TIFF is excited to announce POP Japan, a new series celebrating the convergence of the cult, pulp, and popular in Japanese film and art, running at TIFF Bell Lightbox from May 10 to June 27, 2023. POP Japan features three film series: Seijun Suzuki, marking the iconoclast director’s centenary with six newly restored 35mm prints, the second stop in a national tour spotlighting Suzuki’s rebellious storytelling, and World of Anime, a retrospective of Japan’s most influential anime films, both generously supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto. The third series is a four-film ode to the “godfather of animation” and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, in anticipation of his summer theatrical release How Do You Live?

“Pop Japan represents the dynamic new direction of Public Programming at TIFF to showcase exciting, original, international film spotlights year-round, making TIFF Bell Lightbox a must-visit destination,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF.

POP Japan will launch with a series of events at TIFF Bell Lightbox, starting on Wednesday, May 10 with a screening of Suzuki’s 1981 film, Kagero-za, part of the Japanese visionary’s daring and much-acclaimed Taisho Trilogy. The screening is preceded by a reception, featuring DJ Sakiko Nagai, to mark the opening of a free public art exhibition featuring works by multidisciplinary artists Mitsuo Kimura and Toko Hosoya. On Saturday, May 13, Ikebana artist Aya Sugino will demonstrate the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers and plants ― each creation inspired by a different film in the POP Japan series. A live-painted mural programmed in partnership with StreetARToronto and supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto will also be on view throughout the run of the series. A Silent Voice: The Movie, directed by Naoko Yamada, one of anime’s few women filmmakers, is screening on June 30, as part of Silver Screenings, free to those 65+.

“We’re excited to present a diverse selection of films in this series, many of which started on the cultural margins like Suzuki’s pulpy pop art noirs to anime that exploded into the North American mainstream in the ’90s,” said Robyn Citizen, TIFF’s Director of Festival Programming & Cinematheque, TIFF. “Suzuki’s riotous use of colour and genre anticipated the aesthetics and tone of later anime including the Lupin the 3rd series.”

Highlights of the programme include a special screening of Tokyo Drifter on May 24, Suzuki’s centenary; the 35th anniversary screenings of Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro and Katsuhiro Ôtomo’s post-apocalyptic film Akira, considered one of the most influential anime films of all time, and presented in partnership with the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival.

More programming details will be available on tiff.net on April 12.

POP JAPAN PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

POP Japan: Seijun Suzuki
Having directed more than 50 films, Suzuki’s singular career spans not only decades but a kaleidoscope of genres, each an experiment in formal innovation and rebellious storytelling.Though never garnering the international recognition of his peers, Suzuki’s explosion of genre conventions won acolytes in American filmmakers Jim Jarmusch and Quentin Tarantino, whose Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and Kill Bill: Vol. 1 are a direct link to his stylistic legacy.

Kagero-za (1981) – May 10
Carmen from Kawachi (1966) – May 13
Love Letter (1959) – May 13
Satan’s Town (1956) – May 17
A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness (1977) – May 18
Tokyo Drifter (1966) – May 24

35mm prints of Suzuki Seijun’s films were imported and provided by the Film Library of the Japan Foundation’s headquarters in Tokyo.

POP Japan: Miyazaki Spotlight
As a director, animator, producer, author, artist, screenwriter, and outspoken pacifist, Miyazaki’s politics of humanism, feminism, and environmentalism colour his rich and absorbing worlds, which are often inhabited by tenacious young girls who undergo enlightening and spirit-guided transformations. Within this spotlight TIFF presents two such stories: My Neighbor Totoro and the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, co-presented in partnership with the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival. Each film is steeped in wonder, deep compassion, and Japanese mythology. These beloved classics are bookended by Miyakazi’s Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro, an adaptation of Monkey Punch’s popular Lupin III manga series, in addition to his last film, The Wind Rises (2013), an epic reimagining of the life of a famous Japanese aviation engineer.

Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) – May 13
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) – May 30 (35th Anniversary)
Spirited Away (2001) – June 4
The Wind Rises (2013) – June 17

POP Japan: World of Anime
In this nine-film retrospective of beautiful, surprising, and deeply-meaningful anime, films are unified by the theme of transformation, co-curated by TIFF and professor Yuki Ohsawa.

Neo Tokyo (1987) – May 24
Akira (1988) – May 25 & June 13 (35th Anniversary)
Ghost in the Shell (1995) – June 1
Memories (1995) – June 3
Perfect Blue (1997) – June 3
Metropolis (2001) – June 9
Mind Game (2004) – June 11
Paprika (2006) – June 21 (Presented by TIFF Next Wave)
A Silent Voice: The Movie (2016) – June 27

POP Japan is free to members and tickets to the programme will be available on April 12. Public tickets will go on sale on April 14.

Social Media
Twitter: @TIFF_NET and #POPJapan
Instagram, TikTok & Letterboxd: @tiff_net
Facebook.com/TIFF

TIFF is delighted to present a special screening of Searchlight Pictures’ Rye Lane, Raine Allen-Miller’s feature directorial debut, on March 29 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. This advanced screening, presented in partnership with Disney and its platform, is part of a sneak-peek event celebrating the upcoming TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, taking place April 14–16, ahead of the film’s exclusive platform release in Canada on March 31, 2023.

Hailed by critics, earning a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, Rye Lane follows two twenty-somethings, both reeling from bad break-ups, who connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance. The film, which premiered in January at the 2023 Sundance Festival, features breakout performances from David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, and was listed as one of “18 Films Directed By Women That We Can’t Wait To See In 2023” by British Vogue. Driven by Allen-Miller’s bold, playful direction, Rye Lane is permeated by a vibrant, energetic style that celebrates Black joy, friendship, and love. This hilarious and heartwarming debut is above all an ode to South London and what it means to find connection in the people, places, and communities that give us strength.

“Those that are youngish and in the know, know that Next Wave Film Festival is TIFF’s hidden gem, a unique showcase of films selected by some of Toronto’s most impressive, young cinephiles – come to connect and be inspired.” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “The Next Wave celebration kicks off on March 29, opening with an exhibition by multimedia artist, kaya joan, followed by the exclusive screening of Raine Allen-Miller’s Sundance hit Rye Lane, the perfect rom-com antidote for the times.”

The March 29th celebration is curated by the TIFF Next Wave Committee, who also take the lead in programming the 12th edition of the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival (April 14–16). Hailing from across the GTA — from Scarborough, to York, to Mississauga — and ranging in age from 15 to 18, the Committee is made up of 12 teen film enthusiasts, many of whom are young creators and filmmakers. The festival is a one-of-a-kind talent incubator in the world, and features a lineup of Canadian and North American premieres, creator Q&As, workshops, and collaborations with leading filmmakers to celebrate new voices in cinema.

This year’s Committee members include Arjun Persaud, Celina Tang, Dev Desai, Ellie Tripp, Faven Tesfamichael, Honora Murphy, Keertan Somasundaram, Maggie Kane, Naiya Forrester, Norah Daudi, Simona Williams, and Tara Sidhu. These passionate young film lovers collaborate to curate TIFF Next Wave’s Official Selection and programming through fresh and timely perspectives for youth audiences in Toronto and across Canada. With the guidance of TIFF staff, the Committee also supports year-round TIFF programming for young audiences and curates a selection of “Next Wave-approved” films at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Alumni of the TIFF Next Wave Committee that have internationally developed their careers include Shiva Baby and Bottoms director Emma Seligman, Ms. Marvel’s star Iman Vellani, and NYC-based film programmer Samah Ali, among others.

Prior to the Rye Lane screening, audiences are invited to the opening of Lost & Found: There are so many worlds exhibition in the TIFF Bell Lightbox atrium from 5pm to 7pm. Curated by the TIFF Next Wave Committee, this free public art exhibition features multi-media works by Afro-Indigenous artist kaya joan, created with found and recycled substrates from around the city, investigating the stories that exist in the in-between spaces held in place. This exhibition will be on display from March 21 to April 30.

Young audiences can continue the celebrations with a Lost & Found themed Opening Night Party to launch the Festival on April 14, featuring a series of events, from the Battle of the Scores musical showdown, special guests’ attendance, and more. The TIFF Bell Lightbox atrium will transform into a time machine, featuring retro sights and sounds, with a variety of interactive activations and fun decor, like dance floors, clothing swaps, rug tufting photo backdrops, and more. tiff.net for more.

Back for its 12th edition, the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival invites young audiences and cinephiles for a weekend of bold new films and special events, with free movies for anyone under 25*. Hot off the heels of its Berlin premiere, where it won the Crystal Bear for best film in the Berlinale’s Generation 14plus sidebar, Mexican director Sofía Auza’s unconventional coming-of-age feature debut Adolfo will kick-off the Festival as the Opening Night Film. From April 14–16, 2023 audiences hungry for original stories can celebrate rising filmmakers and diverse programming, representing the hope, creativity, and power of the next generation. Additional programming and special guests will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Programmed for youth, by youth, the Next Wave Film Festival offers free Official Selection films for anyone under 25. Tickets are available starting today for TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Pass holders, and to the general public on March 17, 2023.

This year’s Official Selection shines a spotlight on nine debut and sophomore features ― from Spain, France, Mexico, Iran, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, USA, and Canada ― that bring an authentic and diverse representation of youth-centric perspectives, without feeding into the “angsty teen” stereotypes. Highlights include: Auza’s North American premiere of Adolfo, which follows two strangers who meet by chance at a bus stop and decide to find a new home for their cactus companion; Pilar Palomero’s Canadian premiere of San Sebastián–winning La Maternal, exploring vulnerability and hardships of teen motherhood and chosen families, featuring many first-time actors; Simon Rieth’s North American premiere of the genre-mixing debut feature Summer Scars, following two brothers bound by a dark secret; So Yun Um’s Canadian premiere of the hybrid documentary-memoir feature debut Liquor Store Dreams, asking personal and resonant questions on reconciliation and generational healing through stories of Korean liquor store owners and their families; Charlotte Regan’s Canadian Premiere of the Sundance-winning hit and feature debut Scrapper, a reconnection story between a precocious girl and her child-like father (Regan was listed as “28 Rising Female Filmmakers to Watch in 2023” by IndieWire); and Zeno Graton’s North American premiere of the debut feature The Lost Boys, exploring questions of masculinity, found family, and freedom when a new detainee enters a youth detention facility.

Some screenings will be followed by in-person Q&As with the directors including: Auza, Um, Holland, and Regan; and more special events to be announced in the following weeks. Select titles will also be available on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox starting April 12.

“Dedicated to increasing access to cinema for young audiences, the Next Wave Committees’ brilliant voices and vision permeate through this year’s festival lineup with powerful stories of love, community, and family, in all its forms,” said Ikoro Huggins-Warner, Senior Coordinator, Youth Impact. “Look no further than the Opening Night Film, Adolfo, a heartwarming journey of unlikely friendship formed over the course of one fateful, fleeting night. Punctuated by bold, refreshing direction, like so many of the incredible films in this year’s selection, Adolfo finds its honesty in overcoming struggles together, and discovering connection and resilience in unexpected places.”

TIFF Bell Lightbox will be transformed into a retro time machine, promising interactive activations at the Opening Night Party with basement slumber party vibes, dance floors, and a clothing swap. Young audiences can revel in the weekend festivities: Battle of the Scores, a live musical showdown where four bands settle the score; Young Creators Co-Lab, presented by the City of Toronto, a full day of connective and engaging industry talks and workshop for emerging filmmakers and creatives; Young Creators Showcase of short films by emerging filmmakers from across Canada; and Lost & Found: There are so many worlds, a free public art exhibition featuring multi-media works by artist kaya joan and curated by the TIFF Next Wave Committee. Complete festival details, schedules, and ticket information are all available at tiff.net/nextwave.

Ranging in age from 15 to 18, the TIFF Next Wave Committee is made up of 12 teen film enthusiasts, many of whom are young creators and filmmakers from across the Greater Toronto Area. With the guidance of TIFF staff, the Committee is charged with planning major teen-oriented events year-round at TIFF Bell Lightbox, including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, a one-of-a-kind talent incubator.

“I am beyond excited to share this incredible lineup of films that young people wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to with our audience. We care deeply about amplifying diverse and innovative creators at TIFF Next Wave, and so celebrating these unique films that explore underrepresented themes and stories is going to be such a joy,” said Ellie Tripp, TIFF Next Wave Committee Member. “Beyond the film lineup, this year’s festival is centered around the theme of Lost & Found ― an exploration of world-building, futurity, and how the stories we carry with us as young people inform our relationship to place.”
TIFF Members and TIFF Under-25 Free Pass Holders receive access to year-round TIFF benefits including free access to more than 300 Cinematheque screenings. To learn more and join as a TIFF Member, visit tiff.net/under25.

*Free tickets are limited to 2 tickets per film screening for anyone under 25

2023 TIFF NEXT WAVE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

TIFF Next Wave Presents: Rye Lane
March 29, 7pm

Celebrate the upcoming TIFF Next Wave Film Festival with this advance screening of Raine Allen-Miller’s funny and touching debut film, Rye Lane. Prior to the screening, audiences are invited to attend the opening reception of Lost & Found: There are so many worlds exhibition at 5pm.

Lost & Found: There are so many worlds by kaya joan
March 21 to April 30

Lost & Found: There are so many worlds features multi-media works by kaya joan created on found and recycled substrates from around the city, investigating the stories that exist in the in-between spaces held in place. The works in this exhibition reach into the infinities that stretch between past, present, and future to explore multiplicities of being in relation. Audiences are also invited to join a collective collage-making workshop facilitated by kaya joan on April 1. For more information on kaya joan and the event visit: tiff.net/events/art-exhibition-lost-and-found.

TIFF Next Wave Film Festival Official Selection
April 14–16
Films marked with an asterisk (*) will be available to rent on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox starting April 12.

Adolfo dir. Sofía Auza *
Mexico/USA | 2022 | Spanish | North American Premiere

Egghead & Twinkie dir. Sarah Kambe Holland
USA | 2022 | English | Canadian Premiere

La Maternal dir. Pilar Palomero
Spain | 2022 | Spanish | Canadian Premiere

Liquor Store Dreams dir. So Yun Um
USA | 2022 | English, Korean | Canadian Premiere

Scrapper dir. Charlotte Regan
United Kingdom | 2022 | English | Canadian Premiere

Summer Scars dir. Simon Rieth
France | 2022 | French | North American Premiere

Summer With Hope dir. Sadaf Foroughi *
Canada/Iran | 2022 | Persian

The Lost Boys dir. Zeno Graton
Belgium | 2023 | French | North American Premiere

The Ordinaries dir. Sophie Linnenbaum *
Germany | 2022 | German | Toronto Premiere

Battle of the Scores & Opening Night Party
April 14, 8:30pm

Discover the next wave of movie and music talent as four up-and-coming bands score a short film for one big prize. Visit @TIFF_NET on Instagram in April to see the films, hear the scores, and cast your vote. The final showdown will take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox on April 14, during the TIFF Next Wave Opening Night Party, featuring retro sights and sounds, with a variety of interactive Lost & Found activations.

Young Creators Co-Lab
April 15, 9am – 3pm

The Young Creators Co-Lab, presented by the City of Toronto, is a gathering space for young and emerging artists in Toronto to connect with industry professionals and learn about all things film. The Co-Lab offers a full day of connective and engaging programming for filmmakers and creatives. Session topics include Screenwriting for Film & Television with Vera Santamaria (How to Be Indie, Bojack Horseman, PEN15), a deep dive into the writing process and the keys to being a great storyteller; an IndustryTok panel with content creators discussing their process from ideation to production, and TikTok’s growing influence as a platform for innovative storytelling; and a series of breakout sessions with industry professionals discussing their experience navigating the film landscape, and advice for young students and graduates about various Pathways into the Industry.

Young Creators Showcase
April 16, 7:30pm

Celebrating the work of young and emerging filmmakers, this shorts programme touches on themes of belonging, family, and finding connection in the people and communities closest to us. From animation to documentary, these 13 films by the next wave of Canadian filmmaking talent feature a dynamic mix of voices, visions, and methods of storytelling. They showcase daring new ways youth are engaging in film to create honest, intersectional stories about their experiences.

Castaway dir. Shamiso Chigwende
Canada | 2021 | English | Canadian Premiere

Execution Triptych dir. Giran Findlay
Canada | 2022 | English

Hoa dir. Tram Anh Nguyen
Vietnam/Canada | 2022 | Vietnamese

In the Whiteness dir. Niya Ahmed Abdullahi
Canada | 2022 | English, Harari | Canadian Premiere

Inside Groove dir. Elizabeth Wei Yun Albrecht
Canada | 2022 | English | Canadian Premiere

Late Bloomer dir. Emma Cheuk
Canada | 2022 | English | Toronto Premiere

majboor-e-mamool (What Will You Do When I’m Gone?) dir. Haaris Qadri
Canada | 2022 | Urdu, English

Ms. Butterworth’s Cherry Pie dir. Cameron Lightly
Canada | 2021 | English | North American Premiere

On the Cosmic Shore dir. Luvleen Hunjan
Canada, India | 2022 | Punjabi | International Premiere

Ozigwan (Tail of Serpent) dir. Cole Forrest
Canada | 2021 | English, Anishinaabemowin | World Premiere

Bawang Merah Bawang Putih (Shallots and Garlic) dir. Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto
Canada/Indonesia | 2021 | Bahasa Indonesia, English

The Mess We’re In dir. Jamie Lam
Canada | 2022 | English, Cantonese | Toronto Premiere

The Year Long Boulder dir. Brielle LeBlanc
Canada | 2022 | English | Toronto Premiere

Additional information is available at tiff.net/nextwave.

TIFF is delighted to announce the 2023 TIFF Writers’ Studio participants. Now in its 12th year, Writers’ Studio is a collaborative, five-day intensive lab offering Canadian and international screenwriters and writer-directors a space to consolidate skills, exchange ideas, and navigate challenges, while participating in workshops, artist talks, peer-to-peer mentorships, and one-on-one project development consultations guided by industry experts. Writers’ Studio will take place March 20–24, 2023, at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

With more than 200 submissions from around the world, TIFF is proud to announce that the following writers have been selected: Teyama Alkamli, Berkley Brady, Harry Cepka, Luis De Filippis, Idil Ibrahim, Aaron Lucas, Nesaru Tchaas, and Farida Zahran. Five participants from the 2023 class will also be awarded a grant generously supported by CHANEL to further the development of their feature-length script. The selected participants are Teyama Alkamli, Berkley Brady, Luis De Filippis, Idil Ibrahim, and Farida Zahran.

“Programmes like the Writers’ Studio help spark the next generation of storytellers, both in Canada and internationally,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “At TIFF, we are committed to providing professional development and access to the industry, with leading experts to foster new talent. We see the big impact every year.”

This year’s lab will support the development of feature-film scripts through dedicated one-on-one discussions with international story consultants Andrew Ahn, Trey Ellis, Christina Lazaridi, and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith. Additionally, the participants will engage in daily artist talks and workshops facilitated by renowned filmmakers and industry experts including Ashley Comeau, Brad Fraser, Marilyn McCallum, and Anthony Shim. From the Canadian Film Centre’s CBC Actors Conservatory, alumni including Getenesh Berhe, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, and Araya Mengesha will join for a full-day table read of the projects in development.

As a major supporter of Share Her Journey, the CHANEL Women Writers’ Network provides funding to advance the careers of women and non-binary participants and alumni of TIFF Writers’ Studio. The multi-year program, launched in 2021, includes additional access to script consultants and established screenwriters, peer-to-peer sessions with emerging filmmakers, and a talent summit that allows writers to showcase their work to producers and other industry insiders. CHANEL’s participation extends and enriches TIFF’s support for writers and writer-directors by facilitating the acceleration and development of their projects and by offering opportunities to connect with a diverse network of mentors and peers.

TIFF’s Talent Development programmes are produced by Jane Kim, Industry Programming Producer, and Anita Tavakol, Talent Development Manager, and supported in part by TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative. Now a permanent initiative, Share Her Journey began in 2017 as a five-year campaign and commitment to address gender parity and to champion women in front of and behind the camera through TIFF’s Festival and year-round initiatives.

Now in its second year, the Renee Perlmutter Memorial Fellowship for Literary Adaptation will provide one writer focusing on adapting literary work for the screen with an additional grant toward developing their project. This year’s recipient is Berkley Brady, who is working on an adaptation of the novel The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson.

Notable TIFF Studio alumni include filmmakers Cory Bowles (Black Cop), Romeo Candido (Another Life), Tracey Deer (Beans), Martin Edralin (Islands), Lisa Jackson (Indictment: The Crimes of Shelly Chartier), Molly McGlynn (Mary Goes Round), Fawzia Mirza (Noor & Layla), Jasmin Mozaffari (Firecrackers), Sanja Živković (Easy Land), Silvina Schnicer (Carajita), and Taratoa Stappard (Taumanu). Following their involvement in TIFF Studio, many of these filmmakers have gone on to present their films at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlinale, and SXSW.

More here including Participant Bios.

In memory of Festival programmer Ravi Srinivasan, The Toronto International Film Festival® announced today its exciting partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada for the Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship, a training and development programme that will support Canadian talent who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, and Francophone members of the aforementioned communities. Running from April 2023 to September 2023 and with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the fellowship will empower one individual to build and advance their career in film festival programming, curation, and communication through one-on-one expert mentorship.

“The film industry is an ecosystem, and film programmers play a defining role,“ said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “We are very proud to launch our first curatorial programme in honour of Ravi Srinvivasan, our late Canadian programmer who represented TIFF’s commitment to discover and champion diverse stories on screen. This programming Fellowship focuses on equity and inclusion, taking us one step further in transforming how we see the world by growing the next generation of Canadian curatorial talent.”

The successful applicant will become an integral part of the curatorial process, taking on the role of Programming Associate to one of TIFF’s International Programmers for the duration of the 2023 Festival Programming Cycle. With a commitment of up to 25 hours a week over the 24 week fellowship, the Fellow will be supported in the development of both their administrative and stakeholder management skills in order to grow a comprehensive toolkit for the future of their career. Compensation of $15,000 over the course of the fellowship will be paid to the successful applicant to support their learning experience. The Fellowship also includes a complimentary one-year TIFF Membership and complimentary Festival accreditation to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

“The continued diversification of roles of influence, like film programmers and curators, is a meaningful area of opportunity for Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada to contribute to impactful change in the Canadian industry,” said WBD Access Canada Executive Director, Melanie Nepinak Hadley. “We are thrilled to be partnered with TIFF on this innovative program.”

Over the course of the programme, the Fellow will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of international professionals and build on their knowledge of the Canadian and international film industries. Upon completion of the Fellowship, the successful applicant will have an extensive understanding of film curation, as well as a demonstrable set of practical skills in the craft of curation with which to advance their career.

Applications for the 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery Curatorial Programming Fellowship will be open from Monday, February 13 to Monday, March 13. Visit tiff.net/careers for full eligibility.

For more than 20 years, TIFF Industry has delivered tailor-made professional development programmes, which include curated, bespoke opportunities to fast-track the careers and projects of the next generation of filmmakers, writers, directors, and actors. TIFF Industry provides emerging film industry professionals with critical professional development training throughout the year and during the Festival. Industry meetings and workshops push participants to explore film as a business, and to expand their creative approach.

The 48th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7–17, 2023.

TIFF is delighted to announce its Canada’s Top Ten list of both features and short films for 2022. Selected by TIFF’s programmers in consultation with industry panelists, including filmmakers and festival programmers from across Canada, this year’s list represents a diverse range of new voices in fiction and documentary. It celebrates some of our most storied and award-winning filmmakers offering audiences a variety of perspectives, insights, and experiences from coast to coast.

TIFF would also like to recognize the privilege we have to celebrate these filmmakers on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee. Today, the meeting place of Toronto (also known as Tkaronto) is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and we are grateful to work on this land and to be able to screen works of Indigenous filmmakers at TIFF Bell Lightbox for audiences. 

“Bold and unapologetic, this year’s Canada’s Top Ten reflects one of the most diverse editions to date and heralds an exciting new wave of Canadian storytelling,” stated Anita Lee, TIFF, Chief Programming Officer. “I am so thrilled to present this stellar selection of films in my first year as TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer.”

Canada’s Top Ten Official Selections of 2022
Features
Black Ice | dir. Hubert Davis 
Brother | dir. Clement Virgo
Cette Maison | dir. Miryam Charles
Crimes of the Future | dir. David Cronenberg
I Like Movies | dir. Chandler Levack
Something You Said Last Night | dir. Luis De Filippis
To Kill a Tiger | dir. Nisha Pahuja
Riceboy Sleeps | dir. Anthony Shim
ROSIE | dir. Gail Maurice
Viking | dir. Stéphane Lafleur

Shorts 
Belle River | dir. Guillaume Fournier, Samuel Matteau, Yannick Nolin
Bill Reid Remembers | dir. Alanis Obomsawin
The Flying Sailor | dir. Wendy Tilby, Amanda Forbis
Lay Me by the Shore | dir. David Findlay
Municipal Relaxation Module | dir. Matthew Rankin
Nanitic | dir. Carol Nguyen
No Ghost in the Morgue | dir. Marilyn Cooke
Same Old | dir. Lloyd Lee Choi
Simo | dir. Aziz Zoromba
Violet Gave Willingly | dir. Claire Sanford

Canada’s Top Ten selections will screen January 26–29 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. More details to come in 2023. 

On January 26, the Canada’s Top Ten programme will feature a multi-session Industry Conversations featuring special guests and TIFF Talent alumni, as well as an opening reception to celebrate this year’s selections. 

Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum – January 26, 2023

Addressing Systemic Racism in Canada’s Media Sector Part 2: Where Are We Now?
Time: 12pm–1:30pm
Guests confirmed to date: 
Chanda Chevannes, Executive Producer, National Film Board of Canada
Marcia Douglas, Director, English Content, International and Export, Canada Media Fund
Joan Jenkinson, Executive Director, Black Screen Office
Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films
Mehernaz Lentin, National Director of Feature Film, Telefilm Canada
Kerry Swanson, Executive Director, Indigenous Screen Office
Moderator: Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF

SPOTLIGHT: New Canadian Talent
Time: 2:30pm–3:30pm
Guest details to come
Moderator: Jason Anderson, Programmer, Short Cuts, TIFF

PERSPECTIVES: The Future of Canadian Content
Time: 4:30pm–5:30pm
Guests confirmed to date: 
Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund
Noah Segal, Co-President, Elevation Pictures
Moderator: Barry Hertz, Deputy Arts Editor and Film Editor, The Globe and Mail 

Ticket holders for the Canada’s Top Ten Industry Forum receive access to all three sessions in addition to a catered lunch and an invitation to the Canada’s Top Ten Opening Cocktail Reception on the evening of January 26. Tickets on sale December 14. For more information, and additional guest details to come, visit tiff.net/ctt.

A special selection of titles will be available on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox, celebrating previous Canada’s Top Ten breakouts. More information coming soon to http://digital.tiff.net/. 

(Photo credit: Elevation Pictures)

With the distinction of having been TIFF ’22‘s official Opening Night Selection, here is a new Trailer for THE SWIMMERS, based on an unbelievable true story.

ABOUT THE SWIMMERS
Based on a true story, THE SWIMMERS follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Two young sisters embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use. Starring Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek, James Krishna Floyd, Nahel Tzegai, Kinda Alloush and Ali Suliman. Directed by Sally El Hosaini, with a screenplay written by El Hosaini and multi-award-winning screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne. Produced by Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner alongside Ali Jaafar and Tim Cole with Stephen Daldry executive producing.

THE SWIMMERS is coming November 23, 2022 to Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

How exciting! TIFF today have announced upcoming programming as part of their MAKE IT FASHION Series!

Beginning December 2, 2022, TIFF Cinematheque will launch Make It Fashion. Drawn from the catwalks of fashion’s most lauded houses, this series celebrates nearly a century of fashion history through film. From Elsa Schiaparelli’s work within French film noir, to Prada channeled through Baz Luhrman, and Audrey Hepburn’s iconic collaboration with Givenchy, the fashion runway and film co-exist as one of cinema’s most mutually beneficial relationships.                                                                                          

Some key highlights about the series below:

• The series will feature 14 films curated by external programmer Alicia Fletcher (Hollywood Suite)
• Make It Fashion spans almost 100 years of couture in film and the vital relationships between these iconic fashion houses (1924-2016)
• A few films within this series include Charade (1963), Cabaret (1972), Mahogany (1975), Romeo & Juliet (1996) and Marie Antoinette (2006), which will open the series on December 2nd
• In addition to this selection of films, there will also be a public spaces art exhibit and an In Conversation With event featuring a leading Hollywood costume designer. More details on these activations coming soon

More to come…

THE WONDER, starring Florence Pugh and adapted from Emma Donoghue‘s acclaimed Novel, just premiered at TIFF ’22 and here’s a first look at the Trailer.

About THE WONDER:

The Irish Midlands, 1862 – a young girl stops eating but remains miraculously alive and well. English nurse Lib Wright is brought to a tiny village to observe eleven-year old Anna O’Donnell. Tourists and pilgrims mass to witness the girl who is said to have survived without food for months. Is the village harbouring a saint ‘surviving on manna from heaven’ or are there more ominous motives at work?

A psychological thriller inspired by the 19th century phenomenon of the “fasting girls” and adapted from the acclaimed novel by Emma Donoghue (writer of Room).

THE WONDER streams November 16, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo credit: Netflix)

You’ve heard us going on about them during TIFF ’22 and now’s your chance to experience the magic that is INK Entertainment all for yourself! INK Entertainment x Mr. Will are giving our Readers a chance to win a $70 Gift Card to Bisha Hotel or any of its establishments: Kōst, Akira Back, French Made or Mister C. 

The stunning Bisha Hotel was an official TIFF ’22 Hospitality Partner and hosted various official afterparties this year, plus the official Getty Images lounge, where several of the A-List talent in town were hosted.

BISHA HOTEL TORONTO

Located in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district, the glamourous Bisha Hotel welcomes some of the world’s trendiest guests each year during TIFF. Known as a celebrity hotspot, Bisha is preparing for the return of the glitz and glamour to the city, with incredible events, and premiere parties lined up throughout the Festival. 

This year, the hotel will be home to Getty Images’ Portrait Studio, with many A-list celebrities expected to stop by for their stunning close-ups throughout TIFF.

Stars spotted in the past include: Bryce Dallas Howard, Dev Patel, Hugh Laurie, Riz Ahmed, Sarah Paulson, Susan Sarandon, Antonio Bandaras, Eddie Redmayne, Ellen Page, Kristen Stewart, Sam Rockwell, Wesley Snipes, Cynthia Erivo, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jon Hamm, Ray Liotta, Elle Fanning, Ben Stiller, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Carrell, Colin Farrell, Daniel Kaluuya, Lenny Kravitz and Olivia Munn.

MISTER C

The Bisha Hotel’s cozy and avante-garde lobby bar, complete with velvet walls and a seductive atmosphere, has been home to many pre and after parties for TIFF films. Stars spotted in the past include Julianne Moore, Jake Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney and Greta Gerwig.

AKIRA BACK

Located on the second floor of the Bisha Hotel is Michelin-Starred Chef Akira Back’s first Canadian namesake restaurant, featuring a unique blend of modern Japanese cuisine and authentic Korean flavours, within a glamorous setting. Designed by the award-winning Studio Munge, the restaurant’s glamorous gold staircase, black and charcoal tones and lavish materials, make this a celeb favourite for dining out. Most recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger was seen enjoying dinner with his son and even took some photos with the staff. 

KOST

On the 44th floor of The Bisha Hotel sits one of Toronto’s most Instagrammable restaurants and late-night bars, with unparalleled panoramic views of Toronto and a fantastic open-air patio that has been a popular location for many TIFF parties and events, with celebs such as Julia Roberts, Siena Miller, Christina Hendricks, Halle Berry, Geena Davis and Martin Short making an appearance in the past.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post on MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, MR. WILL ON INSTAGRAM or MR. WILL ON TWITTER. Tag a friend and comment there which Bisha Hotel establishment you’d want to check-out! You must be following.

Rules and regulations here.

Good luck!

(Photo credit: INK Entertainment)