xavier dolan
#TIFF18: “BEAUTIFUL BOY”, “A STAR IS BORN”, “FIRST MAN”, “WILDLIFE” + “THE HATE U GIVE” AMONG GALAS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ANNOUNCED
By Amanda Gilmore, David Baldwin + Mr. Will Wong
Running Thursday, September 6, 2018 through Sunday, September 16, 2018, the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival is just around the corner. Bringing together Film lovers from all around the world, TIFF is once again set to draw some major talent to our City and Films and their connections get a leg-up on the Awards Season trail. Year after year, the Festival has been a powerful predictor of power-players at the Oscars and this year is no different. In light of recent tragic events in Toronto, a Press Conference was decided against this year with a press release announcing this year’s first round of Films. And just like us, we know you’ll be thrilled at some of the Films to grace the screens this September in the City!
17 Galas and 30 Special Presentations were announced including 21 World Premieres and TIFF always delivers! We’re thrilled that among the hotly-buzzed Films we’ve been longing to see, A STAR IS BORN (Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper), BEAUTIFUL BOY (Timothée Chalamet, Steve Carell), LIFE ITSELF (Olivia Wilde, Oscar Isaac), FIRST MAN (Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy), WILDLIFE (Jake Gyllenhaal, Carey Mulligan) and THE HATE U GIVE (Amandla Stenberg).
See some Trailers:
Fans can expect this to be a big year with acclaimed Filmmakers like Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity), Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and Damien Chazelle (La La Land) all returning with eagerly-awaited followups. Jake Gyllenhaal also will have a high profile at the Festival with two eagerly-awaited Films in WILDLIFE and THE SISTERS BROTHERS. The same applies to Dev Patel who should be here for HOTEL MUMBAI and THE WEDDING GUEST.
Diversity, inclusion and gender equity continue to be a focus for the Festival. TIFF‘s mission to “share her journey” by giving a voice to females who are underrepresented as a whole in the filmmaking community in-front and behind the camera is more pronounced than ever. 13 of this year’s Features in fact are made by women. Learn more about TIFF’s five-year initiative here.
Some highlights from today’s TIFF ’18 announcements:
GALAS
Hotly-anticipated Galas at TIFF ’18 are highlighted by BEAUTIFUL BOY starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet; and WIDOWS, Oscar-winner Steve McQueen’s follow-up to 12 Years A Slave starring Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya, Liam Neeson, Jacki Weaver, Colin Farrell and Michelle Rodriguez. The Film is written by Gone Girl’s Gillian Flynn and is sure to be one of the biggest Films of the Festival.
Other World Premieres announced today are HIGH LIFE, the Sci-Fi Drama and English-language debut of legendary French Director Claire Denis starring Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche and Mia Goth; HUSBAND MATERIAL from prolific Indian Director Anurag Kashyap; the latest from Nicole Holofcener, THE LAND OF STEADY HABITS, starring Ben Mendelsohn and Edie Falco; the multi-generational Drama LIFE ITSELF, from This is Us Creator Dan Fogelman, starring Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Annette Bening and Antonio Banderas; THE PUBLIC, from Emilio Estevez, starring Alec Baldwin, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union and Michael K. Williams; the Period Drama RED JOAN, starring Judi Dench; as well as Director George Tillman Jr.’s highly-anticipated Adaptation of THE HATE U GIVE starring Amandla Stenberg.
But that’s not all. Other hotly-anticipated Films announced today that have already or will be premiering at other festivals include Oscar-winner and TIFF darling Damien Chazelle’s FIRST MAN starring Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy; Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut A STAR IS BORN starring Lady Gaga; Sundance hits THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Elizabeth Chomko’s WHAT THEY HAD starring Hilary Swank, Blythe Danner and Michael Shannon; Zhang Yimou’s Chinese epic SHADOW; and GALVESTON, the English feature directorial debut of Actress Mélanie Laurent, starring Ben Foster and Elle Fanning.
We are waiting with baited breath on news of this year’s Opening and Closing Night Galas.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Some of the Films in the Special Presentations Programme with the most buzz this year include IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK by Director Barry Jenkins and ROMA by Director Alfonso Cuarón.
TIFF ’18 will be showing a lot of due love for Canadian Filmmakers. The opening night Special Presentation goes to MOUTHPIECE Directed by Patricia Rozema, who was here a three years ago with her Film Into The Forest. Jason Reitman will be back again with THE FRONT RUNNER, starring Hugh Jackman. We will also be getting the latest work from Canadian Directors Kim Nguyen, with THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT, and Don McKellar, with the Adaptation to the beloved Canadian Novel Through Black Spruce.
Female empowerment is front and center at TIFF ’18. One of the biggest Films to showcase this at the Festival is Colette staring Keira Knightley. The Film is about a woman who agreed to become a Ghostwriter for her husband. After the Novel received much success, she fights for creative ownership while overcoming the societal constraints of early 20th century. There are also many Films directed by females within the Special Presentations Programme.
CANADIAN PROGRAMME (Updated: 8/1/18 4:00 PM)
Canadian World Premieres announced today include environmental conservation documentary ANTHROPOCENE from Directors Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky; Miranda de Pencier’s THE GRIZZLIES, a true story about Inuit youth; Barry Avrich’s Documentary PROSECUTING EVIL: THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF BEN FERENCZ, chronicling the life of the last surviving Nuremberg Trial prosecutor; Akash Sherman’s Sci-Fi Drama CLARA starring Suits’ Patrick J. Adams; Jasmin Mozaffari’s FIRECRACKERS, about two young women and their attempt to leave the misogyny in their small town behind; Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein’s psychological Sci-Fi thriller FREAKS starring Emile Hirsch; Gwaai Edenshaw and Helen Haig-Brown’s EDGE OF THE KNIFE, the first feature-length film made in the endangered Haida language; Darlene Naponse’s FALLS AROUND HER, starring Tantoo Cardinal as a world-famous Anishinaabe musician; Maxime Giroux’s absurdist allegory THE GREAT DARKENED DAYS; and Renée Beaulieu’s Drama LES SALOPES OR THE NATURALLY WANTON PLEASURE OF SKIN, about a wife and mother facing the consequences of her secret life.
Of the 19 feature-length titles announced today, nearly 50% are directed by women.
TIFF will additionally host the Toronto premiere of THE FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE, directed by Oscar-winning Canadian Director Denys Arcand, and the Special Event World Premiere of SHARKWATER EXTINCTION, the final Documentary made by Rob Stewart. The late intrepid Filmmaker and Documentarian passed away early last year during filming.
See the Trailer for Sharkwater Extinction:
TIFF also announced their Rising Stars for 2018 today. Those selected stars are Devery Jacobs (Kahnawà:ke Mohawk born Actor and Filmmaker), Lamar Johnson (Gala World Premiere THE HATE U GIVE), Michaela Kurimsky (World Premiere FIRECRACKERS) and Jess Salgueiro (World Premiere and Special Presentations’ Opening Night Film MOUTHPIECE).
And in a surprise announcement at this afternoon’s Press Conference, Writer/Director Xavier Dolan‘s (currently in Toronto filming IT: CHAPTER TWO) highly-anticipated THE DEATH AND LIFE OF JOHN F. DONOVAN was announced as a World Premiere in the Special Presentations Programme. The long awaited Film stars Kit Harington, Natalie Portman, Jacob Tremblay, Thandie Newton, Sarah Gadon and Bella Thorne and is destined to be one of the hottest tickets at this year’s Festival.
Still no word on the Opening or Closing Night films, but some over-eager film fans may have gotten a taste of what’s to come later this month. And if the rumours are to be believed, we are in for some very exciting announcements over the next few weeks!
PLATFORM PROGRAMME (Updated: 8/8/18 11:45 AM)
The Platform Programme quite literally its namesake, a platform for Directors who are unique, bold and unafraid to tackle any subject matter. In previous years, films such as Moonlight and Sweet Country were a part of the Programme and even won the coveted Platform prize, which is worth $25,000 CAD. This year’s Programme shows no signs of slowing down and is gifting us with some risk-taking films..
Out of the 12 Films that were announce, four are directed or co-directed by women, while seven feature powerful female leading roles. Two Films featuring strong female leads that already have people talking are Destroyer and Her Smell. Destroyer is directed by Karyn Kusama and stars Nicole Kidman as a Los Angeles police detective who is forced to face her personal demons. Her Smell is the newest Film from Director Alex Ross Perry (Listen Up Philip) and stars Elisabeth Moss as a talented but self-destructive musician.
Out of the 12 Films there are 10 having their World Premiere at this year’s Festival, which includes the opening and closing night Platform films. The Opening Night Platform selection is Donnybrook which is the fourth-feature Film for Writer-Director Tim Sutton (Dark Night). It stars Jamie Bell and Frank Grillo as two men who are determined to compete in a bare-knuckle brawl with a cash prize. The Closing Night selection is Jessica Forever which is the Feature debut for Co-Directors Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel. The Film takes place in a dystopian world where violent misfits reign supreme, but one woman and her family are fighting for peace.
DOCUMENTARIES (Updated: 8/9/18 1:30 PM)
This year TIFF is bringing 27 feature Documentaries from 19 different countries to Toronto audiences. Out of all those films, one-third of them are directed or co-directed by women. There are a few documentaries that examine the topic of women creators and the #MeToo movement. Some of the Documentaries on those topics are: the World Premiere of Alexis Bloom’s Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes, which documents the Fox News Creator who was ousted for allegations of sexual harassment; the World Premiere of Tom Donahue’s This Changes Everything which is an examination of gender dynamics in Hollywood and is executive produced by Geena Davis; and Mark Cousins’ Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema which explores international cinema through the lens of women directors.
Politics is another topic getting a lot of attention in the TIFF Docs Programme. To name a few there is Vitaly Mansky’s Putin’s Witnesses, which focuses on the Russian President, and Errol Morris’ American Dharma, which looks at Trump’s previous strategist Steve Bannon. However, TIFF has decided to start the TIFF Docs Programme off with a bang with the World Premiere of Michael Moore’s newest Doc Fahrenheit 11/9, which is a radical and humorous look at the United States under the Trump administration.
And for those who enjoy a doc about artists you love there are some for you to check-out. The first is the World Premiere of Quincy which is co-directed by Quincy Jones’s daughter Rashida Jones and Allan Hicks. It follows the labours and legacies of the legendary Music Producer. Then there is the TIFF Docs Closing Night Film, Searching for Ingmar Bergman which is Directed by Margareth von Trotta and follows the groundbreaking Director and his impact on filmmaking.
MIDNIGHT MADNESS (Updated: 8/9/18 1:30 PM)
TIFF unleashed their Midnight Madness line-up today and it looks to be one of their strongest in years. THE PREDATOR, Writer/Director Shane Black’s star-studded reinvention of the legendary Series, will act as the Programme’s World Premiere Opening Night Film. The highly-anticipated HALLOWEEN Sequel, starring ‘Scream Queen’ Jamie Lee Curtis and written by Danny McBride, David Gordon Green and Jeff Fradley, will also see its World Premiere at TIFF ’18. Other World Premieres include Peter Strickland’s IN FABRIC, telling the tale of a cursed dress and the poor souls who come into contact with it; Kiah Roache-Turner’s Social Media-infused Horror film NEKROTRONIC starring Monica Bellucci; Henry Dunham’s all too relevant thriller THE STANDOFF AT SPARROW CREEK, regarding a neighbourhood militia’s involvement in a mass shooting; Emma Tammi’s horror on the American frontier THE WIND and Vasan Bala’s Bollywood Action-Thriller THE MAN WHO FEELS NO PAIN (the first Indian film at Midnight Madness!). Sundance hits ASSASSINATION NATION and CLIMAX, as well as Cannes favourite and Closing Night selection DIAMANTINO, will also be screening during the Programme.
GALAS, SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS + MASTERS PROGRAMME (Updated 8/14/18 3:00 PM)
Within one week, TIFF added a whopping 115 films to its slate today, including the announcements of the Opening and Closing Night Films.
David Mackenzie’s OUTLAW KING will open the Festival on Thursday, September 6. The Period Drama about the rise of 14th century Scottish hero Robert the Bruce stars Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lady MacBeth’s Florence Pugh. The Film hails from Netflix, which alongside numerous other titles appearing at the Festival, suggests a very sharp divide between this Festival and the illustrious Cannes Film Festival, which banned such titles from competition this past May. TIFF’s Closing Night Film is JEREMIAH TERMINATOR LEROY, a true story about the enigmatic literary artist. It stars Laura Dern and Kristen Stewart. Plan your red carpet campouts accordingly.
Additional World Premiere Galas announced today include Peter Farrelly’s first Drama, GREEN BOOK, starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali; as well as Thriller THE LIE, from Toronto-born Writer/Director Veena Sud, starring Peter Sarsgaard, Mireille Enos and Joey King. Some of the World Premieres announced as Special Presentations include Jonah Hill’s directorial debut MID90S; Sam Taylor-Johnson’s adaptation of A MILLION LITTLE PIECES starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton and Charlie Hunnam; Jeremy Saulnier’s Thriller HOLD THE DARK starring Alexander Skarsgård, Riley Keough and Jeffrey Wright; Max Minghella’s directorial debut TEEN SPIRIT starring Elle Fanning and Rebecca Hall; Annabel Jankel’s postwar-Drama TELL IT TO THE BEES starring Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger; and Chanya Button’s VITA & VIRGINIA starring Gemma Arterton and Elizabeth Debicki as Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf. Other highlights include Paul Greengrass’ 22 JULY, the true story about the aftermath of Norway’s deadliest terrorist attack; Nick Hamm’s DRIVEN, the star-studded true life tale about the rise and fall of John Delorean; and the International Premiere of Joel Edgerton’s highly-anticipated BOY ERASED starring Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe and Lucas Hedges.
And in the Masters section, TIFF announced 11 films including Jafar Panahi’s 3 FACES; Hong Sang-soo’s HOTEL BY THE RIVER, Paolo Sorrentino’s LORO; Mike Leigh’s PETERLOO; Jean-Luc Godard’s THE IMAGE BOOK and the North American Premiere of Jia Zhang-ke’s Thriller ASH IS PUREST WHITE.
ADDITIONAL SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS (Updated 8/21/18 10:00 AM)
A couple high-profile additions to the TIFF ’18 line-up have been announced including VOX LUX from Director Brady Corbett and starring Natalie Portman as a woman overcoming a tragic childhood to a life of fame and fortune. GRETA from Director Neil Jordan is about a young woman Frances (Chloë Grace Moretz) and her unlikely friendship with Greta (Isabelle Huppert).
TIFF’ 18 hot on the heels of CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ success, will pay tribute to the 25th anniversary of THE JOY LUCK CLUB with some of the original Cast in attendance including Kieu Chinh and Tamlyn Tomita, plus a chat moderated by Lainey Lui.
THE OFFICIAL TIFF ’18 SCHEDULE NOW IS UP HERE!
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We’re thrilled also to announce that David Baldwin (@davemabaldwin), Amanda Gilmore (@gilmoreamanda) and Mr. Will for the first time ever, are doing TIFF as accredited journalists. Our Team members Siobhán Rich (@typo_eh), George Kozera (@partyg) and Justin Waldman (@dubsreviews) also will be contributing as we screen some titles in advance of the Festival as in previous years. We look forward to teaming-up together to bring you a fresh, balanced perspective highlighting the massive starpower and quality of Cinema the Festival has to offer.
More Film announcements to come soon.
Guest announcements usually come late August, so let’s start speculating, shall we?
Will we see Julia Roberts here for BEN IS BACK? Robert Redford for THE OLD MAN & THE GUN? Or how about Matthew McConaughey for WHITE BOY RICK?
TIFF ’18 Packages are on-sale now till August 13, 2018. The Schedule goes live August 21, 2018 and single public tickets are on-sale on September 3, 2018 for non-package buyers.
More info here.
(Photo credit: TIFF)
#CDNSCREENAWARDS: “ORPHAN BLACK” + “IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD” WIN TOP HONOURS AT 2017 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
Taking place tonight at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the fifth annual Canadian Screen Awards honoured the year’s best in Television, Film and Digital Media. Earning top honours tonight was ORPHAN BLACK with five wins for Best Dramatic Series, Original Score, Supporting Actor (Kevin Hanchard), Writing and Lead Actress (Tatiana Maslany). The Toronto-made Series, which currently is filming its final episode, will be premiering its fifth and final season Saturday, June 10, 2017.
Leading the way in the Film categories was Xavier Dolan‘s IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD. The French-Canadian Film which was Canada’s submission at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film this year, took home Best Picture, Best Director (Dolan), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Makeup and Best Supporting Actor (Vincent Cassel).
Regina-born Actress Tatiana Maslany was the queen of the night, winning for both her work on Orphan Black and as Lead Actress in the Feature Film The Other Half in which she stars opposite her real-life partner Tom Cullen.
Toronto’s Stephan James took home Lead Actor for his work on sports drama RACE. He stated, “The greatest honour of my career was to portray Jesse Owens.”. The Film also won for Visual Effects, Overall Sound and Sound Editing.
Hosted by a spirited Howie Mandel, the evening also saw icon Christopher Plummer win a Lifetime Achievement Award. He says, “I’ve spent almost 70 years making a fool of myself in this crazy profession of ours. And I’ve had the time of my life.”.
Comedian Dave Chappelle also flew-in for the occasion, presenting the Icon Award to JUST FOR LAUGHS. He credits the organization for helping him achieve his big break, joking “I’d never came to Canada before I came to this festival and when I did, I found that Canada was kinder and gentler, like a little gay brother I didn’t know about.”.
See Red Carpet Highlights from the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards:
See Amanda Gilmore‘s and my Interviews with some of the evening’s stars on the Red Carpet including the cast of Kim’s Convenience and Dave Chappelle:
Some Snaps from the Evening:
Shailyn Pierre-Dixon, “Between”
Sangita Patel, “ET Canada”
Dylan Authors x Mike MacMillan, “WEIRDOS”
Simu Liu, “Kim’s Convenience”
Emmanuel Kabongo
Karine Vanasse, “Cardinal”
Michelle Nolden, “Saving Hope”
Rick Mercer
Erica Durance, “Saving Hope”
Chloe Wilde, “eTalk”
Penny Oleksiak, Gold Medal Olympian
Kim Coates, GOON
Francesco Yates
Wendy Crewson
Kevan Funk x Jared Abrahamson, “Hello Destroyer”
Christopher Plummer, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Jason Priestley x Cindy Sampson, “Private Eyes”
Stephan James, “Race”
Dave Chappelle
Cast of “Orphan Black”
Complete list of winners here.
All photos taken on the NIKON D3300, video on SAMSUNG S7.
(Photo/video credit: Amanda Gilmore/Mr. Will Wong)
#CDNSCREENAWARDS: 2017 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
Nominations were announced earlier today at Oliver & Bonacini‘s Aperture Room for the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards, now in their fifth year. Announcing nominees were a trio of Canadian talent including actors Maxim Roy (Shadowhunters), Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) and Amanda Brugel (The Handmaid’s Tale).
With 134 categories, divided by Digital Media, Television and Film, the Awards brought out some familiar and new names. Leading the Television nominees once again is ORPHAN BLACK with a stellar 14 nominations (and wins in the past three consecutive years) including Best Dramatic Series and Actress (Tatiana Maslany). SCHITT’S CREEK, also a multi-CSA winner which just premiered in its third season, follows closely in second with 13 nominations, while KIM’S CONVENIENCE gets 11 nominations in its debut. The latter two, both from CBC, compete for Best Comedy Series.
Leading the Film nominations with nine nods is Xavier Dolan‘s IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD including Best Motion Picture and Direction, Canada’s Best Foreign Picture entry at the upcoming Academy Awards. RACE, also filmed in Montreal like WORLD, gets eight nominations, while BEFORE THE STREETS, OPERATION AVALANCHE and WEIRDOS each get six nods apiece.
Newly-appointed Academy CEO Beth Janson who returned to Canada recently after a stint in the U.S., comments on the lack of a star system in Canada and hence the necessity of recognizing our own Canadian talent which she is certain has no shortage of. “The stories we tell are increasingly reflective of our diverse experiences as Canadians, and that is a trend to cherish”, she tells a room of industry, media and nominees.
Some Snaps from the Breakfast:
Academy President, Martin Katz
Actress, Amanda Brugel
Actor, Simu Liu
Actress, Maxim Roy
Nominees Jennifer Dale and Adrian Holmes
Team Schitt’s Creek congratulate Catherine O’Hara on her nod!
See you in March!
More here on Facebook!
The 2017 Canadian Screen Awards air live on CBC Sunday, March 12, 2017 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, hosted by Howie Mandel. Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer that night is slated to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Awards cap-off Canadian Screen Week, which takes place between Monday, March 6 – Sunday, March 12, 2017. Academy Award winner Christopher Plummer that night is slated to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Like previous years, Fans will have a chance to engage with various events set to take place leading up to the Awards. Visit ACADEMY.CA for updates.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#TIFF16: “IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Auteur Xavier Dolan returns to TIFF this year with a Film but with the weight of expectations on him, we have come to expect even more of the Master Filmmaker. Unfortunately Fans expecting something as great and heartfelt as Mommy might feel a bit underwhelmed.
The story focuses on Louis (Gaspard Ulliel) who has been away from home for an extended period, only to return home announcing to his family that he is terminally-ill. Upon his return, tensions flare with his return and members of his family including his mother (Nathalie Baye), his brother Antoine (Vincent Cassel), his sister-in-law Catherine (Marion Cotillard) and his sister Suzanne (Léa Seydoux).
His sister was most affected by his absence, since she was the youngest and most attached, while his brother, played perfectly by Cassel, being the eldest, must protect and brace everyone from the news and Louis‘ more than probable departure yet again. This leads to much strife among the family as a consequence.
IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD screens at TIFF Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 9:15 PM, 9:30 PM and 9:45 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Cinemas 1, 2 and 3 respectively as well as Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 9:30 PM at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Cinema 2.
#SPOTTED: “ORPHAN BLACK”, “POMPEII” + “MOMMY” LEAD THE WAY AT 2015 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
Canadian Screen Week capped-off in a huge way tonight with the third annual Canadian Screen Awards taking place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The Ceremony honouring the finest in Canadian Film and Television, is meant to recognize and celebrate the Hotbed of talent in our Country and also, on an international scale.
Hosted by SCTV Alumni Andrea Martin, the laughter kept coming with her referencing everything from the fresh Internet debate of the White vs. Blue Dress, to a hilarious introduction which saw her falling out of her SUV, full of censored pixilation, which later would be turned into a YouTube Video complete with Autotune. She revealed before the Press Room that her jokes tonight with a result of a collaboration between friends Steve Martin, Martin Short and a couple Writers from Late Show with David Letterman.
128 Screen Awards were handed-out this week, with 45 being handed tonight during the live Broadcast, airing first in the Atlantic region. Among the top Winners tonight was ORPHAN BLACK, which for a second consecutive year won Best Dramatic Series, along with its Star Tatiana Maslany nabbing again Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role. Maslany arrived dressed in Canadian Designers Greta Constantine, with her Boyfriend, Downton Abbey Star, Tom Cullen.
French-language Drama MOMMY – fresh off a César Award in France – from Quebec Filmmaker/Actor Xavier Dolan would go on to win major accolades tonight including Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Direction, Achievement in Editing, Achievement in Make-Up, Original Screenplay, Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Antoine Olivier Pilon), Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Anne Dorval) and Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Suzanne Clément).
POMPEII also would go-on to score big, winning Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Direction, Achievement in Costume Design, Achievement in Visual Effects, Achievement in Sound Editing and Achievement in Visual Effects. It earlier was awarded the Cineplex Golden Reel Award as top-grossing Canadian Film. Mega-Producer Don Carmody accepted the Award tonight, while one of its Stars, Kiefer Sutherland walked the Red Carpet, making a return to his Hometown.
Several would dazzle the Red Carpet tonight including recent Oscar Winner Julianne Moore, smart in a Pantsuit, graciously accepting a warm round of applause as she came to present. The Actress was nominated for her work in David Cronenberg‘s acclaimed MAPS TO THE STARS, which eventually saw her Co-Star John Cusack go-on to win for Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. Others who dazzled included Meaghan Rath of BEING HUMAN, Sarah Gadon of MAPS TO THE STARS, Julia Voth of PACKAGE DEAL, Patrick J. Adams of SUITS, a pregnant A.J. Cook of CRIMINAL MINDS and a tearful Missy Peregrym who commended ROOKIE BLUE Fans for being “fierce”; the latter Series won Golden Screen Award for Best Dramatic Television Series.
For a complete list of Winners, click here.
See our Snaps from tonight’s Red Carpet Festivities!
Andrea Martin
2015 Canadian Screen Award Presenters
Class Photo! #CDNSCREEN15 Presenters! #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Tom Cullen + Tatiana Maslany
The Team behind ORPHAN BLACK
Congrats to the Team behind #OrphanBlack winning Best Drama Series! #CDNSCREEN15 #TatianaMaslany #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Xavier Dolan + Nancy Grant of MOMMY
Congrats to #XavierDolan and #NancyGrant who win Best Picture at #CDNSCREEN15 for #MOMMY. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Tatiana Maslany winning for ORPHAN BLACK
#TatianaMaslany wins Best Actress in a Drama Series for #OrphanBlack a second year! #CDNSCREEN15 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Jared Keeso wins for 19-2
#JAREDKEESO wins Best Actor in a Dramatic TV Series for #192. From Listowel, ON to the #CDNSCREEN15 Awards! #NineteenTwo #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Anne Dorval wins for MOMMY
#ANNEDORVAL wins Best Actress in a Motion Picture, #MOMMY. #CDNSCREEN15 #spoileralert #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Missy Peregrym accepts for ROOKIE BLUE
“Our fans are fierce”, says a teary #MissyPeregrym, accepting Best Dramatic Series at #CDNSCREEN15. #spoileralert #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Vinay Virmani + Manpreet Ral winning Best Original Song for DR. CABBIE
Our buddy @VinayVirmani + Manjeet Ral winning Best Original Song at #CDNSCREEN15 for #DrCabbie.
A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Don McKellar winning for SENSITIVE SKIN
#DonMcKellar hamming it up after his Best Actor in a TV Series Comedy at #CDNSCREEN15, for #SensitiveSkin. A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
A.J. Cook
#CriminalMinds Star #AJCook at #CDNSCREEN15! Do you believe she’s pregnant? #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Kevin Durand
#KevinDurand, star of #Vikings and #TheStrain at #CDNSCREEN15. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Meaghan Rath
#MeaghanRath of #BeingHuman at #CDNSCREEN15. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Megan Follows
#MeganFollows (#AnneofGreenGables) at #CDNSCREEN15 for #Reign. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Bruce Greenwood + Susan Devlin
#BruceGreenwood of #ElephantSong, at #CDNSCREEN15 with his lovely Mrs. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Ken Taylor (on whom Oscar-winning Best Picture ARGO was based) + Co-Producer Elena Semikina
The real #KenTaylor on whom which #ARGO is based upon + #OurManinTehran Co-Producer #ElenaSemikina. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Patrick J. Adams
Star of #SUITS, #PatrickJAdams at #CDNSCREEN15. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Sarah Gadon
IMHO, best-dressed, #SarahGadon at #CDNSCREEN15. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Diego Klattenhoff
Kiefer Sutherland
#KieferSutherland at #CDNSCREEN15 for #Pompeii. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Atom Egoyan
#AtomEgoyan at #CDNSCREEN15 for #TheCaptive. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Julia Voth
Stunning #JuliaVoth, nominated for #PackageDeal. #CDNSCREEN15 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Dan Levy, Annie Murphy + Eugene Levy of SCHITT’S CREEK
#DanLevy, #AnnieMurphy + #EugeneLevy of #SchittsCreek at #CDNSCREEN15! #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
The Cast of TU DORS NICOLE
The Cast of Best Picture Nominee #TuDorsNicole at #CDNSCREEN15: #MarcAndreGrondin, #CatherineStLaurent, #JulianneCote and more. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
The Director + Cast of MOMMY:
The Cast of #MOMMY, Best Picture Nominee at #CDNSCREEN15 including: #XavierDolan, #AnneDorval, #AntoineOlivierPilon + #SuzanneClement. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Missy Peregrym + Gregory Smith
#ROOKIEBLUE’s #MissyPeregrym + #GregorySmith at #CDNSCREEN15. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Enrico Colantoni
Adorable #EnricoColantoni of #Remedy at #CDNSCREEN15. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Michael Murphy
#MichaelMurphy, nominated for #FALL at #CDNSCREEN15. #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Julianne Moore
#JulianneMoore smart in a suit at #CDNSCREEN15! Will she win Best Actress for #MapstotheStars? #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#CDNSCREEN14: “ORPHAN BLACK” AND “TOM AT THE FARM” LEAD NOMINEES AT 2014 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
A Who’s-Who in Canadian Film, Television and Digital Media gathered today at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto as Nominees were unveiled for the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards. Selected by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, a bevy of Talent and Media were on-hand to hear Nominations announced by our v. own David Sutcliffe (Cracked) and Katheryn Winnick (Vikings).
Leading the way this year in Television with a whopping 14 Nominations is breakout Hit Orphan Black including Best Dramatic Series, with its Star Tatiana Maslany at the Golden Globes last night in Los Angeles. Maslany received a Nomination for her work on the Series in the Category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role.
After premiering at TIFF ’13, Xavier Dolan‘s Tom at the Farm leads the Film Category with an impressive eight Nominations. The young acclaimed Filmmaker in addition to Best Motion Picture, is up for Best Direction and Screeplay also. eOne Films distributes the French-Canadian Title.
eOne Films’ The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, filmed in Toronto, will be honoured with Cineplex‘s Golden Reel Award for the highest-grossing Canadian Film at the Box Office. The Distributor last year won with Resident Evil: Retribution.
For a complete list of Nominees, click here.
The 2014 Canadian Screen Awards take place on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, airing live on CBC at 8:00 PM EST; Martin Short will be hosting.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: STARS DESCEND UPON TORONTO FOR 2013 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
Canadian Television and Film Royalty have united in Toronto this past week for three separate Galas honouring the v. best we have to offer in Entertainment. Combining what formerly were known as the Genies and Geminis together, the Awards are given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Drawing some of the Country’s most familiar faces, the final Broadcast Gala took place, airing nationally on CBC, hosted by beloved Funnyman Martin Short.
Winning top honours this year was War Witch (Rebelle), a Drama about a 14-year-old Girl in Sub-Saharan Africa who tells her unborn Child the story of her life since she has experienced the War, which swept ten categories including Best Motion Picture and Director for Kim Nguyen. American Actor James Cromwell won for Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Still Mine, while War Witch‘s Rachel Mwanza won Actress in a Leading Role.
In the Television categories, CTV‘s now concluded Flashpoint won Dramatic Series, with Enrico Colantoni winning Lead Actor in a Dramatic Role. Meanwhile, Meg Tilly, who stars in Global Television Series Bomb Girls won Lead Actress in a Dramatic Role. HBO Canada‘s Less Than Kind won Comedy Series with its Wendel Meldrum winning Lead Actress in a Comedic Role. Gerry Dee won Lead Actor in a Comedic Role for CBC‘s Mr. D.
Many Stars braved the cold to greet Fans who lined hours at the Red Carpet including Laura Vandervoort, Catherine O’Hara, Geneviève Bujold, James Cromwell, Jay Baruchel, Stephen Amell, Xavier Dolan, Kristin Kreuk, Sandra Oh and several more. Even Vandervoort spotted me and even came over to say a quick “hi” recognizing me instantly! The Party continued at a Reception post-Gala at the venue, before making its way over to Rosewater Supper Club.
See some Photos I snapped below:
Click here for a complete list of Winners.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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