Introduction to TIFF’s Next Wave Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the official selection of ten titles for the upcoming Next Wave Film Festival. This festival is specifically geared towards young filmmakers and audiences between the ages of 14 and 24. It will take place at the Lightbox event location in TIFF, Toronto, from April 10th to 13th.
Festival Highlights
The festival includes four Canadian premieres, one of which is the British drama Brides, directed by Nadia Falls, which was shown at this year’s Sundance Festival in the World Cinema Dramatic Section. The North American premieres include the US comedy-drama Pool by director Sam Hayes. Additionally, the international premiere of the lineup is the US documentary Rape Game staged by Gabriella Mykal.
Special Events
Further events in the festival include a question-and-response meeting with Next Wave alumna Emma Seligman, which will feature a screening of her films Shiva Baby and Bottoms. This provides a unique opportunity for young filmmakers and audiences to engage with industry professionals and learn from their experiences.
TIFF’s Mission
Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer from TIFF, commented, “TIFF’s Next Wave film festival reflects our mission to empower young creators and to maintain an exciting relationship with cinema for Toronto’s youth that we hope to keep for a lifetime. This is absolutely one of our most popular events of the year, as we discover new talent and start the next generation of original storytellers.”
Official Selection
The official selection for the Next Wave Film Festival includes:
- Brides (United Kingdom) – Dir. Nadia Falls, Canadian premiere
- The Dog Thief (Bolivia/Chile/Mexico/France/Ecuador) – Dir. Vinko Tomic-Salinas, Toronto premiere
- Manas (Brazil/Portugal) – Dir. Marianna Brennand, Canadian premiere
- Pool (US) – Dir. Sam Hayes, North American premiere
- Queen of the Drama (France/Belgium) – Dir. Alexis Langlois, Toronto premiere
- Rape Game (US) – Dir. Gabriella Mykal, International premiere
- Serendipity by the Sea (Japan) – Dir. Satoko Yokohama, North American premiere
- The Virgin of Lake the Streams (Argentina/Spain/Mexico) – Dir. Laura Casabe, Canadian premiere
- We Were Dangerous (New Zealand) – Dir. Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, Toronto premiere
- Where the Wind Comes From (Tunisia/France/Qatar) – Dir. Amel Guellaty, Canadian premiere
This diverse lineup promises to offer something for everyone, showcasing a range of genres, themes, and international perspectives. The Next Wave Film Festival is an exciting event that celebrates the creativity and talent of young filmmakers and provides a platform for them to share their stories with a wider audience.
