TIFF brass have announced seven Primetime TV series including 1899 from the creators of Netflix’s German hit Dark and programming for the five-day Industry Conference.
Primetime includes Allen Hughes’s FX docuseries Dear Mama about the late rapper Tupac Shakur and his activist mother Afeni Shakur, as well as Season 5 of Hulu Original The Handmaid’s Tale, and the North American premiere of Lars von Trier’s The Kingdom Exodus from Zentropa.
Returning to the Glenn Gould Theatre, TIFF’s Industry Conference line-up features Visionaries talks from S.S. Rajamouli, director of Indian Telugu-language smash RRR (pictured), and Tyler Perry discussing his career and latest film A Jazzman’s Blues.
There are panel sessions on the future of exhibition and awards and one on Indigenous story-telling, as well as Spotlights focus on global incentives and co-productions, and opportunities for filmmakers to interact with industry fogures such as Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang.
“TIFF recognises serialised storytelling as one of the most ground-breaking creative mediums today,” said Anita Lee, TIFF chief programming officer. “Growing increasingly risk-taking, it continues to attract top writers and directors globally. TIFF Primetime spotlights the best of series — the most acclaimed and anticipated — and the discoveries that will soon be the most talked about.”
“This year’s line-up highlights the work of both established and emerging creators, with a balanced mix of new discoveries and fan favourites,” added Geoff Macnaughton, Senior Director of Industry and Primetime Programmer, TIFF. “There is something for everyone, and each series will be followed by an extended Q&A with the creative team.”
Primetime
All world premieres unless stated otherwise.
1899 (Ger-UK)
Dirs. Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
Dear Mama (USA)
Dir. Allen Hughes
The Handmaid’s Tale Season 5 (USA)
Dirs. Bruce Miller, Elisabeth Moss
High School (USA-Can)
Dirs. Clea DuVall, Laura Kittrell
The Kingdom Exodus (Den)
Dir. Lars von Trier
North American premiere
LIDO TV (Can)
Dirs. Lido Pimienta, Sean O’Neill
Mystery Road: Origin (Aus)
Dir. Dylan River
International premiere
TIFF Industry Conference
“In welcoming the global film and television industries back to Toronto for the first time in two years, we are thrilled to be hosting our curated five-day Conference in-person again,” said Lee. “It’s a supercharged year with the opportunity to hear directly from those setting the bar in the new global industry today.”
“Conversations between creators, champions, and moguls can collectively shape the business to achieve more inclusivity and sustainability in their areas of expertise,” said Macnaughton. “The make-up of the conversations will present development opportunities for all in attendance, from emerging creators to experienced professionals.”
Visionaries
Previously announced speakers at the international keynote sessions include Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, and Mubi CEO Efe Çakarel. Additions include: Tyler Perry discussing his career and latest film A Jazzman’s Blues; RRR director S.S. Rajamouli talks Telugu cinema and art versus commerce.
Dialogues
Dialogues sessions are supported by Ontario Creates and speakers will be announced soon.
Perspectives
Topical conversations include: “The Future of Exhibition”; “The Future of Awards” featuring Academy and Screen Actors Guild representatives; “Narrative Sovereignty” panellists Nyla Innuksuk (Slash/Back director), Darlene Naponse (director Stellar), director and actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and filmmaker and genre enthusiast Sonya Ballantyne on Indigenous-made genre films, moderated by Bird Runningwater.
Connections
An opportunity for emerging and mid-career filmmakers to interact directly with industry leaders. Confirmed sessions include: “Academy 365” with Academy CEO Bill Kramer and newly anointed Academy president Janet Yang; “Pathways from Shorts to First Features”; “Breaking in and Moving Forward”; “The ReFrame ReSource”; and “How To Access Telefilm Funding”.
Microsessions
Curated partner discussions that showcase new technologies and new ways of doing business. Confirmed sessions include: “Being Seen: Directives for Creating Authentic and Inclusive Content” presented by Telefilm Canada and the Black Screen Office; “Greening your Mind: The Role of Agencies in Creating a More Eco-Responsible Industry” presented by Telefilm Canada; “All Welcome: Increasing the Accessibility of Events in the Film Industry” presented by Telefilm
Canada; “Powering Entertainment” presented by TikTok; “Let’s Talk Future of Cinema Technology” presented by Christie; and “Underrepresented to Unstoppable: More Voices Need More Opportunities in Film” presented by UPS.
Spotlights
A focus on global talent, incentives, co-production opportunities, and pitching sessions. Sessions include: “Do It the Spanish Way! Spain–Canada Coproduction Forum” presented by ICEX and ICAA; “Indigenous Filmmakers at TIFF” presented by the Indigenous Screen Office; “Renewal of the Canada–France Co-Production Treaty” presented by Telefilm Canada and The French Embassy in Canada; “The Big Pitch” presented by Caribbean Tales Media Group; and “Cents and Sensibility: Making Meaningful Change in the World of Film Financing” presented by Breaking Through the Lens
Additional sessions will be announced via TIFF’s Press & Industry Twitter account over the coming weeks. Full session pitches will be available online. Documentary-focused sessions will be announced at a later date.
TIFF runs September 8-18.
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