News Updates

Manitoba Films in TIFF Top Ten

Posted on January 4, 2013

Two Manitoba feature films and one Manitoba short have made the cut, receiving the honour of being listed as Canada’s Top Ten by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Manitoba features My Awkward Sexual Adventure, which screened at this year’s festival, and Goon, which screened at the 2011 festival, were recognized for their humour, authenticity and strong performances. Keep an Honest Head, a short by local filmmaker Deco Dawson, was described as “mind-blowing magic” by TIFF panelists.

The TIFF Top Ten was established in 2001 to honour excellence in short and feature length contemporary Canadian cinema. The features and shorts are chosen by a panel of filmmakers and industry professionals from across Canada. All selected films will screen at the TIFF Bell Lightbox from January 4 – 13.

“Manitoba continues to be very strongly represented in the national film industry. These projects are a testament to our impressive producers, talent and crew, “said Carole Vivier, CEO and Film Commission of Manitoba Film & Music. “The films are about as diverse as they come, showcasing the humour, artistry and heart that our province has to offer.”

The Manitoba media production industry continues to garner national attention in response to the unique perspectives Manitoba-based creative talent provide, said Nicole Matiation Executive Director On Screen Manitoba. “The films selected for the Top Ten at TIFF provide a sense of the diversity and originality of the Manitoba media production sector.”

My Awkward Sexual Adventure, described as “saucy and sharp” by the panelists was written and co-produced by Manitoban Jonas Chernick, who was also featured as the star of the film. The film’s director Sean Garrity and producer Juliette Hagopian of Julijette Inc. are also local. Because of the film’s success, both Garrity and Chernick are now being represented by the Gersh Agency – one of the most high-ranking talent agencies in North America.

Goon, shot entirely in Manitoba, received a theatrical release in Canada this year and premiered as the number one movie in Canada on its opening weekend. Panelists described the film, directed by FUBAR’s Michael Dowse, as “entertaining, evocative and heartfelt”. Goon is produced by Manitoba Ian Dimmerman of Inferno Pictures, as well as Don Carmody, David Gross, André Rouleau and Jesse Shapira.

Deco Dawson’s Keep and Modest Head was also recognized as the Best Short Film at TIFF this year – marking the second time Dawson has received this honour. When speaking about Dawson’s latest, the panelists stated that the film fulfilled the “true glory, madness and poetic potential of the greatest art form of all.”