🎟️ Grab your Popcorn and your Passes – TIFF Season is Here! 🍿
TIFF season is our favourite season. It’s that time of year when we get to see our OBAC alumni and mentors bring some serious heat to the big screen. As the Toronto International Film Festival approaches, we’re buzzing with excitement to share the five most anticipated films you must see this September.
1. “THE BEST”
The Best is a short film about a South Asian bodybuilder who internally pumps himself to hide his true feelings in the wake of a life-changing tragedy.
Co-produced by OYA Emerging Filmmakers Alum, Malachi Ellis.
CREDITS
Director/Writer: Ian Bawa
Executive Producer: Canadian Film Centre
Producers: Nic Altobelli & Malachi Ellis
Cinematography: Markus Henkel
Production Designer: Huiru Shi
Editor: Ted Husband
Score: Amine Bouzaher
Music: Two Tomatoes
Costume Design: Chalaine Josephs
2. “AFTER SUNDAY”
In Omolola Ajao’s enthralling story of the ghosts of migration, a young woman takes a hard look into her family’s past and exposes difficult truths beneath the surface of her African Canadian church community.
This film was directed by OYA Emerging Filmmakers Alum Omolola Ajao.
Three of our OYA Career Leap participants Tyrin Alcott, Chelsea Nyomi, Haider Husseini had the pleasure of working on set for this film.
CREDITS
Director: Omolola Ajao
Producor: Rielle Ramos
Cinematographer: Catherine Lutes
Costumes: yomistyling
Costumes Supervisor: Tyrin Alcott
Costumes Assistant: Rosa Mussa
Editor: Harry Cepka
Asst. Editor: Chelsea Nyomi
Sound: Kalvin Mallari
Sound Editor: Evan Jerred
Sound Design: Sacha Ratcliffe
Additional Music: Fatima Al Qadiri
1st Assistant Camera: Carine
2nd Assistant Camera: Talia Woodland, Rosa Riad
Key Grip: Ryan Dioso
Grip: Haider Husseini, Hafizh Said
1st Assistant Director: Lauren
Production Manager: Katrina Peralta
3. “ON A SUNDAY AT ELEVEN”
Facing the pressures to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards, a young Black ballerina finds a powerful source of pride and confidence, in Alicia K. Harris’ inspiring and visually stunning short
This film was written and directed by OYA Emering Filmmakers mentor Alicia K Harris.
CREDITS
Director/Writer: Alicia K Harris
Producer: Hayley Brown
Co-Producer: Ollie Coombs
Associate Producer: Silvio Passaro
Cinematographer: Jeremy Cox
Production Designer: Nicole Simmons
Costume Designers: Charlene Akuamoah, Kahmeelia Smith
Editor: Ashley Gilmour
Sound Designer: Paul Lucien Col
Choreographer : Zoë Edwards
Hair Art & Design: D’Andra Morris
Key Hair & Makeup Artist: Rahnell Branton
4. “VILLAGE KEEPER ”
A grieving widow, paralyzed by anxiety struggles to protect her kids in a city gripped by violence. Finding solace in cleaning, she inadvertently uncovers her own long-buried trauma while tidying a bloody crime scene.
This film was written by Karen Chapman Scale Up Immersive Year 2 alum.
Three of our OYA Career Leap participants Tyrin Alcott, Olly Azeez, Isaac Mbikay had the pleasure of working on set for this film.
CREDITS
Director/Writer: Karen Chapman
Cinematographer: Jordan Oram
Editors: Christopher Minns, Xi Feng, Jordan Hayles
Executive Producers: Christina Piovesan, Floyd Kane, Jordan Oram, Susana Ferreira, Molly McGlynn, Lora Campbell, d’bi.young anitafrika
Producers: Enrique Miguel Baniqued, Karen Chapman
Production Designer: June Charles
Production Assistant: Olly Azeez
Costume Designer: Charlene Akuamoah
Costume Assistant: Tyrina Alcott
Screenplay: Karen Chapman
Sound: Maryan P’yatnochka
Boom Operator: Isaac Mbikay
5. “SOLEMATES”
For the shopper in James Rathbone and Mike Feswick’s sly and subversive comedy, an old-school shoe store becomes an irresistibly potent zone of erotic possibilities.
This film was produced by Torrin Blades a current participant of this years OYA Emerging Filmmakers program.
CREDITS
Directors: James Rathbone and Mike Feswick
Producers: Torrin Blades and James Rathbone
Writers: James Rathbone and Mike Feswick
Cinematographer: Rico Moran
Production Designer: Mike Feswick
Costume Designer: Bailey Scheepers
Editor: Mike Feswick
Art Director: Elisa Gilmour
1st AD Mackenzie Smith
Sound Design Jason Stare at Sinasound Post
With these five incredible films on your radar, you’re all set to make the most of TIFF 2024!
Our OBAC alumni and mentors have truly outdone themselves this year, bringing stories to the screen that will inspire, challenge, and entertain you in ways you won’t forget. Whether you’re a die-hard TIFF enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the festival waters, these films are a testament to the power of Black storytelling and creativity.
TIFF runs from September 5-15, and tickets are available to the public starting August 26th. Don’t wait—Buy your tickets now before these films sell out!
