The organizers of The Annual Eko International Film Festival commiserate with the family of Late Jimi Solanke who contributed immensely to the entertainment industry in Nigeria and The African Continent at large. He was a Nigerian Film Actor, Dramatist, Folklore Singer, Poet, a Story teller and Playwright. The Documentary – JIMMY SHOW won The Best Documentary in the 13th Edition of our Annual Eko International Film Festival – April 2023.* The Documentary detailed most of his works especially his humble beginning to his many professional engagements and accolades. May his creative soul rest in peace.
Hope Obioma Opara.
President / Founder
Eko International Film Festival
JIMMY SHOW
Synopsis: In this autobiographical documentary, legendary multi-disciplinary artiste, Jimi Solanke reflects on his 80 years of existence, spotlighting the key events of his over six decades of professional life. He highlights attributes that made his career one of the most illustrious in Africa’s Creative industry. He talks about his early childhood and training, his theatrical, storytelling and musi performances all around the world, especially his American experience.
Jimi’s story traces the history of beginning of professional theatre practice in Africa and, pays tribute to those who made it happen. The documentary features interviews with great minds in African theatre and culture worlds some of whom had been either Jimi’s mentors, colleagues or associates, including the dramatist, Prof Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel laureate in Literature.
Eve Elyne, a 16-year-old musical sensation from Kerala, India, now residing in Colchester, UK, is all set to captivate the music world with her debut single ‘My Lover’. Eve, a multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter is not only the voice behind the song, but also the creative force, having written, composed, orchestrated, performed and produced the track entirely on her own under the banner Teal Meadow.
‘My Lover’ captures the profound emotional depths that love can stir, beautifully illustrating feelings of longing, nurturing, and the yearning for a loved one’s prosperity. The music video, filmed in the picturesque locations of Dedham village area, Dedham town centre, and Colchester town centre, is now available on Eve’s YouTube channel, @EveElyneOfficial.
Sohan Roy
The video was released by Mr. Sohan Roy, the notable director of the Oscar-contented film Dam999 and CEO of the UAE’s Aries Group of Companies, who has been recognized in Forbes.
Currently a student at The Gilberd School in Colchester, Essex, Eve Elyne is no stranger to leadership roles. She serves as Deputy Head Girl at her school, demonstrating her multi-faceted talents as the Lead Electric Guitarist for her school’s Soul Band, a Sports Captain, a Diversity Champion, and a runner-up in Public Speaking.
Eve’s passion for music has been a lifelong pursuit. With dreams of becoming a professional touring musician, she has been honing her skills on multiple instruments including drums, electric and acoustic guitar, keyboard, piano and more. Eve began writing songs at the tender age of 12, drawing inspiration from various singer-songwriters. She is also an emerging cricket player who has been selected for Essex Women’s Team and England’s Emerging Players Program.
Eve Elyne
Eve’s dedication to her musical pursuits is evident in her achievement of Grade 6 in Trinity for keyboard, which she started learning at the age of 9. Currently working towards Grade 7, she has also completed Grade 4 in drums. This self-driven musician has also showcased her drumming talent in the Battle of the Bands with her School Rock Band when she was studying at the Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Luton.
Adarsh Kurian is the one behind the camera and in the editing room for the project ‘My Lover’. Eve was aided by the expertise of Alan Jones, a sound engineer and founder of Colchester’s Black Cactus Studios for the sound mixing of the song. In addition, the guitar elements of the song were skillfully managed by Finn Godwin, a close friend of Eve.
Eve Elyne
The debut of ‘My Lover’ marks a significant milestone in Eve’s musical journey, bringing her one step closer to her dream of performing in front of a large audience and making her mark in the music industry.
In today’s interconnected world, the role of international film festivals has transcended mere entertainment and has become a powerful tool for fostering cultural exchange, promoting understanding, and unifying people from different parts of the globe. These festivals serve as platforms for filmmakers, artists, and audiences to come together, share their stories, and celebrate the diversity of human experiences. In this blog post, we will explore the significant role that international film festivals play as a unifying factor in our world.
International film festivals showcase a wide range of films from various countries, cultures, and languages. They provide a unique opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of global cinema. By bringing together films from different backgrounds, festivals expose audiences to unfamiliar stories, traditions, and perspectives. This celebration of cultural diversity helps to bridge gaps and foster a sense of unity among people from different parts of the world.
Promoting Cross-Cultural Understanding:
One of the key roles of international film festivals is to promote cross-cultural understanding. Films have the power to transcend language barriers and communicate universal emotions and experiences. When audiences watch films from different cultures, they gain insights into the lives and struggles of people from diverse backgrounds. This exposure to different perspectives helps break down stereotypes, challenge prejudices, and promote empathy and understanding.
Supporting Independent Filmmakers:
International film festivals provide a vital platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work on a global stage. These festivals often focus on showcasing films that may not have mainstream appeal but carry important social, political, or cultural messages. By giving voice to these filmmakers, festivals contribute to the democratization of storytelling and provide an alternative to the dominance of commercial films. This support for independent filmmakers nurtures creativity, encourages diverse storytelling, and contributes to the vibrant cinematic landscape.
Encouraging Global Collaboration:
Film festivals serve as meeting grounds for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and industry professionals from around the world. These events offer opportunities for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. Filmmakers can find potential co-production partners, secure distribution deals, and gain exposure to international markets. Such collaborations foster cultural exchange, promote global dialogue, and contribute to the growth and development of the film industry as a whole.
Showcasing Social and Political Issues:
International film festivals often highlight films that address pressing social and political issues. These films shed light on topics such as human rights, environmental concerns, gender equality, and social justice. By showcasing such films, festivals provide a platform for discussions, debates, and advocacy. They enable audiences to engage with important global issues and inspire them to take action. In this way, film festivals can play a significant role in raising awareness, promoting social change, and unifying people around shared causes.
Fostering Tourism and Economic Growth:
International film festivals not only attract filmmakers and industry professionals but also draw audiences from around the world. These events contribute to the growth of local economies, as visitors spend money on accommodation, dining, transportation, and other services. Film festivals also help promote tourism and cultural exchange, as attendees often explore the host city or country during their visit. This economic impact and cultural exchange further strengthen the ties between different nations and contribute to the unification of people globally.
Conclusion:
International film festivals have emerged as powerful tools for unifying people from different parts of the world. By celebrating cultural diversity, promoting cross-cultural understanding, supporting independent filmmakers, encouraging global collaboration, showcasing social and political issues, and fostering tourism and economic growth, these festivals play a crucial role in bridging gaps, promoting empathy, and creating a sense of shared humanity. As we continue to navigate an increasingly interconnected world, the significance of international film festivals as unifying factors cannot be overstated.
TALES OF OUR LEGENDS is a documentary package aimed at showcasing these people and their deeds to the world, refreshing the memories of those who knew of them and bringing them afresh to the knowledge of those who have never heard and never known of them, this is also geared towards immortalizing them and to create a platform for their “Hall of fame” inclusion by our Government and the Industry they represent.
SYNOPSIS:
Heroes, Legends, People who have in one way or the other impacted our lives positively, warriors who led us through wars and won battles of life in time past. Great men and women, young and old, who have been exceptional in thier spheres, people of Great courage whose acts in there different fields of endeavour – academy, politics, music, movie, military, sports, Leadership etc, have printed their names and that of our Great country in the world map and thus shaped the future that we now enjoy.
Most of these rare and exceptional citizens are dead and gone, others are still waxing strong among us, while a lot are still languishing in abject poverty on the street with no one to take care of them. Some of them we know, some others are talked about for different reasons.
Monica Omorodion Swaida
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Monica Omorodion Swaida started her professional career a long time ago. As a teenager, she was part of a rap group called Sound on Sound, later became a backup singer for top Musicians like Majek Fashek, Sunny Okosun, Evi Edna and many more. She did a lot of studio work for various of artists, voice over and jingle for adverts. She left motherland and show business to focus on education abroad. Monica faced the world of business and currently the president of an Insurance company in Boston Massachusetts. She is also the owner of a movie production company and she is a real estate investor.Monica produced her award-winning movies like Faces of Love with Robert Peters. She wrote the sound track for Faces of Love titled “My baby is gone” She also wrote the movie sound track for Award winning Movie “Esohe” Titled “I am in love” which she also co produced. Her song Palava won people’s choice for favorite video and also won a Akademia music award. She has gone on to produce many other movies including the Mailman, Deep fever, Nightmare at dusk, Charlie Charlie, , among many others. She is the executive producer and co director of Tales of our legends.
2023 Best Canadian Feature Film Award, Amplify Voices Awards, Short Cuts Awards, Changemaker Award, People’s Choice Awards, along with FIPRESCI and NETPAC film jury awards, close the Festival
TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival® ― which concluded last evening with the Closing Night screening of Thom Zimny’s Sly at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall ― has announced its award recipients for the 48th edition of the Festival.
“We’re grateful to all the audience members, artists, industry professionals, and supporters who graced Toronto’s cinemas, red carpets, meeting spaces, and streets,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “As we recognize award winners today, we thank everyone who contributed to this glorious, collective gift.”
“From the most revered veterans to the freshest new voices, this year’s Festival played host to the diverse range of filmmakers Toronto is known for,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “And Toronto’s filmgoers turned up in huge numbers to be a part of the celebration. We’re grateful to our film jurors for their invaluable contributions, for championing emerging talent, and for enriching the film community with their expertise and passion.”
SHORT CUTS AWARDS
Short Cuts Awards are for Best Film, Best Canadian Film, and the Share Her Journey Award for best film by a woman. Each winning film will receive a bursary of $10,000 CAD. The winners of the three awards are:
Short Cuts Award For Best Film: Electra, dir. Daria Kashcheeva
Jury’s statement: “Singular and accomplished, this sickly sweet nightmare of a film packs a mighty final punch. Visceral and infinitely textured, it leads us down a contorted rabbit hole with thematic and visual prowess. With great pleasure, the jury presents the Short Cuts Award for Best Short Film to Electra, directed by Daria Kashcheeva. Electra resonates with under-the-skin discomfort long after the film is over.”
Short Cuts Award For Best Canadian Film: Motherland, dir. Jasmin Mozaffari
Jury’s statement: “Displaying great mastery of craft, this incredibly ambitious film excels in its direction, performances, sound, and picture, with every frame exhibiting love and intention. The jury is pleased to present the Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film to Motherland directed by Jasmin Mozaffari. The film left us with one word collectively: wow.”
Share Her Journey Award: Shé (Snake), dir. Renee Zhan
Jury’s statement: “For this film’s incredibly original and surreal creativity, which is matched with beautiful acting, the jury is thrilled to give the Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award to Renee Zhan for Shé (Snake). It’s not common to be bewitched by grotesque creatures in a film, but here they captured the hearts of the audience thanks to their humour and charm.”
Honourable Mention: Gaby’s Hills, dir. Zoé Pelchat
Jury’s statement: “Featuring an ensemble cast with incredible organic chemistry, Gaby’s Hills delivered a moving portrayal of a girl in puberty returning home to find her womanhood reflected back to her in the community. Carefully crafted with layered themes, the jury is delighted to present an honourable mention for the Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award to Gaby’s Hills, directed by Zoé Pelchat.”
The 2023 jurors for the Short Cuts Awards are Aisha Jamal, Araya Mengesha, and Shasha Nakhai.
NETPAC AWARD
The 2023 NETPAC jury members include: Sung Moon, Haolun Shu, and Lalita Krishna.
TIFF is delighted to announce that the 2023 NETPAC Jury has selected Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s A Match as this year’s NETPAC winner.
The 2023 NETPAC jury released the following statement: “First, the jury would like to express how impressed they were by the strong films in this category, which covered a range of social issues using diverse artistic styles. The jury gives an honourable mention to Mimang, where director Kim Taeyang created a lyrical tale through visuals of a changing city that perfectly captured the longing of its protagonists. The NETPAC award was instituted to promote Asian cinema and to bring international attention to independent and non-mainstream films focusing on the discovery of new talent. The jury commends the courage of this year’s winner, a first time feature director, for taking a risk and delivering a story that is enlightening and entertaining. The director worked with a cast of non-actors that not only resulted in a stellar performance, but achieved a level of authenticity needed to drive home the social message. An immersive portrayal of life in an Indian village, highlighting its oppressive patriarchal customs, the NETPAC award this year goes to A Match by Jayant Digambar Somalkar.”
FIPRESCI PRIZE
The 2023 FIPRESCI jury members include: Cem Altinsaray, Elijah Baron, Jindřiška Bláhová, Diego Faraone, and Jenni Zylka.
The jury is delighted to announce Seagrass, dir. Meredith Hama-Brown, as this year’s FIPRESCI winner.
The 2023 FIPRESCI jury released the following statement: “A married couple in crisis seems willing to give what is usually the last resource to save its bond: couples therapy, while they’re having a vacation at the Pacific coast together with their two daughters. Their contact with other couples is an inevitable temptation and a fire test. Meanwhile, their daughters confront the world, their fears, puberty — and the ghosts of unresolved conflicts of their parents. This intimate, endearing, and wonderfully framed first feature film by young Canadian actor and director Meredith Hama-Brown skillfully deals with subjects like masculinity, family taboos, motherhood, and structural anti-Asian racism. Hama-Brown carefully stages her convincing actors, especially the young ones, and even gives life to a tender relationship between a little girl and a ball.
We are happy to honour the film Seagrass with the International Critics Prize (FIPRESCI Prize) at TIFF 2023.”
AMPLIFY VOICES AWARDS PRESENTED BY CANADA GOOSE
This year, Canada Goose will again present the Amplify Voices Awards to under-represented filmmakers in Canada. Feature films in Official Selection by Canadian BIPOC filmmakers are eligible for the Best Feature and Best First Feature Award. The Amplify Voices Award will also celebrate a Canadian BIPOC trailblazer, recognizing a producer who has made significant contributions to the Canadian film landscape. The three winners will receive a cash prize of $10,000 each, made possible by Canada Goose.
The three Amplify Voices Awards presented by Canada Goose winners are:
Amplify Voices Award – Best BIPOC Canadian Feature: Kanaval, dir. Henri Pardo
Jury’s statement: “There has never been a Canadian film that captures both magical realism and post-colonial trauma in such a beautiful, poetic, and convincing way. Seamless in the way the story has been weaved together, this film refuses to follow a linear storyline, understanding intimately how the past and future always exist in the present, and lifting centuries-old legacies into the cinema. Centered around the powerful and awe-inducing performance of newcomer Rayan Dieudonné, this film is an honest ode to the immigrant experience. The jury celebrates Kanaval and the singular cinematic talent of Henri Pardo.”
Amplify Voices Award for Best BIPOC Canadian First Feature Award: Tautuktavuk (What We See), dirs. Carol Kunnuk, Lucy Tulugarjuk
Jury’s statement: “Through powerful self-representation, this story honours rituals that have been and rituals that are made anew, reflecting a rare purity in its filmmaking approach. The makers of this film powerfully capture truth in its most unadorned form, turning the camera inward to both look at and listen to themselves and their community, placing trust in and honouring the authenticity of their voices. The jury celebrates the co-directors of Tautuktavuk, Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk, for their work in powerfully navigating difficult and necessary conversations from a place of unapologetic ownership and unwavering communal care.”
The 2023 jurors for the Amplify Voices Awards presented by Canada Goose are V.T. Nayani, Nisha Pahuja, and Ricardo Acosta.
The Amplify Voices Award also celebrates a Canadian BIPOC Trailblazer, recognizing a producer who has made significant contributions to the Canadian film landscape.
The 2023 Amplify Voices Trailblazer Award was presented to Damon D’Oliveira, producer.
Damon is a veteran producer responsible for bringing to screen some of Canada’s most critically and commercially successful films and television (Brother, Rude, The Grizzlies, The Book of Negroes, and Wildhood). An early champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion both in front and behind the camera, Damon’s career has focused on producing content that centered underrepresented, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ voices. His latest film, Brother, directed by Clement Virgo, had its World Premiere at TIFF 2022 to strong critical acclaim and has been invited to a number of additional festivals including the Busan Film Festival, Sao Paulo Film Festival, and in Competition at the BFI London, Gothenburg, and Tromsø Film Festivals.
BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD
The 2023 Best Canadian Feature jury members include: V.T. Nayani, Susan Maggi, and Ricardo Acosta. TIFF is delighted to announce that the 2023 Jury has selected Solo, dir. Sophie Dupuis as this year’s Best Canadian Feature Film.
Jury’s statement: “Sophie Dupuis’s Solo is a specifically intimate and deeply affecting film, full of palpable care and honesty. Whatever your entry point to this film, there is a place for you as part of a larger story and conversation, which is more critical than ever. This coming-of-age narrative is ultimately a film about family, both blood and chosen, and the complications and beauties of both. And it is a story of love, in all of its iterations, of how it can both fail us and set us free.”
BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD HONORABLE MENTION: Kanaval, dir. Henri Pardo
Jury’s statement: “There has never been a Canadian film that captures both magical realism and post-colonial trauma through the singular lens of a young child, in such a beautiful, poetic, and convincing way. The jury is pleased to award an Honorable Mention to Henri Pardo’s Kanaval.”
CHANGEMAKER AWARD
The Changemaker Award is presented to a Festival film that explores issues relevant to young people and is focused on themes of social change and youth empowerment. The award embraces the power in young people seeing their communities represented on screen and celebrates the next generation of storytellers and changemakers in cinema. The winning film comes with a $10,000 CAD prize, and is selected by TIFF’s Next Wave Committee, a group of young film lovers who recognize cinema’s power to transform the world.
The 2023 jurors for the Changemaker Award are members of TIFF’s Next Wave Committee: Maggie Kane, Linc Guo, Serena Hao, Roni Harel Haber, Ray Wu, Naiya Forrester, Maya Al-Arami, Sara Rana, Daniel Leplae, Tara Sidhu, Tafadzwa Mangwiro, and Elizabeth Albrecht.
THE 2023 CHANGEMAKER AWARD is presented to We Grown Now, dir. Minhal Baig.
Minhal Baig offered this statement: “Thank you so much to the Next Wave Committee in recognizing We Grown Now for the Changemaker Award. When I first began interviewing former Cabrini-Green residents years ago, I was deeply moved and surprised by the experiences they shared with me. They spoke both of the challenges and joys of life in a public housing project. It was essential in making the film that we embrace that reality and present the high rises through the lens of children who called it home. Though the high rises have long since been demolished, Cabrini-Green remains an indelible part of the history of Chicago and public housing in America, and I hope the film sparks meaningful cultural conversation. I am beyond honoured that the Next Wave Committee has recognized the film and the importance of its social issues.”
TIFF’s Next Wave Committee provided this statement: “We Grow Now offers a compelling depiction of family and friendship within the backdrop of Chicago’s public housing project, Cabrini-Green. Frequently shadowed by the stereotypes of drugs, violence, and crime, this film strives to break the mold. Minhal dedicated a significant amount of time to connect with former residents of the now-demolished homes to learn their stories. The result is a profound and significant story of boyhood innocence and hope, and the struggle two young friends face as they grapple with the possibility of saying goodbye to each other. We were able to connect with this film because we saw friends and family in it, the struggles they face every day, and the parts of their lives we may never personally know. We believe in the self-discovery and power that comes from seeing your community represented in film. We know how dedicated Minhal is to tell stories that matter and that mean something to those they are about, and we hope that this award will aid her in her journey forward.”
PLATFORM AWARD
The Platform Award is an award of $20,000 CAD given to the best film in the programme, selected by an in-person international jury. This year’s jury members are: Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim.
The 2023 Platform Award is awarded to: Dear Jassi, dir. Tarsem Singh Dhandwar.
The Platform Jury released this statement: “Dear Jassi was a unanimous choice for this year’s Platform Award for its honest and poignant portrayal of a subject matter that still affects large portions of individuals forced to live under the inhumanity of bitter caste systems throughout the globe. The film has the perfect blend of craft, purpose, and faith in its audience, creating a world that is both richly cinematic and steadfastly realistic. The young leads, Yugam Sood and Pavia Sidhu, are by turns breathtaking and, in performances that pull no punches, heartbreaking. Altogether an emphatic work by director Tarsem Singh Dhandwar and his many wonderful collaborators; a film that would be worthy of accolades in any section and which we enthusiastically welcome into the pantheon of winners in this Platform section.”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
For the 47th year, the People’s Choice Awards distinguish the audience’s top title at the Festival as voted by the viewing public. All films in TIFF’s Official Selection were eligible.
The TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award winner is Dicks: The Musical dir. Larry Charles.
The first runner-up is Kill dir. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat.
The second runner-up is Hell of a Summer dirs. Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk.
The TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Documentary Award winner is Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe dir. Robert McCallum.
The first runner-up is Summer Qamp dir. Jen Markowitz.
The second runner-up is Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa dir. Lucy Walker.
The TIFF 2023 People’s Choice Award winner is: American Fiction dir. Cord Jefferson.
The first runner-up is The Holdovers dir. Alexander Payne.
The second runner-up is The Boy and the Heron dir. Hayao Miyazaki.
Social Media:
Twitter: @TIFF_NET / @TIFF_Industry
Instagram / Letterboxd / TikTok: @tiff_net
Facebook.com/TIFF
#TIFF23
For more information, contact Alejandra Sosa, Director, Communications at masosa@tiff.net
The 2023 Best Canadian Feature Film Award, Amplify Voices Awards, Short Cuts Awards, Changemaker Award, People’s Choice Awards, along with FIPRESCI and NETPAC film jury awards, to be announced at the close of TIFF
TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival® is delighted to announce its Award categories, jury members, and prizes for 2023, along with the return of three distinguished international film juries to honour outstanding works in this year’s lineup. The juries, featuring renowned film critics and filmmakers, include five members for FIPRESCI, the International Federation of Film Critics; three jurors for NETPAC, the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema; and three jurors for Platform (previously announced). All awards will be announced on September 17 at the annual Awards Breakfast at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Details to follow in the coming weeks.
“A crucial component of the film industry’s ecosystem, the annual awards presented by TIFF are dedicated to honouring creativity, vision, and excellence,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “Every year, we unite to applaud the diverse array of cinematic voices with the support of respected colleagues from the global industry, and this year will be no exception.”
BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD
TIFF continues to celebrate the unique craft and storytelling within Canadian cinema with the Best Canadian Feature Film Award. All 27 Canadian feature films in Official Selection — ranging from debut features to documentaries to films from well-established directors — will be considered for the award.
AMPLIFY VOICES AWARDS PRESENTED BY CANADA GOOSE
Canada Goose embraces diversity in all its forms and definitions, including the technique and passion that transports storytelling to the screen. This year, Canada Goose will again present the Amplify Voices Awards to under-represented filmmakers in Canada. Feature films in Official Selection by Canadian BIPOC filmmakers are eligible for the Best Feature and Best First Feature Award. The Amplify Voices Award will also celebrate a Canadian BIPOC trailblazer, recognizing a producer who has made significant contributions to the Canadian film landscape. The three winners will receive a cash prize of $10,000 each, made possible by Canada Goose. The jurors are:
V.T. Nayani is a multi-hyphenate storyteller working across the screen industries. She is an alumni of the Canadian Film Centre, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, The Gotham, and BIPOC TV & Film. Nayani’s feature directorial debut, This Place, premiered at TIFF in 2022.
Nisha Pahuja’s documentary credits include To Kill a Tiger, which won the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature in 2022 and fifteen other awards. Other directorial credits include The World Before Her (2012), which received an Emmy nomination, and Diamond Road (2008).
Ricardo Acosta is a film editor, script consultant, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Canadian Cinema Editors. His editing and story consulting credits include Once Upon a Time in Venezuela (2020), The Letter (2019), The Silence of Others (2018), Sembene! (2015), and Marmato (2014). His films have premiered at Sundance, Cannes, and IDFA, among other international film festivals.
SHORT CUTS AWARDS
Films in the Short Cuts programme are eligible for three jury-selected Short Cuts Awards: Best Short Film, Best Canadian Short Film, and the Share Her Journey Award for best short film by a woman filmmaker. These awards provide each of the three winners with a bursary of $10,000 CAD to help them continue achieving success in their careers. Short Cuts Awards Jurors are:
Aisha Jamal is an Afghan Canadian filmmaker and film programmer. Since 2016, she has been programming Canadian films for the Hot Docs Documentary Festival. Her feature debut A Kandahar Away premiered in 2019 and is now playing on Documentary Channel and screening on CBC Gem in Canada. Her previous short films have played at venues and festivals worldwide.
Araya Mengesha is an Ethiopian Eritrean award-winning filmmaker and actor. His co-written/directed short film DEFUND was a TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten 2021 selection after its World Premiere at TIFF ’21, collecting wins and nominations along the festival circuit, as well as becoming a Vimeo Staff Pick. As an actor, he is a Gemini Award (now called Canadian Screen Award) winner, CSA Best Lead Performer (Digital Series), and multi–ACTRA Award nominee. Currently in development is the feature film The Section based on the short work TEF, which Mengesha wrote and starred in during his residency at the Canadian Film Centre.
Shasha Nakhai is a Toronto-based storyteller with more than a decade of experience. Her work has aired on the BBC, CBC, ZDF, and Arte; screened at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA); been nominated for 16 Canadian Screen Awards; named as part of TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten; and shortlisted for an Oscar.
CHANGEMAKER AWARD
The Changemaker Award is presented to a feature film in Official Selection that explores issues relevant to young people and is focused on themes of social change and youth empowerment. The award embraces the power in young people seeing their communities represented on screen and celebrates the next generation of storytellers and changemakers in cinema. The winning film is selected by TIFF’s Next Wave Committee, a group of young film lovers who recognize cinema’s power to transform the world. All Next Wave–selected films in Official Selection are eligible, and the winning director(s) receives $10,000 CAD. In 2022, the Changemaker Award went to Luis De Filippis’ Something You Said Last Night.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
A longstanding tradition at TIFF, the People’s Choice Award is celebrating its 46th year, and TIFF audience members are encouraged to vote for their favourite films online at tiff.net/vote. All feature films in TIFF’s Official Selection are eligible for this Award. TIFF has two other Awards also voted on by the audience: the People’s Choice Documentary Award and the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award. The 2022 winners are The Fabelmans, Black Ice, and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.
FIPRESCI JURY
The FIPRESCI Prize is presented by an international jury selected by the International Federation of Film Critics. Founded in 1930, the Federation awards the prize at international film festivals and film festivals of particular importance to promote film-art and to encourage new and young cinema. The FIPRESCI Jury will award the Prize of International Critics, dedicated to emerging filmmakers for the 30th year, to one feature film having its World Premiere in TIFF’s Discovery programme. Last year’s winner was A Gaza Weekend. The 2023 FIPRESCI jurors are:
Cem Altinsaray is a film critic with 28 years of experience in writing, editing, creating, and publishing movie magazines. He is now focused on enjoying and spreading his love of cinema at MUBI.
Elijah Baron is a Montreal-based film critic, translator, and editor, mostly known for his affiliation with 24 images, one of Quebec’s leading and oldest French-language film magazines.
Jindřiška Bláhová is a film critic and film industry analyst for the leading Czech weekly Respekt, an editor-in-chief of the film magazine Cinepur, and a film historian.
Diego Faraone is a Uruguayan film critic and journalist. He collaborated in publications such as Dossier, El Boulevard, Guía 50, and Argentinian websites Revista Caligari and Otros Cines, among others.
Jenni Zylka is a freelance writer focusing on film, media, and music. She is head of the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section of the Berlinale.
NETPAC JURY
Presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema, the NETPAC Award recognizes films specifically from the Asian and Pacific region. The jury consists of three members of the international community selected by TIFF and NETPAC, who award the prize to the best film by an emerging Asian and/or Pacific Islander filmmaker in the Centrepiece and Discovery programmes. In 2022, the NETPAC Award went to Sweet As. The 2023 NETPAC Award jurors are:
Sung Moon, 2023 NETPAC Jury Chair, is a programmer at the Jeonju International Film Festival.
Haolun Shu is a Shanghai-based filmmaker and teaches film directing and screenwriting at Shanghai Film Academy.
Lalita Krishna is the Co-Chair of Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. She is a critically acclaimed documentary filmmaker.
Genevieve Nnaji was born on 3 May 1979. She is a Nigerian actress, Producer, and Director.
She was nicknamed on #oprahwinfreyshow and popularly called the #juliaroberts Of Africa .
She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actor to win the award. She was honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions to Nollywood.
Her directorial debut movie, LIONHEART, is the first Netflix film from Nigeria and the first Nigerian submission for the Oscars.
The movie was disqualified for having most of its dialogue in English.
After having spent decades in the movie industry, she was profiled alongside some celebrities and business executives in 2020 in two new books by publisher and Editor in Chief of Yes International! magazine, Azuh Arinze.
Over 100 Movies Done
Lionheart
Road to Yesterday
Half of a Yellow Sun
Doctor Bello
Sacred Lies
The Mirror Boy
Bursting Out
Tango with Me
Ijé:The Journey
Silent Scandal
Silent Scandal 2
Beautiful Soul
Beautiful Soul 2
Broken Tears
Broken Tears 2
Critical Condition
Critical Condition 2
Love My Way
Love My Way 2
My Idol My Idol 2
River of Tears
River of Tears 2
Sister’s Love
Keep My Will
Letters to a Stranger
Unfinished Business
Warrior’s Heart
Wind of Glory
Girls Cot 30
Days Darkest Night
Games Women Play
Rip-Off
Bumper to Bumper
Critical Decision
Dangerous Sisters
Goodbye New York
He Lives in Me
Into Temptation
My First Love
Never Die for Love
Promise Me Forever
Stand by Me
Awards And Nominations
92nd Academy Awards (Oscars)
2020 Genevieve Nnaji / LionHeart Best International Feature Film
Result: Unselected
City People Entertainment Awards
2001
Movie: Herself Best Actress
Result: Won
The 19th Black Reel Awards (FAAAF)]
2019
Lionheart
Outstanding Foreign Film / World Cinema Motion Picture[43]
Result: Won
Toronto International Film Festival
2018
Lionheart
Grolsch People’s Choice Award
Africa Movie Academy Awards
Result: Nominated
2012
Herself
Best Actress- Viewers ‘ Choice
Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA)
PeterMensah is best known for his roles in films such as Tears of the Sun, 300 and Avatar, as well as for his portrayal of “doctor” Enomao in the television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Spartacus : Gods of the Arena and Spartacus:. Vengeance.
Mensah was born in Chiraa Ghana, and comes from an academic family. He was born to Ashanti parents in the Brong Ahafo Region, and moved to Hertfordshire, England, with his father, Peter Osei Mensah, an engineer, his mother, a writer, and two younger sisters at a young age. Mensah began practising martial arts at the age of six.
He spent part of his youth there until he decided to leave Europe and look for a fortune in Canada or Australia, but the papers for entry to Canada arrived earlier and therefore he decided to move to that country. Martial arts enthusiast his beginnings as an actor were relatively late, occasionally at school and professionally when he was over forties.
He has since appeared in films such as 300, Hidalgo (Oceans of Fire in Spain), Tears of the Sun, Jason X, The Incredible Hulk (2008), Harvard’s Man and Bless the Child.
She has made television appearances in Star Trek: Enterprise , Tracker , Witchblade , Blue Murder, Relic Hunter , Earth: Final Conflict , Highlander: The Crow , La Femme Nikita and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (in episode 12 of season two, titled “The Fields of the Alps”).
He also starred in the short film The Seed and later appeared in a small role in the James Cameron film Avatar.
Later he appeared in the Starz television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand and in its prequel, Spartacus : Gods of the Arena, playing the role of Enomao, as well as in the new season of the series, Spartcus: Vengeance.
He also appeared in the fifth season of the television series True Blood.
He lent his voice and image to Zach Hammond, Chief of Security and USG Captain Kellion in the Dead Space video game. Peter Mensah’s talent leaps as he appear
