TORONTO, Febr. 4, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Coinciding with Black History Month, the Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) is proud to host another year celebrating diversity within the black communities through powerful films, a community program, and exciting special events. The 3rd edition of TBFF, presented by Global News, runs from February 10th - 15th.
"TBFF showcases the most outstanding and amazing black films while creating a space to debate major cultural, social, and socio-economic issues," stated Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Festival. "Over the course of six days, festival-goers will have the chance to see actors and directors from here and abroad sharing their passions. There's something for everyone!"
"Global News is thrilled to be partnering with the Toronto Black Film Festival once again, and we congratulate the festival organizers for adding a unique voice to Canada's diverse and vibrant arts community," said Ward Smith, Senior Director, News and Station Operations, Eastern Region.
This year, TBFF is proud to offer 38 of the very best films depicting black realities from around the globe and a variety of breathtaking special events. TBFF would also like to congratulate its sister festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival, presented by Global Montreal for the last five years, as they celebrated their 10th anniversary in September 2014.
The festival opens at the Isabel Bader Theatre (93 Charles Street West) with the award-winning film MANOS SUCIAS (Dirty Hands), by Joseph Wladyka, executive produced by Spike Lee. TBFF pays tribute to Blaxploitation icon Fred "The Hammer" Williamson and Hollywood legend Bill Cobbs this year. They will be the first to receive an honourary award from TBFF. As part of TBFF's special events programming, the Festival is proud to run a three-part "Blaxploitation" series, featuring a screening the 1975 cult-classic Boss, "An Intimate Night With Fred "The Hammer" Williamson", and the closing night TBFF Blaxploitation Party at the Revival (783 College Street) celebrating the Blaxploitation genre with a 70s-inspired dance party and film montage.
TBFF will also host a "Black Actors in Hollywood, Then and Now" panel discussion – featuring actors Fred Williamson, Lanette Ware and Bill Cobbs, moderated by Global News' Rosey Edeh. In addition to the must-see films and the special events, movie-goers will also be able to enjoy FREE panel discussions (TBFF Community program) at the Carlton Cinema, including "Inclusivity in Screen Based Media: Examining history and planning our future" and "Natural or Not? That's the Question! Black women's hair & identity in today's society."
Some film highlights include: Manos Sucias (Dirty Hands), Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind, Terrible Love, Nina's Dowry, AIDependence: The Many Ills of the NGO System, The Supreme Price, We Are The Ones, You Belong To Me: Sex, Race and Murder on the Suwannee River, Sewing Hope: The Story of Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, Bound: Africans VS African-Americans, Des Étoiles (Under the Starry Sky), Haleema, Freedom Road, Narvalo and many more! Productions are divided into several categories: Narrative Feature Films, Mid-Length and Feature Documentary Films, and Short Films.
Complete listings of all films, panels, and special events can be found at the Festival's website.
FESTIVAL VENUES
| Isabel Bader Theatre |
Opening Night |
(93 Charles Street West) |
| Carlton Cinema |
Regular screenings and Community Programs |
(20 Carlton Street) |
| Jackman Hall, AGO |
Some screenings + Special events |
(317 Dundas Street West) |
| Alliance Française |
French films |
(24 Spadina Road) |
| Revival |
Closing Night |
(783 College Street) |
BOX OFFICE
Passport card and individual tickets can be purchased in person at the theatre or at: www.torontoblackfilm.com.
Passport card: $145
Opening Night: $25 | Closing Night: $30 ($40 @ the door) | Regular Tickets: $10
Special events with Fred Williamson / Bill Cobbs / Hollywood panel: $20 each
TBFF Community Program: Free admission
Get Social:
torontoblackfilm.com I facebook.com/torontoblackfilmfestival I @TOblackfilmfest I #TBFF15
TBFF - MORE THAN A FESTIVAL
Intriguing, international, entertaining, eye-opening, and educating, the Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) is about DISCOVERY & DIVERSITY! TBFF showcases the most outstanding and most powerful Black films while creating a space to debate major cultural, social and socio-economic issues. Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the Toronto Black Film Festival is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world. In connecting black films with viewers of all colours and ethnic origins, we recognize the differences that make us unique and celebrate the shared values that bring us together. Films illuminate, entertain and invite audiences to see the world from another person's experience. Coming together through art allows members of all cultural communities to better understand one another.
About Global News
Global News is one of the best known media brands in the country. We are a digital first news organization dedicated to providing Canadians with the news and information relative to them on any platform, at any time. Global offers people, from coast to coast, a wealth of news, innovative storytelling and information; from breaking news in their community to deep engaging content from around the world. Locally, our connection to our viewers and the community we live in is unparalleled. Journalists working in our 12 award winning television stations provide nearly 400 hours of news content each week for their local markets as well as our national broadcasts, Global National, 16x9, The West Block, The Morning Show and globalnews.ca. Global News is committed to balanced and ethical journalism produced in the public's interest.
Global News is a division of Shaw Communications Inc.
SOURCE Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF)
Video with caption: "Video: Celebrate Black History Month with the Toronto Black Film Festival - From Feb 10 to 15, 2015 - Discover the most amazing black films and much more!". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCqb7fciRHg
Image with caption: "Celebrate Black History Month with the Toronto Black Film Festival - From Feb 10 to 15, 2015 - Discover the most amazing black films and much more! (CNW Group/Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150204_C8490_PHOTO_EN_11810.jpg
Julie MacFarlane, ClutchPR, 416-453-2345, [email protected]
Share this article