The thirteenth annual Toronto Black Movie Competition kicks off on Feb. 12 with a sensational slate of movies from distinguished Black movie makers. The week-long occasion consists of thought-provoking discussions with knowledgeable panelists, a broad choice of screenings and a big-name honouree, all in celebration of Black Historical past Month.
This yr, Toronto Black Movie Competition (TBFF) will current Hollywood legend Ernie Hudson with its Profession Achievement Award. The American actor is finest identified for his position as Winston Zeddemore in Ghostbusters, which he reprised within the 2024 movie Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
Hudson’s skilled footprint spans throughout movie and tv. With reveals like “Quantum Leap”, “Law & Order,” “The Family Business,” and “Oz” to his identify, in addition to motion pictures resembling The Crow and Miss Congeniality, beneath his belt, Hudson has cast a profound mark on the business as a Black storyteller.
He will likely be joined by a lineup of extraordinary creators bringing over 60 movies from 22 international locations together with Canada, the U.S., South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, France, Brazil, to competition audiences.
TBFF’s opening evening movie is Battle Like a Lady, a charming true story by govt producer and NBA star Serge Ibaka, a few younger Congolese woman who escapes compelled labour to affix an all-women boxing membership.
The true-life boxing coach, portrayed within the movie by Hakeem Kai-Kazim, was tragically killed in current insurgent assaults in Goma, Congo and the movie’s director, Matt Leutwyler, narrowly evaded being trapped in a resort throughout heavy gunfire.
Current occasions in Congo underscore the urgency of shedding gentle on Black voices and bringing international consideration to the continuing disaster within the nation.
Its closing evening function is Legacy: The De-Colonized Historical past of South Africa, a riveting documentary that delves into the lasting impacts of apartheid via the eyes of Wilhelm Verwoerd, who’s the grandson of the ‘architect of apartheid,’ Hendrik Verwoerd.
The competition’s Black Market panels embody free insightful discussions with business specialists on matters resembling:
Cinematic Activism – How Black filmmakers use storytelling for social change.
Navigating the AI Revolution – AI’s influence on filmmaking.
Afrofuturism & Black Speculative Fiction – The way forward for Black storytelling.
From Large Screens to Small Screens – The rise of content material creators in movie.
Dwell Performances & Neighborhood Occasions: Music, spoken phrase, and Household Day programming designed to have interaction and encourage all ages.
The competition will even highlight Canadian movies resembling Village Keeper by Karen Chapman and Welcome by Jevon Boreland.
TBFF begins on Feb.12 and runs via Feb.17.
