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.

43rd Annual Juno Awards – winners

The Juno Awards were held this week in Winnipeg, culminating with the televised gala at MTS Centre. The show was co-hosted by Serena Ryder, Classified, and Johnny Reid. Performers included Brett Kissel, Classified, Dean Brody, Gord Bamford, Matt Mays, OneRepublic, Sarah McLachlan, Serena Ryder, Tegan and Sara, The Sheepdogs and Walk Off The Earth. Robin Thicke withdrew from his controversial scheduled performance due to ongoing issues with his vocal cords.

The big winner of the night was the sister duo Tegan and Sara, taking three awards. They won Single of the year ("Closer"), Group of the Year and Pop Album of the Year (Heartthrob).

Montreal's Arcade Fire were on tour and weren't able to attend, but they "performed" (pre-taped recording) a world-premiere for the show. They also picked up a pair of awards, winning Album of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year for Reflektor.

Call for submissions: TIFF Talent Lab

The Toronto International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for its 2014 edition of Talent Lab.

Founded in 2004, Talent Lab is an intensive multiple-day artistic development programme that provides emerging talent with an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the world's best film artists. The 2014 Talent Lab runs from Wednesday, September 3, to Saturday, September 6.

Using the Festival's outstanding relationships with acclaimed filmmakers, Talent Lab leads participants in group discussions on a range of topics focused on the artistic side of filmmaking, sharpening the skills and confidence of a new generation of filmmakers.

Call for submissions: 2014 Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS!

TIFF Industry presents Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS! for the 15th consecutive year at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival!

Six participant teams have six minutes to pitch their feature film idea to a live audience of over 250 industry professionals. The winners, selected by a jury of international industry experts, are awarded $15,000 from Telefilm Canada to develop the project further.

Eligibility

Call for submissions: MIBFF's Youth & Diversity program

For the 10^th anniversary of the Montreal International Black Film Festival being held from September 23 to 28, 2014, the Fabienne Colas Foundation is launching a call for applications for its brand new program "Youth and Diversity".

This program offers professional mentorship in the audiovisual production of a short film to 10 young and promising filmmakers from the Black Communities. They will be guided through the many steps in audiovisual production (screenwriting, directing, editing, post-production, etc.), and will create a documentary short (maximum 5 minutes). This process will be carried out under the professional tutelage of an industry professional with professional equipment. Their final work will be screened at a special event of the 10^th Montreal International Black Film Festival.

TIFF selects Seoul, South Korea for 2014 City To City programme

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHTS THE CINEMA OF
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA WITH 2014 CITY TO CITY PROGRAMME

HONG KONG — Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival, today announced that the 2014 City to City programme will focus on Seoul, South Korea.

“Seoul is one of the most exciting cities on the planet, and you can feel that energy in its films,” said Bailey. “South Korea's capital continues to produce consistently strong cinema, from art house to commercial. Seoul’s best auteurs win major festival awards, while its genre masters are sought after in Hollywood and its actors have won fans all across Asia. This year we want to introduce our audience to Seoul’s next generation. We are lucky to be based in Toronto, home to one of the most ardent audiences for Korean cinema.”

16e soirée des Jutra – winners

The 16th soirée des Jutra was held tonight at a gala ceremony at the Monument-National in Montreal's Quartier des spectacles. The evening was hosted by Pénélope McQuade and Laurent Paquin.

Daniel Roby's Louis Cyr : l'homme le plus fort du monde (Louis Cyr: The Strongest Man in the World) was the top winner of the night. It had led the field with eleven nominations and came away with nine awards including Best Film, Best Actor (Antoine Bertrand), Best Supporting Actor (Guillaume Cyr), and the Jutra Billet d'or for box-office success.

Louise Archambault's Gabrielle was next with five trophies. Archambault herself won for Best Director and Best Screenplay while Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin won for Best Supporting Actress. Gabrielle was Canada's submission for the Foreign Language category of the Academy Awards.

2014 Prism Prize – winners

On Sunday, March 23, director Emily Kai Bock was announced as the winner of the 2014 Prism Prize for Arcade Fire’s Afterlife music video at the Prism Prize Award Reception at The Everleigh in Toronto, Ontario. Emily Kai Bock, who was also nominated for Majical Cloudz’s Childhood’s End this year, was on hand to accept the $5,000.

“Emily made some truly remarkable videos last year,” said Prism Prize Founder and Director Louis Calabro, “it says something that two of Emily’s pieces were on the Top Ten Shortlist. Ultimately, I think our jurors chose Afterlife because it’s thoughtful and well-paced, and because – frankly – it looks beautiful.”

Canadian Society of Cinematographers 57th annual CSC Awards – winners

The Canadian Society of Cinematographers held their 57th Annual CSC Awards tonight at the Westin Harbour Castle, Conference Centre. The event was hosted by film critic and television personality Richard Crouse.

Pierre Gill won for Theatrical Feature for his work on Juan Diego Solanas' science-fiction film Upside Down and also won the TV Series category for Copper. Gill had also been nominated for feature The Colony. He was the only multiple winner of the evening.

Film Review: Nymph()maniac

Writer/Director: Lars von Trier
Producer: Louise Vesth
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård, Stacy Martin, Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater, Jamie Bell, Uma Thurman, Willem Dafoe, Mia Goth, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Connie Nielsen, Michaël Pas, Jean-Marc Barr, Udo Kier
Erotic European Art Film
Volume I: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Volume II: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Lars von Trier's latest film arrives with a lot of baggage. He's known to be a talented provocateur, as well as immensely polarizing. One of the few male directors who consistently writes meaty roles for women, he's nonetheless accused of misogyny. After receiving a Palme d'Or in 2000 for Dancer in the Dark, he returned in 2011 with an arguably greater film Melancholia. It was overshadowed after a press conference went off the rails when he told a personal story about how he grew up identifying as a Jew and only discovered when his mother was on her deathbed that his real father was her German boss. His facetious remarks about wanting to be a Jew only to discover he was a Nazi were grossly misunderstood and misrepresented in the media, with the result that he was declared "Persona non Grata" by the Festival de Cannes.

27th Images Festival announces 2014 lineup

The 27th Images Festival is right around the corner, with 10 days of groundbreaking film screenings, live performances and media-based installations taking place throughout Toronto April 10 - 19, 2014. The Images Festival continues to showcase the innovative edge of international contemporary media art, exhibiting a wide range of work and disciplines through its ON SCREEN, OFF SCREEN and LIVE IMAGES programming.

OPENING AND CLOSING NIGHT
Kicking off the festival at the Royal Cinema on April 10 @ 7 PM, is an intimate and epic film by the Indian collective CAMP (artists in attendance). From Gulf to Gulf to Gulf was shot over four years with a variety of high definition and mobile phone cameras, providing a remarkable window into the usually invisible world of merchant seamen who traverse the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf. Having screened at Experimenta Festival, FID Marseille and Documenta, we are thrilled to bring this incredible film to Toronto audiences for our opening night.

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.”

Osheaga 2014 announces full lineup

Le Festival Musique et Arts Osheaga has announced the complete lineup for the 2014 edition of the festival. The event is set to take place from August 1-3 at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Headliners include hip-hop duo OutKast, rock outlaw Jack White, English rockers Arctic Monkeys, dark & sombre singer-songwriter Nick Cave, dubstep king Skrillex, Swedish pop star Lykke Li, punk-rock quartet Against Me!, Australian electro band Cut Copy, indie pop trio Foster the People and gypsy-punk group Gogol Bordello.

OSHEAGA welcomed 135,000 fans last year, selling out all tickets for the second year in a row. Presented by Virgin Mobile in collaboration with Molson Canadian, the 2014 edition promises to once again offer an outstanding experience to local and travelling music lovers who enjoy nothing more than seeing and listening to countless talented artists outdoors on a hot summer weekend.

Cinéfranco announces full program for 2014 festival, Mar 28-Apr 6

Discover International Francophone Cinema at Cinéfranco 2014

The Royal in Toronto
Friday, March 28 – Sunday, April 6, 2014

A special Free pre-festival program of Francophone Canadian shorts with filmmakers in attendance
Wednesday, March 26 2014, 6:30pm at Magic Lantern Cinema, Carlton St

Tuesday, March 11, 2014: Cinéfranco, English Canada’s largest celebration of international Francophone cinema returns to The Royal in Toronto from Friday, March 28, 2014 to Sunday, April 6, 2014 for its 17^th edition.

Catch up with your favourite stars and directors, and discover new talents through the 25 feature films and 14 shorts screening at Toronto’s beloved annual showcase of the best of Francophone cinema. Films from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Morocco and Portugal will grace the big screen, including 14 North American Premieres, 7 English Canadian Premieres and 2 Canadian Premieres.

2014 Canadian Screen Awards – March 9 winners

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that 33 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS were presented tonight during the CBC Broadcast Gala, hosted LIVE by comedy legend Martin Short from the prestigious Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

“Tonight we gather in the company of our country’s brightest and most glamorous talent to celebrate the best in Canadian film and television,” says Martin Katz, Academy Chair. “I am honoured to celebrate and applaud this year’s outstanding nominees and winners. Their work brings us together, around screens big and small, enriching our communities through story,” he said.

“At 65 years young, we’re only getting better,” says Helga Stephenson, Academy CEO. “This anniversary marks a celebration of our Canadian screen idols, from Mary Pickford to John Candy to Tatiana Maslany, these world renowned stars have helped to shape a national legacy and continue to create new opportunities for our growing Canadian star system. On behalf of the Academy, I applaud all of tonight’s outstanding Canadian Screen Awards winners and Academy Special Award recipients,” said Stephenson.

Film Review: Alan Partridge

Director: Declan Lowney    
Writers: Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan, Neil Gibbons, Rob Gibbons & Armando Iannucci
Featuring: Steve Coogan, Colm Meaney

Review by Allan Tong

Alan Partridge is British comedian Steve Coogan's alter ego: a wise-ass, self-absorbed radio and TV personality who has built a large following across the pond over the past 20 years.  On these shores, however, Partridge is essentially the late, great music impresario, Tony Wilson, whom Coogan portrayed in the brilliantly anarchic 24 Hour Party People (2002).

Here, in his self-titled (of course) big screen debut, Alan Partridge is basically the same egotistical fellow.  This time he's backstabbing a fellow DJ in Norwich, England when the greedy corporate owners decide to oust one of the veteran jocks.

2014 ReelWorld Film Festival announces full programming lineup

ReelWorld Film Festival announced today that it is presenting 79 films and videos during its eight-day festival, being held from April 2 to 6, 2014 in Toronto and from April 11 to 13, 2014 in Markham.

In her opening remarks, Founder and Executive Director Actress Tonya Williams said: "We're bringing 25 features to screens in Toronto and Markham this year, along with 37 shorts, eight webisodes and nine music videos. Once again we're introducing audiences to new Canadian talent from the Aboriginal, Asian, Black, Latino, Middle Eastern and South Asian communities."

The 2014 ReelWorld Film Festival is showcasing 70% Canadian content, and presenting films from Australia, China, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Grenada, Guadeloupe, India, Iraq, Jamaica, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, The United Kingdom, and the USA.

TIFF Kids announces 17th annual festival programming

TIFF KIDS FESTIVAL BRINGS FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO TORONTO’S YOUNGEST AUDIENCES
17th Annual TIFF Kids Festival Targets Children Aged 3–13 and Runs from April 8–21, 2014

The TIFF Kids International Film Festival, one of the premier film festivals for children in North America, returns for its 17thyear with a slate full of premieres of some of the best films from around the world for children aged 3 to 13 that will inspire and delight children and their families alike. The TIFF Kids Festival kicks off on Opening Night with the Canadian premiere of Rio 2, the all-star sequel to the smash-hit 2011 animated adventure, reuniting audiences with Blu and Jewel, voiced by Oscar® nominee Jesse Eisenberg and Oscar® winner Anne Hathaway, and wraps with the Closing Night Film The House of Magic, a gorgeously animated 3D feature from Belgium about a young abandoned cat who finds a new home in an enchanted mansion. All screenings and events take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto from April 8 to 21, 2014.

2014 Canadian Screen Awards for Drama, Children’s or Youth, Comedy and Variety – winners

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that 43 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS were presented tonight in Drama, Children’s or Youth, Comedy and Variety categories. This Canadian Screen Awards Gala was hosted tonight by comedian Steve Patterson at the Sheraton Centre Toronto.

“This year marks 65 years of celebrating extraordinary Canadian screen stars,” says Martin Katz, Academy Chair. “We are extremely proud to continue this legacy by presenting the biggest and brightest talent in Canada with Canadian Screen Awards tonight.”

“This evening’s winners add to the legacy that the Canadian Screen Awards have built after our inaugural year,” says Helga Stephenson, Academy CEO. “We congratulate all of the honourees tonight on their well-deserved successes.”

Film review: Need For Speed

Director: Scott Waugh    
Writers: George Gatins (screenplay), George Gatins & John Gatins (story)
Featuring: Aaron Paul, Dakota Johnson, Imogen Poots, Dominic Brewster & Michael Keaton

Review by Allan Tong

Need For Speed is a car racing flick based on a popular video game.  That's no surprise to anyone watching the first two minutes of this movie.  Need For Speed is an excuse to watch cars blaze down American highways, leap over freeway traffic, smash into cop cars, and hover in mid-air by helicopter.  This is basically a racing game with intermittent dialogue.

The movie marks Aaron Paul's debut as a movie star.  Paul, of course, was the co-star of (probably) the greatest television series ever, Breaking Bad.  However, there's no trace of Jesse Pinkman in Need For Speed and unfortunately none of the depth of his character or of Paul's searing performance found in this movie.  Paul plays Tobey, a master car racing mechanic and driver and generally nice guy.  He holds a grudge against an old nemesis, Dino (Dominic Brewster), and takes the fall when a drag race between Tobey, Dino and Tobey's friend ends in Dino cutting off the buddy and killing him in a horrific crash.  Tobey goes to prison for Dino's crime while Dino enjoys the life of a racing star.

Writers Guild of Canada's 2014 WGC Screenwriting Awards – nominations

The Writers Guild of Canada announced the finalists for the 18th annual WGC Screenwriting Awards today. The WGC Screenwriting Awards celebrate the excellence of Canada’s best screenwriters with a gala event on April 28, 2014, at Toronto’s Koerner Hall.

This year, more than 190 scripts were nominated for awards in seven categories, with 30 chosen as finalists. In total, 50 screenwriters are up for awards. Several special awards, including the WGC Showrunner award and the Alex Barris Mentorship Award, will also be handed out at the gala event.

2014 Canadian Screen Awards for News & Sports, Documentary, Lifestyle, Reality and Digital Media – winners

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that 47 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS were presented tonight in News & Sports, Documentary, Lifestyle, Reality and Digital Media. This Canadian Screen Awards Gala was hosted by comedian Steve Patterson at the Sheraton Centre Toronto.

“Since industry awards were initiated in this country 65 years ago, we have celebrated together,” says Martin Katz, Academy Chair. “Tonight the Academy is very proud to showcase Canada’s leading television and digital media programs this year.”

“Congratulations to all of this evening’s Canadian Screen Award winners and Academy Special Award winners,” says Helga Stephenson, Academy CEO. “Our industry has gone through massive changes, entering into an age of digital media and continues to evolve into a multi-platform universe, and the Academy is proud to recognize the talented Canadians delivering excellence in television and digital media.”

Governor General's Awards and Saidye Bronfman Awards – winners

The Canada Council for the Arts announced today the winners of the 2014 Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts. The winners are:

• Kim Adams, Sculptor, Toronto
• Sandra Brownlee, Weaver/notebook keeper (Saidye Bronfman Award), Dartmouth, N.S.
• Max Dean, Multidisciplinary visual artist, Toronto
• Raymond Gervais, Performance and installation artist, Montreal
• Angela Grauerholz, Photographer/visual artist, Montreal
• Jayce Salloum, Media artist, Vancouver
• Brydon Smith, Curator (Outstanding Contribution), Ottawa
• Carol Wainio, Painter, Ottawa

Call for submissions: Sid Adilman Mentorship Programme

SID ADILMAN MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME: CALL FOR APPLICANTS

Position Type : Intern
Start Date : July-07-14
End Date : September-14-14

TIFF, a vibrant not-for-profit arts organization, is accepting applications for the

Sid Adilman Mentorship Programme

The Sid Adilman Mentorship Programme was established in memory of Toronto Star’s veteran entertainment journalist Sid Adilman. This programme will develop the journalistic skills of one emerging journalist who demonstrates a strong interest in film and the arts. The Sid Adilman Mentorship Programme is made possible through philanthropic donations to the Sid Adilman Mentorship Programme endowment fund.

86th Academy Awards – complete winners

Last night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented the 86th annual Academy Awards with Ellen DeGeneres as host. Steve McQueen's historical drama 12 Years a Slave came out on top in a close race for Best Picture. It also won for Actress in a Supporting Role (Lupita Nyong’o) and Best Adapted Screenplay (John Ridley). Steve McQueen was one of the five awarded producers, and becomes the first black man to win Best Picture. Although he did not win for directing, the film also becomes the first film directed by a black man to win Best Picture.

Gravity by Alfonso Cuarón won more awards, however, with seven. It won Best Director and Best Original Score, as well as the technical categories of Cinematography, Editing, Visual Effects, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. Alfonso Cuarón was himself a double winner for Directing and Editing, and becomes the first Latino to win Best Director.

Dallas Buyers Club by Montreal's Jean-Marc Vallée was another three-time winner. Matthew McConaughey won Best Actor and Jared Leto won Supporting Actor. In addition to the acting wins, the film also picked up the prize for Makeup and Hairstyling.

2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards – winners

Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, handed out top honours to 12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyers Club and Nebraska at this afternoon's 29th Film Independent Spirit Awards. Blue Jasmine, Fruitvale Station, Blue is the Warmest Colour, Short Term 12, This is Martin Bonner and 20 Feet from Stardom also received awards at the ceremony, which is held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.

With writer, actor and comedian Patton Oswalt hosting, highlights included the first ever award delivered via Wild Rabbit's state-of-the-art drone. Mid-show Patton also received multiple motivational messages via Skype from Sarah Silverman, Reggie Watts, Weird Al Yankovic and… his parents. Also showcased during the ceremony, the Indie-izer, Patton's newly developed app that turns any Hollywood big budget film into an indie film.

The Spirit Awards were the first event to exclusively honor independent film, and over the past 29 years, has become the premier awards show for the independent film community, celebrating films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Artists who have received industry recognition first at the Spirit Awards include Joel & Ethan Coen, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone, Ashley Judd, Robert Rodriguez, David O. Russell, Edward Burns, Aaron Eckhart, Neil LaBute, Darren Aronofsky, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Hilary Swank, Marc Forster, Scarlett Johansson, Todd Field, Christopher Nolan, Zach Braff, Amy Adams and many more.