in Narciso Rodriguez!

1. Sandra Bullock
2. Julia Roberts
3. Taylor Kitsch
4. Toni Collette
5. Jessica Chastain

And who exactly did Mr. Will got a Photo-with at TIFF ’13?

Ben Cotton, Dane Cook, Jason Reitman, Josh Brolin, Nicole Kidman, Anika Noni Rose, Bill Condon, Donnie Wahlberg, Paul Wahlberg, Jack Huston, Tom Arnold, John Torturro, Lauren Lee Smith, Sami Gayle, Mary Walsh, Saoirse Ronan, Michael C. Hall, Tye Sheridan, Katie Boland, Aaron Abrams, Kelly Rowan, Daniel Radcliffe, Taylor Schilling, Effie Exarchopoulos, Dan Stevens, Daniel Brühl, Alicia Vikander, Tom Hiddleston, deadmau5, Carice Van Houten, Tom Welling, Vanessa Paradis, Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper, Taylor Kitsch, Toni Collette, Dakota Fanning, Jai Courtney, Ciaran Hinds, Jessica Chastain, Emilia Clarke, Jared Harris, Adelaide Kane, James Lafferty, Jennifer Morrison, David Arquette, Alfre Woodard, Ryan Kwanten, Catherine O’Hara, Mark Boone Junior, Will Forte, Emma Thompson, Cara Gee, Demian Bichir, Jude Law, Tom Wilkinson, Alfonso Cuaron, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Thompson (again!), Lea Seydoux, Robert Baker, Amanda Walsh, Adam Driver, Keanu Reeves and Nicolas Cage.

To re-visit some of the amazing names that I snapped in the City over the Festival, click here.

To read some of my Reviews of the Films that premiered at TIFF ’13, click here.  More Reviews to come over the next day or two as I play catch-up after all the madness.

…until next year, Wongsters!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

*Photos taken on Samsung Galaxy S4 and Olympus E-PL5

This part of the TIFF always is a bit of a Downer as two days’ time all the Starpower will have exited the City and then comes the agonizing year-long wait till it all returns. Day Eight of TIFF ‘13 was generally subdued with several confirmed Talent cancelling their Toronto visits including the likes of Ed Harris, Rebecca Hall, Alan Rickman and Richard Madden.

Still, we managed to capture some of the brightest of Stars still remaining in our City including.

Annette Bening at the World Premiere of Romantic-Drama, The Face of Love, at VISA Screening Room. Bening was gracious to sign some Autographs upon arrival and exit and one lucky Fan was able to get a Photo with her even! The multiple Academy Award Nominee had to brave her Press Day alone as her Co-Star Ed Harris wasn’t able to attend today.

True Blood Star Ryan Kwanten stars in The Right Kind of Wrong, which sees him falling in love with a Bride-to-Be to another Man. The Film received the Gala treatment tonight at Roy Thomson Hall and the Aussie was spotted tonight at Blowfish following the Premiere of the Film.

SCTV Alumni Catherine O’Hara was in great spirits following the celebrations for her Film The Right Kind of Wrong, channelling Coco Chanel with her latest look. Despite zipping past the Press Line at her Premiere, O’Hara was certainly not shy with Fans, generously taking time with them upon returning to her Hotel.

After a week’s stay in the City, Rising Star Daniel Brühl flew out of Toronto earlier today after aggressively promoting Oscar Contenders Rush and The Fifth Estate during his TIFF ’13 visit. The Actor after a bit of nudging from Fans was nice enough to greet them upon exiting his Hotel.

It’s always a delight seeing Emma Thompson and we couldn’t resist another Photo with her all glammed-up tonight. The Oscar Winner was spotted chugging some Grey Goose Vodka straight from the bottle with her The Love Punch Co-Star Pierce Brosnan on the Red Carpet at Roy Thomson Hall!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

*All Photos taken on the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Olympus E-PL5