I think many of you will share in the sentiment that we are thankful just to have a Film Festival amidst what have been very trying times as the world navigates the SAG-AFTRA strike. While things look quieter this year, Team Mr. Will as every year, is ready to bring their A-Game and you can expect some amazing coverage, whether it be reviews, talent sightings and red carpets.
David Baldwin (missing sadly in the banner photo), Amanda Gilmore, George Kozera, Nicholas Porteous, Justin Waldman and myself share our top five films (sometimes in no specific order) we are most excited about at the Festival this year!
Be sure to bookmark this page for all our TIFF ’23 updates daily!
I have been attending TIFF physically/virtually since 2010, and I will not mince words â it is my favourite time of the year. Sure, TIFF â23 is going to be way different without many of the Actors and Writers in town to promote, but their fighting for their rights and the very future of their professions is much, much, MUCH more important than seeing them here in Toronto (I just hope the strikes are resolved before TIFF â24!). That said, the focus of the Festival has rightly shifted to the movies and there are plenty of surefire bangers that are going to be unmissable over these 11 days. There is a little bit of something for everyone and getting to be amongst the first audiences in the world to see the films together at Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales, the Royal Alexandra Theatre (or the RAT as the Midnight Madness crew calls it), the TIFF Bell Lightbox and the Scotiabank is a genuinely thrilling prospect. So get hyped fam, and come say hi if you see me. Iâll be the guy with glasses and bleary eyes who has not seen proper daylight for a week.
Although TIFF ’23 is missing some of my most anticipated films of the year (Maestro, The Killer, Poor Things), there are still plenty of titles I’m eagerly awaiting. Everyone I know who’s seen Fair Play has told me it’s a must-see. I love a Thriller about gender and power dynamics so I’m all in! The plot of Fingernails has piqued my interest more than any other title in the line-up this year. Plus I’m a huge fan of Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed and Jeremy Allen White. Out of all the films I missed at Cannes, The Delinquents is the one I’m most upset about. Everyone I know has raved about it, and this is my second chance! Out of all the films with actors working as Directors and stars, Woman of the Hour is the one that stands out for me. A Crime-Mystery-Thriller coming from Anna Kendrick just feels right. As a huge fan of ’21s Drive My Car, I cannot wait to see Evil Does Not Exist. I know Ryusuke Hamaguchi won’t disappoint. Happy TIFF everyone!
1. The Zone of Interest
2. The Boy and the Heron
3. Fingernails
4. Dream Scenario
5. Anatomy of a Fall
This year’s TIFF is decidedly low-key and the lineup is somewhat lacking in obvious heavy-hitters or *guaranteed* masterpieces, so a couple of unexpected gambles have found their way to the top of my most anticipated list! The first couple are generally safe bets–Jonathan Glazer doesn’t make movies often, but when he does they always leave an impact. The Zone of Interest is his vision of the holocaust and I’ve heard it’s on another level. The Boy and the Heron is reportedly Hayao Miyazaki‘s final film–the culmination of an unparalleled animated oeuvre. I’m not alone in my excitement–despite an abundance of screenings, I’m still searching for tickets! Fingernails is a compelling question mark. The first English-language film from Christos Nikou, a close disciple of Yorgos Lanthimos, with Riz Ahmed, Jessie Buckley, Jeremy Allen White, and a tantalizingly bizarre premise about an institute that investigates the authenticity of romantic relationships. I’m a sucker for this kind of weird, wild stuff. Speaking of weird, wild stuff–Dream Scenario, the A24 Nicolas Cage movie about a university professor who unwittingly appears in everyone’s–literally everyone’s–dreams. Sold. Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d’Or and features Sandra Huller, who I last saw in Toni Erdmann. Here, she’s on trial for allegedly murdering her husband. Am I excited by that description? Of course! Case CLOSED!
There is never an order to top five or ten lists I make. I donât like putting things in an order itâs too much pressure and life needs less pressure and a little more chaos. So let the chaos begin!
Special mentions: The Holdovers, Dream Scenario, Wildcat, Knox Goes Away, Woman of the Hour
Thereâs a lot at TIFF this year that is exciting and deserving of the spotlight. While some of the more high profile titles may be missing due to the ongoing SAG-AGTRA/WGA strike (which I FULLY support) there are still plenty of exciting and buzzy titles to be had at this years festival. Directorial debuts, new features from some great Directors, Nicolas Cage doing Nicolas Cage things, Fathers directing daughters, and so much more so strap yourself in for a King Street that may actually be walkable and the 2023 edition of TIFF!
Many of this year’s selections whetted my appetite, but these five had me salivating with anticipation!
NEXT GOAL WINS
Starring Michael Fassbender, in a rare comedic role, I’m sure this movie will be funny and heartfelt, and you’ll find me in the line-up!
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
After its rapturous reception at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Director Jonathan Glazer‘s THE ZONE OF INTEREST addresses subject matter that while harrowing and numbing, is important to me. The horrors of Auschwitz should never be forgotten.
SING SING/RUSTIN
Colman Domingo is the reason these two movies are my perfect double bill this year at TIFF. I cannot wait especially to see what Director George C. Wolfe brings to the screen as I have been mesmerized by his work on Broadway and his coup de grace as Director of the screen version of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
MONSTER
Director Kore-eda Hirokazu wowed us a TIFF ’18 with “Shoplifters“. It was the benchmark of excellence I wanted throughout that year. All I know is that it won the Queer Palme Award at Cannes and it’s Hirokazu. I need nothing more!
I love a good messy story and FAIR PLAY has the looks of everything I love. This Erotic Thriller by Writer/Director Chloe Domont garnered raves at Sundance, exploring what happens when a couple who work together (Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich) are up for a promotion and the aftermath of that when one gets the job. DADDIO from Writer/Director Christy Hall, explores an unlikely connection struck between cab driver (Sean Penn) and a woman (Dakota Johnson) boarding a taxi from JFK Airport. SING SING features a showstopping performance from amazing Primetime Emmy and 2023 TIFF Tribute Award winner Colman Domingo as a prisoner who escapes his grim reality in a theatre troupe. And if all the buzz we’ve heard about it in advance of the Fest is true, we’re ready for a huge treat! Shot right here in Toronto, we were so intrigued by Cate Blanchett-produced FINGERNAILS, which explores whether a couple really has true love after a test tells them so. Kate Winslet can do no wrong in my books and we’re excited to see her as Lee Miller, who went from fashion model to American Photojournalist, capturing iconic photographs during World War II, changing our perception of the world.
Happy TIFF!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
With it being a very unusual year navigating the SAG-AFTRA strike, we chat with some seasoned Public Relations and Communications experts on how they will navigate TIFF ’23. Today we profile our esteemed colleagues Angie Burns and Ally LaMere–Shedden at ROUTE 504 PR.
With this being a unique year, how do the SAG-AFTRA strike-related changes impact your strategy in publicizing and promoting films at the Festival?
Route 504 PR: We are so excited for this year’s fest because Canadian talent is front and center. We stand with the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and their right to demand better contracts but without American talent, our Canadian films are truly shining.
Can you highlight a few films in your slate you particularly are excited about?
Ally: I have two really great films I’m excited about this year: Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person from dir. Ariane Louis-Seize (which might have the coolest title at TIFF this year) and Motherland from dir. Jasmin Mozaffari.
Angie: I’m excited about all of our films at TIFF this year! Cheeseballs, but it’s true.
What you’re looking forward to most about TIFF ’23?
Ally: As always, I’m looking forward to the hustle and bustle of TIFF with all my friends and colleagues within a four-block radius, it feels like summer camp every year and i’ll never get over that.
Angie: Working with Canadian creatives is the highlight of every TIFF for me. It’s often these filmmakers’ first time on a world stage and it’s exciting and wonderful watching them shine.
The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7 through 17, 2023. We appreciate ROUTE 504 PR for sharing their time with us amidst these busy times and also their year-round support!
TIFF CEO, Cameron Bailey, is excited to announce that filmmaker Ava DuVernay will return to TIFF with her latest offering, Origin. DuVernayâs film will have a Gala screening at Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, September 11th. DuVernay will be in attendance.
Written, produced, and directed by Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay, Origin chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson (played by Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all.
Origin stands as a unique account of the intimacy within a writerâs quest for truth. DuVernay creates powerful cinematic images from the stories that Wilkerson brought to light in her non-fiction work Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, as well as the tragic moments of her personal life which framed her writing. It results in a deeply moving portrait of grief and healing â both personally and in the world.
âAva DuVernayâs Origin is a brilliantly crafted showcase of her talent as a writer, producer, and director. This is audacious filmmaking on a grand, global scale,â said Bailey, âDuVernay deftly weaves Isabel Wilkersonâs big idea about how we live into a beautiful narrative of passion and discovery. I canât wait for Toronto audiences to feel its power.â
Paul Garnes and DuVernay produced Origin under her ARRAY Filmworks banner, and Thane Watkins serves as co-executive producer.
Along with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal, Origin stars Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Connie Nielsen, Emily Yancy, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti, Isha Blaaker, and Myles Frost. The team of artists behind Origin was led by cinematographer Matthew J. Lloyd, ASC, production designer Ina Mayhew, editor Spencer Averick A.C.E, composer Kris Bowers, costume designer Dominique Dawson, and casting director Aisha Coley.
Tickets for Origin go on sale Monday, September 4 at 10 AM ET. Check tiff.net for more information.
With it being a very unusual year navigating the SAG-AFTRA strike, we chat with some seasoned Public Relations and Communications experts on how they will navigate TIFF ’23. Today we profile our esteemed colleagues at THE TARO GROUP.
Headquartered in Toronto, they are a leading entertainment full-service Communications and Digital agency, servicing studio and independent film companies, immersive art exhibits, experiential events and pop-ups.
With this being a unique year, tell us how the SAG-AFTRA strike-related changes impact your strategy in publicizing and promoting films at the Festival.
The Taro Group: This year weâre evolving the strategy & communications for the film campaigns that we are handling at TIFF around the Filmmakers, with everything being on a smaller scale and more intimate. All those attending are proud to represent their team members who wish they could be here (but canât be due to the ongoing strike).
Please highlight for us a few films in your slate you particularly are excited for TIFF-goers to discover.
The Taro Group: Our film slate is big this year and many include remarkable real-life stories including Elevation Pictures‘ Lee, Sing Sing and Dumb Money and films by Canadian directors with Seven Veils, Irenaâs Vow, Fitting In and many more.
What you’re looking forward to most about TIFF ’23?
The Taro Group: There is so much to look forward to; all of our premieres and photo calls, the reactions from moviegoers, working with all of our incredible media partners on a daily basis, seeing our US and international colleagues and coming together as an arts community to celebrate the film industry and everyone being a special part of it.
The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7 through 17, 2023. We are thankful to The Taro Group for their support year-round and also for giving us their time so generously.
Stay tuned as we profile another top agency tomorrow and they share their insights how they plan to navigate this very unique Festival.
Back for its eighth year, the excitement of the Toronto International Film Festival will pour out from the theatres onto Festival Street and David Pecaut Square. King Street West between Peter Street and University Avenue will transform into an open-air experience accessible by the general public.
New and exciting activations will line King Street in addition to food vendors, photo opportunities, and the Festival Street Music Stage housing musical performances throughout the opening weekend. There is no better way to celebrate âthe peopleâs Festivalâ than with free activations dedicated to the Festival goers in Toronto.
âWeâre thrilled to unveil this yearâs Festival Street experience at TIFF. Embracing the heart and soul of the Festival, Festival Street will once again be a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and the shared love for storytelling,â said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. âAs we welcome filmmakers, artists, and film enthusiasts from around the world, Festival Street will serve as a dynamic hub for connection, creativity, and unforgettable moments. Join us as we transform the streets of Festival Village into a shining example of community spirit at this yearâs TIFF.â
MORE MOVIES AND MUSIC FOR FREE
Torontoâs biggest street party kicks off with A Night of Jazz, in partnership with The Rex (194 Queen St. W.). On Thursday September 7, the Festival Street Music Stage will feature jazz legend Dave Young, Thompson Egbo-Ebgo, and the Jacob Chung Quintet, hosted by Raoul Bhaneja. Continuing the musical celebrations on Friday, September 8, Diamond certified rock band Nickelback hits the Festival Street Music Stage to promote the premiere of their TIFF Gala Presentation Hate to Love: Nickelback, an intimate portrait of the Canadian stadium rockersâ celebrated career to date. Additionally, electronica and pow wow techno artist Classic Roots will take the stage also on September 8. On Sunday September 10, revel in additional performances by Luna Elle (RBCxMusic Artist), Toronto Dance Theatre, and Doug Tielli. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, the Festival Street Closing Performance will be by the Godmother of Canadian Rap, Michie Mee.
TIFFâs returning Cinema Park, presented by LâOreal Paris, will present open-air screenings in David Pecaut Square, showcasing classic films of some of the talent in TIFF 2023 Official Selection films: The Spiderwick Chronicles; Batman; Contact; a 40th-anniversary screening of Superman III; a memorial tribute to Paul Reubens with Pee-Weeâs Big Adventure; Rocky; plus four screenings presented by the Next Wave committee which include a 30th-anniversary screening of Addams Family Values, Clueless, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Where the Wild Things Are.
New this year, the TIFF Next Wave Block Party, presented by Snapchat, takes place on Saturday September 9. This party will include additional performances from The Aubreys, featuring Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard; Alex Porat; winner of TIFF Next Waveâs Battle of the Scores, daydream; Sho Madjozi; and Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini. Also new this year is the Festival Street Art Market, a market filled with fun activities in celebration of art and community from the cityâs most exciting community film festivals and arts organizations on Simcoe St. Participants include: Inside Out Film Festival, imagineNATIVE Film Festival, Reel Asian Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Hot Docs, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), Muse Arts, Reel Canada, and Workman Arts.
Taking place during the first three days of Festival Street is the Festival Street Mural Project, where street artists Darcy Obokata and Tim Fukakusa (TIFFâs POP Japan mural artist) will create an exciting and evolving large art mural â a Toronto love letter to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The mural will be an homage to Miyazaki and the studioâs influence on artists and film lovers all over the world, and will celebrate TIFFâs Opening Night International Premiere of Miyazakiâs latest, The Boy and the Heron.
Additional activations on Festival street include: Myseum of Torontoâs 36 Questions That Lead to Loving Toronto to Festival Street, an exhibition that invites Torontonians to fall in love with the city for the first time, or all over again; a Group Morning Mobility, a gentle mix of movement and meditation in David Pecaut Square by Have a Nice Day Pilates Studio on Saturday, September 9 at 11am for 30 minutes; and five additional vendors by BlackOwnedTO.
Torontonians and the City of Toronto are an integral part of TIFF and the Festival. Quite simply, Festival Street would not exist without their tremendous support. To say thank you to the city and the people who call it home, TIFF has once again partnered with the TTC to give Torontonians more access to Festival films. On Saturday, September 16, members of the public are invited to Roy Thomson Hall for the TTC Free Screening of a Festival title. More details will be announced closer to the date.
FESTIVAL STREET PARTNER ACTIVATIONS
Indeed â Indeed is bringing TIFF fans a double feature on the future of work at this yearâs Street Festival. Feature One will take you on an exploration of tomorrowâs world of work through the lens of Indeedâs Rising Voices filmmakers, while Feature Two will help you craft your own narrative on the future of work, with a yummy twist. Each feature offers a captivating look at what the future has in store and a fun takeaway.
LâOrĂŠal Paris â Taking a bold stand against street harassment: Join L’OrĂŠal Paris and Right To Be in a powerful activation that empowers individuals to stand up against street harassment. On a mission to foster respect and dignity, we proudly introduce the Stand Up Against Street Harassment program. Through an immersive 5-minute training session, discover the impactful 5Ds methodology â Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct â equipping you to safely intervene against harassment. As a part of this movement, stand up, gain valuable tools to make a difference, and be a catalyst for change while receiving exciting incentives and products. Plus, stay tuned for special guest appearances and join us in creating a culture of empowerment and respect. Take a stand against street harassment: https://www.standup-international.com/ca/en/.
We at TIFF strive to create an inclusive environment for everyone and believe in a world where every individual has the right to move through public spaces without fear of harassment or discrimination. Street harassment can affect people across varying gender identities, sexuality, race, size, ability, and religion.
Peroni Nastro Azzurro â Celebrating premier(e) taste: Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the worldâs number one premium Italian beer brand, is bringing a taste of Italy to Festival Village with the House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro in David Pecaut Square! The Italian-style open house will allow guests to enjoy the best of Italian hospitality, take in in red-carpet views with a VIP fan zone, and enjoy the premier(e) taste of Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% alongside an exclusive menu curated by International Celebrity Chef, David Rocco.
Pizza Nova â Celebrating a legacy of delicious style! In honour of its 60th anniversary, Pizza Nova will be serving signature pizza slices during TIFF opening weekend. Located at the corner of King Street and Simcoe, the Pizza Nova sampling booth will keep movie-goers well fed. Be sure to stop by the Pizza Nova Pizzeria for a slice and have a look at the limited-edition retro merchandise on display.
Snapchat Presents: Next Wave Block Party ââWe are proud to partner with TIFF to sponsor the inaugural Next Wave Block Party and Creator Talks,â said Matt McGowan, General Manager, Canada at Snap Inc. âCelebrating, supporting, and elevating local creators and content is at the core of what we do. And there is no shortage of exceptional talent and creativity in this city! We canât wait to see it all come together on centre stage.â The TIFF Next Wave Committee is a group of 12 young film enthusiasts who curate teen-oriented films and events at TIFF Bell Lightbox, including the annual TIFF Next Wave Film Festival. Taking place for the first time ever, the TIFF Next Wave Block Party will take place Saturday, September 9. Performers include The Aubreys (featuring Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things), Zakes Bantwini, Alex Porat, daydream, and Sho Madjozi.
Tourist Office of Spain – Spain, straight out of the movies â The Tourist Office of Spain is presenting a cinematic experience at the Street Festival. Spain, with its diverse landscapes and rich history, has long been a cherished destination for filmmakers worldwide. The activation offers a unique photo studio with green screen technology, allowing attendees to virtually visit famous Spanish film locations, from iconic Westerns to futuristic realms and historical tales. Additionally, a contest offers a chance to win Spanish gourmet products, enhancing the experience with culinary delights.
UPS â Small Businesses, Big Roles: There are great stories waiting to be told everywhere. But not every filmmaker has the opportunity to tell theirs. Join UPS in uplifting diverse-owned small and medium businesses behind the camera in film with live printed Be Unstoppable Film Project Tote Bags. In 2022, UPS partnered with The Black List to help two emerging filmmakers tell their stories. The films we love wouldnât be possible without diverse owned small and medium businesses behind the camera. This year, we are uplifting even more unheard voices â with a focus on changing perceptions around diverse small businessesâ roles in the craft of filmmaking by providing new perspectives.
Today Apple Original Films unveiled the trailer and key art for the highly anticipated documentary, âThe Pigeon Tunnel,â a riveting portrait of the master of espionage fiction, John le CarrĂŠ from Academy Award-winning Errol Morris.
In âThe Pigeon Tunnel,â Morris pulls back the curtain on the storied life and career of former British spy David Cornwellâbetter known as John le CarrĂŠ, author of such classic espionage novels as âThe Spy Who Came in from the Cold,” âTinker Tailor Soldier Spyâ and âThe Constant Gardener.” Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Cold War leading into present day, the film spans six decades as le CarrĂŠ delivers his final and most candid interview, punctuated with rare archival footage and dramatized vignettes. “The Pigeon Tunnel” is a deeply human and engaging exploration of le CarrĂŠ’s extraordinary journey and the paper-thin membrane between fact and fiction.
âThe Pigeon Tunnelâ is produced by Fourth Floor Productionâs Errol Morris and The Ink Factoryâs Dominic Crossley-Holland, Steven Hathaway, Simon Cornwell and Stephen Cornwell, and executive produced by Hossein Amini, P.J. van Sandwijk, Michael Lesslie, Joe Tsai, Arthur Wang, Michele Wolkoff and Katherine Butler.
âThe Pigeon Tunnelâ will premiere globally on Apple TV+
on October 20, 2023.
Paramount+ today debuted the official trailer and key art for the upcoming festival-award-winning South Korean dystopian thriller series BARGAIN. All six episodes will premiere on Thursday, October 5, 2023 on Paramount+ in the U.S, the UK, Canada, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
In BARGAIN, men are lured to a remote hotel under the guise of sexual encounters only to be caught in a trafficking ring where their organs are auctioned off to the highest bidder. After a catastrophic earthquake, the victims, traffickers and buyers all are trapped inside the crumbling building. Cut off from the outside world, they must fight to survive the aftermath at any cost.
BARGAIN stars actors Jin Sun-kyu (Extreme Job), Jun Jong-seo (Money Heist: Korea) and Chang Ryul (My Name) and is an adaptation of director Lee Chung-hyunâs award-winning short film of the same name that was released in 2015. Director and writer Jeon Woo-sung, who was part of the production team of the original short film, picked up the story and developed it into a six-part series. The series is co-written by Choi Byeong-yun and Kwak Jae-min and executive produced by showrunner and creator Byun Seungmin and Bang Jin Ho.
BARGAIN was developed by Paramount+ and TVING through a partnership between Paramount and the Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM. In Korea, Paramount+ is a branded zone within TVING, a CJ ENM-controlled streaming platform with current operations in Korea. The deal also allows Korean content to flow to Paramountâs overseas streaming operations. BARGAIN is licensed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
BARGAIN was awarded the Criticsâ Choice Award at Seriencamp Festival in Cologne in June and won Best Screenplay at Canneseries Festival earlier this year. BARGAIN also is an official 2023 Toronto International Film Festival selection, where it will have its North American premiere on September 9.
About Paramount+
Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIMEÂŽ, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland and South Korea.
Premiering at TIFF ’23, SWAN SONG gets a new Trailer premiere today! The Film saw Actress Neve Campbell sign-on as Executive Producer recently.
An expanded four-part limited series will premiere on
CBC Gem and CBC TV November 22, 2023
Synopsis:
SWAN SONG immerses viewers inside one of the worldâs leading ballet companies as it mounts a legacy-defining new production of Swan Lake, directed by ballet icon Karen Kain on the eve of her retirement. With full access granted to the filmmakers, the veritĂŠ-driven documentary closely follows Karen Kain and a group of young dancers drawn from across The National Ballet of Canadaâs ranks, weaving Swan Lakeâs dramatic creation process with intimate scenes from the subjectsâ personal lives as they push toward one of the most significant nights in their companyâs history. The filmâs intimate, character-driven approach chronicles creative conflicts, devastating injuries and personal sacrifices amongst its subjects who, in various ways, confront ideals of race, class and body standards as they navigate a tradition that has historically valued uniformity and compliance.
Directed by: Chelsea McMullan
Produced by: Sean OâNeill
Written by: Chelsea McMullan & Sean OâNeill
Executive Producers: Sean OâNeill, Chelsea McMullan, Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier, Anna Godas, Oli Harbottle, Neve Campbel
Producer: Christina Carvalho
Directors of Photography: Tess Girard & Shady Hanna
Edited by: Brendan Mills
Additional Editing: Sabrina Budiman, John Gallagher
Original Score by: Katie Stelmanis
(Photo/video credit: Visitor Media)
The Toronto International Film FestivalÂŽ is excited to announce this yearâs global cohort of Rising Stars for 2023. The TIFF Rising Stars programme features actors on the verge of making a large impact on the international stage and provides them with an exclusive opportunity to experience and engage in professional development and mentorship sessions and industry events that provide valuable networking opportunities with established creatives at the Festival. All Rising Stars are featured in films and series from TIFF 2023âs Official Selection, and join the Festival from around the world.
âEvery year, we see the incredible impact of TIFF’s Rising Stars initiative and are thrilled to announce the new 2023 cohort of the most exciting and up and coming on-screen talent,â said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. âIf you don’t know who they are, you will soon.â
TIFF Rising Stars will be celebrated at a special moment during the 2023 TIFF Tribute Awards presented by Bulgari. The annual event, taking place at the Royal York Hotel on Sunday September 10th, celebrates achievements across the film industry. New this year, the TIFF Rising Stars Tribute After Party will follow the dinner and awards ceremony with current and past Rising Stars mingling with film lovers for an evening of glamour and fun in celebration of emerging talent. Sarah Gadon, a former Rising Star from the programâs first cohort, is chairing this fundraising event which also features DJ Karim Olen Ash. Other committee members include: Zubby Achara, Jordyn Benattar, Kyla Doering, Elizabeth Heggie, Sarah Jenkins, Carmen Madonia, Pooja Sihra, Nicole Tapscott, and Jorey Worb. Tickets are available by reaching out to development@tiff.net.
Adwa Bader (Saudi Arabia/USA)
NAGA
(dir. Meshaal Al Jaser)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Adwa Bader is a Saudi American multihyphenate and interdisciplinary artist, actor, poet, and screenwriter. Sheâs a Riyadh native who landed many roles as a commercial actor and model since 2008, working on short films and campaigns for many local and international brands and outlets such as Harvey Nichols, Destination, FarFetch, and Burberry. Bader published a limited and exclusive compilation of her poetry in 2020, and most recently landed her first lead role to star in director Meshal Al Jasserâs feature film NAGA, which is set to be released in 2023.
Almudena GonzĂĄlez (Argentina)
The Ravaging Wind
(dir. Paula HernĂĄndez)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Almudena GonzĂĄlez is an actor born in Buenos Aires in 1999. Having graduated from the Vocational Institute of Art in 2016, she also trained with Federico LeĂłn, Francisca Ure, Juan Onofri Barbato, Laura Sbdar, and MartĂn Flores CĂĄrdenas. In 2021, she filmed Argentina, 1985, directed by Santiago Mitre; and in 2022, she filmed A Ravaging Wind, her first leading role, directed by Paula HernĂĄndez. She is currently studying for a Bachelorâs Degree in Acting at UNA, which she entered in 2017. She teaches acting and poetry classes in self-managed, private workshops.
Amrit Kaur (Canada)
The Queen of My Dreams
(dir. Fawzia Mirza)
TIFF Share Her Journey Giving Circle Fellow
Amrit Kaur is an artistic hyphenate: an actor, comedian, director, and writer. She believes in acting as a humanitarian art form with the power to heal, transcend, and empower. Kaur will star in Fawzia Mirzaâs The Queen of My Dreams opposite Hamza Haq and Nimra Bucha. The film, premiering at this yearâs Toronto International Film Festival, follows a Pakistani woman and her Canadian-born daughter as they come of age in two eras. The actor is best known for her breakout role on Mindy Kaling and Justin Nobleâs HBO Max hit series, The Sex Lives of College Girls. Amongst myriad raving reviews, The Chicago Sun Timesâ Richard Roeper hailed Kaurâs performance, where âin a cast of standouts, Kaur is the superstar⌠that funny, that clever, that captivating.â Off-screen, Kaur continues to maintain a strong connection to theatre. She is an ensemble member of Gracemoon Arts Company, which is building an off-Broadway theatre opening in Brooklyn, NY later this year.
Aria Mia Loberti (USA)
All The Light We Cannot See
(dir. Shawn Levy)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Aria Mia Loberti is an American actress, writer, scholar, and human rights advocate. She plays the lead role in Shawn Levyâs adaptation of the Pulitzer Prizeâwinning novel All The Light We Cannot See. Loberti earned the part after a global search of thousands of actresses, despite no formal training; itâs her first-ever acting role and is a leading example of authentic blind representation. A Fulbright Scholar with a masterâs degree in ancient rhetoric from Royal Holloway University of London, she is also a PhD candidate at Penn State University. Furthermore, as a supporter of UNICEF, Loberti is actively a passionate advocate for human rights, environmental justice, and educational equity.
Cody Lightning (Canada)
Hey, Viktor!
(dir. Cody Lightning)
Cody Lightning is a world-class, generation-defining actor. Hailing from Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta, Lightning began acting at age five in the film Geronimo. Since then, he has become one of Hollywoodâs most active Indigenous actors, best known for his roles in Smoke Signals, The Brave, Brick, and many more. In 2023, Lightning will star in Marvelâs upcoming Echo series. His debut feature film as a writer-director, Hey Victor!, sees Lightning revisit his iconic role in Smoke Signals. In recent years, Lightning has taken on greater creative responsibilities, including producing, directing, and writing, focusing on projects that highlight how fucking hilarious Indigenous people are.
Kudakwashe Rutendo (Canada)
Backspot
(dir. D. W. Waterson)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Kudakwashe Rutendo is a fast-rising actor from Fort McMurray, Alberta, currently based in Toronto. She was first introduced to the performing arts through LIVE poetry, and since then her passion for performance has only grown. After graduating high school, she moved to Toronto to attend the University of Toronto and pursue a career in acting. Recently, Rutendo landed a role starring alongside actor Tatyana Ali in the feature film Giving Hope: The Niâcola Mitchell Story (Lifetime). She is also a theatre actor featured in productions such as Lost Heroes of Oro (Theatre by the Bay), and Vierge (Factory Theatre). Rutendo is expected to have her breakout role in the upcoming feature film Backspot (Page Boy Productions), starring opposite Devery Jacobs (Rising Stars 2018), Thomas Antony Olajide (Rising Stars 2021), and Evan Rachel Wood.
LĂŠah Aubert (France)
Sisterhood
(dir. Nora el Hourch)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Always passionate about cinema, Leah Aubert started acting when she was seven in a musical comedy. Since then, Aubert never stopped acting, going from theatre class in school to acting in front of a camera. Her first step in front of the camera was in a 2021 student film. Recently, she starred in the movie Sisterhood by Nora el Hourch, and has also created her own short movie, which she both acted in and directed.
Mark Clennon (Canada)
I Don’t Know Who You Are
(dir. M.H. Murray)
Mark Clennon is a Jamaican-born artist whose art is expressed through various mediums. As a musician, he has garnered fans worldwide with music that The Recording Academy describes as âmesmerising,â MTV News recently described his art as âintimate and groundbreaking.â In 2022, Clennon made history with the first music video set and shot in Jamaica to depict a same-sex on-screen romance instantly highlighting him as one of Jamaicaâs only openly gay performers. Clennon began his career in entertainment as an actor, but took a hiatus to focus on music. I Donât Know Who You Are marks his triumphant return to acting, with which he is able to marry his love and passion for music.
Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne (New Zealand)
The Convert
(dir. Lee Tamahori)
TIFF Share Her Journey Fellow
Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne is a MÄori Storyteller who is of NgÄti Porou and Ngai TĹŤhoe descent. She grew up on the East Coast attending Te Kohanga Reo o Itinoa and Te Kura Kaupapa MÄori o Kawakawa mai Tawhiti. After completing school, Ngatai-Melbourne auditioned and was accepted into New Zealandâs leading drama school, Toi Whakaari, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Acting (BA) in 2020. Ngatai-Melbourne is well known for her roles in feature films such as Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Kahu), Cousins (Adult Makareta), and Whina (Teenage Whina), as well as the TV series We are still here (Te Mauniko), Mystic (Maia), and KairÄkau (Ruamahu). Ngatai-Melbourne has also discovered a passion for creating her own work, and most recently wrote, directed, and starred in her debut short film E Rangi RÄ (Paea), supported by MÄoriland Film. Her hopes and aspirations are to break the stereotypical way MÄori are portrayed by decolonizing the screen and spaces, and above all, to make her MÄori whanau, hapu, and iwi proud.
TIFF Rising Stars is produced by Jane Kim, Industry Programming Producer, with the support of Emma Bulpin, Rising Stars Programmer, and, Taelor Lewis-Joseph, Associate Programmer, Industry.
Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, is delighted to announce that award-winning actor Colman Domingo will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award. This Award recognizes an overall body of exceptional work, and is one of seven awards being handed out at the fifth annual TIFF Tribute Awards gala, presented by Bulgari on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
A prolific actor of the screen and the stage, Domingoâs career spans over 30 years. Domingo will next be seen in Greg Kwedarâs Sing Sing premiering at the Festival. Past recipients honoured in the prestigious acting category were Brendan Fraser and the ensemble cast of My Policeman in 2022; Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021; Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2020; and Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix in 2019.
Sing Sing is about a theatre troupe that finds escape from the realities of incarceration through the creativity of putting on a play. Based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, the film is being distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures.
âColman Domingoâs performances are a masterclass in the art of storytelling,â said Bailey. âDomingoâs presence, on stage and on screen, is a gift to audiences, and his work continues to resonate, leaving an indelible impact. He is a true visionary in the world of performance, and weâre excited to honour him this year.â
Domingo joins the recently announced 2023 TIFF Tribute Award honourees Andy Lau, recipient of the Special Tribute Award; Carolina Markowicz, recipient of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM Studios; Ĺukasz Ĺťal, recipient of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award; Shawn Levy, recipient of the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award presented by The Budman Family; Pedro AlmodĂłvar, recipient of the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant; and Spike Lee, recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Once again, the TIFF Tribute Awards honour the film industryâs outstanding contributors and their achievements, recognizing leading industry members, acting talent, directorial expertise, new talent, and a below-the-line artist and creator.
The Tribute Awards gala is TIFFâs largest annual fundraiser, having raised $1.3 million in 2022, and is presented by Bulgari, sharing their commitment to arts and culture along with TIFF. This year, the Tribute Awards gala will support the Viola Desmond Cinema campaign, which was launched through the Every Story Fund in 2022. For more information, visit tiff.net/tribute.
Colman Domingo bio
Colman Domingo is an Emmy Awardâwinning actor, and has been nominated for a TonyÂŽ, Independent Spirit, Gotham, Lawrence Olivier, Drama Desk, Drama League, NAACP Image, and Black Reel Award as an actor, playwright, and producer. He stars in and executive produced Greg Kwedarâs Sing Sing, which will make its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In June 2023, he appeared in and produced the unscripted AMC travel show You Are Here and was a producer on the Tony-nominated Fat Ham. He is well known for his Spirit Awardânominated role in Janicza Bravoâs Zola as well as his work on stage in The Scottsboro Boys and Broadwayâs Passing Strange. Domingo and his husband RaĂşl Domingo have produced a myriad of work under their Edith Productions banner, including four seasons of the award-winning variety talk show Bottomless Brunch at Colmanâs. Domingo co-wrote, produced, and starred in the Academy Awardâshortlisted animated short film New Moon, based on his play A Boy and His Soul. He also starred in and executive produced the award-winning short North Star.
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