Canada’s Black Filmmakers Ride Wave of Storytelling Momentum at Toronto Festival

It’s October! A month which is increasingly being associated in the mainstream with Black History Month, but what exactly is it and what should this month be about? What is Black History Month? Black History Month is an annual observance originating in America, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, and the UK.

Canada’s first all-Black awards ceremony was a big moment for the two brothers who made it happen.

The Black Academy is honouring the best in Black Canadian talent.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon Freevee coming-of-age drama series Beyond Black Beauty has begun principal photography, with shooting of the Amazon Studios, Sinking Ship Entertainment and Leif Films show underway in Canada.

Vancouver’s Breakout Festival ended in a riot on Sunday night, after Lil Baby cancelled his appearance at the very last minute due to illness. The rapper’s headline performance was due to close the proceedings, meaning the event didn’t get its grand finale.

The People’s Choice Award from the just wrapped 2022 Toronto International Film Festival has gone to Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans.  First Runner Up is Canada’s own Sarah Polley’s Women Talking. And Second Runner Up was Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The Documentary Award went to Black Ice, and the Midnight Madness winner was Weird: The Al Yankovich Story             .

Whew! Blake Lively is happy the world finally knows she and Ryan Reynolds are expecting their fourth child together, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly.

Kathy A. McDonald Celebrities and industry pros are back in full force for TIFF.  Toronto restaurateurs, hoteliers and event planners are thrilled they are back. TIFF’s CEO Cameron Bailey points to the fest’s economic boost for Toronto and the country as well.  Toronto’s re-energized hospitality sector includes a slew of long-planned, major hotel openings now come to realization from the W Hotel in Yorkville to Canada’s first Ace Hotel. These new and updated spots for refined cocktails, memorable meals, restful staysand post-screening celebrations are where TIFF attendees and Toronto visitors can reliably chill out and spot A-listers.

Another baby for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds! The actress is pregnant with her fourth child, Us Weekly confirms.

Toronto Film Festival returned in spectacular fashion after two years of virtual premieres or limited capacity screenings. The parties were packed (which may lead to COVID outbreaks down the road, but… that’s showbiz?), the red carpets were glittering and the atmosphere was electric, bordering on euphoric, as director Rian Johnson’s acclaimed sequel “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story,” Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical “The Fabelmans” and the Harry Styles-led romantic drama “My Policeman” debuted to blockbuster-starved audiences in Canada. Hollywood seemed eager to make up for lost time. So, as the curtain comes down on TIFF, here’s a look back at the major trends and takeaways from the 10-day festival.

Paul Mescal suits up for the premiere of his new movie Aftersun during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on Monday (September 12) at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, Canada.

Streaming platform and burgeoning theatrical distributor Mubi is at the Toronto Film Festival this year with Park Chan-wook’s Decision To Leave, which marks one of its costliest acquisitions to date.

Emma Corrin just gets it. The actor delivered drama at the Toronto International Film Festival, stepping out in nothing but a high-cut bodysuit.

Brent Lang Executive Editor It was supposed to be all about the movies. But even here at the Toronto International Film Festival, an ocean away from the United Kingdom, the death of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II has loomed large. It has provided an opportunity for festival organizers, filmmakers and talent to reflect on the life and legacy of a monarch whose 70-year reign ranks as the longest in her country’s history. That’s partly due to Canada’s status as a member of the British Commonwealth, but it’s also because the festival is such an international A-list affair, one that attracts movie stars and directors who have often had personal encounters with the queen.

Brendan Fraser gets a hug from Sadie Sink at the premiere of The Whale during the 2022 Toronto Film Festival held at Royal Alexandra Theatre on Sunday (September 11) in Toronto, Canada.

Jennifer Lawrence is totally winning the red carpet with this look!

Kit Harington gets ready to snap a picture with a fan while arriving for the premiere of his new movie, Baby Ruby, during the 2022 Toronto Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on Friday (September 9) in Toronto, Canada.

Toronto Film Festival’s Spain-Canada co-production forum Do It the Spanish Way, dystopian animated feature “Desechable” (“Disposable”) is a blistering indictment of social injustice in Colombia.  Spanish producer Miguel Molina of Jaibo Films, whose credits include Locarno 2021 standout “Sacred Spirit,” is presenting what is billed as one of the more ambitious and prized animation features from the Spanish-speaking world which has just passed through Spains ECAM Incubator.  The superhero saga seems to have anticipated, when written, the maelstrom of social protests which rocked Colombia last year.

Canadian distributor Sphere Film has signed a multi-picture deal with A24 under which it will handle the release of nine of its titles in Canada.