TIFF unveiled the 2023 Industry Selects lineup of 12 films available for worldwide acquisition at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.

“As the media industry continues to evolve, TIFF strives to foster creative innovation in both the development and business of storytelling,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “We will continue to expand our successful Industry Selects initiative, a TIFF curated selection of films for the marketplace to find global audiences and are very excited to present a very high level calibre showcase.”

TIFF also announced new additions to the 2023 Industry Conference, with a dynamic array of Connections, Microsessions, and Spotlight sessions.

“Our Connections, Microsessions, and Spotlight sessions are intimate opportunities for professionals to learn from and connect with decision makers who can help forward their future projects and careers,” said Geoff Macnaughton, Senior Director, Industry & Theatrical. “They include a mix of curated and co-produced sessions designed to fuel co-production, sustainability, and responsible storytelling.”

2023 INDUSTRY SELECTS

Amelia’s Children (Gabriel Abrantes, Portugal)
Goodfellas, CAA
Diamantino co-director Gabriele Abrantes and star Carloto Cotta reunite for a Euro-Gothic creeper about an American and his girlfriend (Brigette Lundy-Paine) who discover he’s the long-lost heir to a Portuguese fortune, which comes with some very strange family ties.

Bonus Track (Julie Jackman, United Kingdom)
Bankside Films
Sixteen-year-old George Bobbin (Joe Anders) insists he’s a future pop star, although no one else in his tiny English town agrees. Then he meets the son (Samuel Paul Small) of a famous musical duo who helps him rehearse for their school’s talent show, leading both boys to grow closer creatively and personally.

Borderline (Jimmy Warden, United States)
CAA/Radiant
Los Angeles, 1996: Recovering from their last encounter, a devoted bodyguard (Eric Dane) must thwart the very persistent stalker (Ray Nicholson) of a Madonna-level pop star (Samara Weaving) when he breaks out of an institution and takes her hostage in her own home.

The Boy in the Woods (Rebecca Snow, Canada)
Myriad Pictures
Jett Klyne stars in the remarkable true-life story of Maxwell Smart, a Jewish boy who survived the Nazi occupation of Eastern Europe by hiding out in the forests of Poland.

Dance First (James Marsh, United Kingdom)
Film Constellation
Gabriel Byrne plays the literary giant Samuel Beckett in this biographical drama from Oscar-winner James Marsh (Man on Wire, The Theory of Everything), co-starring Sandrine Bonnaire, Maxine Peake, Aidan Gillen, and Fionn O’Shea.

The Home (James DeMonaco, United States)
CAA
The squishy new horror film from James DeMonaco, creator of the Purge series, stars Pete Davidson as a twentysomething screwup who’s assigned community service at a fancy retirement home and comes to suspect some very unpleasant things are going on upstairs.

Inheritance (Neil Burger, United States/United Kingdom/Egypt/India)
CAA
When Maya (Phoebe Dynevor) learns her father Sam (Rhys Ifans) was once a spy, she suddenly finds herself at the centre of an international conspiracy in this nervy, fast-moving thriller from director Neil Burger (The Illusionist, The Upside, Voyagers).

Les Hommes de Ma Mere (Anik Jean, Canada)
Jessie Films
After her mother’s death, Elsie (Léane Labrèche-Dor) sets out to find her five ex-husbands and scatter her ashes with each of them ― tracing her own history in the process, and seeing her mother’s life in an entirely new way. Directed by Anik Jean and co-starring Patrick Huard, Marc Messier, Colm Feore, and Anne-Marie Cadieux.

Orah (Lonzo Nzekwe, Canada)
Orah Productions Inc.
When her teenaged son is murdered back home in Nigeria, a Toronto cabbie (Star Trek Discovery’s Oyin Oladejo) decides to bring down the international money launderers responsible for his death as violently as possible.

Queen of Bones (Robert Budreau, Canada/United States)
CAA
Martin Freeman, Taylor Schilling, Julia Butters, and Jacob Tremblay star in this dark Depression-era folktale focused on twin siblings who suspect their father is hiding secrets about their deceased mother’s connection with the supernatural. Directed by Robert Budreau (Born to Be Blue, Stockholm).

Umbrella Men II: Escape from Robben Island (John Barker, South Africa)
Africa Entertainment in America
They pulled off the perfect heist, and went to prison anyway ― so now it’s up to the women of the Umbrella gang to orchestrate their escape from Robben Island Prison, in this sequel to John Barker’s 2022 crime comedy.

Vera and the Pleasure of Others (Romina Tamburello & Federic Actis, Argentina)
m-Appeal
Vera (Luciana Grasso) is 17, and like any teenager, she divides her days between volleyball, school… and renting out an empty apartment in her mother’s building to classmates looking for a place to have sex. An inventive new look at desire and longing from directors Romina Tamburello and Federico Actis.

2023 Industry Conference Additions

CMPA Indiescreen Awards

Back at TIFF once again on Thursday, September 7, the Indiescreen Awards have recognized producers whose vision and entrepreneurship demonstrate a commitment and passion for producing Canadian feature films. Join CMPA and TIFF in acknowledging and celebrating the award recipients, followed by cocktails, food, and networking. The Indiescreen Awards are open to all registered delegates and are presented by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), in partnership with Telefilm Canada.

MICROSESSIONS

Collaborative programming with TIFF’s brand partners in sessions that emphasize the opportunities and expertise that many working professionals can gain from some of the world’s leading brands and cultural organizations. Microsessions include:

• Turning on the Light in the Basement: From the Vaults to the Screens — Led by Iron Mountain Entertainment Services
• Informed Choices: New Insights for Environmentally Sustainable Filmmaking — Led by Telefilm Canada
• Empowering Rising Voices: Advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through Film — Led by Indeed
• Transnational Cinema: Industry Perspectives from Quebec — Led by the Mel Oppenheimer School of Cinema at Concordia University and Grande Studios
• Your Next Film is a Co-pro with UK — Led by the British Film Institute
• Lights, Camera, Collaboration: ‘Orah’ and the Roadmap to a Nigeria-Canada Co-Production Treaty — Led by the Black Screen Office and supported by Ontario Creates

CONNECTIONS

Intimate networking sessions giving emerging to mid-career filmmakers the opportunity to interact with industry experts and gain practical knowledge to move their projects and understanding of the industry forward. The Media Partner for Connections is ok Playback. Connections sessions include:

• Breaking barriers, shattering ceilings: Advancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in the screen industry
• Making Shorts That Get Seen
• Disney’s Writing and Directing Programmes — Guest includes: Liz Kelly, Director of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion at Disney General Entertainment (DGE)
• BAFTA: Navigating an International Career
• Beyond Co-pros: Cross-border Collaborations & Funds for Canadians
• Activating Grassroots Movements with Gold House

SPOTLIGHTS

A great way to expand one’s network, build bridges, and develop new business opportunities in Toronto. Spotlights are a collaboration with leading partner organizations, and are designed to maximize the B2B experience over a breakfast networking session. Sessions Include:

• The Big Pitch presented by CaribbeanTales Media Group — 12 BIPOC Projects pitch to a live audience and jury for feedback and funding support. Funded by Telefilm in partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival.
• Do it the Spanish Way! International Co-production Forum — 5 Spanish film teams pitch development projects, with curated B2B speed meetings with Canadian and International professionals to follow. Led by ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones and ICAA Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales.
• Explore the Northern Ontario Film Industry — Unlocking the sometimes untapped potential and lucrative benefits of Ontario’s north for producers and creators. Led by Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION).
• Polish Cinema at TIFF — This year’s selection of Polish cinema is unmatched. Connect with Polish talent, learn about incentives and benefits of co-production, and meet new talent. Powered by the Polish Film Institute.
• Everything Under the Sun and… More! — Appealing incentives, versatile locations, industry-friendly visas, amazing talent — everything Spain has to offer and more. Led by ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones.