Another Toronto film festival (TIFF) has ended and once again I’m exhausted. This year was additionally challenging as I was (and still am) fighting a cold from the beginning. But it was still an enjoyable process and as usual I am coming out of it motivated and inspired as a visual storyteller and ready to jump back on board to complete my film.
Highlights from this year include:
1) Doc Conference
-my first time attending the 2-day event including keynote speaker Michael Moore.
Key Message: You are not a documentarian, you are a filmmaker. Put the art before the politics. People want to be entertained-they want popcorn not medicine.
-Results from the Hot Docs Audience Survey
Key Messsage: The audience for documentaries is there and hungry and willing to pay. We need more ways to make docs easily accessible.
2) Networking
-catching up with my Program Coordinator from Humber, Donna
-taking notes and sharing ideas with fellow Doc Accelerators
-meeting local and international filmmakers and talking about current projects
-hanging out with my Aussie friend Susan while she is in town
3) Watching some great new films!
-Sunshine Superman-amazing 16mm footage from 2 decades of BASE jumping
(8 year project for the Director)
-Seymour: An Introduction-charming and modest subject who is a marvelous pianist
(Directed by Ethan Hawke who I recently saw in the amazing Boyhood)
-Wet Bum-Great Canadian first feature! A+ performances
-Learning to Drive (allowed myself one American film this year)-refreshing to see a 50+ Actress lead a smart and funny film.
Bonus: Patricia Clarkson was on stage for Q&A! (and she kept the film idea alive for 9 years)
-The Dark Horse-Great film from New Zealand about former Chess Champion who trains a bunch of at-risk youth (and thanks to Manifesto for discounted price!) Worth the 8:30am bike ride and skipping a shower.