At the premiere party for Dito Montiel’s Riff Raff, RBC house saw the cast and crew party it up in style with several other notable and high profile celebs in attendance. Among those in attendance included Dito Montiel, Jennifer Coolidge, Gabrielle Union, Emanuela Postacchini, Bill Murray and Ed Harris.

See also: TIFF week 1 recap: The stars are out and Toronto has come alive

Surprise performance by Diplo

World renowned artist Diplo gave a surprise performance and the party was officially on with the legendary Bill Murray leading a dance party. Also in attendance were former NBA superstar and champion Dwyane Wade, actor / dj Shamier Anderson and music artist Fefe Dobson.

Riff Raff

Riff Raff made it’s world premiere at TIFF with an all-star cast of Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Coolidge, and Bill Murray. Directed by Dito Montiel, the film follows a one-time criminal Vince (Harris) who turns his life around and just wants to settle down before life throws him a curveball in the form of some family drama featuring his son and his pregnant girlfriend and his first wife (played by Coolidge) as well as an aging mafioso in Bill Murray.

Feature image: TORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 09: (L-R) Bill Murray and Backup DJ perform during the "Riff Raff" premiere party at RBC House during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 09, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Ryan Emberley/Getty Images for RBC)

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The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), celebrating it’s 49th year, just saw the first four days of the festival come to a conclusion ending with the Tribute Awards on Sunday. Between all the premier film screenings, the conversations with legends and the buzzing red carpets, the city of Toronto has come alive. From Jude Law to Angelina Jolie, here’s a recap of the first week of TIFF.

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See also: Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 unveils 5 new world premieres

The return of Pamela Anderson

The Last Showgirl, a film set in Las Vegas, telling the story of an aging showgirl marks the return of Pamela Anderson. Directed by Gia Coppola, the film made it’s world premier and also stars Jamie Lee Curtis as well as former wrestler turned actor Dave Bautista.

Marvel heroes unite

Actors Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh created significant buzz as they walked the carpet for the debut of their film ‘We Live in Time’. The love-story follows a couple as they navigate a terminal illness and also runs along three separate timelines. The two actors both held previous roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Spider Man and Yelena Belova respectively.

Legends abound

Italian singer Andrea Bocelli graced the red carpets to talk about his film “Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe”. Directed by Cosima Spender, the documentary follows Bocelli’s journey to success and pulls the curtain back to reveal intimate moments in his magical career. The legendary artist stopped to chat with me on the red carpet.

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Tribute Awards

Sunday night saw the TIFF Tribute Awards take place honouring several incredible talent. Sandra Oh was the TIFF Tribute Awards Honorary Chair while Amy Adams received the TIFF Tribute Performer Award. David Cronenberg received the TIFF Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award, handed to him by Viggo Mortenson no less, while Cate Blanchette was honoured with the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award. Salma Hayek was in attendance to award the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media to Angelina Jolie. The event was held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and supported by Don Julio, among others.

Stars aligned

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From Jennifer Lopez to Pharrell to Sir Elton John, the stars have been out in full force so far. With another week to go, expect to see more red carpets, more after parties and plenty of celeb sightings.

Feature image TORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Elton John, Salah Bachir, and David Furnish attend the "Elton John: Never Too Late" premiere party at Roy Thomson Hall during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 06, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Kennedy Pollard/Getty Images for RBC)

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The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), renowned for showcasing global cinema, has announced five additional World Premiere titles from its Gala programme and the Special Presentation programme. Movie enthusiasts can expect these highly anticipated films, from internationally acclaimed filmmakers, to bring diverse stories from Canada, France, India, the United Kingdom, and the USA to the TIFF audience.

See also: AfriCAN: Masai Ujiri’s Giants of Africa draws legendary footballer

World Premieres at TIFF 2024

Eden

Directed by Ron Howard, Eden is a survival thriller based on true events. It explores the extreme measures people take in pursuit of a better life. The film features a star-studded cast including Jude Law, Ana de Armas, and Sydney Sweeney.

K-POPS

Inspired by eight-time Grammy Award winner Anderson .Paak’s life, K-POPS is a dramatic comedy that bridges family lineages and cultures. This film marks Anderson .Paak’s directorial debut and offers a unique blend of music and heartfelt storytelling.

Shepherds

Directed by Sophie Deraspe, adapts the Canadian novel “D’où viens tu, berger?” It follows a young advertising executive from Montreal who leaves his city life behind to become a shepherd in France. This Canada/France co-production captures the serene beauty of the French Alps.

Superboys of Malegaon

Directed by Reema Kagti, Superboys of Malegaon is based on the life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker in Malegaon, India. This film delves into the vibrant world of Bollywood, exploring the intersections of filmmaking and friendship.

We Live in Time

Directed by John Crowley, is a highly anticipated romance starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. This London-set film follows a couple whose chance encounter changes their lives as they navigate love, family, and difficult truths.

More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF ’24 go on sale to TIFF Members by level beginning on Friday, August 16. For more details, visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released on Tuesday, August 13.

Hero image: A combination of images courtesy of each respective film/TIFF.

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Award-winning actor Colman Domingo will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. The award recognizes an overall body of exceptional work, and is one of seven awards being handed out at the fifth annual TIFF Tribute Awards gala, presented by Bulgari on Sunday, September 10, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel. 

See also: Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron soars into TIFF

Prolific

A prolific actor of the screen and the stage, Domingo’s career spans over 30 years. You can see Domingo in Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing premiering at the Festival. Past recipients honoured in the prestigious acting category were Brendan Fraser and the ensemble cast of My Policeman in 2022; Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021; Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2020; and Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix in 2019.

Sing Sing

The film Sing Sing is about a theatre troupe that finds escape from the realities of incarceration through the creativity of putting on a play. Based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, the film is being distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures.

“Colman Domingo’s performances are a masterclass in the art of storytelling,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Domingo’s presence, on stage and on screen, is a gift to audiences, and his work continues to resonate, leaving an indelible impact. He is a true visionary in the world of performance, and we’re excited to honour him this year.”

Domingo joins the recently announced 2023 TIFF Tribute Award honourees Andy Lau, recipient of the Special Tribute Award; Carolina Markowicz, recipient of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM Studios; Łukasz Żal, recipient of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award; Shawn Levy, recipient of the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award presented by The Budman Family; Pedro Almodóvar, recipient of the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant; and Spike Lee, recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Once again, the TIFF Tribute Awards honour the film industry’s outstanding contributors and their achievements, recognizing leading industry members, acting talent, directorial expertise, new talent, and a below-the-line artist and creator.

The Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser, having raised $1.3 million in 2022, and is presented by Bulgari, sharing their commitment to arts and culture along with TIFF. This year, the Tribute Awards gala will support the Viola Desmond Cinema campaign, which was launched through the Every Story Fund in 2022. For more information, visit tiff.net/tribute.

About Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo is an Emmy Award–winning actor, and has been nominated for a Tony®, Independent Spirit, Gotham, Lawrence Olivier, Drama Desk, Drama League, NAACP Image, and Black Reel Award as an actor, playwright, and producer. He stars in and executive produced Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing, which will make its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In June 2023, he appeared in and produced the unscripted AMC travel show You Are Here and was a producer on the Tony-nominated Fat Ham.

He is well known for his Spirit Award–nominated role in Janicza Bravo’s Zola as well as his work on stage in The Scottsboro Boys and Broadway’s Passing Strange. Domingo and his husband Raúl Domingo have produced a myriad of work under their Edith Productions banner, including four seasons of the award-winning variety talk show Bottomless Brunch at Colman’s. Domingo co-wrote, produced, and starred in the Academy Award–shortlisted animated short film New Moon, based on his play A Boy and His Soul. He also starred in and executive produced the award-winning short North Star. 

Feature image by John Wolfsohn/Getty Images

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Welcome to Episode 62 of the Gent’s Talk podcast, where we sat with Cameron Bailey. Amidst a highly anticipated September, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) CEO joined us to discuss all things TIFF, including the strike’s impact. We even got some time to talk to the man behind the successful festival and see what it takes to be the CEO of a major international festival.

CEO

Cameron Bailey, an immigrant to Canada, was born in England. He is of Barbadian descent and came to Canada when he was seven. With the traditional immigrant story of parents looking for a better life, he’s always been an outsider. Bailey strives to maintain an outsider’s perspective and believes that’s what keeps him on top of his game. “Most of us are outsiders,” he stated, “if you always feel like an insider, it can limit your perspective.”

It was at university that Bailey uncovered his love for film. He discovered that movies can do a lot more than entertain. “Films can give you insight into the human condition because it’s such an emotive medium,” Cameron mentioned. He believes in the power of film and its ability to change how we think, see the world, and think about ourselves.

TIFF

Listen as Cameron breaks down the submission process, where the production team goes from watching 8,200+ submitted films to picking around 260 that will be premiered at TIFF. As one can expect, that is a tall order. To our surprise, although painstakingly obvious, TIFF is more than just a two-week ordeal. Bailey explained how TIFF, with the help of TIFF Bell Lightbox, is a year-round undertaking. He laid out his expectations for TIFF Lightbox to be one of the premier destinations in Toronto. If you’re looking for a reason to visit Bell Lightbox, Bailey explained that they showcase classic films all year round on the big screen. He illustrated how watching a movie from the 1800s in a theatre cannot be matched and how Bell Lightbox is excited to provide audience members with that opportunity. “People crave the social energy you get from discovering a new movie together.”

See Also: Gent’s Talk: Ep. 61 – A sit-down w/ James Milonas

What To Watch

With 260 movies available during TIFF, Cameron predicts that The Boy and the Heron and Past Lives will be a couple of the films to keep on the radar. If you’re looking for the entire schedule, click here. Please tune into Episode 62 for the entire conversation with Cameron Bailey. He breaks down (and simplifies) the current strike and its effect on TIFF and the industry. Bailey also talks about AI and streaming services and explains what we, as Canadians, need to do to help Canadian films be more successful.

About Gent’s Talkk

Bulova Canada presents Episode 62 of Gent’s Talk, available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple and Google Podcasts! It was filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. You can now catch Seasons 1, 2, & 3 on all Air Canada flights! Your continued support throughout this journey is appreciated. Thank you!

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TIFF has announced Sly as the Closing Night Gala for the 48th edition of the Festival. The documentary captures the incredible and illustrious life of the remarkable actor, writer, director, and producer Sylvester Stallone. The film will have its World Premiere on Saturday, September 16, at Roy Thomson Hall.

See also: Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron soars into TIFF

“Stallone’s story is one of perseverance, triumph, and his indelible mark left on the world of film, and we couldn’t be more honoured to share it with our audiences as our Closing Night film,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “Celebrating the legacy of a true icon, Sly takes audiences on an intimate journey through the life of Stallone, a cultural touchstone whose impact on cinema spans nearly half a century. Sly offers an unexpected and heartfelt exploration of the man behind the action megastar.”

Sly

Directed by Thom Zimny (Springsteen on Broadway, Elvis Presley: The Searcher), Sly pulls back the curtain and gives audiences an intimate look at the early life of the action megastar. It’s an opportunity for reflection on a career that spans nearly 50 years.

Sly travels back in time to show Stallone’s rough upbringing in New York City as a troubled kid. The same kid who’d escape his angry household to watch movies all day and then write scripts himself. Through his rollercoaster career, which exploded when Rocky — a role he had to fight to play, despite having written the now iconic movie — catapulted him to a level of stardom for which he was entirely unprepared.

The documentary takes this storied filmography and runs parallel with Stallone’s personal journey. It explores how his inspirational underdog story informed both the indelible characters he plays and the man he has become. There are highs and there are lows.

Sylvester Stallone gained international acclaim with his portrayal of Rocky and Rambo, with both projects becoming highly successful franchises over multiple decades. Other film credits include Demolition Man, Cliffhanger, Cop Land, and Escape Plan. More recently, The Expendables and Creed, which earned Stallone an Academy Award nomination in 2016. Stallone currently stars in the hit series Tulsa King, which has been renewed for a second season.

The film is produced by Sean Stuart, and executive produced by Braden Aftergood, Bill Zanker, Sam Delcanto, Jon Beyer, Tom Forman, Jenny Daly, and Stallone.

Sly will officially close the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 16, 2023.

Feature image by David Needleman

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TIFF has announced that Studio Ghibli’s long-awaited fantastical epic feature film, The Boy and the Heron, from Academy Award–winning visionary director Hayao Miyazaki, will be the Opening Night Gala Presentation for the 48th Toronto International Film Festival® on Thursday, September 7, at Roy Thomson Hall. The original story was written and directed by the Japanese filmmaker and produced by Oscar®-winning Studio Ghibli, which Miyazaki co-founded. 

See also: Atom Egoyan’s ‘Seven Veils’ to make world premier at TIFF

Several of Studio Ghibli’s films have screened at TIFF, including The Red Turtle (2016), The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2014), The Wind Rises (2013), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), Spirited Away (2002), and Princess Mononoke (1999). The Boy and the Heron makes the first time a Japanese film or an animated film has opened the Festival.

“We are honoured to open the 48th Toronto International Film Festival with the work of one of cinema’s greatest artists,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “Already acclaimed as a masterpiece in Japan, Hayao Miyazaki’s new film begins as a simple story of loss and love and rises to a staggering work of imagination. I look forward to our audience discovering its mysteries for themselves, but I can promise a singular, transformative experience.”

The Boy and the Heron is director Miyazaki’s first feature film in 10 years. The film opened to record-breaking success in Japan. The hand-drawn, animated feature — — features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. Studio Ghibli released the film in Japan without any promotion, marketing materials, or film description, allowing audiences to discover the film for themselves. This screening will be the International Premiere and the first opportunity for audiences outside of Japan to experience the film for themselves. GKIDS is distributing The Boy and the Heron in North America, where it will be released in theatres later in the year.

Feature image Hayao Miyazaki at the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences’ 2014 Governors Awards in California in 2014 / Getty Images

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Legendary filmmaker Atom Egoyan returns to the Toronto International Film Festival this year unveiling his new film Seven Veils. The film is set to make its world premier at TIFF this September. This also marks the 18th time an Egoyan film has been premiered at the festival. Egoyan, born in Egypt and raised in Western Canada is among Canada’s most revered directors.

See also: Ladj Ly set to world-debut new film at TIFF

Seven Veils

Egoyan reunites with actress Amanda Seyfried (2009 – Chloe) where Seyfried plays the role of Jeanine, a theatre director. Jeanine is tasked with remounting her former mentor’s most famous work, the opera Salome. Haunted by dark and disturbing memories from her past, Jeanine allows her repressed trauma to colour the present as she re-enters the opera world after so many years away. Egoyan first directed Salome for the Canadian Opera Company in 1996. He returned earlier this year to revive the production on stage.

“Amanda is a phenomenal actress, and here she brilliantly plays a woman dealing with complex and explosive relationships in her past, present, and future,” said Egoyan. “To have the world premiere of this film at TIFF and to be partnering with the Canadian Opera Company really brings my two great passions together in such a
beautiful way.”

“We are honoured to premiere Atom Egoyan’s extraordinary film at this year’s Festival,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “Egoyan’s cinematic works are unmatched, and we’re excited to bring Seven Veils to our TIFF audiences and to the city of Toronto, his home.”

Tickets for the Avant-première screening of Seven Veils at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts will be available from August 15, 2023 and can be purchased online at coc.ca or by calling the Four Seasons Centre Box Office at 416-363-8231.

Feature image credit shutterstock

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The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to welcome another world-premier. Critically acclaimed French filmmaker, Ladj Ly, will be debuting Les Indésirables at this year’s festival. This marks the first international title to make its premier at TIFF 2023.

See also: TIFF to kick off 2023 festival featuring Taika Waititi

Les Indésirables

Set in the suburbs on the outskirts of Paris, Les Indésirables plays on stories of revolution. With the unexpected death of the town’s mayor, a young idealistic doctor replaces the mayor with ambitions of rehabilitating a working-class neighbourhood. The film stars Alexis Manenti, Jeanne Balibar, Steve Tientcheu, Anta Diaw, and Aristote Luyindula.

Ladj Ly

Ly is set to make his return to TIFF after his debut feature, Les Misérables, was an Official Selection and North American premiere at the 2019 Festival, received the Jury Prize at Cannes, was nominated for a Palme d’Or at Cannes as well as several César awards, among others, and ultimately earned an Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature. 

“We are honoured to showcase Ladj Ly’s remarkable talent once again with the World Premiere of his latest work, Les Indésirables,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “This deeply personal film beautifully captures the struggles and aspirations of a community, reflecting Ly’s unparalleled storytelling skills.” 

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The 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is only a few months away! With that, news is already dropping fast. The festival has announced that New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi is set to make his long anticipated return to Toronto. Waititi will be in town for the world premier of his new film, Next Goal Wins featuring Michael Fassbender.

See also: Brother sets new record at Canadian Screen Awards

The TIFF Ebert Director Award recipient was last in Toronto in 2019 for the world premier of Jojo Rabbit. The film won the TIFF People’s Choice Award and was followed by an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Taika back to the Festival and share his audacious take on the most popular sport in the world,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Next Goal Wins is perfect for TIFF fans of the beautiful game looking for their football fill until the 2026 World Cup arrives.”

Next Goal Wins

Based on a 2014 documentary of the same name, the film follows the American Samoa team and their disastrous 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Oscar Knightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, Lehi Falepapalangi, with Will Arnett and Elisabeth Moss. Fassbender plays the role of down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen who gets hired to turn the world’s worst soccer team around ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers. Waititi directed and co-wrote the film.

TIFF

The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7-17, 2023. Further Festival details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for TIFF go on sales to TIFF members by level beginning August 18. more details visit tiff.net/join. The full Festival schedule will be released in August.

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