It started today, but I’m only just learning about the Toronto Black Film Festival, which is why this press release is being posted on the day the festival begins.
But for our readers in the Toronto area (and I know there are more than a few), if you didn’t already know about this, now you know! The festival runs from today, through the 17th.
Within the lineup, you’ll find several films that we’ve covered in the last 12 months, and a few that we haven’t. Needless to say, I’ll be researching those that we haven’t, to highlight individually in separate posts.
But to the festival directors, congratulations of your first year! It’s an impressive line-up considering it’s your inaugural festival; I especially dig the Nollywood Special section.
Kudos, and we’ll be watching from here on!
Toronto – January 29, 2013 – The Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) announced today 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 13th at 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.
Read more: IndieWire/ShadowandAct