Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

After almost 25 years, Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF, announced today that 2018 will be his final year leading the Toronto International Film Festival.  “Because of Piers’ leadership, TIFF is the leading cultural organization it is today, with a global reach and impact,” said Jennifer Tory, Chair of the Board of Directors of TIFF. “We are all indebted to him for his years of vision, innovation and dedication to the art of film.” Handling’s tenure at TIFF has been both ground-breaking and prolific, with career highlights including:

• Growing TIFF from a 10-day event into a thriving year-round arts organization with global impact;
• Leading the Festival into the top tier of internationally recognized film events;
• Leading and mentoring a strong and seasoned team of executives and management and a passionate and dedicated staff;
• Supporting the careers of many Canadian and international filmmakers, including David Cronenberg, Atom Egoyan, Deepa Mehta, Guy Maddin, Denys Arcand, Denis Villeneuve, Jean-Marc Vallee, François Girard, Xavier Dolan, Michael Haneke, Danny Boyle, Kathryn Bigelow, Nanni Moretti, Agnieszka Holland, Abbas Kiarostami, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonathan Glazer, Antoine Fuqua, Pedro Almodóvar, Aki Kaurismäki, Patricia Rozema, Jennifer Baichwal, Guillermo Del Toro, Steven Soderbergh; and many others.
• Leading the campaign to design, fund and build TIFF Bell Lightbox, a permanent home for TIFF and film, now a cornerstone of engaging and innovative programming for audiences and professionals, here and around the world.

“I joined the festival in 1982 and have been CEO for the past 23 years. I am incredibly proud of the legacy we have achieved during that time. I am completely confident in the future of TIFF. It is now one of the most important film organizations in the world,” said Handling. “We have an exciting and bold new strategic plan — Audience First. While I am excited about what the future holds in store for me, my immediate focus remains leading this wonderful organization through to the end of 2018, and ensuring that TIFF continues to inspire audiences and celebrate the riches of cinema from all over the globe.” In recognition of his many contributions, Handling has achieved some of the highest honours afforded to cultural leaders, including Officer of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, France’s highest cultural insignia “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres”, CEO of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Technicolor Clyde Gilmour Award, the Human Rights Watch Award, and in November he will be recognized by Business for the Arts with the Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award. He also holds five Honorary Doctorates from the University of Toronto, Queen’s University, Ryerson University, York University and OCAD University. Over the coming months, TIFF’s Board of Directors will begin the process of identifying and selecting a new Chief Executive Officer.

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The World Premiere of Dan Gilroy’s Roman J. Israel, Esq., starring Denzel Washington will complete the 2017 Official Program Selection lineup of the Toronto International Film Festival.  Written and directed by Gilroy and featuring an amazing transformation by Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq. is the newest and final addition to TIFF’s Special Presentations program. “The Toronto International Film Festival has a wonderful history with both Dan Gilroy and Denzel Washington,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of TIFF. “Three years ago TIFF had the honor of premiering Gilroy’s directorial debut, Nightcrawler, at the Festival. In addition to previously screening The Equalizer and presenting the World Premiere of Training Day, which earned Washington an Oscar for Best Actor, the Washington-starring The Magnificent Seven was our Opening Night film last year. A project that teams up both of these remarkable creators is one not to be missed.” “We always hoped to premiere at Toronto and couldn’t be happier that TIFF audiences will be the first to see the film,” said Gilroy. “Thanks to Cameron and the entire Festival crew for embracing us and bringing Roman Israel to the world.” Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a dramatic thriller set in the underbelly of the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system. Denzel Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is upended when a turbulent series of events challenge the activism that has defined his career. Colin Farrell costars as the ambitious, monied lawyer who recruits Roman to his firm. This star-led cast features Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Lynda Gravatt, Amanda Warren, Hugo Armstrong, Sam Gilroy, Tony Plana, DeRon Horton and Amari Cheatom. R The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 7 to 17, 2017.

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In honor of the 50th anniversary of IMAX Corporation, the Toronto International Film Festival will present an exclusive screening of Christopher Nolan’s widely acclaimed epic Dunkirk.  On Sunday, September 10, Nolan will be in Toronto to present the film, which was shot almost entirely with IMAX® cameras. The screening, to be presented in IMAX® 70mm, will be introduced by Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF, followed by a conversation between the director/writer/producer and Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of TIFF. The free event will fittingly be held at the restored and soon to be re-opened Ontario Place Cinesphere, which has the distinction of being the world’s first permanent IMAX® theatre. “Nineteen years ago, Nolan premiered Following in the Discovery section of the Toronto International Film Festival. We stand in awe of all he has achieved since, and are proud to welcome him back to Toronto,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of TIFF. “The Ontario Place Cinesphere is the perfect place to do it. This cinema on Toronto’s waterfront opened in 1971 as IMAX’s first permanent home. We couldn’t be happier to be able to provide fans with the chance to hear Nolan speak on the groundbreaking art and craft of Dunkirk.” Christopher Nolan, who pioneered the use of IMAX cameras in major motion pictures, beginning with the blockbuster The Dark Knight, expanded the use of the large-format cameras as never before for Dunkirk, which marks the first time he has turned his cameras to a real-life event. The result is a truly immersive experience that draws the audience into the harrowing drama as it unfolds on land, sea and air. “Dunkirk is quite remarkable,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF. “It sets a new standard for the visualization of war. Its form and structure is immersive and experiential and its attention to detail exemplary. This is a story for the times – one of resilience against all odds, ordinary people surviving amidst chaos. Christopher Nolan captures this seminal moment in history with an artist’s eye.” One of the best-reviewed films of the year, Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in. The story unfolds on land, sea and air. RAF Spitfires engage the enemy in the skies above the Channel, trying to protect the defenseless men below. Meanwhile, hundreds of small boats manned by both military and civilians are mounting a desperate rescue effort, risking their lives in a race against time to save even a fraction of their army. The film features a multigenerational ensemble cast, including Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D’Arcy and Barry Keoghan, with Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy. Dunkirk was directed by Christopher Nolan from his own screenplay. Emma Thomas and Nolan produced the film, with Jake Myers serving as the executive producer. The film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. Dunkirk is a Syncopy Production. The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 7 to 17, 2017.

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Natalia Gurkina’s Confession and Justin Wu’s Overtime have been crowned the winners of TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival which showcases 60-second micro-shorts. “This year’s festival attracted an impressively diverse and comprehensive group of entries, including 40 percent from female filmmakers,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF. “We are so glad the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival is able to provide a unique and inclusive platform for emerging filmmakers from around the world to create and showcase their work.” This year’s esteemed jury, including actor Isabelle Huppert, actor Ashton Sanders, music video visionary Director X, actor and director Lake Bell, director and producer Karan Johar and Fast Retailing’s President and Head of Global Creative John C. Jay have deliberated and selected their favourite film of the finalists. Natalia Gurkina’s Confession will be awarded the Jury’s Choice Award. Additionally, Justin Wu’s Overtime has been selected as the winner of the Fan Favourite Award by the public, who voted via Instagram likes throughout the festival. Both winners will be celebrated at the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival Awards Reception during the Toronto International Film Festival. The winner of the Jury’s Choice Award Presented by UNIQLO is: Confession, dir. Natalia Gurkina @madhatterzero Russia A love story within a love story, a nod to Russian melodrama and a film within a film shot on iPhone. Based in Moscow, Gurkina is a 26 year old filmmaker and comics writer. She studied filmmaking at Moscow Film School from 2014-2016. The idea for her short film Confession came to her completely spontaneously, and she shot it on an iPhone 5s days later. The winner of the Fan Favourite Award Presented by UNIQLO is: Overtime, dir. Justin Wu @justinwu France Overtime contrasts the tender love of a father with the brutal world in which he works. Justin Wu got his start as an art & fashion photographer, and more recently began his career in filmmaking. His work varies greatly from TV commercials, gallery art installations, and international fashion editorials. His first experimental film, Coup de grâce, was exhibited and screened at the modern art museum, Centre Pompidou, in Paris last fall. Following that, his first narrative short, Le devoir, won the 2014 Grand Prize for Best Emerging Director at an Academy Award qualifying film festival last summer.

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[caption id="attachment_24006" align="aligncenter" width="1366"] Angelina Jolie, Javier Bardem, Helen Mirren and Gael García Bernal[/caption] This year’s 2017  Toronto International Film Festival In Conversation With… lineup will feature Angelina Jolie, Javier Bardem, Helen Mirren and Gael García Bernal . Through intimate, onstage discussions, the program provides audiences with the rare opportunity to get a glimpse into the careers of industry luminaries. The discussions are moderated by a journalist or industry expert, interspersed with clips of career highlights and followed by a brief Q&A. “Through insightful and dynamic conversation, this program provides a unique platform to engage with these cinematic stars,” said Theresa Scandiffio, In Conversation With… programmer and Senior Director, TIFF Learning. “All of this year’s guests have made a huge mark in the world of film with epic onscreen roles — but we’ll also learn more about the vital work they do behind the scenes, and the stories that brought them to where and who they are today.” The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival runs September 7 to 17, 2017.

2017 Toronto International Film Festival In Conversation With…

In Conversation With… Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie has forged a boundary-pushing path as an actor, director, producer, and humanitarian. Jolie’s roles in Hackers, Gia, and her Academy Award–winning performance in Girl, Interrupted were marked by a transfixing onscreen presence and a restless, mercurial energy that earned her early recognition in the film industry. Having made a deep imprint on Hollywood through lead roles in the Lara Croft franchise as well as Salt and Maleficent, and her acclaimed performances in A Mighty Heart and Changeling, Jolie has subsequently devoted herself to humanitarianism and socially conscious projects. For over 15 years she has given her time and energy as a dedicated UNHCR Ambassador and Special Envoy. As a storyteller, Jolie routinely shakes up the status quo, her passion fuelling such poignant directorial works as In the Land of Blood and Honey and Unbroken. At this year’s Festival, TIFF presents Jolie’s most recent projects: directing, producing and co-writing First They Killed My Father; and producing Nora Twomey’s animated feature The Breadwinner. In Conversation With… Javier Bardem Javier Bardem is an artistically and politically minded force of nature. A household name in Hollywood, art house, and genre in both English- and Spanish-language cinema, he lives and breathes his craft. Always eager to take on diverse and challenging roles, Bardem’s long list of memorable performances include No Country for Old Men, for which he won an Academy Award, The Sea Inside, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Biutiful and Skyfall. A dedicated professional, he’s worked with an impressive roster of luminary filmmakers: Julian Schnabel, the Coen brothers, Woody Allen, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Terrence Malick, Ridley Scott… the list goes on. Equal parts charisma and compassion, his work on The Sons of the Clouds: The Last Colony brought him to the UN to plead the case of the refugees of the Western Sahara. Hear from this truly galvanizing figure as he speaks candidly about his life, career, and the two films — Loving Pablo and mother! — that he brings to the Festival this year. In Conversation With… Helen Mirren Dame Helen Mirren is the embodiment of a living legend. A master of both theatre and cinema, she is renowned for delivering bold performances with an air of effortlessness that belies her extreme precision. On stage, she has brought to life the visions of Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Strindberg. Her depth of classical training — particularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1960s and ’70s — has been translated brilliantly across a daring filmography including The Long Good Friday; Cal (for which she won Best Actress at Cannes in 1984); Peter Greenaway’s astonishing The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover; and the TV detective series Prime Suspect. These were star-making parts in which Mirren showed total control — and this was before her fame playing British monarchs Queen Charlotte in The Madness of King George; the eponymous ruler of Elizabeth I; and her sublime, Academy Award–winning turn as Elizabeth II in The Queen. Mirren’s work always vividly illustrates a devotion to exploring a range of human experience. TIFF welcomes Mirren to this intimate onstage conversation to take a closer look at her newest film, the Festival Gala Presentation selection The Leisure Seeker. In Conversation With… Gael García Bernal Gael García Bernal has long been a commanding presence in world cinema. Since his breakthrough performances in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Amores Perros (and later Babel) and Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También, Bernal has collaborated with such contemporary auteurs as Pedro Almodóvar (Bad Education) and Pablo Larraín (No, Neruda). Bernal’s subversive spirit continues to chart revolutionary ground, from Che Guevara (Fidel, The Motorcycle Diaries) to real-life Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari (Rosewater) to his latest role, inspired by Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, in Mozart in the Jungle. In 2005, Bernal, his longtime collaborator Diego Luna, and producer Elena Fortes launched a documentary film festival (Ambulante), screening films across Mexico (and later, the United States). Two years later, Bernal released Déficit, his directorial debut produced by Canana, a company he founded with Luna. Join us at TIFF to sit down with this artist and community builder as he presents his latest performance in Joan Chemla’s If You Saw His Heart at this year’s Festival.

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[caption id="attachment_23869" align="aligncenter" width="1366"] Glenn Close, Larry Wilmore, Morgan Spurlock[/caption] The Toronto International Film Festival continued today to roll out its bold and ambitious 2017 TIFF Industry Conference program.  The six-day conference, which runs September 8–13, will feature more than 150 guest speakers taking the stage including Tim Bevan, Timothée Chalamet, Glenn Close, Denis Côté, Cassian Elwes, Heidi Ewing, Eric Fellner, Rachel Grady, Luca Guadagnino, Armie Hammer, Mary Harron, Armando Iannucci, Franklin Leonard, Brett Morgen, Sam Pollard, Anna Serner, Morgan Spurlock, Syrinthia Studer, Graham Taylor and Larry Wilmore. The Conference features a range of curated programmes, which brings emphasis to different elements of industry debate. MASTER CLASSES and MOGULS Storytelling, satire, authenticity and equality are at the forefront of this year’s Master Class conversations, lead by some of the industry’s creative luminaries: Emmy and Peabody Award–winning producer, actor, comedian and writer Larry Wilmore (Black on the Air, Black-ish) keeps it “100” with Jesse Wente, Director of TIFF Cinematheque and Armando Iannucci director, writer, creator (The Death Of Stalin, VEEP) on the Art of Political Satire. The Conference closes with renowned homegrown director and writer Mary Harron (Alias Grace, I Shot Andy Warhol) on her distinguished career in film and television, interviewed by celebrated Canadian filmmaker Patricia Rozema (I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing). Moguls previously announced: Anna Serner (CEO of the Swedish Film Institute) and veteran producer Cassian Elwes (Mudbound, Dallas Buyers’ Club), joined by Indiewire’s Editor-in-Chief, Dana Harris. GUARDIAN TIFF TALKS Three intimate onstage talks and Q&As will be hosted by Benjamin Lee and Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian: Luca Guadagnino, Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet discuss one of the year’s most acclaimed films, Call Me by My Name; Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner discuss decades of remarkable Working Title Films productions include their fast-paced indie hit Baby Driver, and upcoming Festival films Darkest Hour and Victoria and Abdul. Legendary actor of stage and screen Glenn Close talks about her career, notable for challenging performances and iconic roles, and about her latest Festival film, The Wife. DIALOGUES TIFF’s Dialogues presents innovative and informative discussions on business and creative topics with notable industry experts. At the Table, presented in collaboration with the African American Film Critics Association, unpacks a film’s journey through candid examination of the importance of bringing more diverse perspectives to key decision-making roles, where objectivity is professed but subjectivity practiced. Speakers: Graham Taylor Partner and Head of WME Global, Syrinthia Studer Worldwide Acquisitions, EVP, Paramount Pictures, Franklin Leonard, CEO & Founder, The Black List, Tre’vell Anderson Film Reporter, LA Times, Gaylene Gould Head of Cinemas and Events, BFI Southbank, and chaired by Gil Robertson Co-Founder & President, AAFCA. Building Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office, featuring Marcia Nickerson, Chair of imagineNATIVE, Valerie Creighton, President & CEO Canada Media Fund, and Danis Goulet, filmmaker, unveils the unique and vertical approach employed to create Canada’s newest film sector designed to support the wealth of Indigenous talent. Eve of Disruption features venture capitalists and industry disruptors discussing emerging trends and technologies that will shape the future of the entertainment industry. 3 For 30 – From Words to Screen, hosted by The Black List’s Franklin Leonard and Kate Hagen, this session illuminates the creative process and the choices filmmakers have to make to transform an ordinary script into a masterpiece. 2001: An Immersive Odyssey explores how science fiction films and immersive technologies inform how we consume the stories we love. DOC CONFERENCE TIFF Now in its ninth edition, the Doc Conference is back to showcase a dynamic slate of filmmakers and industry experts. Featured filmmakers include directing duo Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp, One of Us), Brett Morgen (Cobain: Montage of Heck, Jane), Sam Pollard (Slavery by Another Name, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me), and Denis Côté (Curling, Ta peau si lisse). Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me, Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!) and Brent Hodge will present Culture Shock, a new comedy series, previewing its first episode, Freaks & Geeks. Geralyn Dreyfous, co-founder of Impact Partners Film Fund and Gamechanger Films, will talk about private investment; director Anjali Nayar (Gun Runners, Silas) will speak on cultural appropriation and access in the Global South; and Peter Broderick will provide sustainable career strategies for filmmakers. CONNECTIONS TIFF’s Connections provides networking opportunities by bringing together leading international film professionals and experts. Connections networking strands: Co-Productions, Documentary, Primetime (TV), Shorts and New Technologies & Immersive Storytelling. Executives include: Mo Abudu, Julie Goldman, Katriel Schory, Steven Markovitz, Jennifer Jonas, Landon Zakheim, Brad Pelman and Sarah Lash. Signups will open late August. SHORT CUTS DIALOGUES TIFF Short Cuts programming includes Directing Actors and Actors Directing focusing on excellence in directing performance, with Yassmina Karajah (Rupture), TIFF Rising Stars Alumnus Connor Jessup (Lira’s Forest); while Maximizing Your Short’s Impact provides strategies and tips to get short films seen and heard. FOUNDATIONS TIFF’s Foundations programme explores cinematography, editing, story development, music licensing, US/Canadian legal coventures and collaborative teams. The 2017 lineup features: Pat Mills, Tiffany Beaudin (Don’t Talk To Irene); Caroline Habib, Mongrel International; Kisha Imani Cameron, Ghetto Film School; Lorraine D’Alessio, D’Alessio Law Group; Evelyn Ackah, Ackah Business Immigration Law; Elliott Anderson (ACTRA); Michael Perlmutter, President of CDN Guild of Music Supervisors; and script consultant Corey Mandell. THE INDUSTRY LOUNGE The Industry Lounge is the business and networking centre for industry professionals with free WiFi. It will be open on September 8 to 13, from 9:00am to 6:30pm, and is located in the Glenn Gould Studio Lobby at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, 250 Front St. West. INDUSTRY HAPPY HOURS Connect with filmmakers, producers, and potential business partners from around the globe. Industry Happy Hours are held in the Glenn Gould Studio Lobby at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre, 250 Front St. West, September 8–12 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. The Industry Cocktail, on September 13 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm, will celebrate another year of ambitious industry events. ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY PROGRAMMING AND INITIATIVES CMPA Feature Film Producer’s Award recognizes the entrepreneurship, vision, and passion of Canadian independent producers. The event will take place on Thursday, September 7, 3:30pm–5:30pm. Telefilm Canada Talent to Watch Presented by Telefilm Canada, this series highlights the hottest homegrown directors who are the buzz of 2017. Topics include: ∙ In the Director’s Chair: Lady Boss ∙ Going International: What to Know Before You Go! ∙ Canada’s Class of 2017: Powered by Creativity Additional companies presenting at the Conference include Amazon Video Direct, and Micro Sessions: Adobe Systems®, and Ontario College of Trades. Telefilm Canada’s PITCH THIS! Six filmmaking teams have six minutes to pitch their feature film idea to an international industry audience and jury. The winning team will take home $15,000 to help bring their film project to life. ∙ 12 Days – Tracey Deer, Jennifer Mesich ∙ Boring Girls – Coral Aiken, Hannah Cheesman ∙ Fall from the sky – Deragh Campbell, Dan Montgomery, Kaz Radwanski ∙ Imposter – Adam Goldhammer, Evan Landry, Katie McMillan ∙ Nadia, Butterfly – Dominique Dussault, Pascal Plante ∙ We Will Not Be Defeated – Andrew Nicholas McCann Smith, Dylan Reibling, Brian Robertson BREAKFAST AT TIFF TIFF will present curated networking opportunities via an expanded Breakfast at TIFF series, with events hosted by agencies from around the world, including Telefilm Canada, South Africa’s NFVF, German Films, New Zealand Film Commission, Finnish Films, Caribbean Tales and CinemaChile. Access will be determined by the focus of each event. Signups open late August.

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