After its premiere at TIFF ’22, Luis De Filippis’ debut feature SOMETHING YOU SAID LAST NIGHT has patiently waited in the wings for its moment. In late June, it was announced that Actress/Model Julia Fox would come aboard as Executive Producer of the Film which centers on 20-something aspiring trans Writer Ren (Carmen Madonia) and her younger sister Siena (Paige Evans), reluctantly joining their parents on a family vacation. The Drama already has swept awards on the Festival Circuit, including the Shawn Mendes Change Maker Award at TIFF.

Toronto is so incredibly lucky to have Fox in-town appearing two nights at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Friday night was a screening of the Film, moderated by Fox with De Filippis and the Film’s Principal Cast. Saturday night is an extended one-hour conversation following the Film with Fox and De Filippis.

So thrilled to catch-up with Fox after meeting her in L.A. during Awards Season for her breakout role UNCUT GEMS. The New Yorker attended a dinner with Cast, Crew and influencers at new Financial District Hotspot DAPHNE. She wore an eye-catching ensemble, sporting her daring signature style and was so sweet to stop for a couple Snaps. Adore her, and am waiting for her next power play, but this is huge that she came to town to support this important Film from Elevation Pictures. It is playing right now exclusively at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Some Snaps. What an Ensemble! Check-out the Bible Bag made from actual re-purposed bibles, by Aylah Gallardo!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Elevation Pictures/The Image Direct)

TIFF announced today that Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, a soccer comedy directed and co-written by the New Zealand filmmaker, will make its World Premiere at the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (September 7–17).

“We’re thrilled to welcome Taika back to the Festival and share his audacious take on the most popular sport in the world,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Next Goal Wins is perfect for TIFF fans of the beautiful game looking for their football fill until the 2026 World Cup arrives.”

The TIFF Ebert Director Award recipient was last at the Festival in 2019 with the World Premiere of Jojo Rabbit. The film went on to win the TIFF People’s Choice Award and an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, with Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss. The heartfelt sports comedy is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name and follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around. Next Goal Wins is a Searchlight Pictures film.

More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF 2023 go on-sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on August 18. For more details visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released in August.

TIFF is pleased to announce that long-standing major sponsor Visa is returning with exclusive member benefits and experiences for the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (September 7–17). Starting June 21 at 10am, eligible Visa cardholders will have the opportunity to access pre-sale tickets from a selection of Curated Ticket Packages. The packages are themed by genre and offer film lovers access to World Premieres, Midnight Madness screenings, and star-studded In Conversation With… events, in addition to the most talked-about films at this year’s Festival. Eligible Visa cardholders will have from June 21 to June 28th to take advantage of the early pre-sale window. Details on TIFF 2023 films and schedules will be announced in August. Learn more at tiff.net/about-tiff-23.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Visa for their unwavering commitment throughout our 26-year sponsorship,” said Elisabeth Burks, Vice-President Partnerships, TIFF. “Visa has been an instrumental and valued sponsor with an enthusiastic cardholder base of film lovers. In return, we’re excited to offer eligible Visa cardholders early access to pre-selected ticket packages that will enrich their Festival experience.”

Since 1997, Visa has played an integral role in transforming TIFF into one of the most prestigious and anticipated film festivals in the world. Visa’s consistent support has enabled TIFF to showcase diverse and compelling films, promote emerging talent, and provide an unparalleled platform for filmmakers to share their stories with a global audience.  As part of Visa’s TIFF sponsorship, cardholders benefit from exclusive ticket pre-sales as well as access to the Visa Infinite Priority Line and Lounges at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales, and the Visa Infinite Terrace at Roy Thomson Hall. Visa is also building on the success of Sharing The Screen, a programme that launched at last year’s Festival that provides community partners with enhanced access to films, creator talks, and events.

“TIFF is where film, culture, and community converge. We aim to uplift equity-deserving communities and our cardholders by creating opportunities for them to access and experience the arts,” said Heather Nobes, Head of Marketing, Visa Canada. “We are proud to support TIFF and enhance the Festival experience through our programming and events.”

TIFF 2023: CURATED TICKET PACKAGES

BUZZ LIST | $1,715    
See five of the most talked-about films at the Festival from the most in-demand seats (5 tickets)

OPENING NIGHT GALA PRESENTATION | $132    
Ring in the 48th Festival from one of the best seats at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre (1 ticket)

CLOSING NIGHT GALA PRESENTATION | $110    
Save the best for last: a seat at Roy Thomson Hall for our Closing Night Gala (1 ticket)

MIDNIGHT MADNESS PREMIERE PASS | $320    
Your ticket to all 10 Midnight Madness premieres at the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre (10 tickets)
Add on: Get your Midnight Madness Starter Pack (tote bag, T-shirt, beachball, patch) during check-out

IN CONVERSATION WITH… ALL ACCESS PASS | $180    
Join all four in-depth talks with some of the biggest names in film and beyond (4 tickets)

WORLD PREMIERE PACKAGE | $160    
Four World Premieres. One world-famous venue. See Gala Presentations before anyone else at Roy Thomson Hall, September 12–15 (4 tickets)

TIFF DOCS PACKAGE | $120    
TIFF Docs programmer Thom Powers handpicks five films from this year’s lineup, just for you (5 tickets)

TIFF Shop: All above packages (excluding Midnight Madness) will give audiences the option to purchase a TIFF23 Starter Pack (poster, tote bag, hat, and programme book) during checkout. Midnight Madness purchasers can purchase the Midnight Madness Starter Pack (patch, beachball, tote bag, and T-shirt) and the starter pack.

Packages can be purchased online from TIFF Festival Account Manager, by phone 10am–7pm ET daily at 416.599.TIFF or 1.888.258.8433, or in person 4pm–10pm ET Monday, 2pm–10 pm ET Tuesday, 10am–10pm Wednesday through Sunday at the Steve & Rashmi Gupta Box Office at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

TIFF prefers Visa.

The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7–17, 2023. 

tiff.net for more.

Right in time for Pride month, TIFF hosted an In-Conversation with Oscar-nominated Actor Elliot Page, formerly Ellen Page. Timed with the release of his Memoir PAGEBOY, the transgender star had a chat with Director Chase Joynt, also a transgender man, about Page’s remarkable career, struggles and gender transition.

Page has been on a whirlwind promoting the New York Times Bestseller, which delves into his journey to happiness and self-acceptance, stopping earlier in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, heading next to Manchester. In each stop, Page has chatted with notable figures in the LGBT2SQ+ community, carefully curating his narrative for each intimate audience.

We spotted Page arriving for the sold-out In-Conversation, appearing regretful he didn’t have time to stop to say “hi’ to fans.

See some Snaps and Footage:

PAGEBOY is now in stores via HarperCollins Publishers. Here for more.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

TIFF proudly presents the exclusive Canadian launch of Elliot Page’s highly anticipated and groundbreaking coming-of age memoir Pageboy. A generation-defining actor and one of the most famous trans advocates of our time, Page joins TIFF in person to discuss his personal journey, his starring role in the hit series The Umbrella Academy, and the process of establishing himself as a key creative force behind the camera as a director and producer with his company Pageboy Productions.

Moderated by filmmaker Chase Joynt (No Ordinary Man, Framing Agnes), this In Conversation With… is part of the Pride month celebrations taking place at TIFF Bell Lightbox in June.

In Conversation With… Elliot Page is done in partnership with HarperCollins Canada and with community partner Glad Day Bookshop, Trans Film Mentorship, and Inside Out Toronto. 10% of proceeds from the book sales for this event will go towards trans artists in Toronto, courtesy of Glad Day Bookshop.

TIFF will partner with several organizations across Canada to provide a livestream of the event. Confirmed partners include: Vancouver Public Library (Vancouver), Calgary Wordfest (Calgary), THIN AIR Winnipeg (Winnipeg), and King’s Co-op Bookstore (Halifax). More information about the livestreams will be available on the websites of the respective organizations.

Tickets for TIFF’s In Conversations With… Elliot Page will go on sale Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10 am to Members, and May 19, 2023 to the public. For more information, visit tiff.net. Each ticket purchase includes an assigned seat and a copy of Pageboy pre-signed by Elliot Page.

The Toronto International Film Festival® is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in support of science on screen. The new programme, Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme, puts science in the spotlight and equips screen creators with industry connections and creative support at TIFF to further their science- and/or technology-focused projects. The Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme will run at TIFF from 2023 to 2024, funded by a generous gift from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This new initiative will comprise three areas of focus: the Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch, the Sloan Science & Technology Writer Fellowship, and the Sloan Science on Film Showcase. Applications for the Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch are now open. For more information, please visit tiff.net/industry-sloan-science-on-screen.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Sloan Foundation on this exciting new programme,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “The intersections of art, science and technology have never been more relevant as artists and scientists seek to understand, invent and reflect the world around us.”

The three areas of focus for the Breakthroughs: The Sloan Science on Screen Programme are:
Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch: The Sloan Science and Technology Project Pitch will provide four Canadian and international creators the opportunity to pitch their science- and/or technology-related film or episodic project at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Participants will deliver a maximum 15-minute presentation in front of a live audience of industry experts and decision makers. Each creator selected for the non-competitive pitch event will be awarded $15,000 CAD to develop their project. Applications open May 1, 2023, and close June 12, 2023.

Sloan Science & Technology Writer Fellowship: The Sloan Science and Technology Writer Fellowship offers a project development grant ($35,000 CAD) and creative support ― including participation in TIFF Writers’ Studio in March ― for one early- to mid-career screenwriter whose feature film or episodic project explores science and technology. Applications will open in Fall 2023.

Sloan Science on Film Showcase: The Sloan Science on Film Showcase will spotlight two science-forward feature films per year: one Official Selection title at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and one year-round programming title at TIFF Bell Lightbox. One screening of each film will include a discussion between a member of the film team and a scientific expert. More information will be available in the coming months.

“We’re delighted to make this inaugural grant to the Toronto International Film Festival and to extend our pioneering nationwide film program to an international audience,” said Doron Weber, Vice President and Program Director at the Sloan Foundation. “For over two decades, we have developed a rich pipeline for talented filmmakers and TIFF will give them an unparalleled opportunity to present their work in progress to industry experts and decision makers. We also look forward to showcasing two outstanding films a year and one exceptional screenwriter working on a script with a science and technology theme and/or character.”

TIFF and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation believe that film has the power to transform the way we see the world. Through this partnership, the aim is to deliver a science-focused film programme that reaches creators and the public alike. With this programme, TIFF and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will support and inspire the next generation of creators to tackle science and technology themes, and promote greater understanding and appreciation of these topics among movie-lovers.

The Toronto International Film Festival® is excited to announce early details about its 48th edition. Recognized as the world’s largest public film festival, TIFF 2023 will welcome audiences from across the globe to Toronto to experience the best in international and Canadian cinema, press and industry screenings, special events, and red carpets featuring some of the biggest names in film.

Taking place from September 7–17, 2023, TIFF 2023’s official screening venues will include TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Glenn Gould Studio at the Canadian Broadcast Centre, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The fifth edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards Gala presented by BVLGARI® will take place on September 10, 2023, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. TIFF is also delighted to announce its dynamic programming team and newest additions, as well as an update to the TIFF Members’ journey at the Festival.

With the goal of delivering another incredible Festival and under the leadership of TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, TIFF 2023’s programming team includes: Robyn Citizen, Director of Programming & Platform Lead; Norm Wilner, Acting Lead Programmer for Canada and Industry Selects; Kelly Boutsalis, International Programmer (Canada); Jane Schoettle, Senior Programmer, Special Presentations; Andréa Picard, Senior Curator, Wavelengths & Classics; Thom Powers, Lead Programmer, TIFF Docs; Peter Kuplowsky, International Programmer, Midnight Madness; Geoff Macnaughton, International Programmer, Primetime; Giovanna Fulvi, Senior International Programmer (East Asia); Dorota Lech, International Programmer and Discovery Lead (Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Caucasus Regions); Nataleah Hunter-Young, International Programmer (Africa and Arab West Asia); Jason Anderson, International Programmer & Short Cuts Lead (Nordic Countries and Benelux); Diana Cadavid, International Programmer (Latin America, Southern Europe, the Caribbean); Jason Ryle, International Programmer, Indigenous Cinema; Jane Kim, Producer of Industry Programming; and Christoph Straub, Producer of In Conversation With.

Joining the programming team in new roles are: Meenakshi Shedde, Senior Programme Advisor, South Asia; and Ivan Giroud, Senior Programme Advisor, Latin America; June Kim, Associate International Programmer, Southeast Asia; Jesse Cumming, Associate Curator, Wavelengths.

TIFF is also pleased to announce a significant Film Programme name change: Contemporary World Cinema, or CWC, has been renamed Centrepiece to better reflect and amplify the full spectrum of programming in this section. “Centrepiece is a showcase for acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries,” said Robyn Citizen.

“We are proud to bring the world together through film, and we are especially proud of TIFF’s legacy of centring international art-house cinema,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “The name change to Centrepiece crystallises the importance of this programming within the festival at large and a renewed spirit.”

Festival Street is back for TIFF 2023 as part of King Street — from Peter Street to University Avenue — will be celebrating all things film. The free, family-friendly street festival will feature live performances, partner activations, and outdoor screenings, and will take place from September 7–10, 2023.

“With the Festival only five months away, we are focused on delivering a festival experience which brings together film lovers from around the world,” added Lee. “Whether you’re a veteran TIFFer, a first time Under-25 Passholder, a new TIFF Member, or a family who wants to experience Festival Street, TIFF 2023 promises an enriching experience for everyone.”

TIFF is thrilled to announce new updates to the ticketing journey at the Festival, which have been designed in response to audience and Member feedback:

Single ticket on-sales are happening earlier this year — this will give audiences more time to discover the full Festival 2023 programme.

Ticket packages are changing — TIFF is retiring redemption windows, but will be keeping Buzz List and Opening Night packages, and will be rolling out a slate of new and exciting curated packages at a variety of price points over the summer.

TIFF Members will save 20% on tickets to Regular screenings when purchasing in multiples of 10 tickets or more.

Information on Membership levels, benefits, and pricing can be found at tiff.net/membership.

Key ticketing dates:

June (dates TBA)
Curated package pre-sale exclusively for Visa cardholders and TIFF Members (details to be announced in mid-May)

July 31
Deadline: Join as a Patrons Circle Member

August 15
Official Film Schedule released online at tiff.net/schedule

August 18
Ticket pre-sale: Patrons Circle Members (by level)

August 21
Deadline: Become a TIFF Member for early access to tickets before the public

August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Contributors Circle Members (by level)

August 21
Ticket pre-sale: Visa Infinite cardholders

August 24
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Members

August 25
Ticket pre-sale: TIFF Insiders and Under-25 Free Passholders

August 28
Ticket on-sale: General public

Key ticketing details:

TIFF has simplified ticket pricing, with all prices inclusive of taxes and fees:

Regular screenings: $26 – $32
Premium screenings: $39 – $88

Select Regular screenings will be available to Under-25 Free Passholders and community partners beginning at $13. For more information, please visit tiff.net.

To become a TIFF Member visit tiff.net/join.

The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7–17, 2023.

TIFF has unveiled its May spring programming lineup featuring the return of See the North, MDFF Selects, Boosie Fade Film Club, TIFF Family Films, notable special guests, and exciting new restorations, as well as the new screening series, TIFF Next Wave Presents, curated by a committee of young film programmers.

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, TIFF Next Wave Presents Justin Lin’s 2002 standout debut film Better Luck Tomorrow, an unofficial prequel to his blockbuster Fast and Furious franchise. Lin skillfully flips the script on “model-minority” stereotypes surrounding Asian-American teens, while thoughtfully exploring issues of race, class, masculinity, and the experience of young people growing up in capitalist America. Twenty years later, Better Luck Tomorrow is an energetic and disturbing film that remains as topical and resonant as ever.

Also screening as part of Asian Heritage Month is TIFF’s recently announced POP Japan 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. POP Japan features three film series: Seijun Suzuki, World of Anime, and a spotlight on anime auteur Hayao Miyazaki. TIFF is marking Suzuki’s centenary with six newly restored 35mm prints, the second stop in a national tour, and with an in-person introduction of Kagero-za by Dr. William Carroll, author of Suzuki Seijun and Postwar Japanese Cinema, to launch the series on May 10. Seijun Suzuki and the World of Anime series are supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto. Audiences are invited to attend free public programming events at TIFF Bell Lightbox in connection to POP Japan, including a reception in the atrium on Wednesday, May 10 from 7pm to 9pm, featuring music from DJ Sakiko Nagai to mark the opening of an art exhibition showcasing the works of multidisciplinary artists Mitsuo Kimura and Toko Hosoya.

A live-painted mural by artist Timothy Fukakusa (a.k.a. Ekwal) programmed in partnership with StreetARToronto and supported by the Japan Foundation, Toronto will also be on view throughout the run of the series, and audiences are invited to attend a free Ikebana demonstration with artist Aya Sugino on Saturday, May 13th.

From May 13–23, the TIFF Cinematheque New and Restored series will feature the Toronto premiere of the new 4K restorations of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull and Bob Fosse’s directorial debut Sweet Charity.

On May 21, the latest installment in See the North ― TIFF’s free monthly series of Canadian cinematic treasures ― presents the viral horror sensation Skinamarink from Edmonton director Kyle Edward Ball. The filmmaker will join TIFF’s Norm Wilner, Acting Lead Programmer, Canada, for a virtual Q&A following the screening. Following its world premiere in competition at Cinéma du Réel, MDFF presents the May 25 Toronto premiere of Anyox, a debut documentary about a former mining town in remote northwest British Columbia. Filmmakers Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora join TIFF for an in-person Q&A with MDFF’s Kazik Radwanski.

TIFF Cinematheque’s full programming listings can be accessed here.

TIFF CINEMATHEQUE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

TIFF Wavelengths Presents – Silent Avant-Garde – May 10

Curator, preservationist, and historian Bruce Posner will be present to comment upon the expressive possibilities of 20th-century avant-garde experimental cinema with an outstanding selection of titles digitally restored in 2K and 5K as part of the landmark touring film retrospective Unseen Cinema: Early American Avant-Garde Films 1894-1941. Music, added afterwards, features original compositions recorded by George Antheil, Marc Blitzstein, Cuarteto Caney, Guy Livingston, and Donald Sosin. Highlights are brand new digital restorations of classic experimental films including Charles Sheeler and Paul Strand’s Manhatta (1920-21); Warren A. Newcombe’s The Enchanted City (1922); Man Ray’s Return to Reason (1923); Fernand Léger and Dudley Murphy’s Ballet mécanique (1924, 1931); Miklós Bándy and Stella Simon’s Hands: The Life and Loves of the Gentler Sex (1927-29); Mary Ellen Bute and Theodore Nemeth’s Synchromy No. 4: Escape (1934), and Joseph Cornell’s The Eclipse (1936-1949).

Courtesy is extended to the multitude of archives, cultural centres, and individuals who made the restorations possible.

Boosie Fade Film Club – Hollywood Shuffle – May 11
Introduction by Boosie Fade Film Club Co-Programmers James Rathbone and Jordan Sowunmi.

Directed by Townsend, Hollywood Shuffle is a biting critique of Hollywood and the rampant typecasting that young Black actors have long faced. While the issues it raises were pervasive in 1987, the year it was released, it remains ever relevant to the realities of the careers of Black artists in the entertainment industry to this day.

TIFF Cinematheque New and Restored – May 13 – 23

A selection of recent restorations that have been painstakingly brought back to life in revived cinematic presentations. Screening in 4K on May 13, Fosse’s Sweet Charity stars Shirley MacLaine stars as Charity Hope Valentine, a hostess in a Times Square dance hall whose recent string of bad luck in love has humbled the hopeful romantic within. Encouraged by fellow dreamers Helene and Nickie (Paula Kelly and Chita Rivera, dancers whose sharp performances stun), Charity seeks to leave the dance hall behind for more upwardly mobile trade and accidentally meets cute with Oscar (John McMartin), a rule-abiding actuary who falls for Charity’s effervescent joie de vivre in a case of opposites attract.

On May 21 and 23, the 4K restoration of Scorsese’s brutal and bruising masterpiece Raging Bull uses the life of 1950s middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta to etch a searing portrait of male fear, violence, and self-torment. In an unforgettable, Academy Award–winning performance, Robert De Niro plays LaMotta as a man helpless before his own uncontrollable anger, his ferocity in the ring bleeding disastrously over into his domestic life with his wife (Cathy Moriarty) and brother (Joe Pesci).

TIFF Next Wave Presents – Better Luck Tomorrow – May 17
Introduction by TIFF Next Wave Committee member Arjun Persaud

Better Luck Tomorrow, while now known as an unofficial precursor to the Fast and Furious series, marked the humble and provocative beginning for blockbuster staple Justin Lin. A grassroots indie funded largely by Lin, the film follows the academic ― and eventually criminal ― exploits of Asian-American teenagers during the 2000s, while aptly capturing the haze of the era through a nostalgia-trodden 35mm lens. By day, the group of suburban high school seniors are straight-A students, but by night, their hunger to break from the mould leads them down a path of escalating criminal activity. At once sleek and subversive, this comedic coming-of-age–meets–crime thriller packs a punch.

See the North – Skinamarink – May 21
Introduction by Norm Wilner. Virtual Q&A with director Kyle Edward Ball following the screening.

Two children wake up alone in their house — and eventually come to realize they might not be — in this viral dream-state creeper from writer-director Kyle Edward Ball. If there exists a Venn diagram of Michael Snow’s Wavelength and Bob Clark’s Black Christmas — and there probably shouldn’t — then Skinamarink would occupy its infernal centre. An amorphous, almost subliminally unsettling work of modern horror, Ball’s first feature is rooted in the illogic of childhood, using lo-fi video in long, deliberate takes to evoke an unspeakable, inexplicable dread.

TIFF Family Films – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory – May 21

Unwrapping the annual birthday chocolate bar his family can barely afford, loveable young Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) discovers a coveted golden ticket for a private tour of the super-secret candy factory run by the eccentric Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder). Joining the four other winners (all of them differently disagreeable), Charlie enters Wonka’s wondrous world of chocolate rivers, levitating soda pop, and industrious Oompa Loompas. Filled with colourful characters and charming musical numbers, the first big-screen version of the classic Roald Dahl tale is not to be missed!

MDFF Selects – Anyox – May 25
Introduction by MDFF’s Kazik Radwanski and Q&A with directors Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora following the screening.

MDFF Selects features a showcase of the world’s best, most challenging, and most provocative new international cinema. This debut feature by Johnson and Ermacora is a portrait of a British Columbia that has been exploited and abandoned. A former mining town, Anyox is now home to mountainous slag piles accumulated as a byproduct of the early 20th-century copper smelting process. The film chronicles the lives of the town’s two surviving residents while also illuminating its complex labour history and tale of severe environmental harm. Using historical archival footage and stunning 65mm cinematography, Anyox ties the past together with the present to create a grim yet utterly evocative landscape.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Reimagining: Narratives of tension and wonder – May 9 – July 4 FREE

An exhibition inspired by the bold aesthetics, narrative experimentation, and interplay between playfulness and danger in the films of POP Japan, Reimagining: Narratives of tension and wonder features works by multidisciplinary artists Mitsuo Kimura and Toko Hosoya. From intricate paintings and illustrations to sequential art and small-format objects, the works in this exhibition transform everyday materials and personal experiences into fantastical, character-driven narratives that occupy a space between real and imaginary, past and present, internal and external. This free public art exhibition will be on display in the TIFF Bell Lightbox atrium from May 9 to July 4. All are welcome; no registration is required.

Deep Focus: Ikebana Demonstration with Aya Sugino – May 13, 2pm to 3:30pm FREE

In this free demonstration by Ikebana artist Aya Sugino, a certified teacher from Sogetsu Ikebana School in Tokyo, learn about the history and practice of Ikebana as a form of self-expression, a method of storytelling, and an exploration of duality. Sugino will create arrangements inspired by different films in the POP Japan series. Light fare will be provided by Minami Toronto, the official hospitality partner of the series. Capacity is limited and registration is required.

Silver Screenings – A Bunch of Amateurs – May 19 FREE
Virtual Q&A with filmmaker Kim Hopkins and special guests following the screening.

A free exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary A Bunch of Amateurs for seniors 65+ from filmmaker Kim Hopkins. The film follows the Bradford Movie Makers, Britain’s oldest amateur filmmaking club, as they embark on one of their most ambitious projects to date. “A profoundly poignant film about coming to terms with mortality while finding great comfort in the permanent life of flickering images” (The Times), A Bunch of Amateurs is a live-affirming and inspiring documentary for passionate cinephiles and general audiences alike! All attendees are welcome; no separate registration is required for the Q&A.

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/membership.

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.

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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.