Telefilm Canada spotlights Canadian talent at the Toronto International Film Festival
Building on the success of the initiative, London and Paris will also host Eye on TIFF pre-festival screenings
Toronto, August 9, 2017—Telefilm Canada spotlights Canadian talent at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a celebration of film that brings together filmmakers and movie lovers in one festive event that runs from September 7 to 17, 2017. Telefilm is enthusiastically partnering with the Festival once again, putting key initiatives in place focused on recognizing veteran as well as emerging Canadian talent.
“The Canadian films programmed by TIFF mirrors the wonderful diversity and creativity of our national cinema,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “I’m especially pleased to see that four of our recent Talent Fund-supported Micro-Budget Production Program projects are selected by the Festival this year. TIFF has always been an important launch pad for young Canadian talent who have gone on to truly impressive heights, as will no doubt be the case this year.”
Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF, added: “Telefilm and TIFF have shared ambitions to create a world spotlight for Canadian film at the Toronto International Film Festival – showcasing our talent on a global stage. Our partnership with Telefilm has been a valued collaboration for many years, and we look forward to sharing in our support for the local film community for many years to come.”
Telefilm Canada signature events at TIFF
Eye on TIFF, organized by Telefilm Canada in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris
New York, London: August 23, 2017
Los Angeles, Paris: August 24, 2017
An annual event in New York since 2011 and now in its fourth consecutive year in Los Angeles, Eye on TIFF, organized by Telefilm Canada, are exclusive pre-festival screenings that provide international distributors, sales agents, and exhibitors with a sneak preview of some of Canada’s most buzzworthy titles programmed at TIFF. In the aim of driving international sales, a showreel of the films is presented during the event. The teams behind the majority of the films are expected to also be in attendance in New York.
New in 2017: in response to the growing success of the initiative, Eye on TIFF has expanded to target the international acquisitions and exhibition communities in London and Paris. UniFrance has again partnered with Telefilm, and will present a showreel of French titles in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.
Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch panel series
September 9, 2017, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Glenn Gould Studio
In the Director’s Chair: Lady Boss
The disparity between men and women working in key roles in the film industry around the world has been top of mind. At this panel, drawing from their personal experiences and success at home and abroad, established Canadian female directors will discuss how they took charge of their careers and built a name for themselves in the industry. The directors on this panel are all Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film, in partnership with Telefilm Canada, honourees.
September 10, 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM, CBC Conference Centre Room B
Going International: What to Know Before You Go!
Your energy is high, your project is great, your bags are packed…and now what? What kind of business plan will spark interest and inspire confidence? How have you prepared to meet industry expectations? Join veteran producer’s representative and international publicist Lucius Barre for this workshop that will examine how best to get ready to take off into the competitive international marketplace.
September 11, 10 AM – 11 AM, CBC Conference Centre Room B
Canada’s Class of 2017: Powered by Creativity
Canadian directors with distinctive low-budget films at TIFF 2017 will discuss the art of filmmaking powered by creativity, collaboration…and not much cash. What creative opportunities are offered by new technologies? How does Canada’s distinct cultural landscape and linguistic diversity shape their stories? This panel will explore the art of storytelling and engaging audiences.
5th Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film, in partnership with Telefilm Canada
September 12, 2017
Held each year during the Festival, 12 Canadian women are honoured at the Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film, in partnership with Telefilm. Names of the director, actor, and scriptwriter honourees to be announced soon.
Canada Lounge
September 7 to 16, 2017
Located in the Festival Industry Centre, the Canada Lounge is a business and networking centre for Canadian film teams. The Lounge serves as their Toronto meeting hub with international industry representatives.
Initiatives supported by Telefilm Canada at TIFF
Filmmaker Boot Camp
August 10, 2017, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
This workshop, the first in a series aimed at the industry that runs throughout the year, helps prepare filmmakers for the requirements as well as the benefits of film festivals by focusing on the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival. Some 20 speakers and other guests will provide an overview of the Festival program, the Festival Industry Conference series and the resources available for delegates, as well as offer advice to participants on how to promote their projects in development and play their best cards at the Festival.
Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS!
September 10, 2017, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Glenn Gould Studio
Back for an 18th year, Telefilm Canada’s very popular PITCH THIS! initiative gathers six teams and gives them six minutes to pitch their feature film idea to a live audience of over 200 industry professionals. The winning team, selected by a jury of international industry experts, is awarded $15,000 from Telefilm to develop its script.
TIFF Rising Stars
Telefilm is a loyal partner of TIFF Rising Stars, an initiative designed to discover the next generation of outstanding Canadian actors. In a workshop setting, winners will receive professional development and mentoring from casting directors, agents, managers, producers and filmmakers.
Talent Lab
Telefilm is again partnering with Talent Lab, a professional development workshop that provides emerging talent with a unique opportunity to learn from the world’s best film artists, thus enabling them to hone their skills. Meet the 2017 participants online.
About Telefilm Canada—Inspired by talent. Viewed everywhere.
Celebrating 50 years in 2017, Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2013, the Talent Fund accepts private donations to principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.
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Media enquiries:
Andrea Archibald, Deputy Director, Communications, Telefilm Canada
(514) 283-0838 ext. 2047 or 1-800-567-0890, andrea.archibald@telefilm.ca