Festival to play from February 11th - 16th, 2014
www.torontoblackfilm.com
TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) has announced the line-up for the 2nd edition of the festival, presented by Global Toronto, running from February 11th - 16th. 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 year 2014 is a symbolic year for us, commemorating several ground-breaking anniversaries such as; 210 years of Haitian Independence, 20 years of the Rwandan Genocide; 20 years since Mandela was elected president of South Africa, and 5 years since Barack Obama became the first black American president," stated Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Festival. "TBFF is proud to dedicate the 2nd edition of the festival to the memory of the legendary leader Nelson Mandela, and to celebrate 20 years of democracy in South Africa!"
"For a second year in a row, Global Toronto is proud to be a part of the Toronto Black Film Festival. We're excited to be a part of unique stories that will be told and look forward to continuing our relationship with the festival organizers and diverse audiences for another year" said Ward Smith, Senior Director & Station Manager, Global Toronto.
This year, TBFF is proud to offer 33 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 4 years, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary in September 2014.
The festival will open at the Isabel Bader Theatre with the award-winning film THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, by Andrew Mudge, a Lesotho and South African co-production. The first ever film to be made in Lesotho. In commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of 'Democracy in South Africa', TBFF is delighted to be presenting a South African Series of 9 films - a tribute to Nelson Mandela through a film retrospective and a concert by award-winning singer Lorraine Klaasen. The award-winning American film THE RETREIVAL, by Chris Eska - Best Narrative Feature at the Montreal International Black Film Festival in 2013 - will close the festival at the Carlton Cinema.
Stedman Graham, entrepreneur, educator, speaker and New-York Times bestselling author, will be hosting a master conference: The Nine-Step Plan for Success at TIFF Bell Lightbox. TBFF will also present a movie-discussion with political activist and author Robert Hillary King, who spent 32 years, 29 of them in solitary confinement, in Angola Prison (Louisiana) for a crime he did not commit. 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. All details can be found at the Festival's website.
TBFF showcases the most outstanding and amazing black films while creating a space to debate major cultural, social and socio-economic issues. The festival offers screenings, concerts, panel discussions, exhibits, workshops, conferences and opportunities to meet artists and speakers from Canada and around the world.
Programming Director Emile Castonguay presented the slate for this year's festival, which includes a wide range of genres and exciting special events.
OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS
THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM - OPENING FILM
Isabel Bader Theatre - Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 7 PM - $20.
Andrew Mudge - Lesotho, South Africa | 2012 | 97' | Sesotho with English subtitles
A young man reluctantly embarks on a journey to his ancestral land of Lesotho to bury his estranged father and finds himself drawn to the mystical beauty and hardships of the people and land he had forgotten.
THE RETRIEVAL - CLOSING FILM
Carlton Cinema - Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 9 PM - $15.
Chris Eska - USA | 2013 | 94'| English
On the outskirts of the Civil War, the story follows a fatherless thirteen year-old boy sent north by his bounty hunter gang on a dangerous mission to retrieve a wanted man. Along the journey towards their reckoning, the initially distant pair develops unexpected emotional bonds. As his feelings grow, the boy is consumed by conflicting emotions and a gut-wrenching ultimate decision.
MASTER CONFERENCE WITH STEDMAN GRAHAM
THE NINE-STEP PLAN FOR SUCCESS WITH STEDMAN GRAHAM
TIFF Bell Lightbox - Thursday, February 13, 2014 - 7 PM | General $149 | VIP $249
Get access to a remarkable evening with Stedman Graham, entrepreneur and New-York Times bestselling author, who will be hosting a master conference: The Nine-Step Plan for Success. With the VIP package offering a copy of his New-York Times best-seller, Identity, Your Passport to Success, front-row seating, a Meet and Greet as well as photo opportunities.
TBFF SOUTH AFRICAN PROGRAM
With 2014 marking the 20th Anniversary of Democracy in South Africa, TBFF celebrates this historic event by presenting a South African Series of 9 films; a tribute to Nelson Mandela through a film retrospective and a concert by award-winning singer Lorraine Klaasen.
LORRAINE KLAASEN - CELEBRATE SOUTH AFRICA CONCERT
Al Green Theatre - Saturday, February 15, 2014 - 9PM - $30.
Come celebrate South Africa with 2013 Juno Award-winning singer, Lorraine Klaasen! This concert is her ultimate tribute to the iconic Empress of African Song, Miriam Makeba and legendary leader Nelson Mandela.
TRIBUTE TO NELSON MANDELA
Carlton Cinema - Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 7 PM - $10.
A special program of 4 retrospective short films about the legendary world leader Nelson Mandela:
BANISHED by Sharon Cort; KING OF HEARTS by Mandy Jacobson; MANDELA, A ROYAL REVOLUTIONARY by Nhlanhla Mthethwa; and Beverley Palesa Ditsie's RELEASE MANDELA.
THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM - OPENING FILM
Andrew Mudge - Lesotho, South Africa | 2012 | 97' | Sesotho with English subtitles
FANIE FOURIE'S LOBOLA
Henk Pretrorius - South Africa| 2013 | 6' | English, IsiZulu, Afrikaans
LAYLA FOURIE
Pia Marais - Germany, South Africa, France, Netherlands | 2013 | 105'| English
ANGELS IN EXILE
Billy Raftery - South Africa|2013 | 74' | English, Zulu| Narrated by Charlize Theron
RELEASE
Sofia De Fay - South Africa| 2013 | 18'| Zulu with English subtitles
TBFF COMMUNUTY PROGRAM
Carlton Cinema - FREE panel discussions! See all details and line-up at www.torontoblackfilm.com
BEHIND THE WORDS! - presented by Up from the Roots
Saturday, Feb 15 - 1PM | Through a panel of young artists, learn to understand the real impact of the 'Spoken Word' on the youth and why it's becoming a way for them to escape, survive and communicate.
DIVERSITY ON SCREEN - presented by ACTRA Toronto.
Saturday, Feb 15 - 3PM | Exploring through a panel of local industry professionals to understand why diversity and the use of black actors is not often reflected on the screen although we live in an extremely diverse city. Discussing typecasting with stereotypical roles, the many factors that may influence these decisions, and how we can influence a change in the industry.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SOCCER!
Sunday, Feb 16 - 1PM | A panel of sports experts and Brazilian soccer enthusiasts discuss why soccer has become part of the Brazilian community's identity and its positive impact on the world and black culture.
MOVIE DISCUSSION WITH ROBERT HILLARY KING
Carlton Cinema - Sunday, February 16, 2014 - 3 PM - $10
Screening of the documentary HARD TIME, by Ron Harpelle followed by a discussion with Robert H. King.
Robert Hillary King, also known as Robert King Wilkerson, spent 32 years, 29 of them in solitary confinement, at State Penitentiary in Angola (Louisiana), for a crime he did not commit. King was released in February 2001. His autobiography, From the Bottom of the Heap: The Autobiography of a Black Panther was released in 2008 and won him a PASS Award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency in 2009.
BEYOND BORDERS
The TBFF's mission is to highlight local and international talents that bring black realities and diversity to the world stage. Throughout the festival's 6 days of discovery, audiences will have the privilege to enjoy cosmopolitan masterpieces of the seventh art. Festival-goers will have the chance to see actors and directors from all corners of the globe sharing their passions. And there's something for everyone! Here is a list of some of the top picks chosen from the festival line up: BLUE CAPRICE by Alexandre Moors (USA); FANIE FOURIE'S LOBOLA by Henk Pretrorius (South Africa); FROM ABOVE by Norry Niven (USA) ; GRIGRIS by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (France, Chad); LAYLA FOURIE by Pia Marais (Germany, South Africa, France, Netherlands); THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM by Andrew Mudge (Lesotho, South Africa); THE RETRIEVAL by Chris Eska (USA); THE SUSPECT by Stuart Connelly (USA); HAITI UNTOLD by Dan Shannon & Isabelle Depelteau (Canada); SMALL SMALL THING by Jessica Vale (USA).
Join us for the Toronto Black Film Festival for five days of inspiring, provocative, and entertaining cinema.
Together with its strong local team, the great support of Global Toronto and a partnership with its sister festival, Montreal International Film Festival (presented by Global Montreal), the 2nd edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival will definitely be even more exciting and successful with more films screenings, special events and some celebrity guests. The TBFF will be Toronto's biggest celebration of Black History Month through film!
VENUES, TICKETS AND PASSES
FESTIVAL VENUES
| Isabel Bader Theatre | Opening Night only | (93 Charles Street West) |
| Carlton Cinema | Regular screenings | (20 Carlton Street) |
| TIFF Bell Lightbox | Stedman Graham Conference | (350 King Street West) |
| Al Green Theatre | Lorraine Klassen Concert | (750 Spadina Ave) |
BOX OFFICE
Passport card and individual tickets can be purchased in person at the theatre or at: www.torontoblackfilm.com.
Passport card: $129
Opening Night: $20 | Closing Night: $15 | Regular Tickets: $10
Conference with Stedman Graham: VIP $249 | Regular $149
Concert with Lorraine Klaasen: $30
Community Program: Free admission
The 2nd Annual Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) will run from February 11 to 16, 2014 and will be presented by Global Toronto.
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.
www.torontoblackfilm.com - February 11 to 16, 2014
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www.twitter.com/TOblackfilmfest | Hashtag: #TBFF14
Video with caption: "VIDEO: 2014 Toronto Black film Festival teaser". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVHkiLfBCiw
SOURCE: Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF)
Angie Burns
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Natalie Grossi
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