industry news with perspective

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.

Mercedes Cardella’s Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch-winning project recently wrapped production both here in Toronto and in Cairo, Egypt. “The shoot was so amazing! Having shot in Cairo and in Toronto is an experience that I will cherish forever. The set was truly magnetic,” said Cardella, Toronto Film School’s Associate Director of Curriculum Design, who …

During a recent interview process, a candidate asked me, “If you could go back and revisit your younger self from your current job and work, what advice would you give yourself?” This question conjured up immediately for me that “What Advice Do You Have For Your Younger Self?” moment on RuPaul’s Drag Race, when RuPaul holds up …

Toronto, ON, April 25, 2024 – A flock of film, television and video game industry leaders will be on hand at the TIFF Lightbox on Thursday, May 16 to celebrate the future stars of Canada’s creative industries at Toronto Film School’s 2024 Film Festival. “The TFS Film Fest marks a special time of year, as …

Tommy Mayberry, the Director of Toronto Film School and Yorkville University’s Centre for Teaching Excellence and Innovation, was recently awarded with the 2024 Lavender Rhetorics Award for Excellence in Queer Scholarship. Presented annually by the Conference on College Composition and Communication, the award honours four works (one book, one book chapter or article, one dissertation and …

We have watched with immense concern the attack on Israel, and the escalating conflict across the region. Toronto Film School supports our Israeli and Palestinian community members – students, faculty, and staff. We grieve for the victims of the atrocities committed and offer heartfelt condolences to all those suffering. Horrific events of this magnitude can …

In light of the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ2S+ demonstrations taking place in Toronto and across North America today, Toronto Film School and Yorkville University understand that members of our own community – including staff, faculty, and students – may be impacted. TFS and YU reaffirm our dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion. Our school fully supports and …

Toronto Film School alumnus Andrew Dunning discovered his passion for telling a story through the lens of a camera at an early age – a gift passed on to him by his father. “My dad had a darkroom in our basement when I was a kid,” said Dunning, recalling his formative years growing up in …

Toronto Film School President Andrew Barnsley recently made a special guest appearance on Origin Films’ Filmmakers Uncut – a podcast offering insider tips, tricks, and advice to aspiring filmmakers and videographers. Over the course of the 54-minute episode hosted by Pouya Mirzaei, Barnsley discussed some of the lessons he’s learned over the span of his …

When it came time to pick a play for his Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre students to perform on stage this term, Toronto Film School’s Christopher Sawchyn was immediately drawn to Adam Szymkowicz’s Hearts Like Planets. “The work is funny, warm and honest – and isn’t that just the kind of energy we …

Charles Dickens’ beloved classic A Christmas Carol, will get a modern twist when Toronto Film School’s upcoming production of A Hollywood Christmas Carol takes to the stage. Directed by Christel Bartelse, the 75-minute play will be performed by the “amazing” 5B Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre class, who “leapt into everything with bravery …

Toronto Film School is set to bring Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life to the stage at Papermill Theatre later this month. Directed by Andy Massingham, this theatrical re-telling of a timeless Christmas classic draws upon “unique talents” of Massighnam’s “gifted” Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre students. “It’s A Wonderful Life began its …

Toronto Film School (TFS) and Yorkville University (YU) support the human rights of all peoples, and strongly express condemnation in relation to the persecution occurring in Iran.   Recent escalations of violence, threats to life, and deaths, in relation to protests for freedom, gender equality, and human rights, are incredibly disturbing. We express heartfelt sympathy …

“Now go forth and be bold!” It was with that call to action that 350 up-and-coming creatives closed one chapter in their lives as students and opened up a new one full of exciting career possibilities as newly minted graduates of Toronto Film School. “Today is a day of celebration. The programs you’ve completed are …