#FIRSTLOOK: TFCA ANNOUNCE 2019 WINNERS + FINALISTS

The Critics have spoken! Every year we look forward to what our friends at the Toronto Film Critics Association have deemed their 2019 Best-ofs and today, several of their selections including Best Picture have been decided. Top honours goes to Bong Joon-Ho‘s brilliant PARASITE taking both Best Picture, Director and Foreign-Language Film. The quirky, genre-bending Thriller placed runner-up for Screenplay.

For the first time ever, all three Finalists for Best First Feature are films by female Filmmakers.

See additional winners and Finalists for the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award, a $100,000 prize below.

 

BEST PICTURE
Parasite (MK2)
Runners-up
The Irishman (Netflix)
Marriage Story (Netflix)

BEST ACTOR
Adam Driver, Marriage Story (Netflix)
Runners-up
Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems (Netflix)
Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory (Mongrel Media)

BEST ACTRESS
Lupita Nyong’o, Us (Universal)
Runners-up
Renée Zellweger, Judy (eOne)
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story (Netflix)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Sony)
Runners-up
Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse (VVS Films)
Joe Pesci, The Irishman (Netflix)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Laura Dern, Marriage Story (Netflix)
Runners-up
Florence Pugh, Little Women (Sony)
Julia Fox, Uncut Gems (Netflix)

BEST DIRECTOR
Bong Joon-ho, Parasite (MK2)
Runners-up
Martin Scorsese, The Irishman (Netflix)
Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story (Netflix)

BEST SCREENPLAY, ADAPTED OR ORIGINAL
The Irishman by Steven Zaillian from the book by Charles Brandt (Netflix)
Runners-up
Parasite by Bong Joon-ho (MK2)
Marriage Story by Noah Baumbach (Netflix)

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Booksmart directed by Olivia Wilde (eOne)
Runners-up
Atlantics directed by Mati Diop (Netflix)
Queen & Slim directed by Melina Matsoukas (eOne)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Missing Link (Laika)
Runners-up
Toy Story 4 (Disney/Pixar)
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Universal)
Frozen 2 (Disney)

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
Parasite (MK2)
Runners-up
Pain and Glory (Mongrel Media)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (MK2)

ALLAN KING DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD
American Factory (Netflix)
Runners-up
Apollo 11 (Elevation Pictures)
The Cave (Mongrel Media)

ROGERS BEST CANADIAN FILM AWARD FINALISTS
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open directed by Kathleen Hepburn and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (levelFilm)
Antigone directed by Sophie Deraspe (Maison 4:3)
Firecrackers directed by Jasmin Mozaffari (levelFilm)

 

Additional winners to be announced January 8, 2020.

 

(Photo credit: MK2)

#TFCA: “ROMA” AND “ANTHROPOCENE” TAKE TOP HONOURS AT THE 2018 TORONTO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS

As Awards Season kicks into high gear, the 2018 Toronto Film Critics Association Awards were held tonight, honouring the year’s best in Cinema as decided by that esteemed Association. Taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel, the site of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association‘s InStyle Magazine Bash at TIFF, Film Critics and industry celebrated what was a stellar year both critically and commercially in Film, seeing a record $11.8 billion grossed at the Box Office in North America last year.

Honoured tonight were the best in Canadian and International Cinema with previous winner Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier’s ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH winning the Association’s Rogers Best Canadian Film Award. Given a hefty prize of $100k, the Duo decided spontaneously to split the money with runners-up MAISON DU BONHEUR Director Sofia Bohdanowicz and AVA Director Sadaf Forough, whom also received $5,000 from Rogers Communications.

Other winners announced tonight include Director Molly McGlynn who won the $10,000 Stella Artois Jay Scott Prize for an Emerging Artist for her debut, MARY GOES ROUND which premiered at TIFF ’18 to raves.

Native Canadian Trailblazer Tantoo Cardinal also was awarded the $50,000 Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award for her achievements in Canadian Cinema, presented by fellow First Nations Actress Tanaya Beatty (The Twilight Saga). Cardinal chose to donate the funds to First Nations Filmmaker Darlene Naponse, who directed FALLS AROUND HER in which Cardinal stars.

Director Morgan Neville was given the $5,000 RBC Allan King Documentary Film Award for Mr. Rogers Pic, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?.

Genevieve Citron was named recipient of the inaugural TFCA Emerging Critic Award, a $1,000 prize.

Announced earlier were double Golden Globe-winning ROMA for Best Picture and Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón), plus Ethan Hawke for Best Actor in First Reformed and Olivia Colman for Best Actress in The Favourite. Regina King won Best Supporting Actress for her work in If Beale Street Could Talk, doubling-up with her Golden Globes success this past weekend and Steve Yeun won Best Supporting Actor for his work in Best Foreign-Language Film winner, BURNING.

More winners here.

TIFF Creative Director Cameron Bailey filled hosting duties this year and Presenters included Don McKellar, Traci Melchor, Rick Mercer and more.

It was our first time ever attending the TFCA Awards, courtesy of our friends at Hollywood Suite and GAB Communications, and we are so honoured to celebrated with our peers and idols.

 

See some Snaps:

 

Alfonso Cuarón

 

Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier

 

Tantoo Cardinal

 

Darlene Naponse

 

Rick Mercer

 

Don McKellar

 

Cameron Bailey

 

Molly McGlynn

 

Genevieve Citron

 

Traci Melchor

 

Richard Crouse

 

George Pimentel

 

Some faces of the TFCA including President Peter Howell and Vice President/Secretary Johanna Schneller

 

Our hardworking friends in the Film industry get a night out!

 

Our friends at GAB Communications and Hollywood Suite:

 

All photos taken on the NIKON D3400.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SPOTTED: BRIA VINAITE IN TORONTO FOR 2017 TORONTO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS

After Director Sean Baker discovered her on Instagram, life has changed forever for Cannabis Entrepreneur-turned-Actress Bria Vinaite. The 24-year-old hailing from New York City walked into her role in acclaimed The Florida Project with no acting experience and in three weeks transformed into tough-talking, hustling single mom Halley, in a performance that won’t soon be forgotten.

While she was just in the City TIFF ’17 promoting her first ever Film with Willem Dafoe and brilliant child actor Brooklynn Prince, she is back to represent the cast and crew of The Florida Project, accepting the Toronto Film Critics Association Awards for Best Picture and Supporting Actor (Dafoe). TIFF’s Cameron Bailey filled hosting duties, quoting many noted female voices in the wake of #TimesUp.

Dressed in a colourful coat and graphic bodysuit by Discount Universe, Vinaite was every bit the colourful personality she exudes online in her Social Media. And she was super gracious to stop for a quick Snap!

Other big winners included: Jordan Peele (Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original, and Best First Feature, Get Out), Daniel Day-Lewis (Lead Actor, Phantom Thread), Frances McDormand (Lead Actress, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Greta Gerwig (Director, Lady Bird) and Laurie Metcalf (Supporting Actress, Lady Bird). Angelina Jolie-produced The Breadwinner won Best Animated Feature with stars Soma Chhaya and Saara Chaudry accepting.

Complete list here.

 

The Rogers $100k Best Canadian Film Award went to Ashley McKenzie‘s Werewolf.

 

See some Snaps of Vinaite:

 

 

Elevation Pictures release THE FLORIDA PROJECT, now in theatres.

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures)

#TFCA: “INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS” AMONG TOP WINNERS AT 2013 TORONTO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARDS

The Critics have spoken!  The Toronto Film Critics Association last night gathered to determine Winners of their annual Awards, one of the earlier Pre-Cursors to the thick of Awards Season.  Winning top honours this year is The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis, set deep within New York City’s Folk Music Scene during the early ’60s.  Its Star Oscar Isaac also nabbed Best Actor  and although he was set to walk the Red Carpet at the Film’s Canadian Premiere here in Toronto last week, alas his scheduling didn’t permit the visit.  The Brothers in 2007 had won Best Picture at the Awards also with No Country for Old Men, before going-on to sweep the Academy Awards. Inside Llewyn Davis is released by Mongrel Media in Canada, in theatres Friday.

Taking Best Actress is a well-deserving Cate Blanchett for her mesmerizing performance in Woody Allen‘s Blue Jasmine, playing a former Socialite on a downward spiral.

Warner Bros.’ Her also received warm recognition, garnering Runner-Up in the Best Picture category and ultimately winning Best Screenplay for Director/Writer Spike Jonze.  The Film opens in Toronto this weekend.

Despite being expected to be a Favourite this Awards Season, Fox Searchlight‘s 12 Years a Slave which won People’s Choice Award at TIFF ’13,  performed respectably with Runner-Up placings for Best Picture, Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender) and Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o).

The actual Awards Gala will be held at The Carlu in Toronto on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, where the Winner of the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award will be announced, receiving a $100k Cash Prize.

Winners as follows:

BEST PICTURE
Inside Llewyn Davis (Mongrel Media)

     Runners-up
     Her (Warner Bros.)
     12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight)

 

BEST ACTOR
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis

     Runners-up
     Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
     Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

 

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

     Runners-up
     Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
     Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

     Runners-up
     Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
     James Franco, Spring Breakers

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

     Runners-up
     Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
     June Squibb, Nebraska

 

BEST DIRECTOR
Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

     Runners-up
 Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis
     Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave

 

BEST SCREENPLAY, ADAPTED OR ORIGINAL
Spike Jonze, Her

     Runners-up
 Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
     Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis

 

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Neighboring Sounds, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho

     Runners-up
Fruitvale Station, directed by Ryan Coogler
In a World …, directed by Lake Bell

 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Wind Rises (Touchstone Pictures)

     Runners-up
     The Croods (20th Century Fox)
     Frozen (Walt Disney Pictures)

 

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
A Touch of Sin (Films We Like)

     Runners-up
     Blue Is the Warmest Color (Mongrel Media)
     The Hunt (Mongrel Media)

 

BMO ALLAN KING DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The Act of Killing (Films We Like)

     Runners-up
     Leviathan (Films We Like)
     Tim’s Vermeer (Mongrel Media)

 

ROGERS BEST CANADIAN FILM AWARD FINALISTS
The Dirties (Phase 4 Films)
Gabrielle (Entertainment One)
Watermark (Mongrel Media)

 

(Photo credit: Mongrel Media)

#OSCARS: TORONTO FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION SELECTS “THE MASTER” AS BEST FILM

For the second year in-a-row, eOne Films takes home Top Prize with the Toronto Film Critics Association‘s Best Film being awarded to The Master.  Last year, they were victorious with Terrence Malick‘s ever-polarizing Tree of Life.   Paul Thomas Anderson’s Drama which many believe to be about Scientology, also wins in Directing, Screenwriting and Supporting Actor categories for both Anderson and Philip Seymour Hoffman, respectively.  Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams who turn-in stellar performances also, fell just-short of deserved accolades.

In a bit of a surprise,  the TFCA also selected Denis Lavant as Best Actor for his work in French Film Holy Motors, while Rachel Weisz wins Best Actress for her performance in The Deep Blue Sea.  Both Films are distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media. Gina Gershon also is awarded Best Supporting Actress for her chicken bone-sucking performance in VVS Films‘ Killer Joe.  These all are seen somewhat as a shock, considering the amount of year-end buzz Films like Zero Dark Thirty, Les Miserables, Silver Linings Playbook and Lincoln are receiving from our Friends south of the Border.

Also, a huge congrats goes to our Friends at Alliance Films for their Best Animated Feature win with ParaNorman.  The Canadian Distributor also is up for the $100k Rogers Best Canadian Film Award with Goon, which is up against Bestiaire and Stories We Tell.  The Winner will be revealed January 8, 2013 at The Carlu during the TFCA‘s annual Awards Dinner.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)