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  • First Annual Toronto Black Film Festival Announces Line-up

30th January 2013

First Annual Toronto Black Film Festival Announces Line-up

movie orbyThe Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) has announced the line-up for the inaugural festival running from February 13th– 17th.. TBFF is proud to celebrate diversity within the black community through films that matter. With exciting films from all over the world, an online program, an industry panel and parties, the first edition of the TBFF shines a cinematic spotlight on Toronto’s Black History Month celebrations. TBFF will open with Kenya’s official selection for this year’s Oscars, NAIROBI HALF LIFE, playing February 13that the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global Toronto, 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. Building on the three year relationship between Global Montreal and the Montreal International Black Film Festival, TBFF connects black films to 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.

“2013 commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech and also marks the 2nd term of the First American Black President, Barack Obama! We couldn’t think of a better year to inaugurate the Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF)” – stated Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Festival.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the first-ever Toronto Black Film Festival and to help provide a platform for viewers to watch, engage, and be moved by the power of film,” says Ward Smith, Senior Director, Eastern Region, Global News. “Global Toronto’s partnership with the TBFF represents our continuing desire to tell a wide array of unique and interesting stories.”

Programming Director Emile Castonguay presented the slate for this year’s festival, which includes a wide range of genres and Canada’s Oscar nominated selection for Best Foreign Language Film.

OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS

Nairobi Half Life – Opening Film – TIFF Bell Lightbox – Wednesday, February 13, 2013 – 7PM – $15
David ‘Tosh’ Gitonga – Kenya | Germany | 2012 / 96′ – Swahili | Kikuyu | English with English subtitles – 2013 Kenya’s choice for the Oscars
A young, aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya dreams of becoming a success in the big city. In pursuit of this and to the chagrin of his brother and parents, he makes his way to Nairobi: the city of opportunity. He finds himself drawn into a world of small time crooks and deceit in the smoky bustle of Kenya’s capital. Naïve and filled with hope, he quickly learns why the city is nicknamed “Nairobbery”. His life will quickly take an unexpected turn.

Last Flight To Abuja – Closing Film – Royal Cinema – Sunday, February 17, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Obi Emelonye – Nigeria | UK | 2012 / 81′ – English
Based on true events… A set of everyday Nigerian travelers board the last Flamingo Airways flight scheduled to fly from Lagos to Abuja on a fateful Friday night in 2006. Young lovers, an elderly couple, a corporate party, a sportsman on the threshold of greatness; all the passengers are caught up in the nightmare scenario and sense the final moments of their lives approach. All except one. What does he know? Will they survive… the last flight to Abuja?

NOLLYWOOD SPECIAL

Last Flight To Abuja – Royal Cinema – Sunday, February 17, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Obi Emelonye – Nigeria | UK | 2012 / 81′ – English

Phone Swap – Carlton Cinema – Thursday, February 14, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Kunle Afolayan – Nigeria | 2012 / 120” – English

Turning Point – Carlton Cinema – Friday, February 15, 2013 – 9PM – $10
Niyi Towolawi – Nigeria | 2012 / 102” – English

NARRATIVE FEATURE FILMS

Case Départ (Back To Square One)Royal Cinema – Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Thomas Ngijol, Fabrice Éboué, Lionel Steketee – France | 2011 / 94′ – French with English subtitles

Inside StoryCarlton Cinema – Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 9PM – $10
Rolie Nikiwe – South Africa, Kenya | 2011 / 97′ – English, Zulu, Other

Lost In AfricaCarlton Cinema – Friday, February 15, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Vibeke Muasya – Denmark | 2010 / 93′ – Danish with English subtitles

Lucky – Carlton Cinema – Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Avie Luthra – South Africa | 2011 / 100′ – English, Zulu with English subtitles

Manèges Humains –Carlton Cinema – Thursday, February 14, 2013 – 9PM – $10
Martin Laroche – Canada | 2012 / 89′ – French with English subtitles

Otelo Burning –Royal Cinema – Friday, February 15, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Sara Blecher – South Africa | 2011 / 96′ – Zulu with English subtitles

Rebelle (War Witch)Carlton Cinema – Thursday, February 14, 2013 – 5PM – $10
Kim Nguyen – Canada | 2012 / 90′ – French-Lingala St English – 2013 Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language film

Sonny BoyRoyal Cinema – Thursday, February 14, 2013 – 7PM – $10
Maria Peters – Netherlands | 2011 / 130′ – Dutch with English subtitles

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMS

Charles Bradley: Soul of AmericaCarlton Cinema – Friday, February 15, 2013 – 5PM – $10
Poull Brien – USA | 2012 / 74′ – English

Slavery By Another Name – Carlton Cinema – Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 5PM – $10
Sam Pollard – USA | 2012 / 85′ – English

SHORT FILMS

Of Mary – Carlton Cinema – Saturday, February 16, 2013 – 9PM
Adrian Lester – England | 2011 / 21′ – English with French subtitles

Not Like The Commercials – Royal Cinema – Sunday, February 17, 2013 – 7PM
Kenneth Dupuis, Wyatt Cagle and Gordon S. Williams – USA | 2012 / 9’24 – English

Umkhungo – Carlton Cinema – Friday, February 15, 2013 – 5PM
Matthew Jankes – South Africa | 2011 / 29′ – Zulu with English subtitles

Online Program – Zupim.com Online film packages starting at $10.00
In addition to the great films presented, movie-goers will also be able to enjoy an open panel discussion at Carlton Cinema and an online program with a wide variety of films at Zupim.com. Zupim is an online video service that offers you unlimited independent content for a symbolic contribution! Its Black History Month Special includes Comedies, Dramas, Documentaries, Biographies, Concerts and movies about Slavery, Voodoo, Human Rights, Music, Haiti’s earthquake and More…

Panel Discussion: Zupim Talk Series – Taking The Leap: From Film Festival to TV or Movie Theatre (Free admission for everyone)
Breaking through to the next level can be extremely difficult and sometimes scary. A panel of black Canadian filmmakers on the move will share their wealth of knowledge and experience. They will discuss challenges regarding diversity in the industry, having a voice, and authenticity in their storylines. Learn about the obstacles they’ve faced on their journey to successfully take their projects from film festivals to a larger audience.

Films will screen at the TIFF Bell Light Box (Opening Film only – 350 King Street West), the Royal Cinema (608 College Street) and the Carlton Cinema (20 Carlton Street).

Box Office – Passport card and individual tickets are available in person at the theatre or online.

Passport card: $95
Opening Night: $15
Regular tickets and Closing Night: $10
Open Panel Discussion: Free admission
Online program at zupim.com (for all): Starting at $10

Cool, international, independent, politically incorrect and eye-opening, the 1st Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) is about discovery. TBFF showcases the most outstanding and most powerful Black films while creating a space to debate major cultural, social and socio-economic issues.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013 at 7:51 am and is filed under Events, National News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
  1. Tami Quiring (@VillageGamer)
    11:51 pm on January 29th, 2013

    First Annual @TOBlackFilmFest Announces Line-up http://t.co/8o8KPZQE

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