Back together in person after two years of going virtual during the pandemic, the Austin-based SXSW Film Festival has announced its juried prizes. As in previous editions, the awards show happened at the midpoint of the nine-day event, before SXSW’s music events suck much of the attention away from film screenings.
The top prize in narrative feature competition went to “I Love My Dad,” written and directed by James Morosini, who also stars as a younger version of himself in this uncomfortable retelling of how he was catfished by his father (played by Patton Oswalt).
“Morosini displays massive empathy as a filmmaker to get into the mind of the father he feels betrayed by, and also as an actor portraying the impact of that betrayal,” said the jury, who also gave special jury prizes to the cast and crew of “It Is in Us All” and Elizaveta Yankovskaya, star of the Russian film “Nika.
The top prize in narrative feature competition went to “I Love My Dad,” written and directed by James Morosini, who also stars as a younger version of himself in this uncomfortable retelling of how he was catfished by his father (played by Patton Oswalt).
“Morosini displays massive empathy as a filmmaker to get into the mind of the father he feels betrayed by, and also as an actor portraying the impact of that betrayal,” said the jury, who also gave special jury prizes to the cast and crew of “It Is in Us All” and Elizaveta Yankovskaya, star of the Russian film “Nika.
- 3/16/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Filming has begun in Canada on New Regency-backed fencing thriller Balestra, which will be produced as a feature with an alternate version to be released separately as a limited series.
Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place) and James Badge Dale (Iron Man 3) lead cast on the project, which will follow Joanna (Jumbo), who has dedicated her life to becoming the greatest fencer in the world. With the Paris Olympics looming as her last chance to reach the top of the podium, she is pressured by her husband and coach Raph (Dale) to become a test subject for the Halo, a prototype device that lets her extend her training into her sleeping hours. Reality begins to blur when Joanna encounters a stranger named Elliot (Jacinto) and finds herself caught between her exhilarating new dreams and her pursuit of Olympic gold.
Rounding out the cast is Christin Park (Charmed) as Audrey,...
Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place) and James Badge Dale (Iron Man 3) lead cast on the project, which will follow Joanna (Jumbo), who has dedicated her life to becoming the greatest fencer in the world. With the Paris Olympics looming as her last chance to reach the top of the podium, she is pressured by her husband and coach Raph (Dale) to become a test subject for the Halo, a prototype device that lets her extend her training into her sleeping hours. Reality begins to blur when Joanna encounters a stranger named Elliot (Jacinto) and finds herself caught between her exhilarating new dreams and her pursuit of Olympic gold.
Rounding out the cast is Christin Park (Charmed) as Audrey,...
- 2/17/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Vortex Media has acquired the catalogue of Canadian independent distributor Abmo Films. In addition to the acquisition deal, Abmo Films founder Matt Orenstein will assume the role of Vice President, Acquisitions and Strategy at Vortex.
Titles include Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, the Oscar nominated First Reformed, Trey Edward Shults’ directorial debut Krisha, and Hounds Of Love.
Deal was negotiated by Justin Rebelo on behalf of Vortex Media and Matt Orenstein for Abmo Films. Vortex specializes in the theatrical release of feature films and monetization across all platforms. Its recent titles include Nicole Dorsey’s Black Conflux, rock documentary Rockfield: The Studio On The Farm, and its upcoming titles include Jim Cumming’s The Beta Test and the Tribeca premiere Peace By Chocolate.
“The acquisition of the Abmo catalogue is an exciting move for us as we continue to grow our feature film distribution in the Canadian market,” said Justin Rebelo,...
Titles include Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria, the Oscar nominated First Reformed, Trey Edward Shults’ directorial debut Krisha, and Hounds Of Love.
Deal was negotiated by Justin Rebelo on behalf of Vortex Media and Matt Orenstein for Abmo Films. Vortex specializes in the theatrical release of feature films and monetization across all platforms. Its recent titles include Nicole Dorsey’s Black Conflux, rock documentary Rockfield: The Studio On The Farm, and its upcoming titles include Jim Cumming’s The Beta Test and the Tribeca premiere Peace By Chocolate.
“The acquisition of the Abmo catalogue is an exciting move for us as we continue to grow our feature film distribution in the Canadian market,” said Justin Rebelo,...
- 6/8/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Cannes Marché du Film, along with a sales initiative led by Hollywood agencies, is hosting the first major virtual market since the start of pandemic, starting on June 23. Distributors and sales agents are looking forward to it: the turn-up for the online Cannes Marché du Film is significant with more than 7,000 accredited participants as of mid-June.
“As nobody can leave their house, a virtual market is the next best thing. It’s a valid and worthwhile effort … people need something to initiate interactions. If this virtual market can help in some way to stimulate business that’s a great thing,” says Dylan Leiner at Sony Pictures Classics.
Here’s a look at some key titles for sale:
“Balestra”
Director: Nicole Dorsey
Producers: Pierre Even
A disgraced competitive fencer (Tessa Thompson) is aiming for her Olympic comeback. She receives a prototype device allowing her to extend her training into her...
“As nobody can leave their house, a virtual market is the next best thing. It’s a valid and worthwhile effort … people need something to initiate interactions. If this virtual market can help in some way to stimulate business that’s a great thing,” says Dylan Leiner at Sony Pictures Classics.
Here’s a look at some key titles for sale:
“Balestra”
Director: Nicole Dorsey
Producers: Pierre Even
A disgraced competitive fencer (Tessa Thompson) is aiming for her Olympic comeback. She receives a prototype device allowing her to extend her training into her...
- 6/23/2020
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
Bcdf Pictures and Clair de Lune Entertainment’s family drama “To Leslie” will make its market debut at this year’s Marché du Film Online, sold internationally by Mister Smith Entertainment, which shared details of the film’s now-finished casting with Variety.
Jonathan Tucker, Andre Royo and Owen Teague will join previously announced cast members Andrea Riseborough, Allison Janney and John Hawkes.
Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady from Bcdf are producing alongside Kelsey Law of Clair de Lune Entertainment. Michael Morris will direct from Ryan Bianco’s screenplay. UTA Independent Film Group is selling domestic rights to the drama.
Based on events from Bianco’s mother’s life, “To Leslie” turns on a single mother in West Texas (Riseborough) who wins the lottery but almost immediately squanders the money and her relationship with her son. Having burned many bridges, the film picks up as Leslie attempts to rebuild her...
Jonathan Tucker, Andre Royo and Owen Teague will join previously announced cast members Andrea Riseborough, Allison Janney and John Hawkes.
Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady from Bcdf are producing alongside Kelsey Law of Clair de Lune Entertainment. Michael Morris will direct from Ryan Bianco’s screenplay. UTA Independent Film Group is selling domestic rights to the drama.
Based on events from Bianco’s mother’s life, “To Leslie” turns on a single mother in West Texas (Riseborough) who wins the lottery but almost immediately squanders the money and her relationship with her son. Having burned many bridges, the film picks up as Leslie attempts to rebuild her...
- 6/22/2020
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Get ready for some thrilling fencing! Balestra, a psychological thriller about the competitive combat sport, will star Tessa Thompson and Aladdin‘s Marwan Kenzari, with Nicole Dorsey directing. The story follows an Olympic fencer trying to stage a comeback, only to fall into a “web of subconscious desires and unfulfilling reality.” Deadline has the scoop on the psychological thriller Balestra, offering […]
The post ‘Balestra’, a Psychological Thriller About Fencing, Will Star Tessa Thompson and Marwan Kenzari appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Balestra’, a Psychological Thriller About Fencing, Will Star Tessa Thompson and Marwan Kenzari appeared first on /Film.
- 6/17/2020
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
What if I told you that Tessa Thompson was starring in a new film about competitive fencing? Interested? Okay, that might not sound all that exciting. But what if that fencing film is a psychological thriller about a woman that using advanced lucid dreaming technology to become a better fencer and perhaps cheat on her husband? Yeah, that might sell some tickets.
According to Deadline, Thompson is signed on to star in the new film, “Balestra.” The film, as described above, tells the story of a professional fencer that takes part in an experiment using lucid dreaming to become better at her sport.
Continue reading ‘Balestra’: Tessa Thompson To Star In Nicole Dorsey’s Fencing Psychological Thriller at The Playlist.
According to Deadline, Thompson is signed on to star in the new film, “Balestra.” The film, as described above, tells the story of a professional fencer that takes part in an experiment using lucid dreaming to become better at her sport.
Continue reading ‘Balestra’: Tessa Thompson To Star In Nicole Dorsey’s Fencing Psychological Thriller at The Playlist.
- 6/15/2020
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Westworld and Creed star Tessa Thompson is to star with Marwan Kenzari (Aladdin) in psychological thriller Balestra, which Mister Smith, Endeavor Content and CAA Media Finance will be shopping during next week’s Cannes virtual market.
Thompson will also executive-produce the film, which will be directed by Nicole Dorsey (Black Conflux).
Balestra follows disgraced competitive fencer Joanna Bathory (Thompson), who is desperately hoping for an Olympic comeback. Pressured by her husband and coach Rafe, she receives a prototype device allowing her to extend her training into her sleeping hours. By day she’s on the piste, and by night she’s lucid dreaming. But reality begins to blur when she encounters a stranger named Elliot (Kenzari) and gets caught in her own web of subconscious desires and unfulfilling reality.
The film is being produced by Pierre Even (The Hummingbird Project). Also serving as executive producers will be Aron Eli Coleite...
Thompson will also executive-produce the film, which will be directed by Nicole Dorsey (Black Conflux).
Balestra follows disgraced competitive fencer Joanna Bathory (Thompson), who is desperately hoping for an Olympic comeback. Pressured by her husband and coach Rafe, she receives a prototype device allowing her to extend her training into her sleeping hours. By day she’s on the piste, and by night she’s lucid dreaming. But reality begins to blur when she encounters a stranger named Elliot (Kenzari) and gets caught in her own web of subconscious desires and unfulfilling reality.
The film is being produced by Pierre Even (The Hummingbird Project). Also serving as executive producers will be Aron Eli Coleite...
- 6/15/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 35th edition, which will take place from January 15 to 25. There will be 47 world premieres and 71 U.S. premieres, with 50 countries represented overall, in addition to starry tributes that serve as an awards season stop for top Oscar contenders. Among those feted in their respective categories will be Renée Zellweger (American Riviera Award), Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver (Outstanding Performers of the Year Award), Laura Dern (Cinema Vanguard Award), Brad Pitt (Maltin Modern Master Award), along with the winners of the Virtuosos Award: Awkwafina, Taron Egerton, Cynthia Erivo, Beanie Feldstein, Aldis Hodge, George MacKay, Florence Pugh, and Taylor Russell.
The Sbiff is also unique in its yearly celebration of below the line talent. The crafts artists who’ve won the Variety Artisans Award this year are Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen II”), Michael Giacchino (“Jojo Rabbit”), Kazu Hiro...
The Sbiff is also unique in its yearly celebration of below the line talent. The crafts artists who’ve won the Variety Artisans Award this year are Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (“Frozen II”), Michael Giacchino (“Jojo Rabbit”), Kazu Hiro...
- 12/31/2019
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
For many high school students, the most important thing of their existence is finding a social group to fit into. Some find their place early on but others grow into equally awkward adults that never quite find their way. The assured feature debut of writer/director Nicole Dorsey, Black Conflux explores the lives of two very different individuals at two very different points of their lives but each of whom is working through issues that at their core, are exactly the same.
Dennis is a social outcast. Still living at home and working at the local brewery, he is prone to inappropriate outbursts, harbours feelings of self-entitlement, and is often visited by imaginary women who taunt and emasculate him. Jackie is a 15-year-old girl trying her best to fit in with the popular kids w...
Dennis is a social outcast. Still living at home and working at the local brewery, he is prone to inappropriate outbursts, harbours feelings of self-entitlement, and is often visited by imaginary women who taunt and emasculate him. Jackie is a 15-year-old girl trying her best to fit in with the popular kids w...
- 12/10/2019
- QuietEarth.us
The 2019 edition of "Canada's Coolest Film Festival" kicks off next week. From December 4 to 8, the Whistler Film Festival will welcome a wide selection of movies, artists and creators to the mountainside village for four days of screenings, presentations and parties.
Highlights at this year's festival include the world premiere of Kirk Caouette's action spectacle Promiseland, special presentations of Tom Harper's The Aeronauts and Martin Scorsese's The Irishman as well as the Western Canadian premiere of Lorcan Finnegan's Vavarium.
Always a draw for Canadian films, this year's festival also features a wide variety of home-grown talent including Nicole Dorsey's 1980's set thriller Black Conflux, Gaurav Seth's sci-fi thriller Entangled, Ca...
Highlights at this year's festival include the world premiere of Kirk Caouette's action spectacle Promiseland, special presentations of Tom Harper's The Aeronauts and Martin Scorsese's The Irishman as well as the Western Canadian premiere of Lorcan Finnegan's Vavarium.
Always a draw for Canadian films, this year's festival also features a wide variety of home-grown talent including Nicole Dorsey's 1980's set thriller Black Conflux, Gaurav Seth's sci-fi thriller Entangled, Ca...
- 11/29/2019
- QuietEarth.us
The Toronto Film Festival has revealed this year’s lineups for its documentary, Midnight Madness, Discovery and retro Cinematheque sections, adding movies from Alex Gibney, Barbara Kopple, Bryce Dallas Howard, Richard Stanley and Ali LeRoi to the 2019 fest that kicks off next month.
Tiff Docs’ 25 pics kicks off with the world premiere of Feras Fayyad’s The Cave, about an underground hospital led by a female doctor in war-torn Syria. Also in the mix is Kopple’s Desert One, chronicling a perilous mission to rescue hostages in Iran, and Gibney’s Citizen K, profiling the Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Meanwhile, the genre lineup of Midnight Madness includes Richard Stanley’s H.P. Lovecraft adaptation Color Out of Space, which stars Nicolas Cage and brings the director back to the section after 29 years, and Takashi Miike’s Japanese action-comedy First Love.
The Discovery section will open with Chiara Malta’s Simple Women,...
Tiff Docs’ 25 pics kicks off with the world premiere of Feras Fayyad’s The Cave, about an underground hospital led by a female doctor in war-torn Syria. Also in the mix is Kopple’s Desert One, chronicling a perilous mission to rescue hostages in Iran, and Gibney’s Citizen K, profiling the Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Meanwhile, the genre lineup of Midnight Madness includes Richard Stanley’s H.P. Lovecraft adaptation Color Out of Space, which stars Nicolas Cage and brings the director back to the section after 29 years, and Takashi Miike’s Japanese action-comedy First Love.
The Discovery section will open with Chiara Malta’s Simple Women,...
- 8/8/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
‘The Farewell’ Director Lulu Wang, Producer Cassian Elwes Join Toronto Film Festival’s Filmmaker Lab
Directors Lulu Wang (“The Farewell”) and Patricia Rozema (“I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing”) and producer Cassian Elwes will serve as mentors at the Toronto International Film Festival’s 2019 Tiff Filmmaker Lab, Tiff organizers announced on Wednesday.
The festival also unveiled its lineup of Canadian films, which will include new work directed by Atom Egoyan, Louise Archambault, Ellen Page and Amy Jo Johnson, and starring Felicity Huffman, Imogen Poots and David Cronenberg, among others. And it announced participants in industry programs and the Canadian honorees in its annual Tiff Rising Stars showcase.
The films were spread across eight different sections of the Toronto Film Festival, some of which have yet to announce their non-Canadian programming.
Also Read: Mister Rogers, the Joker and Judy Garland Are All Headed to Toronto Film Festival
The Canadian galas, all previously announced, are the opening-night documentary “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,” Semi...
The festival also unveiled its lineup of Canadian films, which will include new work directed by Atom Egoyan, Louise Archambault, Ellen Page and Amy Jo Johnson, and starring Felicity Huffman, Imogen Poots and David Cronenberg, among others. And it announced participants in industry programs and the Canadian honorees in its annual Tiff Rising Stars showcase.
The films were spread across eight different sections of the Toronto Film Festival, some of which have yet to announce their non-Canadian programming.
Also Read: Mister Rogers, the Joker and Judy Garland Are All Headed to Toronto Film Festival
The Canadian galas, all previously announced, are the opening-night documentary “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band,” Semi...
- 7/31/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Toronto International Film Festival has added another 26 new titles to its 2019 festival lineup, comprised entirely of features directed by Canadian filmmakers. Each year, Tiff highlights films that hail from its own shores in a standalone announcement, and this year it includes seven first features, 13 works by returning Tiff alumni, and almost 50% films directed by women.
Tiff debuts include Aisling Chin-Yee’s “The Rest of Us,” Harry Cepka’s “Raf,” Matthew Rankin’s “The Twentieth Century,” Heather Young’s “Murmur,” and Nicole Dorsey’s “Black Conflux.” Plenty of returning filmmakers are also included in this batch of films, including Atom Egoyan, Sophie Deraspe, Joey Klein, Albert Shin, Calvin Thomas and Yonah Lewis, Louise Archambault, Kire Paputts, and Amy Jo Johnson.
“We are deeply impressed by the high quality of the work done by Canadian directors this year — particularly from filmmakers who were making their first and second features,...
Tiff debuts include Aisling Chin-Yee’s “The Rest of Us,” Harry Cepka’s “Raf,” Matthew Rankin’s “The Twentieth Century,” Heather Young’s “Murmur,” and Nicole Dorsey’s “Black Conflux.” Plenty of returning filmmakers are also included in this batch of films, including Atom Egoyan, Sophie Deraspe, Joey Klein, Albert Shin, Calvin Thomas and Yonah Lewis, Louise Archambault, Kire Paputts, and Amy Jo Johnson.
“We are deeply impressed by the high quality of the work done by Canadian directors this year — particularly from filmmakers who were making their first and second features,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Festival also announces four Canadian Rising Stars and the annual Filmmaker Lab participants.
Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) brass announced on Wednesday (July 31) the launch of a talent incubator for female content creators and unveiled the line-up of Canadian features, nearly half of which are directed by women.
Five features from indigenous filmmakers are among the selection of 26 Canadian features. Tiff also announced four Canadian Rising Stars, the annual Tiff Filmmaker Lab participants, finallists for Telefilm Canada’s Pitch This! competition, and the roster of Canadian short films.
The Canadian feature selections include seven first features and 13 works by returning Tiff alumni,...
Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) brass announced on Wednesday (July 31) the launch of a talent incubator for female content creators and unveiled the line-up of Canadian features, nearly half of which are directed by women.
Five features from indigenous filmmakers are among the selection of 26 Canadian features. Tiff also announced four Canadian Rising Stars, the annual Tiff Filmmaker Lab participants, finallists for Telefilm Canada’s Pitch This! competition, and the roster of Canadian short films.
The Canadian feature selections include seven first features and 13 works by returning Tiff alumni,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Kacey Rohl, Mikhaïl Ahooja, Nahéma Ricci, Shamier Anderson are Tiff Rising Stars.
Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) brass announced on Wednesday (July 31) the launch of a talent incubator for female content creators and unveiled the line-up of Canadian features, nearly half of which are directed by women.
Five features from indigenous filmmakers are among the selection of 26 Canadian features. Tiff also announced four Canadian Rising Stars, the annual Tiff Filmmaker Lab participants, finallists for Telefilm Canada’s Pitch This! competition, and the roster of Canadian short films.
The Canadian feature selections include seven first features and 13 works by returning Tiff alumni,...
Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) brass announced on Wednesday (July 31) the launch of a talent incubator for female content creators and unveiled the line-up of Canadian features, nearly half of which are directed by women.
Five features from indigenous filmmakers are among the selection of 26 Canadian features. Tiff also announced four Canadian Rising Stars, the annual Tiff Filmmaker Lab participants, finallists for Telefilm Canada’s Pitch This! competition, and the roster of Canadian short films.
The Canadian feature selections include seven first features and 13 works by returning Tiff alumni,...
- 7/31/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
13 projects will participate in the second annual Frontières Finance & Packaging Forum.
Source: Cannes Film Festival
The Transfiguration
A total of 13 projects will participate in the second annual Frontières Finance & Packaging Forum, set to take place February 22-24 in Amsterdam. This is an expansion on last year’s total of 12 projects.
Having been initiated as part of the partnership between Fantasia International Film Festival and the Cannes Marche du Film, the forum will see industry experts assessing genre film projects from a packaging perspective, analysing finance, marketing and distribution strategies.
Among the selected features are works from directors Michael O’Shea (The Transfiguration), Neasa Hardiman (Happy Valley) and Can Evrenol (Baskin), producer Andy Starke and exec producer Ben Wheatley (Free Fire).
Julie Bergeron, Head of Industry Programs, Marché du Film, said: “After 5 years of continual development, growth, and innovation, Frontières has become the generally acknowledged leader in the genre film industry as a market and networking facilitator, and effectively...
Source: Cannes Film Festival
The Transfiguration
A total of 13 projects will participate in the second annual Frontières Finance & Packaging Forum, set to take place February 22-24 in Amsterdam. This is an expansion on last year’s total of 12 projects.
Having been initiated as part of the partnership between Fantasia International Film Festival and the Cannes Marche du Film, the forum will see industry experts assessing genre film projects from a packaging perspective, analysing finance, marketing and distribution strategies.
Among the selected features are works from directors Michael O’Shea (The Transfiguration), Neasa Hardiman (Happy Valley) and Can Evrenol (Baskin), producer Andy Starke and exec producer Ben Wheatley (Free Fire).
Julie Bergeron, Head of Industry Programs, Marché du Film, said: “After 5 years of continual development, growth, and innovation, Frontières has become the generally acknowledged leader in the genre film industry as a market and networking facilitator, and effectively...
- 1/18/2018
- by Jasper Hart
- ScreenDaily
Eight women directors from across Canada have been selected to attend the 20th annual session of Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc), which includes the pilot program, Widc Story & Leadership. Over the coming months this top-notch group of content creators will develop their feature films and web series, working with an ensemble of hand-picked professional actors, technicians and other industry experts. A major component of the program takes the form of an Industry Immersion at the 15th anniversary Whistler Film Festival (December 2-6), and culminates with a three-month mentorship tailored to advance each director’s project.
Mounting their sophomore feature films are East coast favorites, Mary Walsh ("A Christmas Fury," based on the characters from the riotously-funny TV series "Hatching, Matching and Dispatching"), Anita Reilly McGee ("Black Mammy"), and Widc Feature Film Award-winner, Jordan Canning ("Suck It Up"). Weaving fiction into their prolific body of documentary works from Ontario are, Maya Gallus ("Nights in the Underground"), and Frances-Anne Solomon ("Hero"). Also from Ontario is Nicole Dorsey , developing a debut feature "Black Conflux," along with BC-based actress Ana De Lara ("The Virgin Mary Had a Little Lamb"). Multiple award-winner Marie Clements is developing a new interactive web series "Crooked Bones," based on the true story of First Nations artist, Connie Watts.
"Widc understands that being committed to bringing women’s voices to the screen means investing in the storyteller. Not simply as a “one off” but as a continued partnership between stakeholders who recognize that the development of skill, process, and creation has lasting and profound value,” states Metis actor/ writer/director, Marie Clements. “I am honored to be in this year’s Story & Leadership Program with some of Canada’s most talented and innovative filmmakers."
Award-winning director Rachel Talalay ("Dr. Who," "Tank Girl") will be one of this year’s key mentors focusing on directing action. This year’s line up also includes peer mentors, award-winning Widc alumnae, writer/directors Siobhan Devine ("The Birdwatcher," which premieres at the Whistler Film Festival), and web series creator Karen Lam ("Mythos"), along with popular Widc instructors, writer and Jungian expert, Dr. Carolyn Mamchur , and screen-writer / story consultant Linda Coffey ("These Arms of Mine"). Industry guests include, John Galway (Harold Greenberg Fund), Maureen Levitt , (Super Channel), independent producer, Lael McCall , (Principia Productions), and Telefilm Canada’s Lauren Davis .
“Taking part in this Widc workshop makes me excited about the possibility of someday having television and film represent the perspectives of women, “ states Mary Walsh, a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Lifetime Achievement Award in the Performing Arts. “Although women make up 51% of the Canadian population, they comprise less than 20% of the directors and screenwriters working in Canadian Film.”
The Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) program has earned an international reputation for propelling over two hundred Canadian women directors’ skills, stories and careers to the next level of excellence. Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) have been Widc collaborators, and Telefilm Canada has been a major sponsor since the program’s 1997 inception. Widc and the Whistler Film Festival collaborate again through the Widc Wff Industry Immersion.
The Festival’s online box office is now open for Industry Passes, Festival Passes and Ticket Packages allowing you to select your films in advance and share them with friends and family.
New for 2015 , Wff has introduced a Festival Credential that provides access to the Music Café, ShortWork Showdown and Festival Lodge, and is included in select ticket packages if purchased by October 31.
Air travel and ground transportation deals as well as best accommodation rates starting from $89 per night are now available. The Westin Whistler Resort and Spa is Wff’s official host hotel. Wff has 20 accommodation partners to choose from that offer special rates to Whistler Film Festival attendees. Book your accommodation early to ensure your perfect match and price. For information, go to whistlerfilmfestival.com.
Mounting their sophomore feature films are East coast favorites, Mary Walsh ("A Christmas Fury," based on the characters from the riotously-funny TV series "Hatching, Matching and Dispatching"), Anita Reilly McGee ("Black Mammy"), and Widc Feature Film Award-winner, Jordan Canning ("Suck It Up"). Weaving fiction into their prolific body of documentary works from Ontario are, Maya Gallus ("Nights in the Underground"), and Frances-Anne Solomon ("Hero"). Also from Ontario is Nicole Dorsey , developing a debut feature "Black Conflux," along with BC-based actress Ana De Lara ("The Virgin Mary Had a Little Lamb"). Multiple award-winner Marie Clements is developing a new interactive web series "Crooked Bones," based on the true story of First Nations artist, Connie Watts.
"Widc understands that being committed to bringing women’s voices to the screen means investing in the storyteller. Not simply as a “one off” but as a continued partnership between stakeholders who recognize that the development of skill, process, and creation has lasting and profound value,” states Metis actor/ writer/director, Marie Clements. “I am honored to be in this year’s Story & Leadership Program with some of Canada’s most talented and innovative filmmakers."
Award-winning director Rachel Talalay ("Dr. Who," "Tank Girl") will be one of this year’s key mentors focusing on directing action. This year’s line up also includes peer mentors, award-winning Widc alumnae, writer/directors Siobhan Devine ("The Birdwatcher," which premieres at the Whistler Film Festival), and web series creator Karen Lam ("Mythos"), along with popular Widc instructors, writer and Jungian expert, Dr. Carolyn Mamchur , and screen-writer / story consultant Linda Coffey ("These Arms of Mine"). Industry guests include, John Galway (Harold Greenberg Fund), Maureen Levitt , (Super Channel), independent producer, Lael McCall , (Principia Productions), and Telefilm Canada’s Lauren Davis .
“Taking part in this Widc workshop makes me excited about the possibility of someday having television and film represent the perspectives of women, “ states Mary Walsh, a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Lifetime Achievement Award in the Performing Arts. “Although women make up 51% of the Canadian population, they comprise less than 20% of the directors and screenwriters working in Canadian Film.”
The Women In the Director’s Chair (Widc) program has earned an international reputation for propelling over two hundred Canadian women directors’ skills, stories and careers to the next level of excellence. Creative Women Workshops Association, The Banff Centre and Actra (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) have been Widc collaborators, and Telefilm Canada has been a major sponsor since the program’s 1997 inception. Widc and the Whistler Film Festival collaborate again through the Widc Wff Industry Immersion.
The Festival’s online box office is now open for Industry Passes, Festival Passes and Ticket Packages allowing you to select your films in advance and share them with friends and family.
New for 2015 , Wff has introduced a Festival Credential that provides access to the Music Café, ShortWork Showdown and Festival Lodge, and is included in select ticket packages if purchased by October 31.
Air travel and ground transportation deals as well as best accommodation rates starting from $89 per night are now available. The Westin Whistler Resort and Spa is Wff’s official host hotel. Wff has 20 accommodation partners to choose from that offer special rates to Whistler Film Festival attendees. Book your accommodation early to ensure your perfect match and price. For information, go to whistlerfilmfestival.com.
- 10/15/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
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