Telefilm Canada showcases the world of Canadian talent at the 37th annual Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto, August 8, 2012 – Telefilm Canada returns to the Toronto International Film Festival with seven initiatives created to promote our industry’s talent. The second annual Talent To Watch series at the Filmmakers’ Lounge will feature emerging and established filmmakers in provocative discussions on their careers at home and abroad. Launched in 2011, Eye On TIFF in New York will once again provide the American industry with an early look at a selection of 10 Festival films from promising emerging Canadian directors.
In order to encourage the production of new projects, Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! returns for a 13th consecutive year. Telefilm is also a partner of TIFF Rising Stars, an initiative designed to discover the next generation of Canadian actors; Talent Lab, a professional development workshop; and Filmmaker Boot Camp, a training event dedicated to Canadian talent.
“The quality of Canadian films at this year’s festival allows us to present vital initiatives that celebrate both up-and-coming and seasoned filmmakers,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “The Toronto International Film Festival is the perfect opportunity to showcase our home-grown talent and to share our rich cultural heritage with international audiences.”
Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF, added: “We are thrilled to be working once again with Telefilm Canada to bring essential programming and significant support to the industry. Telefilm shares in our commitment to the success of past, present and future Canadian filmmakers.”
A Telefilm microsite will shine the spotlight on the producers behind Canadian productions at the Festival as well as their projects in development.
Filmmaker Boot Camp
August 9, 2012, 9 AM – 7 PM
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 4, Toronto
Expanding on the resounding success of the Filmmaker Boot Camp, TIFF, in partnership with Telefilm, returns with its training event dedicated to filmmakers, which kicks off the Festival’s year-round industry programming.
Telefilm Canada Eye On TIFF
August 22, 2012, 6 PM – 8 PM
Crosby Street Hotel Cinema, New York
Telefilm’s Eye On TIFF in New York City is an exclusive pre-Festival mixer between Canadian film teams and the New York acquisitions and exhibition community. This is a chance for key decision-makers to meet Canada’s talent to watch and to get a sneak peak at what Canada has to offer at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. A show reel of approximately 10 films will be presented during the event.
Talent To Watch
September 7, 10, 12 and 13, 2012
Filmmakers’ Lounge, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Toronto
Don’t miss our Talent To Watch sessions that promise to be a lively, insightful and surprising look at why Canadian cinema is applauded around the world.
| Class Of 2012: Canadian Directors To Watch September 7, 12 PM – 1 PM |
| The future of Canadian cinema is here and it is now: meet the young directors – emerging onto screens at home and abroad – and hear how they got here and where they intend to go. |
| First We Take Manhattan: Canadian Films In The U.S. September 10, 12 PM – 1 PM |
| An increasing numbers of Canadian films are being enjoyed by American audiences and traction for our talent is increasing south of the border. This panel will address the opportunities and realities of the US market for our films. |
| Looking At The World: Canadian Cinema Beyond Its Borders September 12, 12 PM – 1 PM |
| From tales of Canadians in settings far from home, to new narratives emerging from our endlessly evolving cultural realities, our stories – both in what they are telling and how they are told – resonate beyond our borders. |
| Not Short On Talent September 13, 2 PM – 3 PM |
| The Toronto International Film Festival’s inspired and audacious selection of shorts is the focus of this session featuring Canadian directors revealing that they are so… Not Short On Talent. |
Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS!
September 11, 2012, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (winner announced at 5 PM)
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2, Toronto
Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! is back for a 13th straight year. Six film teams have six minutes to pitch their feature film idea to a live audience of over 200 industry professionals. The winners, selected by a jury of international industry experts, are awarded $10,000 from Telefilm Canada to develop their script. Hosted by Canadian TV personality Dan Levy.
TIFF Rising Stars
Telefilm is a partner of TIFF Rising Stars, an initiative designed to discover the next generation of Canadian actors. During the 2012 edition of the Festival, TIFF Rising Stars will showcase four Canadian actors, who have proven themselves ready to expand their film careers beyond Canada to the world. Charlotte Sullivan, Tatiana Maslany, Charlie Carrick and Connor Jessup will then receive intensive professional development and mentoring from casting directors, agents, managers, producers and filmmakers.
Talent Lab
Telefilm is partnering with Talent Lab, a professional development workshop that provides emerging talent with an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the world’s best film artists. Talent Lab leads participants in group discussions on a range of topics focused on the artistic side of filmmaking, sharpening the skills of a new generation of filmmakers.
Spotlighting Canadian producers at the Festival
A microsite (http://www.canada-TIFF2012.ca) will go live August 22. The site will feature profiles on Canadian producers with a film at TIFF. Upcoming projects from producers are also in the spotlight in order to help foster partnership and coproduction activity during the Festival.
About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/telefilm_canada and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada.
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Media enquiries:
Douglas Chow, Manager, External Communications, Telefilm Canada
(514) 283-0838, extension 2225 or 1-800-567-0890
douglas.chow@telefilm.ca