Saturday 22 October 2011

Go Ahead and ImagineNATIVE!

Sunday, October, 23rd is the last day to enjoy screenings and events at the 12th Annual ImagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival. Why not spend a lazy Sunday afternoon exploring some of the following artistic and diverse offerings (list courtesy of GAT PR and ImangineNative). For complete details visit: http://imaginenative.org/

All Regular Screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox are $7! FREE to Seniors, Students (with valid ID), and the Underemployed before 6pm everyday! Closing Night Screening & Party tickets are $12 (with discounts for Student, Seniors and Underemployed).

Film & Video Screenings:
Towards the Sun
Oct. 23, 12:00pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2

Three incredible works from the Far North! FeaturingQueen of the Quest, Guovssahasa nieda (Dancing Virgin), and Towards the Sun.

Co-presented by Arnait Video Productions

Broken Promises: Shorts Program II
FREE SCREENING

Oct. 23, 2:45pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

Spanning geography and time, these films collectively speak to the evolution of Indigenous experience and promises that have been made... and often broken.

Co-presented by Planet in Focus

Saving Grace
Directed by Merata Mita
New Zealand, 86 min, 2011
Oct. 23, 12:30pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

The final film from acclaimed filmmaker and activist Merata Mita, Saving Grace is her very personal response to the violence and abuse that has plagued generations. Powerful and candid, this film gives voice to the many fathers, brothers and husbands who are taking responsibility for past wrongs by working towards a future free from violence and oppression.

Co-presented by Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Playing with:
Makings of a Kaitiaki
Directed by Sophie Johnson
New Zealand, 12 min, 2009

A Maori elder speaks candidly about her struggle to protect her homelands from becoming a sewage dumping ground.


Tunniit: Retracing the Lines of Inuit Tattoos
Directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
Canada, 50 min, 2010
Oct 23, 2:15pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2

Inuit traditional face tattoos have been forbidden for a century, and almost forgotten. Director Alethea Arnaquq-Baril uncovers the mystery and meaning behind this beautiful tradition as she endeavours to renew it with her own facial tattoos.

Playing with:
National Parks Project: Sirmilik
Directed by Zacharias Kunuk
Canada, 10 min, 2011

Commissioned as part of the National Parks Project, renowned director Zacharias Kunuk takes us on a breathtaking journey through the rugged Arctic landscape.

Sloth
Directed by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril
Canada, 2 min, 2011

This delightfully satirical animation reveals the evolution of Inuit stereotypes from past to present.

Co-presented by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, National Parks Project

Every Emotion Costs
Directed by Darlene Naponse
Canada, 90 min, 2011
World Premiere
Oct. 23, 4:15pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

As teenagers, June and Quilla ran away from their northern Ontario reserve, leaving behind a mentally-ill mother and their youngest sister, Ella. Years later, June and Quilla - their relationship now strained - return to their First Nation upon news of their mother's death. While there, the three sisters must come to terms with feelings of abandonment, the harsh realities of abuse, and the nature of family. Starring Tantoo Cardinal, Nathaniel Arcand and Michelle St. John.

Playing with:
Totem Impact
Directed by Duke Redbird
Canada, 4 min, 2011

Duke Redbird makes history with imagineNATIVE's first ever 3-D film!

Music is the Medicine
Produced by Jody Hill
Canada, 53 min, 2011
Oct. 23, 4:30pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 2

Over the past 20 years, blues-rock virtuoso Derek Miller has built a highly devoted fan base, received numerous awards and played with a long list of famous musicians, all the while struggling with addiction and personal loss. This revealing documentary follows the now reinvigorated and critically acclaimed artist as he strives to further elevate his already esteemed career. Get behind the scenes of a local legend!

Playing with:
Northern Haze: Living the Dream
Directed by Derek Aqqiaruq
Canada, 37 min, 2011

Rocking the North hard and heavy since 1977, Northern Haze: Living the Dream tells the riveting story of the first known Inuit rock band to sing in their Indigenous language.

Co-presented by NXNE, iNative Fest, Revolutions Per Minute

Closing Night Gala
Screening Presenter: Global Toronto
Wapos Bay: Long Goodbyes
Directed by Dennis Jackson
Canada, 74 min, 2011
Oct. 23, 7:00pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

World Premiere

The colourful cast of Wapos Bay makes the jump to the big screen! But everything is not well in this idyllic northern community. After a lifetime of happy memories living in Wapos Bay, Talon and Raven discover their dad has accepted a job in the big city. Travel back to Wapos Bay in this charming film for the whole family based on the award-winning TV series.

Friday 21 October 2011

Prizes. Prizes. Are you in?

That's me with Mamma Gógó director, Friðrik Þór Friðriksson. TIFF is one of many film festivals that I cover and bring to you via The More the Merrier, every Saturday at CIUT 89.5 FM.








Support The More the Merrier and you might win a prize from the show prize package or win one of CIUT 89.5 FM's daily draws during the Fall Fundraising Campaign. Donate now by clicking on this link: http://www.ciut.fm/index.php/about/membership/ or by calling 416-946-7800 or Toll Free at 1-888-204-8976. Or call in Saturday, October 22nd between 1:00pm - 2:oo pm to donate during the live broadcast on 89.5 FM or at www.ciut.fm. Be sure to mention The More the Merrier as the show you wish to support!

Thank you and good luck!


Donate to The More the Merrier on Saturday, October 22nd bewteen 1:00 - 2:00 and you will have a chance to win a Family or Dual Membership . Courtesy of TIFF Bell Lightbox. Prize valued at $150

Other prizes include:

A VIP Pass courtesy of the Ontario Science Centre. Includes entrance to the Ontario Science Centre and Leonardo Da Vinci's Workshop: The Exhibition.




A pair of tickets to Chagall and the Russian Avant-Garde at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Courtesy of an anymous donor.

Sunday 16 October 2011

It's Baaaack! Toronto After Dark Film Festival Returns to October!

October is so much better for Toronto After Dark Film Festival (TADFF) than August. While I loved going to a film festival in August, being scared chilly in the Bloor Cinema and coming out to a hot day, I think October is a better fit for the this festival of horror drama, comedies and other genre films.

With its brilliant colour, its red maples, so similar to blood; its blustery winds, so chilling down the spine, and Hollowe'en, October is the perfect month for the Toronto Zombie Walk, and for TADFF fans to snuggle down in the festival's new venue, the Toronto Underground Cinema--a perfect match, in my opinion.

I'm looking forward to WAR OF THE DEAD. How about you? Haven't decided? Check out all the movie trailers: http://www.youtube.com/TorontoAfterDark

See you after dark!




Film Schedule/Tickets: torontoafterdark.com

Poster and trailer courtesy of Toronto After Dark FilmFestival

Wednesday 12 October 2011

The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word-Oct. 11 -15th






David Silverberg is the host of the monthly Toronto Poetry Slam held at the Drake Hotel. He is also this year's host of the The Canadian Festival of Spoken Word.






donna g: What styles of poetry/spoken word are represented in the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word?

David Silverberg: Every style of spoken word from dub poetry to prose poems to hiphop poetry. It's such a diverse festival and really shows Torontonians the breadth of spoken word in the country.

donna g: The CFSW launched last night at the Drake Hotel Underground. How was the turn out?

David Silverberg: It was a wonderful turnout! Around 180 packed into the Drake Hotel Underground and the audience was loving practically every delicious poem coming from the poets' mouths.

donna g: Last night you also had a Legends Showcase. Who were some of the talents that took to the stage, and how long did each person have to perform?

David Silverberg: Each of the poets had 15 minutes to display their talent. The Legends Showcase included Andrea Thompson, Eddy da original one, Lillian Allen, Sheri-D Wilson and RC Weslowski.

donna g: How many teams participated in the preliminary bouts last night, and where were they from?

David Silverberg: Last night 8 teams bouted, in two bouts altogether. They were:

First Bout-7:00 PM
A)1 Peterborough
B)2 Sherbrooke
C)3 Montrea – Slam Habs
D)4 London

Second Bout-9:00 PM
A)17 Edmonton
B)18 Kingston
C)19 Toronto – Up From The Roots
D)20 Saskatoon

donna g: How many judges are involved in the competition?

David Silverberg: Five judges are selected randomly from the audience.

donna g: How are the participants scored? I know there are rules to be followed, but are the teams rated on a score out of 10?

David Silverberg: Yes, scores are out of 10 and judges are told to rate each poem based on both performance and content.

donna g: When are the next bouts, and how many teams go on to the next round?

David Silverberg: The prelim bouts continue Wednesday and Thursday night. The top 8 teams from those bouts move on to Semi-Finals on Friday night at Royal Cinema.

donna g: When and where is the final slam event?

David Silverberg: The Finals is on Saturday, October, 15 at Metro United Church at 56 Queen St. E. $25 at the door, 8pm.

donna g: Who are some of the talented people taking the stage for Poets of Honor Showcaseon Saturday night?

David Silverberg: There is the awesome Robert Priest, known as Dr Poetry. And d'bi.young, one of the best dub poets in the world, in my opinion. A not-to-be-missed show!

donna g: Besides the slams, I understand that there are opportunities for poets/spoken word artists to develop their craft. What are some of the workshops being offered?

David Silverberg: There are workshops on crafting group pieces, led by Ottawa's The Recipe. A workshop on writing humour poems is led by David Clink and a Performance 101 event will feature Andrea Thompson and RC Weslowski offering advice to poets on how to hone their performance chops.TM

Canadian Festival of Spoken Word
October 11th-15th (Various Locations)

Keep track of team scores and get a schedule of CFSW day and evening events at www.cfsw.ca. For inquiries: info@torontopoetryslam.com

Toronto Poetry Slam
www.poetryslam.com

Photo of David Silverberg courtesy of Toronto Poetry Slam

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