Call for submissions: EURODOC Pitch, and One‐on‐One for Emerging Filmmakers

CALL FOR PROJECTS:
EURODOC PITCH and ONE‐ON‐ONE FOR EMERGING FILMMAKERS

Montreal, August 1, 2016 – Doc Circuit Montréal (DCM) is delighted to announce two exciting calls for projects: the EURODOC Pitch and the One‐on‐One for Emerging Filmmakers. Established québecois producers and emerging filmmakers are invited to submit their documentary projects by September 15th as part of these two pitching events.

EURODOC Pitch

We are now accepting submissions to the prized EURODOC Pitch! Five Quebec-based documentary producers will be selected for the opportunity to pitch live in the hopes of receiving a $4,000 grant and securing a much coveted slot for one of Europe’s leading training programs.

DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2015

Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay today announced the DGA’s nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2015.

“With more television and documentary choices than ever available to audiences, the level of directorial excellence across the nominees for these nine categories is unparalleled,” said Barclay. “We’re proud to recognize the critical role of director in these genres and honor the incredible range of talent and skill found in all of these projects. Congratulations to the nominees.”

The winners will be announced at the 68th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The DGA Awards will be hosted by actor Jane Lynch.

DGA announces nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2015

Nominees for Inaugural First-Time Feature Film Director Category Also Announced

Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay today announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2015.

“What makes this year different is the unbridled ambition of the five nominated films – in theme, in production, in visual imagination,” said Barclay. “What makes this year the same is that the films were all chosen by the directors’ peers, and it’s clear our members love when people use their vision and skill to push the media to new heights. Congratulations to all of the nominees for their incredible work.”

In addition, Mr. Barclay also announced the five nominees for a new category recognizing the achievement of first-time feature film directors. First announced by Steven Spielberg at last year’s DGA Awards, the Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director is a new DGA Award that was created to showcase the feature film talent of the future.

Toronto Film Critics Association names Deepa Mehta winner of the 2015 Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award

Mehta to endow the filmmaker of her choosing with $50,000 in services from Technicolor Creative Services

The Toronto Film Critics Association is pleased to announce director Deepa Mehta is the recipient of this year’s Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award.

The TFCA thanks Technicolor Creative Services for enabling the Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award recipient to give $50,000 in services to a filmmaker of their choosing. Mehta will announce her designate in the days to come.

“Being chosen by the Toronto Film Critics for the Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award is gratifying, unexpected, and genuinely touching. It’s a great feeling.

The relationship between artists and critics can certainly be fractious, but in a strange way we are inextricably connected – we all have a passion for movies (well not all movies) and value it when they make a contribution to increasing our understanding of each other and reveal the foibles of human existence. I admit that I am sometimes strongly opposed to the views expressed by some critics and perhaps am too vocal at times about my disagreements. This makes this award even more precious to me.

Award winners of the 18th Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (RIDM)

The Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (Montreal International Documentary Festival or RIDM) will close tomorrow, Sunday November 22, after presenting 143 films and numerous parallel activities and events. The award winners for the 18^th annual RIDM were announced this evening during the closing ceremony at Concordia University’s Alumni Auditorium (H110).

GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST CANADIAN FEATURE

Presented by TV5, the Grand Prize for Best Canadian Feature is awarded to Jean-François Lesage’s Un amour d’été, the jury particularly appreciated this “ode to coexistence and joie de vivre that freezes time. A subtly political declaration celebrating the happiness that comes from being together; a nocturnal interlude whose deep appeal to the senses is underscored by remarkable imagery.”

Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announces Special Award Winners

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce six Academy Special Award winners for the 2016 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS: Ivan Fecan, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Ana Serrano, Mark Starowicz, Karen Walton and the Performing Arts Lodges (PAL Canada).

"Each of these outstanding Academy Special Award winners has made innovative and stellar contributions to our Canadian screen-based industries," says Academy Chair Martin Katz. "We are extremely proud to celebrate them and their ongoing achievements at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards."

These Academy Special Awards - as well as additional ones to be announced in the coming weeks - will be presented during 2016 Canadian Screen Week (March 7 - March 13, 2016).

The Directors Guild of Canada presents the 14th Annual DGC Awards

The Directors Guild of Canada handed out 19 awards tonight honouring the best work created by Members this past year in a star-studded, elegant event. Three special career acknowledgments were also handed out during the evening, including the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award to filmmaker David Cronenberg.

Arisa Cox and Sean Cullen co-hosted the Awards Gala which was held at The Carlu in Toronto. Presenters included this country’s hardest working filmmakers and actors; Jerry Ciccoritti, Jason Priestley, Catherine O’Hara, Helen Shaver, Dan Levy to name just a few.

The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organization that represents over 3,000 key creative and logistical personnel in the screen-based industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing. The DGC negotiates and administers collective agreements and lobbies extensively on issues of concern for members including Canadian content conditions, CRTC regulations and ensuring that funding is maintained for Canadian screen-based programming.

Academy announces 81 countries in competition for 2015 Foreign Language Film Oscar

Eighty-one countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 88th Academy Awards®. Paraguay is a first-time entrant.

The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at 5:30 a.m. PT at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

The 88th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Tribute to Chantal Akerman at the 18th Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM)

In light of the tragic death of filmmaker Chantal Akerman, the Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal / Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) will pay tribute to the distinguished member of the cinema community. Her final film, No Home Movie, presented in the official competition at the Locarno Festival this summer, will be screened at this November’s RIDM, as will a portrait of the director, I Don't Belong Anywhere - Le cinéma de Chantal Akerman, directed by Marianne Lambert, who will attend the festival. Festivalgoers will also have the chance to rediscover Akerman’s De l’autre côté, her 2002 documentary about Mexican migrants.

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.

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.”

Call for submissions: Doc Circuit Montreal One-on-One Pitches for Emerging Filmmakers

Doc Circuit Montreal is proud to announce the fifth edition of the One-on-One Pitches for Emerging Filmmakers on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Ten up-and-coming filmmakers will have the opportunity to meet ten established producers during a full-day event dedicated to documentary pitches. Doc Circuit Montreal is committed to offering a new generation of directors the opportunity to enhance their pitching skills and directly present their projects to film and television producers.

A networking and proposal activity, One-on-One Pitches for Emerging Filmmakers is designed to encourage the formation of new business partnerships and spark intergenerational discussions about the challenges, issues and changes facing the documentary industry. Filmmakers interested in participating have until September 15, 2015 to submit a project.

Directors Guild of Canada announces nominees for 2015 DGC Awards

The DGC is delighted to announce the 2015 DGC Awards nominees. Selected from over 250 submissions, the nominees in 19 categories represent a cross section of the industry's outstanding talent working in the screen-based industry.

The Awards will be presented at the annual Gala on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at The Carlu in Toronto. Hosted by Arisa Cox and Seán Cullen with special guests soon to be announced, the 14th edition of the DGC Awards promises to be a big one. The evening will feature a special Nominees’ reception prior to the Gala.

“I am proud of the nominees and how their collective body of work speaks to Canadians and the world about Canada, about our outstanding Canadian screen creators and professionals," stated Tim Southam, National President, DGC. “It is a privilege for the Guild to have an opportunity to celebrate such outstanding talent every year through the DGC Awards, and this year looks more exciting than ever.”

2015 Quinzaine des réalisateurs announces complete lineup

La Société des réalisateurs de films (French Directors Guild) has announced the full selection for the 47th edition of the Quinzaine des réalisateurs (Directors' Fortnight). It is one of the two sidebars at the Festival de Cannes along with the Semaine de la critique announced yesterday.

Previously, they had announced In the Shadow of Women by Philippe Garrel to be the opening night film. The film is about Pierre and Manon, low-budget documentary filmmakers, and the ensuing complication when Pierre meets a young trainee Elisabeth whom he then takes as his mistress.

2015 Prism Prize goes to director Chad VanGaalen

On Sunday, March 29, director Chad VanGaalen was announced as the winner of the 2015 Prism Prize for Timber Timbre's Beat The Drum Slowly music video at the Prism Prize Top Ten Screening and Awards Presentation at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, Ontario. Chad VanGaalen, who was also nominated for his own song Monster, was on hand to accept the Prism Prize trophy and $5,000 award.

The Prism Prize Audience Award was presented to director Natalie Rae Robison for Kandle's Not Up To Me, based on thousands of online votes collected in collaboration with Noisey Canada.

Also honoured during the event was director Jared Raab, who was in attendance to accept the Arthur Lipsett Award, established to recognize an innovative and unique approach to music video art. The Prism Prize Special Achievement Award, honouring a Canadian music video artist for their artistic achievements and exceptional contribution to music video art on a world stage, was presented to animator and cinematographer Christopher Mills.

Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video of 2014 – finalists

Short-List Announcement For Best Canadian Music Video of 2014

The Prism Prize is thrilled to announce the Top Ten Best Canadian Music Videos of 2014, as voted by a jury of more than 120 industry professionals from the worlds of music, film, broadcast and web media. After viewing hundreds of music videos released in 2014, jurors selected the Prism Prize Top Ten based on originality, creativity, style, innovation and effective execution. The jury will vote once more to determine the Prism Prize winner, who will receive a $5,000 Grand Prize at the Awards Presentation on March 29, 2015 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. For the first time ever the Prism Prize Awards Presentation will be open to the public. Tickets are available at www.prismprize.com/tickets

Call for submissions: Toronto International Film Festival

Film submissions for the 40th annual Toronto International Film Festival, running from September 10-20, 2015, is now open. The deadline for submission is May 1. The late submission deadline is May 29.

The festival accepts films from Canada and anywhere around the world, both short films and features. This is their second year accepting international short films. To submit a film, you must register via Withoutabox.com.

TIFF prefers that all short and feature films presented are, at minimum, North American premieres. They will accept submissions that have already premiered in North America, but the film’s premiere status will be taken into consideration when final programming decisions are made.

Directors Guild of America announces 67th annual DGA Awards – winners

The winners of the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards for 2014 were announced tonight during the 67th Annual DGA Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Alejandro G. Iñárritu won the DGA’s Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).

Actor Jane Lynch hosted the ceremony before an audience of more than 1,600 guests. Presenters included (in alphabetical order): DGA President Paris Barclay; Chadwick Boseman; Pierce Brosnan; Glen Charles; Les Charles; Bradley Cooper; Alfonso Cuarón; Julie Delpy; Jodie Foster; Taraji P. Henson; January Jones; Michael Mann; Lea Michele; Don Mischer; Bill Murray; Katey Sagal; Steven Spielberg; Barbra Streisand; and DGA First Vice President Betty Thomas.

Neon Nights: The Films of Michael Mann – Feb 5 to Mar 26 at TIFF Bell Lightbox

As Michael Mann’s Blackhat makes its premiere in January, TIFF looks back at the big-screen oeuvre of the crime-film auteur, which brought a grit and elegance to action cinema that has influenced nearly every police-procedural show on North American television, as well as successive waves of crime thrillers from Hong Kong and Korea.

Drawing on the influence of such male-centred directors as Sam Fuller, Sam Peckinpah and Stanley Kubrick, Mann’s tough-guy cinema offers a master class on masculinity — its nature and definition, in action and appearance. Mann explored his vision of manhood in a variety of different milieus and genres. Furthermore, his relentless pursuit of realism — whether telling the stories of real historical figures in The Insider, Ali and Public Enemies, recreating eighteenth-century frontier America in The Last of the Mohicans, or bringing a remarkable sense of verisimilitude to the crime fictions of Collateral and Miami Vice — has become as much a defining element of his style as the visual gloss of his rainslicked neon nights, the pulsing beat of his musical scores, and his masterfully staged action set pieces.

Álex de la Iglesia: Dancing with the Devil – Jan. 30 to March 28 at TIFF Bell Lightbox

January 30 to March 28
TIFF Bell Lightbox

Like his cult-cinema contemporaries Peter Jackson and Sam Raimi, Spanish maverick Álex de la Iglesia began his career as an anarchic purveyor of high-grade schlock splashing his every fluid-drenched fever dream across the screen, before achieving international recognition as a bona fide festival-feted auteur. The endorsement and mentorship of Pedro Almodóvar helped in this regard, immediately placing the former comic-book artist on the critical radar and garnering Goya Awards (Spain’s Oscars) for even some of his earliest and strangest work. While his work has grown in scope and ambition, de la Iglesia has never surrendered or compromised his unique vision: his films are as strange and transgressive as ever, his sense of humour every bit as dark, biting and absurd. In this sense, de la Iglesia shares much with Canada’s own purveyor of the peculiar and the perverse David Cronenberg: both filmmakers have forced the film world to adapt to them rather than the other way around.