industry news with perspective

Toronto Film School has named Carolina Cortez Paz the latest recipient of the BIPOC Creative Achievement Award – a platform the Latina artist plans to use to elevate and inspire her fellow creatives from marginalized communities. Presented in partnership with BMO, the quarterly bursary – which recognizes full-time BIPOC students with $1,250 awards towards their tuition …

Larissa Stanley just returned home to the Liard First Nation in Yukon following a whirlwind, monthlong trip to Europe that included a prestigious two-week artist residency in France. The Online Graphic Design & Interactive Media student, who belongs to the Kaska Dena people and Crow Clan, was selected as one of just eight artists to …

From the alpine slopes to the animation studio – this term’s recipient of the Creative Success Award, Patrick Parenteau, is carving out a whole new path for himself – and at the age of 50, no less. “After spending over 25 years working in sports performance and Alpine skiing, I decided it was time to …

Toronto Based Shorts (TBS) was started by Paul Villenave and Dylan Posgate, a co-director duo who couldn’t find screenings in the city that were Toronto-focused, affordable, and showcased high-quality films. So, they created one – a festival for emerging filmmakers like us. I met Paul back in 2022 during the first edition of TBS, and …

Toronto Film School’s Steven Hoffner is celebrating the acquisition – and upcoming broadcast premiere – of his debut documentary feature, The Cannons (Brothers on Ice). The film, which the director of TFS’s Film Production program co-directed, produced, shot and edited, was recently acquired by TSN and the NHL Network, where it is slated to mark …

Less than a year after graduating from Toronto Film School, Franklin Briceño is already being touted as “Toronto’s Next BIG Director” – a title the Class of 2023 Film Production grad is determined to earn. “Being recognized by Creatives Canada was an incredible honour and a huge surprise. It’s amazing to see the work I’ve …

Kat Anielak has always been more interested in immersing herself in the behind-the-scenes action than getting caught up in the spotlight – which is why, when all her peers were busy applying to film festivals, she was dreaming of how great it would be to sit on a festival jury. Luckily for her, it didn’t …

Toronto Film School acting students will get into the holiday spirit when their upcoming production of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine hits the stage at the Papermill Theatre. Directed by Christel Bartelse, the 75-minute production comprises of eight short stories that play out on a frigid December night in a remote, mythical town called ‘Almost’ in rural …

Dora Award-nominated playwright Andrew Moodie is entrusting the world premiere of his latest play, Harlem Renaissance, to his talented young acting students at Toronto Film School. The 75-minute stage production, which will debut at Toronto’s Papermill Theatre featuring a cast of fifth-term Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre students later this month, was inspired …

Canadian playwright Rosamund Small has given a cast of aspiring actors from Toronto Film School the greenlight to bring her 2016 collection, TomorrowLove, to the stage. Directed by Dora Award winner Andy Massingham, the company of fifth-term Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre students will tackle nine of the 15 titles in the “daring, …

When Toronto Film School President Andrew Barnsley stepped up to the podium to act as master of ceremonies at TFS’s 2024 Graduation earlier this month, it marked his first return to the Meridian Hall stage since he and the team behind Schitt’s Creek accepted the Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series there in 2019. …

Graphic Design & Interactive Media student Saelym Degrandpre recently celebrated her first-ever exhibition at ᕿᓐᓂᕋᔮᑦᑐᖅ Qinnirajaattuq / Ripples: Making Waves in Inuit Art Symposium. The Ottawa-based Urban Inuk artist had a total of six pieces on display at the event, which took place at Montreal’s La Guilde gallery and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts from …

Alexander Carson celebrated his latest film, Alberta Number One – a road movie that boasts a handful of Toronto Film School and Yorkville University grads in its closing credits – at two festival premieres last month. Directed and produced by Carson, a TFS instructor who also now serves as the Associate Chair of the Bachelor …

Karen Robinson has been announced as the Distinguished Speaker at Toronto Film School’s 2024 Gala Graduation. Best known for her regular role as ‘Ronnie’ in Schitt’s Creek – the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning comedy executive produced by TFS President Andrew Barnsley – Robinson admitted that she was initially daunted by the opportunity to address graduates …

Toronto Film School’s Jeffrey St. Jules is enjoying some otherworldly success on the festival circuit this year with his latest feature film, The Silent Planet. Written and directed by the longtime Film Production and Writing for Film & Television instructor, the 96-minute sci-fi thriller celebrated its world premiere in July at the Fantasia International Film …

Rob Heary has been announced as the latest winner of Toronto Film School’s Creative Success Award. Dedicated to the memory of 2019 Video Game Design & Development program grad Kurt Huhn, the quarterly $2,500 bursary is awarded not on academic merit, but rather to first-term gaming students who demonstrate those attributes most admired in Kurt – namely, his …

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 17, 2024 – Toronto Film School and Yorkville University are transforming the student experience with help from a new partnership with leading educational technology company, Anthology. As longtime champions of a student-first mission, both TFS and Yorkville are committed to ensuring the individual needs and aspirations of our learners are prioritized …

Toronto Film School was out in full force at the recent Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) – not only did our alumni take home a handful of awards, but many other grads garnered nominations, and TFS faculty and staff were also among the panellists who presented during the weeklong fest. Billed as a multicultural …

Toronto, ON, Sept. 3, 2024 – Toronto Film School’s presence will be felt at the Toronto International Film Festival more than ever before in 2024, thanks to its newly expanded status as an official partner of the prestigious fest. This year’s star-studded 49th edition of TIFF will screen 278 films from around the world, rolling out the …

Kevin Costner produced, directed, co-wrote and starred in Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter One. Three more chapters are expected.