The 2nd annual Toronto Black Film Festival has launched,
and some of the best directors will showcase their works of art in Toronto from
February 11th to 16th, 2014.
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| Fabienne Colas (left) |
Founded by Fabienne Colas and Emile Castonguay, the aim of
TBFF is to give unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences
with new ways of looking at the world.
This years’ line up of film does just that. Blue Caprice, directed by Alexandre Moors is
the story of an abandoned boy who is lured in to the shadow of a dangerous
father figure. This movie was inspired
by the ‘DC sniper attacks.’
The Suspect, directed by Stuart Connelly is a riveting 98
minute film that examines a close-knit all white southern town that suffers its
first ever armed bank robbery. The thief
is masked but surveillance video seems to indicate the criminal is an African
American … do we know for sure that it’s an African American behind the crime?
For the second year, Global Toronto is the media sponsor for
this years’ fest which has held to increase the fests visibility. Sister festival, the Montreal International
Black Film Festival is now in its 10th year, and is too lending
great support to its infant sibling Toronto.
In addition to the 33 films (narrative, documentary, short),
this years festival is dedicated to the memory of World figure and South
African leader, Nelson Mandela. The
festival also notes additional milestones such as Black History Month, 210
years of Independence for Haiti, 20 years since the Rwandan genocide, and 5
years since President Barack Obama became the first black President of the
United States.
Special guests include Stedman Graham who will give a
lecture on the 9 step plan for success (February 13th, 2014 at the
TIFF Bell Lightbox – 350 King Street West), and Lorraine Klaasen who is a world
renowned vocalist and will perform a celebrate South Africa concert on February
15th at the Al Green Theatre (750 Spadina Avenue).
A one of a kind round table discussion will be held with
Robert Hillary King (member of Angola 3), who was falsely imprisoned for 32
years, 29 of which was spent in solitary confinement. Mr.
King will speak on his imprisonment, as well as that of 2 others.
The tribute to Mandela takes place on February 16th,
2014 at the Carlton Cinema (20 Carlton Street) and includes Banished, King of
Hearts, Mandela, a Royal Revolutionary and Release Mandela. The evening will also include a discussion
with the women behind Mandela including his daughters.
Expertly curated, the festival is planned so that lovers of
film can see all films; there is enough time to move from venue to venue and
not miss a beat!
