Telefilm Canada showcases Canadian talent at the 39th annual Toronto International Film Festival

TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2014 Telefilm Canada will again have a strong presence at the Toronto International Film Festival. Telefilm is putting key initiatives in place to support Canadian cinema, most notably promotional events and activities featuring veteran and emerging Canadian talent.

"The Toronto International Film Festival is a prestigious, high-energy event that shines the spotlight on the vitality of the Canadian film industry for the world to see," said Telefilm Canada's Executive Director, Carolle Brabant. "Telefilm is here to ensure our exceptional Canadian talent get the promotion and networking opportunities they deserve. We're thrilled to once again be collaborating with TIFF as well as other public and private partners, like Maison Birks, in showcasing Canada's cultural success. We're also pleased to be adding Los Angeles to our pre-Festival U.S. promotion activities for the first time."

Piers Handling, TIFF's Director and CEO, added: "Once again, Telefilm Canada is working tirelessly to promote and support Canadian talent at home and abroad. Telefilm's unwavering commitment to Canadian talent and the industry makes them a valued partner for the Festival."

Telefilm Canada Eye on TIFF in New York and Los Angeles
New York: August 20, 2014
Los Angeles: August 26, 2014

Established in New York since 2011 and premiering in Los Angeles this year, the Eye on TIFF event organized by Telefilm Canada is a pre-Festival activity that gives the American acquisitions and exhibition community a chance for a sneak peek at the Canadian films on offer at TIFF. A show reel of approximately 10 films—mostly from promising emerging directors—will be presented during the event, with the teams behind a few of the films previewed set to attend the New York happening.

Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year's Women in Film (organized in partnership with Telefilm Canada)
September 10, 2014
For the second consecutive year, 10 Canadian women directors and actors will be honoured at the Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year's Women in Film, in partnership with Telefilm Canada. The winners, who made their mark over the past year, are chosen by a pan-Canadian selection committee of film and entertainment journalists. A red carpet event with a fanzone will again be held during the Festival.

Canada Lounge
September 4 to September 11, 2014
Located in the Festival Industry Centre, the Canada Lounge is a business and networking centre for Canadian film teams. The Lounge serves as their Toronto meeting hub with the international industry.

Telefilm Canada Talent to Watch
Launched in 2011, the Talent to Watch series of Q&A presentations discusses TIFF themes from a Canadian talent and content point of view. The sessions feature a diversity of Canadian talent in attendance at TIFF, giving them the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience.

• Maps to the Talent: New Directions for Directors
  September 5, 2014
  Whether it's about transitioning from short to feature films, the creative possibilities offered by new technologies or the cultural, artistic and linguistic diversity of our environment, young filmmakers at various stages of their careers reflect on the art of storytelling and engaging audiences.

• Where Is My Audience?
  September 7, 2014
  A panel discussion offering insights about the latest trends and patterns in audience behaviour based on recent consumer analysis. What does this mean for the release of my film?

• How Do I Engage with My Audience?
  September 10, 2014
  A panel discussion about changing technology and the impact on how audiences view films. How does the producer adapt to the new realities of audience behaviour and distribution platforms that are transforming cinema?

Filmmaker Boot Camp
August 7, 2014
Building on the resounding success of the Filmmaker Boot Camp initiative, Telefilm is partnering with TIFF to offer the ever-popular training sessions dedicated to filmmakers again in 2014. The highly-sought-after event kicks off the Festival's year-round industry programming.

Telefilm Canada PITCH THIS!
September 8, 2014
Telefilm Canada's PITCH THIS! initiative turns 15 this year! Six film teams have six minutes to pitch their feature film idea to a live audience of over 200 industry professionals. The winners, selected by a jury of international industry experts, are awarded $15,000 from Telefilm to develop their script.

TIFF Rising Stars
Telefilm is a partner in TIFF Rising Stars, an initiative designed to discover the next generation of Canadian actors. During the 2014 edition of the Festival, TIFF Rising Stars will showcase actors who have proven themselves ready for an international career. Winners will receive intensive professional development and mentoring from casting directors, agents, managers, producers and filmmakers.

Talent Lab
Telefilm is again partnering with Talent Lab, a professional development workshop which provides emerging talent with a unique opportunity to learn from the world's best film artists. The workshop leads participants in group discussions on a variety of topics focused on the artistic side of filmmaking, honing the skills of a new generation of filmmakers.

Spotlighting Canadian talent at the Festival
Promoting Canadian content and talent is Telefilm's top priority at TIFF. To help with this, the organization has created a microsite (www.canada-TIFF2014.ca) set to go live on August 19. In addition to featuring profiles of Canadian producers and directors with a film at the Festival, the site will also give visitors access to production information and trailers for each Canadian film at TIFF. Upcoming projects from producers are also in the spotlight to help foster partnership and coproduction activity during the Festival.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada or find us on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

SOURCE: Telefilm Canada

Douglas Chow, Manager, External Communications, Telefilm Canada, [phone] ext. 2225 or 1-800-567-0890, [email protected]