#FIRSTLOOK: CANADIAN FILM CENTRE TO HONOUR JENNIFER PODEMSKI, RICK MERCER, AND DON MCKELLAR

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is pleased to announce that acclaimed Canadian film and television luminaries Jennifer Podemski, Rick Mercer, and Don McKellar will each be honoured with the inaugural Norman Jewison Founder’s Council Award at the 2025 CFC Gala: Growing Futures, taking place on June 12, 2025 at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. Tickets to the CFC Gala are available here.

This marks the first year of the Norman Jewison Founder’s Council Award, which will be presented annually at the Gala to up to three recipients whose work reflects the legacy of CFC’s founder Norman Jewison. Developed by CFC’s Founder’s Council, the award recognizes film and television visionaries whose work embodies Norman’s legacy, are committed to social justice in their storytelling, and/or have made a global impact in the industry.

“This award celebrates the spirit and legacy of Norman Jewison – a filmmaker who has made a lasting mark on the industry,” said Steven DeNure, Chair of the CFC Founder’s Council. “Jennifer, Rick, and Don each exemplify creativity, courage, and leadership and have made significant contributions to the screen industry in Canada and abroad. We’re pleased to recognize their remarkable achievements with this inaugural award.”

The Norman Jewison Founder’s Council is a non-fiduciary consultative body established by the Board to champion the CFC, its mission, vision and initiatives. The work of the Founder’s Council enhances CFC’s fundraising activities, connections to industry, innovation and expertise. Current members include: Eric Belcher, Don Carmody, Neal Clarence, Suzette Couture, David Cronenberg, Steven DeNure (Chair), Blake Goldring, Christina Jennings, Kevin Jewison, George Lewis, David W. Middleton, Bob Munroe, Gary Slaight, and Barbara Williams with Kate Alexander Daniels joining this fall.

The Norman Jewison Founder’s Council Award is the Council’s first initiative and will serve as a tribute to Jewison’s immeasurable impact. The 2025 honourees will attend the CFC Gala to receive their awards.

The CFC Gala brings together industry leaders, artists, and supporters to help raise vital funds that contribute to robust hands-on programs that train the next generation of Canadian screen creatives. The highly anticipated and lively evening will include a performance by Toronto’s top mentalist Kevin Hamdan and music from DJ Fly Lady Di.

For more information, visit cfccreates.com.

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN A “MEDITATION PARK” PRIZE PACK

Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to ring-in Chinese New Year by giving Readers a chance to win Run-of-Engagment Passes to see Mina Shum’s MEDITATION PARK.

Select winners also will win digital downloads of Shum’s other acclaimed Films WINDOW HORSES and also a copy of EVE & THE FIRE HORSE on DVD.

Synopsis:

Mina Shum directs an all-star cast — including Cheng Pei Pei, Sandra Oh, Tzi Ma and Don McKellar — in her latest feature, about a devoted wife and mother who is forced to reassess her reverence for her husband after she finds another woman’s undergarment in his laundry.

 

See the Trailer:

 

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City.

Mongrel Media release MEDITATION PARK in theatres Friday, March 9, 2018.

 

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

#TIFF14: AL PACINO AT THE THIRD ANNUAL TIFF GALA

Now in its 39th year, TIFF ’14 kicked-off with an Opening Night Gala at none other than TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX.  Ringing-in the celebrations was Acting Icon Al Pacino who did a Q&A with George Stroumboulopoulos, discussing everything from his childhood to what he looks for in a project now.  The Godfather Star says without ever a doubt he always knew he would be a Movie Star, encouraged by a Grade School Teacher who noted to his Grandmother his talent at a young age.  “I feel like I am doing Films I feel are reflective of where I am in my life.”, states Pacino.

The New York-born-Los Angeles Transplant is at TIFF ’14 with two new Films, The Humbling and Manglehorn.  Arriving on the Red Carpet tonight with his Girlfriend Lucia Sola, Pacino admits the former is subject close to him.  The Film is about a suicidal Actor and a younger Woman’s sexual relationship.   “Manglehorn challenged me to do something different”, he says about the other Drama which seems him starring as a Locksmith in a small town, never quite getting over the love of his life.

The Star got candid about his childhood and relationship with his estranged Father whom had married five times.  Although he didn’t get to know his Father Sal well as a Child, he recalls distinctly understanding what it felt like for the first time feeling his Father’s spirit covering him after his death.  He remembers feeling so moved that he had been stopped in his tracks.

In addition, an Auction was held for the charitable Organization afterward, one prize including a shadowing opportunity with TIFF‘s Chief Executive Officer Piers Handling. Among those ringing-in the festivities tonight were a Who’s-Who of Canadian Talent including Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy), Sarah Gadon (Maps to the Stars),  Gabriel Macht (Suits), Don McKellar (Sensitive Skin), Colm Feore (The Borgias), Eric Johnson (Rookie Blue), Gregory Smith (Rookie Blue) and Newlyweds Zachary Levi (Chuck) and Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue); Peregrym looked dazzling head-to-toe in Intermix.

TIFF ’14 has finally arrived, running Thursday, September 4, 2014 through Sunday September 14, 2014!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO THE RED CARPET SCREENING OF “THE GRAND SEDUCTION”

eOne Films and Mr. Will want to take Toronto Readers to an exclusive Red Carpet Screening of Don McKellar‘s THE GRAND SEDUCTION. After premiering at TIFF ’13 to great response, including four Canadian Screen Award nominations, this is your chance to see it before it hits theatres. And did I mention stars Liane Balaban, Brendan Gleeson, Mark Critch and Taylor Kitsch also will be in attendance?

Official Synopsis:
The only hope for the tiny out-port of Tickle Head is a new Petrochemical plant, but in order to qualify for the bid they need to prove they have a resident doctor. When fate sends Dr. Paul Lewis (Taylor Kitsch) their way, unemployed Fisherman, Murray French (Brendan Gleeson) mobilizes the town to do everything they can to convince the fast living, jazz loving, cricket playing doctor that their sleepy harbour is a paradise tailor-made just for him.

Watch the Trailer below:

To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook by midnight tonight! You can increase your shot by Re-Tweeting the below or Sharing this Post on Facebook!

http://www.mrwillwong.com/thegrandseduction @MRWILLW wants us to #win Tickets to the Red Carpet Premiere for #THEGRANDSEDUCTION, in theatres 5/30 with Taylor Kitsch!

eOne Films release THE GRAND SEDUCTION on Friday, May 30, 2014.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)