The Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) announced today the programming line-up for the 3rd edition of the festival, presented by Global News, running from February 10th – 15th. Coinciding with Black History Month, the TBFF is proud to host another year celebrating diversity within the black communities through powerful films, a community program, and exciting special events.
“TBFF showcases the most outstanding and amazing black films while creating a space to debate major cultural, social, and socio-economic issues,” stated Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Festival. “Over the course of six days, festival-goers will have the chance to see actors and directors from here and abroad sharing their passions. There’s something for everyone!”
“Global News us thrilled to be partnering with the Toronto Black Film Festival once again, and we congratulate the festival orgainizers for adding a unique voice to Canada’s diverse and vibrant arts community,” said Ward Smith, Senior Director, News and Station Operations, Eastern Region.
This year, TBFF is proud to offer 38 of the very best films depicting black realities from around the globe and a variety of breathtaking special events. TBFF would also like to congratulate its sister festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival, presented by Global Montreal for the last five years, as they celebrated their 10th anniversary in September 2014.
The festival opens at the Isabel Bader Theatre with the award-winning film MANOS SUCIAS (Dirty Hands), by Joseph Wladyka, executive produced by Spike Lee. TBFF pays tribute to Blaxploitation icon Fred “The Hammer” Williamson and Hollywood legend Bill Cobbs this year. They will be the first to receive an honourary award from TBFF. As part of TBFF’s special events programming, the Festival is proud to run a three-part “Blaxploitation” series, featuring a screening the 1975 cult-classic Boss, “An Intimate Night With Fred “The Hammer” Williamson”, and the closing night TBFF Blaxploitation Party.
TBBF will also host a “Black Actors in Hollywood, Then and Now” panel discussion – featuring actors Fred Williamson, Lanette Ware and Bill Cobbs. In addition to the must-see films and the special events, movie-goers will also be able to enjoy FREE panel discussions (TBFF Community program) at the Carlton Cinema. All details can be found at the Festival’s website.
Co-Founder and Programming Director Emile Castonguay presented the slate for this year’s festival, which includes a wide range of genres and exciting special events.
Some highlights include: Manos Sucias (Dirty Hands), Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind, Terrible Love, Nina’s Dowry, AIDependence: The Many Ills of the NGO System, The Supreme Price, We Are The Ones, You Belong To Me: Sex, Race and Murder on the Suwannee River, Sewing Hope: The Story of Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, Bound: Africans VS African-Americans, Des Étoiles (Under the Starry Sky), Haleema, Freedom Road, Narvalo and many more! Productions are divided into several categories: Narrative Feature Films, Mid-Length and Feature Documentary Films, and Short Films.
A SYMBOLIC CONTEXT
Black History Month allows movie-goers to reflect on the past in order to better understand the present and prepare for the future. 2015 is a symbolic year for the TBFF, commemorating 60 years since Rosa Parks’ refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Montgomery, Alabama, initiated a new era in the American quest for freedom and equality. Fifty years since the assassination of human rights activist Malcolm X. Five years since the devastating earthquake in Haiti killed hundreds-of-thousands of people and left millions homeless.
