Third edition of The Shortest Day: a treat for families, kids and movie-lovers of all ages

The Shortest Day returns for a third year across the country from December 18 to 21, 2015, with an outstanding program of new, classic and award-winning shorts by some of Canada’s most talented filmmakers. This year’s free event—a fun way for families and movie-lovers to celebrate the lead-up to the winter solstice on December 21, the shortest day of the year, and usher in the holiday season—features 28 shorts organized into four thematic programs: Kids (under 8, 61 minutes), Family (56 minutes), Musical (16+, 74 minutes) and Dramas and Comedies (16+, 91 minutes).

Among the shorts from Ontario-based filmmakers this year is Bacon & God’s Wrath (Dramas and Comedies program) from director Sol Friedman. Bacon & God’s Wrath screened in the Short Cuts Programme at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. Friedman’s short, an endearing mixed-media docu-collage, tells the story of a 90-year-old Jewish woman who reflects on her life’s experiences as she prepares to try bacon for the first time.

Toronto's European Union Film Festival announces full 2015 lineup

EUFF screenings are FREE
A number of paid advance reservations are available online
November 14 - 28, 2015
The Royal – 608 College St.

The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) is very proud to announce the 28 extraordinary features being showcased at the 2015 edition of the Festival, one from each of the EU member countries.

Making their North American debut at the eleventh EUFF are: Robert Thalheim’s PARENTS (Germany), a modern, honest and humorous portrait of the contemporary family; and Simonas Askelavicius and Ricardas Marcinkus’ SAUL AND PAUL ROBBED THEM ALL (Lithuania), a heartwarming comedy on two average Joes whose lives are turned upside down by a wealthy girlfriend-stealing Georgian.

TIFF Celebrates its 40th Anniversary with Slate of Free Programming

TIFF thanks audiences for 40 years of support with 40 free films including a screening of Vertigo with a live score co-presented with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, crowd-sourced screenings and a free exhibition celebrating film fans

Piers Handling, Director & CEO of TIFF, tonight announced special programming taking place during the 2015 summer and fall seasons in celebration of the organization’s 40th anniversary. The announcements were made at a free community party held in David Pecaut Square in downtown Toronto, prior to this season’s first TIFF in the Park event, a screening of the 1992 Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award–winner Strictly Ballroom.

“The free programming we’re offering will revisit and commemorate TIFF’s history, and allow us to thank our audiences for their dedication and support over the last four decades,” said Handling. “This is a milestone year for the organization. Not only are we looking back and celebrating 40 years of bringing the world to Toronto, but we’re looking ahead to the next 40 years, with a focus on taking our programming to cultural centres around the world.”

RIDM announces lineup for 2015 en plein air summer screenings

Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (RIDM) or Montreal International Documentary Festival is pleased to announce its line-up of free outdoor screenings for the summer of 2015. Working with several organizations, the RIDM will present a series of excellent documentaries in Montreal parks and other uncommon venues. It’s a great way to enjoy the summer while discovering the best that documentary has to offer.

Quebec’s only film festival dedicated to documentaries, the Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal presents the best reality-based films, including the works of established directors and new talents.

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."

Toronto International Film Festival names Friday, September 5 Bill Murray Day

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NAMES SEPTEMBER 5 BILL MURRAY DAY
Special FREE screenings of Ghostbusters, Stripes and Groundhog Day
and the world premiere of St. Vincent

The Toronto International Film Festival® has dedicated one day of its 2014 edition to a celebration of the charismatic, wise-cracking, comedic genius of living legend Bill Murray. September 5 is Bill Murray Day and includes free public screenings of three comedy classics — Stripes, Groundhog Day and Ghostbusters — leading up to the world premiere of the latest Murray-starrer, Theodore Melfi’s St. Vincent. Though the Festival cannot Groundhog Day the Bill Murray Day, a contest will be held to reward Murray fans who attend all three free screenings. But, really, everyone is a winner on Bill Murray Day.

Free screenings of three of Murray’s classic comedies with frequent collaborators, director Ivan Reitman and the late, great Harold Ramis — who directed, co-wrote and co-starred with Murray — will be presented at TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 5 beginning at 10am.

2014 TIFF and NFB celebrate Norman McLaren's 100th Birthday

TIFF AND NFB MARK ANIMATION LEGEND NORMAN MCLAREN’S 100TH BIRTHDAY ON FESTIVAL STREET

On the evening of Sunday, September 7, 2014, the centenary of the birth of National Film Board of Canada (NFB) film and animation legend Norman McLaren will be celebrated with a free program of outdoor screenings, accompanied by live music, as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s pedestrian walk on King Street West, “Festival Street.”

Entitled Re-Sounding the Films of Norman McLaren, and created especially for TIFF, this program features seven short films from McLaren’s legendary oeuvre, with original scores written and performed live by Toronto pop/psychedelic/experimental group Absolutely Free. McLaren’s films will be projected onto a wall especially painted for this event, which is presented by TIFF in collaboration with the NFB.

2014 TIFF announces Cinematheque selections

ÔSHIMA, FORD, PARAJANOV AND HU IN THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL'S TIFF CINEMATHEQUE PROGRAMME OF RESTORED CLASSICS
Free Admission!

The Toronto International Film Festival® presents the TIFF Cinematheque programme featuring newly restored classic films from around the world, including Nagisa Ôshima’s Cruel Story of Youth, John Ford’s My Darling Clementine, Sergei Parajanov’s The Color of Pomegranates (Sayat Nova), King Hu’s Dragon Inn, Wu Yonggang’s The Goddess and a special tribute screening of the late Harun Farocki’s In Comparison.

The lineup features selections by the TIFF Cinematheque programming team led by Brad Deane, Manager of Film Programmes, and including James Quandt, Steve Gravestock, Andréa Picard and Jesse Wente. TIFF Cinematheque is now in its 24th year.

RIDM free outdoor summer screenings – lineup announced

The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) is proud to announce it free outdoor screenings for the summer of 2014. Working with several organizations and festivals, the RIDM will have a presence in several Montreal parks and other sites.

Throughout the summer, the RIDM will present a diverse line-up of documentaries, for free, in unconventional locations. It’s a great way to enjoy the warm season while watching the world’s best documentaries.

All screenings will start at nightfall. Here is the program:

Festival International de Jazz de Montréal announces free outdoor programming

A 35th anniversary for the Festival: everyone is invited to the party!
Free outdoor program of the 35th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal

Thirty-five years—already! Well, for an occasion like this, it’ll be Party Time every day from June 26 to July 6 during the 35th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, presented by TD in collaboration with Rio Tinto Alcan! The 2014 free outdoor program offers concerts for every taste, in every possible genre related to or descended from jazz, from new discoveries to major names to festive events.

The Festival is a genuine engine for the social, economic, cultural and tourism development of Montreal, inviting the entire world to plunge into its oasis in the heart of the du Quartier des Spectacles, the perfect place to surrender to a musical celebration in complete security on a people-friendly site packed with free music and activities, with all of your worries left at home! With that magic formula, it’s no wonder that our event annually draws 2 million entries!

University of Toronto Film Festival 2014, March 31

The University of Toronto Film Festival hosts its 13th annual edition of the student short film showcase tonight. Screenings will take place at Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, in the downtown campus of the University of Toronto.

All screenings are free and open to the public.

Loop installations will be ongoing in the North Dining Room, South Dining Room and Board room. Screenings in the Music Room begin at 6pm, with a reception to take place at 7pm. Screening of the main portion will begin at 8pm (includes an intermission) followed by an awards presentation at 10:30pm.

Hot Docs announces complete lineup for 2014 festival, Apr 24-May 4

197 DOCUMENTARIES FROM 43 COUNTRIES TO SCREEN AT NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST DOC FEST

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival announced its full film line-up for the upcoming 21st edition, April 24–May 4, at a press conference this morning at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto. From 2,435 film submissions, this year’s slate will present 197 titles from 43 countries in 12 screening programs.

“We are so proud to be showing these incredible films and combining them with amazing live events and experiences.” says Hot Docs director of programming Charlotte Cook. “We truly hope it will be a festival of ideas, discussion and amazement and we’re looking forward to bringing the best filmmaking in the world to the world’s greatest audience.”

2014 Montréal en lumière (Montreal High Lights), Feb 20–Mar 2

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, presented by RBC in collaboration with Bell, celebrates its 15th edition this year—and how! With MEL already enjoying a dazzling surge of growth, especially with the return of its outdoor downtown site in the Quartier des Spectacles—MEL crowds have bounded by over 40% to surpass 1,300,000 visits!—our festival has everything required to welcome even more fans this year.

You’ll especially feel all the excitement on the festival’s free outdoor site, an entirely renovated location offering a record number of free activities, building bridges between its diverse programs and offering an unprecedented spotlight and profile to the chefs of Montreal! You’ll also discover top-calibre major free outdoor performances, DJ and VJ sets, the most popular urban slide in the city, the giant winter ferris wheel and impressively mind-blowing lighting effects to name but a few, along with the special grand event on the first Saturday of the festival, as well as all the delicious Gourmet Pit-Stops that allow everyone to kick off the celebration as soon as work or school ends and sustain themselves through another fun night.

32nd annual Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois (RVCQ), Feb 20-Mar 1

February 20 to March 1: Come enjoy your movies!

Québec Cinéma is proud to announce the program for the 32nd annual Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois, the single largest event dedicated to Quebec-made films. From February 20 to March 1, more than 300 films from every cinematic genre will be shown, including nearly 100 premieres. There will also be 25 free events where festivalgoers can celebrate Quebec cinema day and night. Featuring actor Antoine Bertrand as spokesperson and more than 400 guest artists and professionals from Quebec and around the world, this year's Rendez-vous, presented by the SAQ in collaboration with Radio-Canada, will be the ultimate cinematic gathering. Come enjoy your movies.

Free screenings of Canada's Top Ten at Phi Centre

February 5 to 13, the Phi Centre celebrates Canadian cinema with the presentation of TIFF: Canada’s Top Ten. Come see the ten best films from the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival as well as two special presentations of the best Canadian shorts of the year.

The screenings start tonight with presentations of the stunning documentary Watermark by Jennifer Baichwal and Edward Burtynsky, and the thriller Enemy by Denis Villeneuve and starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

All screenings are free. Tickets will be available one hour before each screening at the Phi Centre ticket office. Limit of four per person.

The Shortest Day Film Celebration – free short films across Canada, Dec 21

Three partner organizations, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Telefilm Canada and Quebec’s Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), have joined their efforts so that audiences across Canada can take part this year in The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration, an event started by the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image (CNC) in France that has now spread to some 20 other countries. This free event, dedicated to the promotion and screening of short films, is a first for North America and is presented with the support of the CNC. It offers an entertaining way of welcoming the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—on December 21.

The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration will feature screenings of more than 30 Canadian shorts organized into four thematic programs: Kids, Family, Comedy/Dark Humour and Festival Films. These films reflect the diversity of this very contemporary art form, a genre that is becoming more and more popular in this era of Facebook, YouTube and smartphones.

Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal 2013, Nov 13-24

Jehane Noujaim’s The Square will open the 16th RIDM this Wednesday

Montreal, Tuesday, November 12, 2013 – The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) will launch its 16th edition this Wednesday, November 13 with a screening of the new film by Egyptian filmmaker Jehane Noujaim: The Square (Al Midan). This epic documentary is a chronicle of recent events in Egypt.

From January 2011 to July 2013 – from the first anti-Mubarak protests to the fall of Morsi – Egyptian filmmaker Jehane Noujaim’s (Control Room) crew stayed on the front lines of events as they unfolded in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Guided by Ahmed, a charismatic incarnation of valiant Egyptian youth; his friend and enemy, Magdy, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood; and Khalid Abdalla, an actor known for The Kite Runner, the film makes the square itself its central subject: it is the beating heart of a people who have been fighting for their rights for more than two years. Updated since the early cut shown at Sundance (where it won the Audience Award), this epic documentary is both spectacular and deeply moving; it is one of the year’s absolute must-see films. After winning a second Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film started a dazzling run that already places it among the most popular titles of 2013.

European Union Film Festival in Toronto announces 2013 programme

9th Annual European Union Film Festival

November 14 – 27, 2013

The Royal Cinema – 608 College St, Toronto

Box Office info

- General Admission to all EUFF screenings is FREE and on a first-come, first-served basis.

- Seats to any screening can be secured in advance by a donation of min. $10 per seat at eutorontofilmfest.ca

- Advanced seats must be occupied min. 15 minutes prior to the start of the screening.

(Toronto – October 21, 2013) This may not be exactly what Prime Minister Stephen Harper had in mind when he announced “free trade” with the European Union. But, for two weeks in November at Toronto’s Royal Cinema, the 9th annual European Union Film Festival is offering up a full slate of acclaimed films with free general admission. 

The European Union Film Festival is proud to announce the Canadian schedule for its 2013 program. With this formidable line-up, the EUFF celebrates nine years of creative triumphs, showcasing the best contemporary cinema from its 28 member countries.

Call for submissions: Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters Program

The Writers Guild of Canada has put out a call for submissions for its Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters Program for Eastern Canada. This program is an excellent opportunity for emerging and mid-level writers to develop their skills and make important connections in the industry. Writers for film and television who are based in Ontario or further east have until December 9 to apply to the program.

The deadline for Western Canada (residents in or west of Manitoba) has also been extended until October 28. The Western program is run out of Vancouver, while the Eastern program takes place in Toronto. Application and participation in the program is free.

TIFF announces 2013 fall programming at TIFF Bell Lightbox

TIFF ANNOUNCES A LANDMARK FALL LINE-UP
Season highlights include: The Cronenberg Project, Guillermo del Toro Master Classes, major retrospectives on Claire Denis and Coen Brothers, new releases from Jennifer Baichwal, Alanis Obomsawin and more.

Toronto – Starting October 3, TIFF Bell Lightbox audiences will be treated to an inspiring celebration of the best Canadian and international cinema, both past and present. This season includes a world premiere exhibition, major filmmaker retrospectives, free screenings, film-related workshops and new releases highlighting the best of contemporary world cinema.

TIFF proudly presents The Cronenberg Project, a multifaceted celebration of all things Cronenberg, including the world premiere of David Cronenberg: Evolution the most ambitious large-scale exhibition curated by TIFF. Visitors will experience an up-close and personal look at costumes, props, photographs, audio-visual elements, art work and set-design drawings from Cronenberg’s extensive filmography, including the typewriters from Naked Lunch, the instruments from Dead Ringers and the fly pod from The Fly. This exhibition will be accompanied by two film programmes, From Within: The Films of David Cronenberg, a full retrospective of Cronenberg’s films and Psychoplasmic Panic: Cronenberg and the Rise of Body Horror, a 10-film sidebar programme showcasing works by filmmakers influenced by Cronenberg’s vision.