Thursday, August 27, 2015

Spike Lee, Debbie Reynolds & Gena Rowlands to receive Academy's 2015 Governors Awards


The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted Tuesday night (August 25) to present Honorary Awards to Spike Lee and Gena Rowlands, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Debbie Reynolds. All three awards will be presented at the Academy’s 7th Annual Governors Awards on Saturday, November 14, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center®.

“The Board is proud to recognize our honorees’ remarkable contributions at this year’s Governors Awards,” said Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “We’ll be celebrating their achievements with the knowledge that the work they have accomplished – with passion, dedication and a desire to make a positive difference – will also enrich future generations.”

Lee, a champion of independent film and an inspiration to young filmmakers, made an auspicious debut with his NYU thesis film, Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, which won a Student Academy Award® in 1983. He proceeded to blaze a distinctive trail with such features as She’s Gotta Have It, School Daze and Do the Right Thing, which earned him a 1989 Oscar® nomination for Original Screenplay. His work as a director ranges from the Oscar-nominated documentary feature 4 Little Girls to such mainstream successes as Malcolm X and Inside Man. Lee’s other feature credits include Mo’ Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Crooklyn, He Got Game, 25th Hour, Miracle at St. Anna and Red Hook Summer. He currently serves as the artistic director of the graduate film program at NYU.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Academy announces 2015 Student Academy Award winners


All winning films now eligible for Oscars

The Academy has voted fifteen students as winners of the 42nd Student Academy Awards competition. The Academy received a record number of entries this year — 1,686 films from 282 domestic and 93 international colleges and universities — which were voted upon by a record number of Academy members. Past Student Academy Award winners have gone on to receive 47 Oscar® nominations and have won or shared eight awards. Previous winners include Pete Docter, John Lasseter, Spike Lee, Trey Parker and Robert Zemeckis.

Students will arrive in Los Angeles for a week of industry activities that will culminate in the awards ceremony on Thursday, September 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The medal placements – gold, silver and bronze – in the five award categories will be announced at the ceremony.

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2015 Discovery, TIFF Kids, In Conversation With..., Festival Street programmes


TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS DISCOVERY PROGRAMME FEATURING 30 FILMS BY EXCITING NEW FILMMAKERS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

The Toronto International Film Festival® announced today its Discovery programme showcasing 30 outstanding and absorbing feature films, including 16 World Premieres, by first and second time directors from Canada and across the globe.

“Discovery is the place where Festival audiences will find the future of filmmaking,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. “You can expect to uncover thrilling new voices, inspiring storytellers and hidden gems among this fantastic showcase of work from some of the most exciting new directors from around the world.”

The diverse Discovery lineup includes Desde Allá, an intense social drama from Venezuelan newcomer Lorenzo Vigas; Tom and Sam McKeith’s Manila-set thriller Beast; German filmmaker Sebastian Ko’s riveting suspense We Monsters; Michael Lennox’s A Patch of Fog which chronicles a British anti-bromance; Very Big Shot, the debut from Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya, delving into a darkly comedic world of coke smuggling in Lebanon; Maris Curran’s intimate drama Five Nights in Maine; Irish director Simon Fitzmaurice’s feature debut, the coming-of-age story My Name is Emily; and Mexico’s Alejandra Márquez Abellas’ debut, the poignant drama Semana Santa.

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2015 guest list, fact sheet


THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR A STAR-STUDDED SEPTEMBER WITH FILMMAKERS AND TALENT FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

The 40th Toronto International Film Festival® welcomes an unparalleled guest list of celebrated film talent from around the globe during the 11-day event, which runs September 10 to 20, 2015.

Filmmakers expected to present their world premieres in Toronto include: Ridley Scott, David Gordon Green, Barbara Kopple, Jonás Cuarón, Stephen Frears, Leanne Pooley, Ben Wheatley, Baltasar Kormákur, Meghna Gulzar, Jason Bateman, Álex de la Iglesia, Eva Husson, Nicolás Pereda, Alan Zweig, He Ping and Michael Moore.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Call for submissions: Reel Asian's So You Think You Can Pitch?


The Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival has announced a call for submissions for its 2015 edition of So You Think You Can Pitch?, a pitch competition for filmmakers. Winners receive up to $18,000 in production services and cash towards making the project based on their winning pitch.

They accept pitches for any film idea, be it dramatic, documentary, musical or experimental, up to 24 minutes in length, as long as you feature an Asian member in a key creative role, either in front or behind the camera. Applications will be accepted until September 28 at 5pm.

Selected finalists teams will participate in an intensive boot camp at the Reel Asian Pitch Clinic, where finalists gain in-depth professional advice on pitching like a pro in front of a live audience. Finalists will compete at a live Pitch Competition Finale during the 2015 Reel Asian Festival this November 5-15th. Finalists will also be awarded with a 2015 Festival Pass, with access to festival screenings and Industry Series sessions, where you can gain insightful knowledge from industry professionals and access the many networking opportunities throughout the festival.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

TIFF announces 200 Influential speakers over 7 days at 2015 TIFF Industry Conference


WENDY CALHOUN, NURI BILGE CEYLAN, YU DONG, STEPHEN FREARS AND NIIJA KUYKENDALL AMONG 200 INFLUENTIAL SPEAKERS OVER 7 DAYS AT TIFF INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

The TIFF Industry Conference offers delegates invaluable access to the wisdom and experience of creative and business leaders during the 40th Toronto International Film Festival.

“TIFF Industry is excited to present a lineup of cinematic masters, creative innovators and business visionaries to equip delegates with meaningful tools for success,” said Kathleen Drumm, Director, TIFF Industry Office. “With a diverse range of topics from story development to sales and distribution, we offer an incomparable professional development opportunity for industry members at all levels of experience.”

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2015 Contemporary World Cinema, City to City, Wavelengths programmes


CONTEMPORARY WORLD CINEMA PROGRAMME PRESENTS 60 OUTSTANDING FILMS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
Films from countries including Ethiopia, New Zealand, Peru, Israel, Indonesia, Germany, Australia, Spain, China, France, Japan, Iceland and Morocco in Festival spotlight

A diverse and fascinating selection of 60 films from countries across the globe were announced today in the Toronto International Film Festival’s Contemporary World Cinema programme. Spotlighting work from some of the world’s finest international filmmakers, the lineup delivers an array of compelling films for Festival audiences to savour, journeying through unique and universal stories told on film.

Included in the lineup is the latest from directors Christian Zübert, Nabil Ayouch, Rúnar Rúnarsson, Alexandra-Therese Keining, Grímur Hákonarson, Erik Matti, Oliver Hermanus, Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche, Federico Veiroj, Eric Khoo, Sion Sono, Danielle Arbid, Emin Alper, and Jeremy Sims.

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2015 International Shorts programme, additional films


TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’S SHORT CUTS PROGRAMME OFFERS A VARIETY OF WORLD-CLASS SHORT FILMS

The Toronto International Film Festival® is pleased to announce the lineup for the Short Cuts programme. Thirty-eight international shorts join the previously announced Canadian shorts, which will screen in 11 curated programmes. The compelling lineup encompasses works from filmmakers representing an impressive 35 countries. From provocative narratives to compelling animation, from insightful dramas to profoundly moving documentaries, the works in Short Cuts showcase unique, yet universal, stories about the human condition, in short form.

Short Cuts is programmed by: Shane Smith, Director of Special Projects, TIFF; as well as Jason Anderson, Danis Goulet and Kathleen McInnis, Short Cuts Programmers.

The 40th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 10 to 20, 2015.

Monday, August 17, 2015

39th Festival des films du monde / Montreal World Film Festival announces Closing Film


BELGIAN RHAPSODY BY VINCENT BAL WILL CLOSE THE 39TH MWFF

Belgian Rhapsody the MWFF closing film will be North-American Premiered (Out of Competition) it was announced. Produced by Peter Bouckaert for Eyeworks (Ben XThe VerdictMarina presented and awarded at the MWFF) this comedy stars Amaryllis Ouitterlinden, Arthur Dupont, Jos Verbist, Marc Weiss, Koen Van Impe, Philippe Résimont.

Two Belgian brass bands, the Flemish “Sint Cecilia” and the Walloon “En Avant”, have both been selected for the great European final. The Walloons are blown into the final by Hugues, their exceptionally talented and handsome trumpet player. When Sint Cecilia’s soloist drops dead on stage, Elke, daughter of the band’s conductor Joseph, has the solution: let’s buy that Walloon super talent out. BELGIAN RHAPSODY is a musical comedy about Belgium where anything goes when the two dominant communities compete: double-crossing, schmaltzy songs and even love.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

39th Festival des films du monde / Montreal World Film Festival announces World Greats selection


THE WORLD GREATS SECTION OF THE MWFF PRESENTS NEW FILMS BY NOTED DIRECTORS

Twenty-four features from a score of countries are being shown in the World Greats (out of competition) section of the MWFF. “ Dedicated to experienced filmmakers, this selection offers the latest works by some of the best known directors from around the world, ” said Serge Losique.

Notable among the cineastes included are Majid Majidi whose Muhammad will be getting its world premiere, Jean-Jacques Annaud, who will be showing the North-American premiere of his latest film, Wolf Totem, Cristina Commencini (Latin Lover), Ventura Pons (The Virus of Fear), Ermanno Olmi (Greenery Will Bloom Again), Vincent Bal (Belgian Rhapsody), Ken Kwapis (A Walk in the Woods, with Robert Redford) and Sergio Castellitto (You Can`t Save Yourself Alone), among others.

Toronto International Film Festival announces lineup for inaugural Primetime programme


TELEVISION GETS THE SILVER SCREEN TREATMENT IN TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’S NEW PRIMETIME PROGRAMME
International lineup features shows from the minds of Baltasar Kormákur, Jason Reitman, Morgan Neville, Fabrice Gobert, Lucía Puenzo and Tim Kring

Six high-quality television programs from around the globe comprise the inaugural lineup for Primetime, a new programme launching at the 40th Toronto International Film Festival®. The section presents the best in international television on the big screen, channeling the powerful, small-screen serial storytelling coming from broadcasters, streaming services and independent filmmakers. The lineup features programs from France, Iceland, Argentina and the United States, created by directors Baltasar Kormákur, Jason Reitman, Morgan Neville, Fabrice Gobert, Lucía Puenzo and Nicolás Puenzo, and creator/executive producer Tim Kring.

“The growing convergence and artistic equality between television and cinema has ushered in a new era of high-quality, small-screen programming,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF. “Primetime aims to spotlight the cross-pollination of these two moving image cultures, showcasing the bold and impressive work that’s being produced on an international scale.”

Toronto International Film Festival announces lineup for inaugural Platform programme


TWELVE BOLD AND UNIQUE VOICES SHINE IN THE INAUGURAL PLATFORM LINEUP AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The new juried programme champions artistically ambitious films by Fabienne Berthaud, Sue Brooks, Diastème, Eva Husson, Joaquim Lafosse, Gabriel Mascaro, He Ping, Pablo Trapero, David Verbeek, Ben Wheatley, Martin Zandvliet and Alan Zweig

The Toronto International Film Festival® revealed the inaugural lineup for Platform, the new juried programme that champions director’s cinema from around the world.

“We created this new programme as a way to sharpen our focus on artistically ambitious cinema in our 40th year and we are thrilled to be able to put the spotlight on these 12 brilliant filmmakers this September,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF. “They are major creative forces: the next generation of masters whose personal vision will captivate audiences, industry members and media from around the world.”

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

39th Festival des films du monde / Montreal World Film Festival announces World Competition, First Feature Competition


THE 39TH MWFF UNVEILS THE LINE-UP OF ITS WORLD COMPETITION AND FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION

The Montreal World Film Festival is proud to announce the line-up of its World Competition as well as First Feature Competition. Members of both Juries are also public as of today. “Over the decades, the MWFF has achieved its cultural and an economic mission by offering audiences and professionals a multitude of films, of all genres and provenances,” stated Serge Losique who added “An institution recognized by cineastes the world over, this great cinematic institution has always worked hard to assure its perenniality. It has always been about bringing to Montreal screens the new and interesting films that constitute the best showcase of essential cinema culture.”

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2015 documentary lineup


TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL DOCUMENTARY LINEUP POINTS TO A BIG YEAR FOR MUSICIANS AND GLOBAL STORIES
Slate includes films from Barbara Kopple, Morgan Neville, Laurie Anderson, Amy Berg, Frederick Wiseman, Davis Guggenheim and a posthumous revelation by Sydney Pollack

The Toronto International Film Festival’s 2015 documentary programme presents a diverse mix of international works featuring a wide array of award-winning directors. The TIFF Docs line-up includes revelatory looks at celebrated performers like Yo-Yo Ma, Arcade Fire and Sharon Jones; fresh global perspectives on Ukraine, Haiti, China, and the Middle East; films about film; and loving attention to horses and dogs.

“Emotions run high in this year’s documentaries from passionate performers to angry protestors,” said TIFF Docs programmer Thom Powers. “These films truly command the big screen with their artistry across many forms of documentary — observational, essayistic, historical and investigative.”

Several films focus on music: Miss Sharon Jones! follows R&B queen Sharon Jones during her battle with cancer; The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble profiles the legendary cellist and his international musical collective; Amazing Grace captures the recording of Aretha Franklin’s best-selling album of the same name; The Reflektor Tapes provides insight into the making of the Arcade Fire international #1 album Reflektor and Janis: Little Girl Blue delves into the life of late rock legend Janis Joplin.

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2015 Masters and Classics programmes


2015 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS LATEST WORKS FROM MASTERS OF CINEMA
Including Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Wim Wenders, Jafar Panahi, Philippe Garrel, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Hong Sang-soo, Hou Hsiao-hsien and Patricio Guzmán

The Toronto International Film Festival® today announced the selections for the 2015 Masters programme. This year’s lineup features the latest bold, exciting and moving works from masters of contemporary cinema, including Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Wim Wenders, Jafar Panahi, Philippe Garrel, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Hong Sang-soo, Hou Hsiao-hsien and Patricio Guzmán.

Films screening as part of the Masters programme include:

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2015 Midnight Madness and Vanguard programmes


WALK ON THE WILD SIDE WITH MIDNIGHT MADNESS AT THE 2015 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Midnight Madness returns to the Toronto International Film Festival® to satiate late night audiences’ appetites for wild sensory stimulation. The programme will present the best in action, horror, shock and fantasy films from the rabble-rousers of cinema, opening with Jeremy Saulnier’s tense siege shocker Green Room.

“Midnight Madness winds up Festival audiences as the days are winding down and they are hungry for more,” says Colin Geddes, International Programmer for the Festival. “From adrenaline-filled action and untamed horror to twisted comedy and darkly blurred lines of reality, this year’s lineup welcomes back celebrated masters and fresh visionaries of renegade genre cinema.”

Among this year’s returning Midnight Madness directors are Joe Begos and Sean Byrne, who both debuted in the programme and are back with their much anticipated follow-up features, and Japanese bad boy auteur Takashi Miike with his high-octane Yakuza Apocalypse. Closing out the selection is the raucously reverent homage to classic slasher movies The Final Girls. Films screening as part of the Midnight Madness programme include:

Monday, August 10, 2015

TIFF Soiree Features On-Stage Conversation With Natalie Portman


TIFF announced today that Academy Award®-winning actor Natalie Portman will grace the stage for a look back at her career to date at the first annual TIFF Soirée, a special charity event and cocktail party which will kick off the 40th Toronto International Film Festival®. The intimate on-stage conversation with Portman will be followed by musical performances and a cocktail. The event takes place at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m.

“Audiences are sure to experience an unforgettable evening with Natalie Portman as our special guest at the first annual TIFF Soirée,” said maxine bailey, VP of Advancement at TIFF. “This inspirational and entertaining event will help TIFF raise much-needed funds that allow us to continue our charitable year-round activities. TIFF provides vital mentorship, guidance and tools to people of all ages, circumstances and backgrounds so that they can express themselves creatively. Audiences who share our passion for film are encouraged to join us and show their support for TIFF.”

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Toronto International Film Festival announces Talent Lab, Pitch This! and Rising Star participants


TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2015 TALENT LAB AND TELEFILM CANADA PITCH THIS! PARTICIPANTS
Wim Wenders and Jim Stark to act as Governors for 12th annual Talent Lab

The Toronto International Film Festival® today announced the participants for the 2015 editions of Talent Lab™ and Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! Produced by TIFF’s Industry Office, these essential development programmes provide valuable opportunity and exposure for emerging filmmakers at a crucial point in their careers.

Now in its 12th year, the Talent Lab is a comprehensive five-day artistic development programme led by esteemed governors who will guide 20 emerging filmmakers in group discussions that focus on creativity, the artistic process and independent voices. The programme provides emerging talent with an unparalleled education experience and an introduction to the global community of filmmaking. This year’s governors include Wim Wenders (The Salt of the Earth, Pina) and Jim Stark (Coffee and Cigarettes).

Toronto International Film Festival announces Canadian Selections for 2015


CANADIAN PERSPECTIVES PACK A POWERFUL PUNCH AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Toronto International Film Festival revealed a lineup of bold Canadian works by filmmakers including Patricia Rozema, Andre Turpin, Anne Emond, Kazik Radwanski and Guy Édoin, documentarians Mina Shum and Avi Lewis, trailblazers Bruce McDonald, Guy Maddin and Philippe Falardeau, promising new work from Andrew Cividino, Adam Garnet Jones and Stephen Dunn, and an impressive first feature by renowned visual contemporary artist Mark Lewis. From hardcore horror and political comedy to intense dramas and true tales of bravery, Canadians continue to carve their own place in filmmaking.

“The Festival is excited to showcase these distinctively Canadian voices,” said Steve Gravestock, Senior Programmer, TIFF. “From compelling documentaries on pressing social issues and complex, affecting dramas to political satires, we are proud to share the impressive range and talent of Canada’s directors.”