Opera Atelier’s (OA) 2011-12 Season opens with a glittering new period production of Don Giovanni designed by OA’s acclaimed design team of Gerard Gauci and Martha Mann. Rising star Italian conductor Imakes his Opera Atelier debut. READ MORE
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival came to a close Sunday night; making it the most successful year the Festival has seen in its 12 year history.
 |
| Here I am |
BEST DRAMATIC FEATURE presented by Bell Media ($1,500 cash award) HERE I AM directed by Beck Cole
BEST CANADIAN SHORT DRAMA presented by Isuma TV ($1,000 cash award) AMAQQUT NUNAAT (The Country of Wolves) directed by Neil Christopher, produced by Louise Flaherty
BEST SHORT DRAMA presented by TVO ($1,000 cash award) SALAR directed by Nicholas Greene
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY presented by CBC ($1,000 cash award) SPIRIT OF THE BLUEBIRD directed by Jesse Gouchey, co-director Xstine Cook
 |
| The Tall Man |
THE ALANIS OBOMSAWIN BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD presented by Alanis Obomsawin on behalf of the National Film Board ($1,500 cash award) THE TALL MAN directed by Tony Krawitz
BEST EXPERIMENTAL presented by Images Festival ($1,000 cash award) THE GIFT directed by Terril Calder
BEST RADIO presented by Astral ($1,000 cash award) BRING YOUR DRUM produced and hosted by Janet Rogers
BEST NEW MEDIA presented by VTape ($1,000 cash award) GOD’S LAKE NARROWS co-created and written by Kevin Lee Burton
THE CYNTHIA-LICKERS SAGE AWARD FOR EMERGING TALENT presented by Cynthia-Lickers Sage on behalf of VTape ($1,000 cash award) AMAQQUT NUNAAT (The Country of Wolves) directed by Neil Christopher, produced by Louise Flaherty
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE PRODUCTION AWARD presented by the Canada Media Fun ($1,000 cash award) SAMSON & DELILAH directed by Warwick Thornton
 |
| I lost my shadow |
BEST MUSIC VIDEO presented by Slaight Music ($1,000 cash award) I LOST MY SHADOW directed by Nanobah Becker
SHAW MEDIA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 2011 Mentee Introduction by Karen King, Production Executive (mentor) Awarded to Zoe Leigh Hopkins
DRAMA PITCH PRIZE presented by Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN) Supported by William F. White and Technicolor ($5,000 development deal with APTN; $2,000 voucher for services at William F. White; and $500 in services from Technicolor Awarded to Jeff Barnhart for his pitch The Flying Man
DOCUMENTARY PITCH PRIZE presented by CBC Network Supported by William F. White and Technicolor ($500 cash prive from CBC; $2,000 voucher for services at William F. White; and $500 in services from Technicolor Awarded to Angie Pepper O’bomsawin for her pitch The Wrong Kind of Indian
THE ELLEN MONAGUE AWARD FOR BEST YOUTH WORK presented by RBC ($1,000 cash award) THE DIMMING directed by Ippiksaut Friesen.
This year’s festival showcased great films, great public events and fostered great discussions. Personal highlights from the festival include Here I am (Dir. Beck Cole); Spirit of the Bluebird (Jessy Gouchey & Xtine Cook); Samson & Delilah (Dir. Warwick Thornton) and Saving Grace (Dir. Merata Mita).
Aimed at identifying role models especially for youth, The Planet Africa Awards recognize individual and organizational performance at the national and international levels. The mission of the awards program is to identify and recognize deserving individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies that make a profound difference in society and the lives of people of African heritage.
 |
| Tré Armstrong & Farley Flex |
While the Planet Africa Awards Show celebrates the accomplishments of the recipients, it also gives back to the community. Last year, Charitable Donations were made to Camp Jumoke a non profit camp for children with sickle cell anemia. This year, the focus was on the victims of Haiti who were devastated by an earthquake.
The event was hosted by Tré Armstrong, judge of So You Think You Can Dance Canada and Farley Flex, former Canadian Idol judge.
This year’s awards show recognized sixteen recipients within various categories, along with six individuals in the Harmony Awards category. These special Harmony Awards honour individuals who have been involved with pioneering the benefits of diversity.
 |
| Jasmyn Fyffe |
The event also featured world class entertainment with performances by Juno Award Winner, Divine Brown; Grammy Award Winner, Mark S. Doss; Legendary South African Superstar, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; Acclaimed Canadian Dancer, Jasmyn Fyffe; and Musicians Extraordinaire, Beyond Sound, and master drummer from Guinea M’Bemba Banagoura.
 |
| HM & Donisha Prendergast |
In light of the United Nations declaration of 2011 as the international year for people of African decent, the event played special tribute to champions of this heritage which include Bob Marley, whose daughter and granddaughter (filmmaker, Donisha Prendergast) will attend to participate. Other notable attendees included Her Worship, Mayor Hazel McCallion; The Nigerian and Kenyan High Commissioners, amongst others.
The event was held at the elegant Roy Thompson Hall. The evening was filled with great energy and inspirational moments. As Tré Armstrong put it, “this event is a great initiative…it gets all of us involved… it’s time to get the community talking.”
the sankofa trilogy is d’bi.young anitafrika’s offering to her mother who taught her dubpoetry. to her grandmother who taught her resilience. to jamaica who taught her black is beautiful. to canada who taught her wombanism. and to the world who is teaching her love.
the sankofa trilogy features three extraordinary stories of three powerful women—mugdu sankofa, her daughter sekesu and her granddaughter benu—and their resolute belief in blood and truth. At the heart of this trilogy—and much of d’bi.young’s work—are the spirit of sankofa (“return and get it”), and the mythical sankofa bird of the Ashanti, with its head turned backwards, holding an egg (the future) in its beak. Weaving together pieces of her own life with the herstory and mythology of her Jamaican heritage, d’bi.young anitafrika’s one woman performance brings a cast of characters on the stage, each with his or her distinct personality and voice.
word!sound!powah! in repertory with blood.claat and benu in Tarragon’s Extra Space.
I have seen two out of the three in this trilogy and highly recommend you see them all. They are powerful, moving and personal. I really like the fact that d’bi.young likes to host informal question and answer period after her performances; she’s done it at SummerWorks and will do so after each of the performances at The Tarragon.
word!sound!powah! previews begin October 22, opens November 4 and runs to December 4, 2011. Tickets range from $20-45 (inclusive of HST) and are available by calling the box office at 416-531-1827 or by visiting www.tarragontheatre.com
More than 300 artists, business leaders, cultural professionals and community builders gathered today for the announcement of the 2011 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards at the annual Mayor’s Arts Awards Lunch. “Toronto’s artistic community is very present here today,” said Susan Crocker, Chair of Toronto Arts Foundation. Claire Hopkinson, Executive Director of Toronto Arts Foundation added, “Our artists play a vital role in writing the on-going cultural history of this great city. We continue to help them expand their reach ensuring that residents in every corner of the city are given opportunities to participate in transformative arts activities.”
 |
| L-R: TD Bank Group Rep., Dr. Sankaran; Michael deConinck & Deborah Lundmark, Adam Garnet Jones and Jane Marsland. |
Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Music – Dr. Trichy Sankaran
Without a doubt, Toronto After Dark Film Festival (TADFF) has become one of Toronto’s favourite festivals. Not only does it bring us scary, action-packed and sci-fi films but it is also connected with the famous Toronto Zombie Walk. This year, TADFF moves to a new venue – Toronto Undergrount Cinema, and the list of films looks full of surprises, as always.
Here are a few suggestions for you…
Monster Brawl (Opening Gala)
Synopsis: Frankenstein, Werewolf and Lady Vampire fight it out to see who’s the greatest monster of them all, in this wickedly fun new horror action comedy. Co-stars Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall), Art Hindle (Black Christmas).
Why: It just sounds too much fun to pass up.
When: Thursday, Oct 20th
FYI: the 7pm screening has sold out; second screening at 9:45pm has limited tickets available
War of the Dead
Synopsis: A thrilling World War II set zombie action film about a group of Allied soldiers who investigate a secret Nazi bunker, only to find themselves under attack from an unstoppable army of the undead!
Why: If you saw Dead Snow and liked it, I suggest you check this one out too.
When: Saturday, Oct 22nd @ 9pm
Love
Synopsis: Following an apocalyptic event on Earth, an astronaut finds himself trapped in space, in this stunning sci-fi film in the mould of 2001: A Space Odyssey with a fantastic score by Angels & Airwaves (the band founded by Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge).
Why: The trailer was attention grabbing without giving too of the plot much away.
When: Sunday, Oct 23rd @ 4:15pm
Midnight Son
Synopsis: A terrific, dark and gritty new urban horror thriller, about a young man who finds himself slowly turning into a vampire and dealing with an insatiable need for fresh blood.
Why: Who doesn’t like a vampire thriller? This has to be better than those from the Twilight series!
When: Sunday, Oct 23rd @ 9:45pm
The Divide
Synopsis: A power struggle amongst a group of apocalypse survivors threatens to tear them apart in this riveting dark sci-fi horror from Xavier Gens. Stars Michael Biehn (Terminator, Aliens), Michael Eklund (Watchmen) and Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes).
Why: Films depicting the ‘end of the world’ in one form or another often grab my attention and this one, has Milo Ventimiglia in the cast…I am there!
VS
Synopsis: Kick-Ass meets Saw in this terrifically dark and twisted tale about four young super heroes forced by their arch-nemesis to compete in a a deadly series of challenges in order to save innocent lives. Costars James Remar (Dexter) and Lucas Till (X-Men: First Class).
The Innkeepers
Synopsis: Two young employees at an old hotel encounter a series of spooky events during its last weekend of operation, in this acclaimed new supernatural thriller from Ti West (House of the Devil). Stars Sara Paxton and Kelly McGillis.
Why: The film comes from various other festivals with a buzz. Plus, I’m looking for a really scary movie; this may just be it!
When: Thursday, Oct 27th @ 9:45pm
There are plenty other films for you to see at TADFF. For full listings go to http://torontoafterdark.com. Keep in mind that some screenings may have limited availability, so hurry and purchase your tickets soon!
The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, the world’s largest Indigenous media arts festival, celebrates its 12th year October 19-23. imagineNATIVE is an international festival that celebrates the latest works by Indigenous peoples at the forefront of innovation in film, video, radio, and new media. Each October, the Festival presents a selection of the most compelling and distinctive Indigenous works from around the globe.
The Festival officially kicks off at 12pm on Wednesday, October 19 with its Welcome Gathering presented by the Thunderbird Centre at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. FREE and open to the public, the reception features traditional Indigenous performances, including Tribal Vision, a family dance troupe from Six Nations, a welcoming song from Rosary Spence, craft vendors, food, and a welcome address from imagineNATIVE.
 |
| Andrew Okpeach MacLean |
imagineNATIVE’s Opening Night screening features the Canadian Premiere of Andrew Okpeaha MacLean’s internationally-celebrated dramatic feature film On The Ice (USA) on Wednesday, October 19 at the Festival’s new screening venue, TIFF Bell Lightbox (TBLB). Winner of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Best First Feature Award, On the Ice is set on the snow-covered Alaskan tundra where two teenaged friends attempt to conceal a dark secret in this engrossing and suspenseful film.
The legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie headlines imagineNATIVE’s popular music night The Beat on October 22 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. CBC then presents In Discussion with Buffy Sainte-Marie, a FREE panel held at 7pm October 21 at the TBLB.
This year imagineNATIVE shines its annual International Spotlight on the Khoi-San, the Indigenous People of South Africa, which features three programs illustrating the diversity and creativity of contemporary Indigenous life in South Africa, as well as a unique video collaboration project between Canadian and South African Indigenous youth, premiering at The Beat.
Closing the Festival is the World Premiere of Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes (Canada) on October 23 at the TBLB. Directed by Dennis Jackson, this full-length animated family film is based on the Gemini Award-winning animated TV series and features the voice talents of Lorne Cardinal (Corner Gas) and the late Gordon Tootoosis (Blackstone, Legends of the Fall), in whose memory the Closing Night Gala is dedicated.
Tickets are available online, by phone and in person.
Online: www.imagineNATIVE.org
Phone: 416 599 TIFF (8433) (10am-10pm, daily)
In-Person: TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square, 350 King St. W (10am-10pm, daily)
PASSES
All-Access $110/$65 (early-bird $88)
Industry All-Access $90 (early-bird $72)
Screening $40/$24 (early-bird $32)
Weekend $65/$40 (early-bird $52)
TICKETS
Regular Screenings $7
Students/Seniors/Underemployed before 6pm
Opening Night Screening and Party $12/$10
Opening Night Party only $8
Closing Night Screening and Awards Show $12/$10
The Beat featuring Buffy Sainte-Marie $20/$15
For more information and the full Festival listings, visit: www.imaginenative.org
For more information on the finalists and awards visit www.torontoartsfoundation.org.
Every year, Planet in Focus (PIF) recognizes a Canadian individual who has “made a difference in their communities and the world through their passion and body of work. Previous PIF Canadian Eco Hero Award recipients include David Suzuki, Margaret Atwood and Edward Burtynsky; just to name a few. This year, Planet in Focus will present this award to filmmaker Kevin McMahon.
I had the pleasure to touch base with McMahon and ask about his work, the Canadian Eco Hero Award and future projects. This is what he had to say.
Hye: Coming from a journalism background what is your approach to documentary filmmaking?
Kevin McMahon: I suppose my basic approach is much like it was in print journalism – to be ridiculously thorough in research and try to present the material with some panache. Of course, making films has freedoms and constraints which are very different from working on a daily newspaper – which is where I started. We are free in film to work in more dimensions and to use all sorts of stylistic innovations. But we are constrained by the physicality of the medium and the resources required to capture reality through film (or, more likely, video). My goal, in every medium — from newsprint to film to the web — has always been to find ways of encouraging the audience to see the world around us with more color and depth than daily life (and mainstream media) normally allows.
Hye: You have made some amazing documentaries showcasing nature and the environment. Could you please talk a bit about what draws you to these?
KM: Two things. Firstly, I am a reporter at heart and so I’m naturaly keen to cover whatever is the biggest, hottest, and the most under-reported story. And for the whole of my 30-plus year career, that story has been the cascading disasters befalling the environment upon which all life depends. The great thing is that many of my colleagues are focused on other important issues so that’s left me and a small number of others free play in the field. Secondly, environmental stories tend to take one to the margins – the Arctic, the north Atlantic, Haida Gwaii – and those are places I like to be, filled with fascinating people who are good to know. Take those two reasons together and I guess the short answer is: it’s the adventure of it all!
Hye: I had the chance of seeing Standing Wave, filmed in the Northwest Territories (NWT), as part of the National Parks Project. It is beautifully shot and you did such a great job in showcasing the park but mainly the river that runs through it. Did you have a choice of location for this film; as well, did you have an idea of where you wanted to film and which artists to include?
KM: My colleagues and I at Primitive Entertainment were already collaborating with our colleagues from FilmCAN to produce the National Parks Project when they asked me to also direct one of the films. I chose to go to the Nahanni River because it’s a legendary place that I’ve wanted to travel since I saw pictures of Pierre Trudeau canoeing it, when I was a kid. It had already been decided that Shad and Olga and Jace from The Besnard Lakes would go on the trip to the NWT but none of us had any idea what sort of music they would make – just as I had no plan for the film. All the creative works evolved from the the trip. In just the same way that the carver finds the statue waiting in the stone, we found the art in the river and the experience of travelling it.
Hye: This year, you are the recipient of Planet in Focus’ Canadian Eco Hero Award for your “work in raising environmental awareness and exploring environmental issues and stories through film.” What does this award mean to you personally and in terms of your body of work thus far?
KM: I’m honored to be chosen for this award by Planet In Focus – and also humbled and surprised. I don’t consider myself to be an environmental champion like David Suzuki, a past recipient of this award. As I’ve said, I’m just a reporter interested in a great story . Then again, the number of environmental reporters has been steadily dropping throughout my whole career. So I guess it’s like that old line: “in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king”.
Hye: Lastly, you could fill us in on what you’re working on next? Where do you see yourself in terms of future projects?
KM: I have a bunch of projects I’m working on right now. At the moment at Primitive Entertainment we are producing a TV series – Canadian Made – which is about stuff invented in Canada. I’m also doing an exciting interactive web documentary called Planet Zero, about the threats currently posed by nuclear weapons – it’s a collaboration with Jam3 and the NFB, with whom I worked on the very successful Waterlife website. I am also participating in a project with the Cape Farewell Foundation – which sends expeditions to the Arctic to produce cultural works about global warming. And I’m working on a couple of other global warming projects with broadcasters from Japan and Germany. Also, I’m writing a film called Borealis, about the forest that covers most of the subarctic north of the planet, which we hope will be a 3D feature documentary. And I’m working on a couple of other TV series and helping some younger filmmakers with their projects. So that’s my present and future – cause there is enough going on to keep me busy for at least a few years!
McMahon sure knows how to keep busy while at the same time bringing forth some pressing environmental stories via film, the internet or video. I take this opportunity to congratulate him on being this year’s PIF Canadian Eco Hero Award recipient. The official ceremony will take place at PIF Environmental Film Festival’s Opening Night on Wednesday, Oct 12th at 7pm. For further details, go to the festival’s website.
