The 14th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto Nominees

ACTRA Toronto is delighted to announce the nominees for the 14th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto. The ACTRA Awards in Toronto will take place at The Carlu on Saturday, February 20, 2016.

"What a magnificent display of talent," says David Sparrow, President of ACTRA Toronto. "We are so proud to recognize these ACTRA Toronto members. It is a special honour for actors when their work is prized by a jury of peers."

Sarah Gadon will pick up the 2016 ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence. The Award of Excellence recognizes an exceptional body of work and a commitment to advocacy on behalf of all performers. The show will be hosted by comic Martha Chaves.

Nominations announced for the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Nominees for the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards for outstanding individual, cast and ensemble performances in film and television of 2015, as well as the nominees for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning at the Pacific Design Center’s SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood.

SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris introduced Anna Faris (Mom, The House Bunny) and Anthony Mackie (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Hurt Locker), who announced the nominees for this year’s Actors® live on TNT, TBS, truTV, sagawards.tntdrama.com and truTV.com. Prior to that, SAG Awards Committee Chair JoBeth Williams and Committee Member Jason George announced the stunt ensemble nominees during a live webcast on sagawards.tntdrama.com. A replay of both announcements is available for viewing on sagawards.tntdrama.com.

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.

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).

36th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards – winners

Canadian Opera Company Leads the Field with 8 Wins: 5 for Falstaff including Outstanding Production and 3 for Die Walküre including Outstanding Direction to Atom Egoyan

The 36th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards for the 2014/2015 season were handed out in a star-studded ceremony in Toronto on the evening of Monday, June 22 at Harbourfront Centre’s WestJet Stage, hosted by the hilarious Gavin Crawford, whose eight seasons on CBC-TV's This Hour Has 22 Minutes earned him numerous accolades and who recently won an ACTRA Award for his leading role in the film Two 4 One.

The Dora Mavor Moore Awards are produced and presented by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) and celebrate excellence in Toronto theatre, dance and opera. For the 2014-2015 season, 117 producing companies registered 212 eligible productions. A total of 48 Dora Awards plus the Silver Ticket Award and the Audience Choice Award were given out.

Interview: Jonathan Robbins, star of Out With Dad

Out with Jonathan Robbins

by Allan Tong

Jonathan Robbins is dad in Out With Dad, the most successful Canadian web series today with over 24 million viewers across all platforms, averaging more than 300,000 views per month online, and attracting over 35,000 Subscribers on YouTube. The numbers are all the more impressive when you considered that the show is almost entirely audience-funded. The drama is about about teenager Rose coming of age and coming out of the closet with the support of her single father. At this Sunday's week's Canadian Screen Awards, Out With Dad is up for Best Original Program or Series produced for Digital Media – Fiction. Jonathan is also the creator of Clutch, a crime/thriller web series.

Chino Kino chatted with Jonathan at the start of CSA week in Toronto:

ACTRA Awards in Toronto 2015 – winners

ACTRA Toronto is proud to announce the winners of the 13th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto.

"The performers honoured tonight make us proud to be Canadian," said David Sparrow, President of ACTRA Toronto. "They show off Canada to Canada and to the rest of the world in all its marvelous diversity. And they do it with unique and outstanding talent."

The annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto were presented at The Carlu on February 20, 2015. The gala evening was hosted by Arisa Cox with live music by God Made Me Funky.

ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing more than 15,000 of Canada's 22,000 professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. As an advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.

SAG-AFTRA presents the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards – winners

SAG-AFTRA presented its coveted Actor® statuettes for the outstanding motion picture and primetime television performances of 2014 at the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® in ceremonies attended by film and television’s leading actors, held Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. The 21st Annual SAG Awards® was simulcast live coast-to-coast by TNT and TBS at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT).

Honored with individual awards were Patricia Arquette, Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne and J.K. Simmons for performances in motion pictures and Uzo Aduba, Viola Davis, William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Mark Ruffalo and Kevin Spacey for performances in television. The Screen Actors Guild Awards originated awards for the outstanding performances by a motion picture cast and by television drama and comedy ensembles. The Actor® for a motion picture cast performance went this year to Birdman, while the Actors® for television drama and comedy ensemble performances went this year to Downton Abbey and Orange is the New Black. Of the top industry honors presented to actors, only the SAG Awards are selected entirely by 111,228 performers’ peers in SAG-AFTRA. The SAG Awards was the first televised awards show to acknowledge the work of union members.

Intimacies | An Evening with Ingrid Veninger

Join us for a once in a lifetime experience where we will be screening The Animal Project with an introduction by director Ingrid Veninger followed by a meet and greet and Q&A with the director and cast.

"After an unusual and inspiring dream, an unorthodox theatre director (Aaron Poole) attempts to push a group of eager young performers out of their comfort zones, while struggling with his own ability to live and authentic and fulfilling life with his teenage son."

2015 ACTRA Awards in Toronto – nominations

ACTRA Toronto announces the nominees for the 13th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto. The ACTRA Awards in Toronto will take place at the Carlu on Friday, February 20, 2015.

"The value of these artists is immeasurable, except it isn't," says David Sparrow, President of ACTRA Toronto. "Performers of this calibre add real artistic and commercial value to these films and television shows and we're so proud they are part of our union community."

Tantoo Cardinal will be presented with ACTRA Toronto's 2015 Award of Excellence at the live show and party this year. The Award of Excellence recognizes an exceptional body of work and a commitment to advocacy on behalf of all performers. Jamie Jones will be honoured with the ACTRA Toronto Stunt Award. The show will be hosted by Arisa Cox, with musical entertainment by God Made Me Funky.

21st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards – nominations

Nominees for the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2014 in five film and eight television categories, as well as the SAG Awards® honors for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center’s SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood.

SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard introduced Ansel Elgort ("The Fault in Our Stars," "Divergent") and actress/director/producer and SAG Award® recipient Eva Longoria, who announced the nominees for this year’s Actors®. SAG Awards® Committee Chair JoBeth Williams and Vice Chair Daryl Anderson announced the stunt ensemble nominees.

The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will be simulcast live nationally on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT) from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center. An encore performance will air immediately following on TNT. The SAG Awards® can also be viewed live on the TNT and TBS websites, and also the Watch TNT and Watch TBS apps for iOS or Android (viewers must sign in using their TV service provider user name and password).

2014 TIFF announces selections for Talent Lab Toronto, Telefilm Canada’s PITCH THIS!, Rising Stars

TALENT LAB AND TELEFILM CANADA PITCH THIS! OPEN DOORS FOR BURGEONING CANADIAN TALENT AT THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
20 Canadian and international participants in 2014 Talent Lab Contenders unveiled for feature film pitch competition

The Toronto International Film Festival® continues to support the development of a vibrant and competitive Canadian film industry with its essential industry programming, revealing participants for the 2014 editions of Talent Lab and Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS!. Produced by TIFF’s Industry Office, these programmes provide a valuable springboard for emerging Canadian filmmakers to further develop their talent for Canadian and international audiences.

Now in its 11th year, the 2014 Talent Lab is a comprehensive four-day programme led by esteemed governors who will guide 20 emerging filmmakers in group discussions that focus on creativity, the artistic process and independent voices. This year's governors include Jim Stark (Coffee and Cigarettes), Claire Denis (Beau travail), Sandra Oh (Sideways) and Ramin Bahrani (99 Homes).

Third annual TIFF Gala features onstage conversation with Al Pacino

Charity Event and Cocktail To Be Held on September 3

TIFF announced today that Academy Award-winning actor Al Pacino will grace the stage for a look back at his distinguished career at the third annual TIFF Gala, an exclusive charity event which will kick off the 39th Toronto International Film Festival. The on-stage conversation with Mr. Pacino will be followed by a glamorous cocktail dinatoire, musical performances, a live auction and more. The event takes place at TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 3, 2014 at 7 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to have Al Pacino participate in our third annual TIFF Gala,” said maxine bailey, VP of Advancement at TIFF. “This important event raises much-needed funds that allow TIFF to continue our free year-round activities like Reel Comfort, a programme that brings films and special guests to mental health patients at Toronto hospitals, and Pocket Fund, which provides subsidies for children and families who would otherwise be unable to participate in our educational and cultural programming.”

2014 Canadian Screen Awards – March 9 winners

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that 33 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS were presented tonight during the CBC Broadcast Gala, hosted LIVE by comedy legend Martin Short from the prestigious Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

“Tonight we gather in the company of our country’s brightest and most glamorous talent to celebrate the best in Canadian film and television,” says Martin Katz, Academy Chair. “I am honoured to celebrate and applaud this year’s outstanding nominees and winners. Their work brings us together, around screens big and small, enriching our communities through story,” he said.

“At 65 years young, we’re only getting better,” says Helga Stephenson, Academy CEO. “This anniversary marks a celebration of our Canadian screen idols, from Mary Pickford to John Candy to Tatiana Maslany, these world renowned stars have helped to shape a national legacy and continue to create new opportunities for our growing Canadian star system. On behalf of the Academy, I applaud all of tonight’s outstanding Canadian Screen Awards winners and Academy Special Award recipients,” said Stephenson.

2014 Canadian Screen Awards for Drama, Children’s or Youth, Comedy and Variety – winners

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that 43 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS were presented tonight in Drama, Children’s or Youth, Comedy and Variety categories. This Canadian Screen Awards Gala was hosted tonight by comedian Steve Patterson at the Sheraton Centre Toronto.

“This year marks 65 years of celebrating extraordinary Canadian screen stars,” says Martin Katz, Academy Chair. “We are extremely proud to continue this legacy by presenting the biggest and brightest talent in Canada with Canadian Screen Awards tonight.”

“This evening’s winners add to the legacy that the Canadian Screen Awards have built after our inaugural year,” says Helga Stephenson, Academy CEO. “We congratulate all of the honourees tonight on their well-deserved successes.”

CFC presents An Evening Honouring Chris Tucker

CELEBRATING “BOLD, BLACK, RISK TAKERS”,
AN EVENING HONOURING ACTOR/COMEDIAN CHRIS TUCKER

Part of TD ‘Then & Now’ Series Presented by Clement Virgo Productions and CFC

In celebration of Black History Month, CFC (Canadian Film Centre), Clement Virgo Productions and TD are pleased to present a special evening honouring acclaimed actor/comedian Chris Tucker (Silver Linings Playbook, Rush Hour 1, 2 & 3, Jackie Brown, Fifth Element.)

Tucker is best known for playing the role of Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series. A frequent stand up performer on the HBO series “Def Comedy Jam” in the 1990s, Tucker came to prominence in the 1995 film Friday alongside Ice Cube. He then co-starred and executive produced Money Talks with Charlie Sheen and appeared in Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element before beginning work on the commercially successful Rush Hour films. In 2006 he negotiated an unprecedented $25 million salary to appear in Rush Hour 3, which at the time made him the highest paid actor in Hollywood. Tucker is also a humanitarian and spends much of his spare time traveling and working with his foundation. He most recently appeared in the Oscar nominated film Silver Linings Playbook and is currently on a stand-up comedy tour that has received rave reviews all over the world.

SAG-AFTRA presents 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards – winners

SAG-AFTRA presented its coveted Actor® statuette for the outstanding motion picture and primetime television performances of 2013 at the “20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®” in ceremonies attended by film and television’s leading actors, held Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center.

More than 100,000 active members of SAG-AFTRA nationwide were eligible to vote for the recipients. Honored with individual awards were Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto, Matthew McConaughey and Lupita Nyong’o for performances in motion pictures and Ty Burrell, Bryan Cranston, Michael Douglas, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith for performances in television.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards originated awards for the outstanding performances by a motion picture cast and by television drama and comedy ensembles. The Actor® for a motion picture cast performance went this year to American Hustle, while the Actors® for television drama and comedy ensemble performances went this year to Breaking Bad and Modern Family.

2014 ACTRA in Toronto Awards – nominations

ACTRA Toronto is proud to announce the nominees for the 12th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto.

"High calibre performances like these are building our Canadian Star System," said David Sparrow, President of ACTRA Toronto. "We are honoured to call these performers members of ACTRA Toronto."

R.H. Thomson will be presented with ACTRA Toronto's 2014 Award of Excellence at the Awards celebration. The Award of Excellence recognizes an exceptional body of work and a commitment to advocacy on behalf of all performers. Marco Bianco will receive the ACTRA Toronto Stunt Award. The show will be hosted by actor and comedian Darrell Dennis with musical entertainment provided by Saidah Baba Talibah.

Screen Actors Guild announced SAG Awards 2013 nominations

Nominees for the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2013 in five film and eight television categories as well as the SAG Awards honors for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center’s SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood.

SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard introduced Sasha Alexander (TNT’s “Rizzoli & Isles” and the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Social Media Ambassador) and Clark Gregg (“Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”) who announced the nominees for this year’s Actors®. SAG Awards Committee Vice Chair Daryl Anderson and Committee Member Woody Schultzannounced the stunt ensemble nominees.

Toronto International Film Festival announces 2013 Rising Stars, Talent Lab, Producers Lab, Pitch This!

EVELYNE BROCHU, CARA GEE, MEGAN PARK AND JOHNATHAN SOUSA NAMED 2013 TIFF RISING STARS

TORONTO – The Toronto International Film Festival® today announced the four actors named the 2013 TIFF Rising Stars — Evelyne Brochu, Cara Gee, Megan Park and Johnathan Sousa. Now in its third year, the professional development programme immerses participants in a series of public events and industry meetings during the Festival. This year, the TIFF Rising Stars will be taken through an intensive professional “boot camp” with international casting directors, agents, managers, producers, filmmakers and development executives who will help them prepare for success in the film industry both on and off the screen.

“The Toronto International Film Festival draws industry, press and audiences from around the world and we feel privileged to be able to offer this global stage and these valuable connections to Evelyne, Cara, Megan and Johnathan — the 2013 TIFF Rising Stars,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. “We have no doubt that this year’s unstoppable quartet of emerging artists is on the rise to enjoy sizzling careers like the stellar Rising Stars alumni before them.”