Thursday, April 30, 2009

THE LAST NEW YEAR @ THE ROYAL (MAY 17 - 19, 2009)


THE LAST NEW YEAR @ The Royal

EVENT LISTING: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=78944698183

Toronto Premier Screenings:
MAY 17, 18, & 19
THE ROYAL @ 7PM
608 College (at Clinton St.), Toronto, ON
The Filmmakers and Cast will be in attendance with a Q & A after each screening.

TICKETS: $10
To reserve your tickets email mattdrappel@thenightingalecompany.com with the date and number you would like to purchase.
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The Last New Year has been selected as Golden Ace Award Winner at the 2009 Las Vegas International Film Festival.

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REVIEW BY GREGOR CRAIGIE, CBC RADIO - JANUARY 30, 2009
“Great… a very thoughtful film.”

http://www.thelastnewyear.com/files/CBC%20On%20The%20Island%20interview.mp3

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REVIEW BY MICHAEL D. REID, TIMES COLONIST - JANUARY 29, 2009
“John Cassavetes died 20 years ago, but the American independent film pioneer’s influence is unmistakable in The Last New Year, Garfield Lindsay Miller’s absorbing ensemble drama…”

http://www.thelastnewyear.com/files/TCreview.pdf

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THUMBNAIL SYNOPSIS
A young man’s mysterious disappearance tests the frayed relationships among his nine closest friends. Reunited for their annual night of fun and debauchery, the group must unravel the secrets behind his absence to save the tradition and their friendships from disaster.


FILM SYNOPSIS
The Last New Year is the story of the “Fools and Bastards Club,” a diverse group of twenty-somethings who share one thing in common – each other. In high school, ten friends made a pact that every New Year’s Eve they would reunite to celebrate. After eight years what had started as a simple house party developed into a sacred tradition, and, although the friends had grown apart, the annual event always brought them back together.

But this New Year’s Eve things are different. One of the group’s core members, Rich, has mysteriously disappeared leaving his girlfriend, Penny, his best friend, William and the rest of the group clueless as to what happened, where he is, or if he is even still alive. Most assume he’s dead and, despite the shadow of their loss and the mystery that surrounds his disappearance, the group valiantly attempts to keep the party going. For many, the stress is too much to bear and old friendships, once unquestionable, are put to the test. As the friends begin spiraling into anger and blame, it soon becomes clear that this may be the club’s last official meeting.

At the center of the drama are Penny and William and a secret love affair that could easily tear “The Fools and Bastards” apart for good. When they learn their secret may be linked to their friend’s disappearance, they must decide what is more important: keeping the truth to themselves or keeping the group together.

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The Last New Year is a feature film by Garfield Lindsay Miller. The film stars: Casey Austin, Margaret Evans, Philip Graeme, Andrew Hachey, Kate Hewlett, Mike McPhaden, James Murray, Mayko Ngyen, Aaron Webber, and Kris Holden-Reid.

Director - GARFIELD LINDSAY MILLER
Writers - GARFIELD LINDSAY MILLER & CASEY AUSTIN
Producer - ALYSON RICHARDS
Executive Producer - DEBBIE NIGHTINGALE
Director of Photography - PASHA PATRIKI
Editor - DEV SINGH
Production Designer - CHRIS GOTZAMANIS
Music Supervisor - NICK BLASKO

With Music by:
The Be Good Tanyas
The Black Angels
The Cape May
The Constantines
The Golden Dogs
Jason Collett
Jets Overhead
Jon and Roy
Land of Talk
Scandalnavia
Tegan & Sara
and
Wintersleep

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

RAINDANCE CANADA ♦ SHORT, SHARP CLASSES FOR FILMMAKERS (MAY 20 - JUNE 17, 2009)


Coming Up At Raindance

A series of fun and informative events!

We’re happy to announce a series of informative and exciting evening events!

Wednesday May 20, 2009 Navigating Film Fesivals
Wednesday May 27, 2009 The Essentials Of Entertainment Law
Wednesday June 3, 2009 The Art Of Action
Wednesday June 10, 2009 Sound Effects On A Budget
Wednesday June 17, 2009 The Triple Threat: Camera, Editing, and Production

Pay for 4 and get the 5th FREE
Receive the Filmmakers Foundation Certificate

Filmmakers Foundation Certificate

Short, Sharp Classes for Filmmakers

A unique series of Raindance Canada sponsored Wednesday evening classes beginning May 20, 2009

For more information on the upcoming courses this May & June:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=63499633543&topic=7554

Friday, April 24, 2009

STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE (MAY 27, 2009)

Screening
Price:
$8.00
Start time:
May 27 2009 7:30pm

Event description:

The Student Film Showcase is an annual event showcasing the finest student films from universities and colleges across the country. The Showcase presents a diverse and exciting range of student work including animation, documentary, fiction and experimental films, representing the talent of Canada's future generation of filmmakers.

Each year, the programme of student films is chosen by TIFFG programmers. A jury comprised of film industry professionals selects award winners. The Student Film Showcase fosters opportunities for student filmmakers from Film School Consortium schools to not only exhibit their work, but make important contacts and develop career-enhancing relationships with peers and industry professionals.

We hope that you will join us at this year’s showcase!

TICKETS $8
On sale April 6, 2009

Box Office
2 Carlton Street, West Mezzanine
(College subway station)

Hours of operation
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 7:00pm

Phone us at 416-968-FILM
Toll-free at 1-877-968-FILM

MORE INFO:
http://tiffg.ca/studentfilmshowcase/default.aspx

Location:

AMC Yonge & Dundas
10 Dundas Street East, Toronto

ADRIFT IN TOKYO @ AMC YONGE & DUNDAS (MAY 1 - 14)


ADRIFT IN TOKYO will start its theatrical run in Toronto on May 1st with a Japanese w/ English subtitles copy at the AMC Yonge & Dundas theatre.

The film will only be showing for two weeks, then it will move on to Vancouver, so if you want to see it on the big screen before its DVD release, it now or never! Don’t put it off!
Of course, it’s the 1st week-end box-office that counts, so please put a cinema date on your agenda for May 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

Adrift in Tokyo - Joe Odagiri comedy - trailer NYAFF 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avc3R9KERHI

Event listing
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=74552718912&ref=ts

Synopsis
Leading a lazy life, Fumiya has been a university student for 8 years and owes money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Fukuhara comes to collect the loan, which Fumiya cannot pay. So Fukuhara makes a proposition: He will cancel the debt as long as Fumiya agrees to walk with him across Tokyo to the police station of Kasumigaseki, where he intends to turn himself for a crime he deeply regrets. Not having much choice, Fumiya accepts the deal. Thus begins their journey as life wanders on. Based on the original novel by Naoki Prize winner Yoshinaga Fujita comes a fascinating and humorous film capturing various encounters on a walking trip across Tokyo.

Credits
Actors: Jô Odagiri (Retribution, Shinobi, Hazard) / Tomokazu Miura (Always - Sunset on Third Street, Survive Style 5+, The Taste of Tea) / Kyôto Koizumi (Tokyo Sonata, Sakuran, Survive Style 5+)
Director: Satoshi Miki (Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers, In the Pool)
Cinematography: Souhei Tanigawa (Love Exposure, Noriko's Dinner Table)

Festivals
Udine Far East Film Festival
New York Asian Film Festival
Neuchâtel International Fantasy Film Festival
Fantasia International Film Festival
Raindance Film Festival
Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival - Closing Film
Ottawa mCritic, Inside E Online, Ottawa Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival, The Village Voice, Toronto Film Screening, Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, Twichfilm, VarietyFilm Festival / Festival du film de l’Outaouais

Critiques / Reviews


“Satoshi Miki makes a Masterpiece. ...Miki puts together a great comedy from start to finish.”
Mark Schilling, The Japan Times

****
“Together, (Odagiri & Miura) make for good cinematic company. Their trip through Tokyo shows us the city from a perspective we may not have seen and reminds us that the world is full of small and large beauties...”
Jay Seaver, eFilmCritic

***
“... has the kind of low-key, effortless charm that most movies sweat for. ... it is a masterpiece of throwaway lines and little oddities. This is a lovely film that should not be missed.”
David Austin, Cinema Strikes Back

“...one of the five best films in the world for 2008. It’s just as good on second viewing. ...a meandering, quirky and surprisingly beautiful piece of work that perfectly balances humour and emotion.”
Todd Brown, Twichfilm

“...a droll charmer. ... gently but heartily amusing throughout...”
Russell Edwards, Variety

“... a comic stroll that is indeed aimless, but consciously, introspectively, and out-of-left-field hilariously so.”
Aaron Hillis, The Village Voice

“...before I knew it I was hooked in and in step with two characters as they lead me on a walking tour of Tokyo and their pasts.”
Emer Schlosser, Inside E Online

Thursday, April 23, 2009

PREMIER SCREENING 'SCRATCHED OUT' (MAY 2, 2009)


This from the one and only friend and Raindance Alumni RODGER EDRALIN - the director and co-producer of the film "Scratched Out" - story written and co-produced by Meisam (Sam) Motaghi, starring local Toronto talent including Warren Belle, Tina Sterling, Irena Angeloutsa, Marcel Jones, Ryan Le Bar, Asthon Thorne, Horace Abel, and Andrey Ichevnko. Admission is free to all invited guests ... and ... you are invited!

The screening is Saturday May 2nd, 2009, 7 - 10 pm (7 pm first screening. 8 30 pm second screening.) at the National Film Board of Canada (John St. and Richmond West, DT Toronto).

Reception before, and Q & A after each screening too! Cash bar (don't drink and drive).

So come ENJOY THE FILM!


More info at:

RODGER EDRALIN FILM
http://www.RodgerEdralinFilm.com
http://www.scratchedout.net
Toronto 647-989-9181
North America toll Free 1-866-210-926

ONLY AT THE ROYAL - APRIL 24 - 28, 2009 @ 7PM


ONLY a film by Ingrid Veninger and Simon Reynolds

WATCH THE TRAILER:
http://www.onlythemovie.com/

April 24 – 28 @ 7pm

"Sometimes it’s a disservice to call a movie “small.” Not always. Ingrid Veninger and Simon Reynolds’s Only is as small as they come. Other words that apply just as well are “intimate,” “modest” and “delicate.” Also “lovely.” - Now Magazine http://www.nowtoronto.com/movies/story.cfm?content=169080

Daniel lives in a motel, managed by his parents, in northern Ontario. People come, people go, Daniel hardly notices. Until one day a girl arrives and changes his world.

ONLY is a glimpse into the heightened impressions and dreams of two unlikely 12-year-olds. Over the course of a single day, they venture on a journey, exploring deep secrets, dark fears, and first love in a pure and powerful meeting of young hearts and minds.

“A deceptively simple film… ONLY gently unfolds to become a deft – and blunt – exploration of the anxious yet romantic world of teens.” - Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story
/RTGAM.20080905.wtiff_vaughan05rvt/BNStory/tiff2008/

“… the kids respond with impressively unaffected performances. They truly seem to be listening to each other.” - EYE Magazine. **** (4 out of 5)


“I hope programmers in America take the time to catch up with this little gem of a movie and that ONLY finds its way to audiences everywhere.” - IndieWire http://blogs.indiewire.com/twhalliii/archives/toronto_2008_only/

“Every time I see a film like Ingrid Veninger and Simon Reynolds’ Only, my faith in cinema is restored.” - hammerontail.com
http://www.hammertonail.com/genre/documentary/only-first-crush/

“First-time feature filmmakers Veninger and Reynolds have a firm grasp on finding the magic in life's mundane details.” Janis Cole, NOW Magazine. *** (3 out of 4).

SCREENING TIMES: (Filmmakers and Cast will be present for Q&A’s at all screenings)
Friday April 24th @ 7pm
Saturday April 25th @7pm

Sunday April 26th @ 7pm

Monday April 27th @ 7pm

Tuesday April 28th @ 7pm


Introducing Jacob Switzer and Elena Hudgins Lyle

Director of Photography: Ian Anderson

Editor
: Aren Hansen
Casting
: Marissa Richmond
Story by
: Ingrid Veninger
Music by
: Wee Golden, Bebop Cowboys, Laura Repo & The Blue Healers, Menomena, My Two Toms, Envelopes, Joanne Mackell & The Paradise Rangers, Ecstatic Sunshine, Blackblack, High Places, Woods
Written, Directed, Produced by
: Ingrid Veninger and Simon Reynolds

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

ACT OF GOD - APRIL 30 (HOTDOCS OPENING NIGHT GALA)


Toronto April 30 (HotDocs Opening Night Gala), in theatres May 1

Act of God - Official Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgTpXoYTXQE&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstweekendclub.ca%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_jmovies%26Itemid%3D64%26task%3Ddetail%26id%3D180&feature=player_embedded

Synopsis:
Act of God is a feature documentary about the metaphysical effects of being struck by lightning. The event represents the paradox of being singled out by randomness, and so precipitates questions about chance, fate and meaning in life. The film explores seven stories from around the world that raise and respond to these questions, while keeping the sky and what comes out of it as a central visual metaphor and thread. Paul Auster, who was struck as a teenager, philosophically anchors the film, along with Fred Frith, the improviser, who both imaginatively underpins it and personally demonstrates the ubiquity of electricity in our bodies and the universe.

Venue:
Winter Garden Theatre (
189 Yonge Street)

Time:
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
@ 6:30pm

Credits:

Director(s) : Jennifer Baichwal

Producer(s) : Nick de Pencier, Daniel Iron, Jennifer Baichwal

Cinematographer(s) : Nick de Pencier

Editor(s) : Roland Schlimme

Composers(s) : Fred Frith, Martin Tielli, Dave Bidini, Selina Martin
Subjects

Act of God deals with the following subjects: Mortality, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Nature

Hot Docs Schedule
http://schedule.hotdocs.ca/index.php/2009/schedule/

Sunday, April 19, 2009

CANADIAN INDIE FLICK "PRODUCTION OFFICE" HITS THE ROYAL THEATRE


CRUDE, RUDE AND HILARIOUS!
Canadian Indie flick Production Office hits The Royal Theatre
Lights, camera, *%$#!!!!


PRESS RELEASE
April 14, 2009

TORONTO: Think you’ve seen it all? Think again! Automatic Pictures’ Production Office, a jawdropping,raunchy comedy about the unglamorous world of film production, makes its theatrical debut at Toronto’s Royal Theatre, Friday, April 24 at 9:30 pm.

The award-winning feature, written & directed by Deborah Marks and Steve Solomos, stars Canadian talent Shauna MacDonald (Saw 6, Flashpoint), Brandon McGibbon (Little Mosque on the Prairie), Maury Chaykin (Entourage) and Tim Rozon (Instant Star).


With the bawdy allure of gross out comedies like Superbad and Harold and Kumar, Production Office will leave fans shocked, appalled and laughing-out-loud as they spend an evening behind the scenes with the outrageous staff of a dingy production office as they prepare for an all-night shoot.

Production Office opens on April 24th, then continues on the 26th, 27th and 28th of April at the Royal Theatre. Tickets are: $10.00/Adults and $8.00/Students and are on-sale at the Royal box office, 608 College Street, Toronto, 416-534-5252.
For media tickets or an advance screening copy of Production Office please contact: Steve Solomos at 416-843-0894.


"...delivers insightful laughs..." featuring "the marvelous Shauna MacDonald..." -- NOW Magazine

"...a satirical snapshot...that triumphs as a fast-paced comedy"... "MacDonald`s performance as a hardnosed, self-confessed control freak leaves you stinging." -- TIME OUT London

"...a snappy industry satire about a hellish night for two `below the line` employees." -- EYE Weekly

(Muse) For more information, please contact: Betty Palik, Director of Communications, Muse Entertainment Enterprises Tel: 514-866-6873. Email: bpalik@muse.ca; www.muse.ca

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

"NO ONE REMEMBERS" - A FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR A CANADIAN INDIE FILM

Come out and enjoy a night of musical performances from "The Lovely Kill Bots" and "The Grand Panic", be amazed by Canada's best mental magic of Mysterion, and enjoy the seduction of Burlesque dancer Coco Framboise. Artwork by Toronto photographer Nika Belianina will be exhibited along with several other acclaimed artists. There will be some sweet prizes, and one lucky person will leave with an estimated $700 from our 50/50 draw.

This event is being hosted to help raise funds for our film "No One Remembers". Your attendance will support the Canadian indie film industry, as well as the Canadian talent performing at the event.

Cover -$6 -$10 Pay what you can

50/50 draw tickets: $8 for 4 tickets or $10 for 6 tickets

Raffle tickets $2 each or 3 for $5


This is a licensed venue, so please bring id. Special reduced drink rates, and theme drinks available. Please note: There will not be a coat check.

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to donate towards the film, please contact Adrienne Baker at nooneremembersfilm@gmail.com

Please feel free to invite your friends and family.
Thank you for your support.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

SATURN RETURNS: A SCREENING AND LAUNCH FOR THE JOURNAL INCITE!

SATURN RETURNS
A Screening and Launch for the Journal INCITE!

Curator: Brett Kashmere

LIFT's Spring 2009 artist in residence, BEN RUSSELL, at The Images Festival

Friday April 10, 2009
9:00 PM
MOCCA Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art
952 Queen Street West (west of Shaw Street)

Admission: Pay what you can

=========
BLACK AND WHITE TRYPPS NUMBER THREE
Director Ben Russell
(2007, 11 min, 35mm, USA)
The third part in a series of films dealing with naturally-derived psychedelia. Shot during a performance by Rhode Island noise band Lighting Bolt, this film documents the transformation of a rock audience's collective freak-out into a trance ritual of the highest spirtual order.
=========

CFC WORLDWIDE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS: A WORLD OF SHORTS ~ APRIL EDITION

NFB MEDIATHEQUE
150 John Street
Tickets: $6 and $4 for members

All tuckered out from that Easter egg hunt? Got the chocolate bunny jitters? It must be time to hop down to A WORLD OF SHORTS for a mixed basket of Easter-inspired goodies. From outrageous egg-laying business men and bookish boy-crushes on God, to meditative commentaries on rebirth and wacky rabbits with delusions of grandeur, this zany assortment may not satisfy an insatiable sweet tooth but we guarantee a calorie-free platter of memorable – and occasionally audacious – cinematic tricks and treats.

SLIGHTLY USED PREMIERE SCREENING (INDIE FEATURE COMEDY) IN TORONTO


My company Fusion Films Entertainment www.fusionfilmsinc.com is screening our very first feature film (Slightly Used). Take a peak at our group, website and IMDB. This is a mirco-budget comedy, and I'm sure everyone in this group will appreciate what we were able to accomplish.


The screening is on April 29th at the Bloor Cinema at 7:30 pm. We suggest getting there early tho.


We need some help getting peoples attending the screening. There will be many distributors as well as directors, actors, producers, agents and even casting directors in attendance so it will be a great networking event for any filmmaker.

Thanks man,
Hope you can make it!!!

Trailer 1:
http://www.fusionfilmsinc.com/Images/SlightlyUsed/Trailer1.html

Trailer 2:

http://www.fusionfilmsinc.com/Images/SlightlyUsed/Trailer2.html

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR FILM CAREER?

Have you got an idea for a movie and are looking to launch your film career? Look no further.

Raindance Canada is hosting another Free Class for its members. Best of all membership is FREE (membership@raindancecanada.com) and brings deals and perks, like Elliot Grove.

Elliot returns to Toronto this April. He is the internationally renowned founder of Raindance UK, the Raindance Film Festival (16 years ago) the British Independent Film Awards, and in 2007, Raindance.tv, Europe's leading online film portal. He knows a bit class has been taught to more than 10,000 students worldwide.

These are the courses that launched the careers of filmmakers like Matthew Vaughn (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels), Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight currently ranks as the fourth highest worldwide grosser of all time), Christian Coulson (Slumdog Millionaire multi-Oscar winner), Guy Ritchie (RocknRolla), and many, many others.