When 2020 began, TIFF had hoped it was going to be a banner year for women working in the film industry. But as premieres were postponed and films paused production, momentum was lost.
Momentum needs to be regained. Spotlighting, celebrating, and recognizing women filmmakers is a big part of their 2020 Festival.
- Of all the titles in this year’s TIFF lineup, 44% are directed, co-directed, or created by women.
- Actors Sheila Atim (Bruised), Rainbow Dickerson (Beans), Tanya Maniktala (A Suitable Boy),and Madeleine Sims-Fewer (Violation) will be joining them as their four TIFF Rising Stars, presented by OLG — making up the entire 2020 class — and 10 women comprise 50% of TIFF Filmmaker Lab participants.
- Halle Berry will join them on Friday, September 11 for a special In Conversation With… event presented by Share Her Journey.
- Tracey Deer, a filmmaker directly supported by Share Her Journey and the RBC Female Creator Initiative, is being honoured at the TIFF Tribute Awards as the recipient of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award, presented by L’Oréal Paris and supported by MGM.
There are so many things exciting about at this year’s Festival, and they want you to join them as they showcase the work and careers of these incredible women. There are many great events and films you can take part in to celebrate with them and the Share Her Journey community. Please keep reading, and mark September 10–19 in your calendar!
Friday, September 11 at 6pm EDT
In Conversation With… Halle Berry
| Join them for an inspiring conversation with Halle Berry on the eve of the premiere of her first feature, Bruised. After more than three decades in front of the camera, she has moved into the director’s chair for the film. This live virtual event is free and part of TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative in support of women behind and in front of the camera, which prioritizes gender parity with a focus on mentorship, skills development, and other opportunities for emerging women creators. |
TIFF 2020 films by women
| TIFF Emerging Talent Award winner Tracey Deer |
| TIFF is honoured to include Tracey Deer’s first narrative feature, Beans, presented by RBC, as part of this year’s Festival lineup. Deer participated in the 2018 TIFF Filmmaker Lab as the Temerty Family Fellow, and in the 2017 TIFF Writers’ Studio with the film’s co-writer, Meredith Vuchnich. On September 15 at 8pm EDT, tune in to CTV or ctv.ca for the TIFF Tribute Awards, where Deer is among the honourees. If you’re not in Canada, don’t worry — the Awards will be streamed internationally by Variety. |
Returning to TIFF
Aisling Chin-Yee
Following her feature debut at TIFF 2019, Aisling Chin-Yee returns with her documentary No Ordinary Man. Chin-Yee and co-director Chase Joynt tell the story of Billy Tipton, a 20th-century American jazz musician and trans icon, and bring his legacy to life with a diverse group of contemporary trans performers.
Chin-Yee joined TIFF last year for TIFF Filmmaker Lab as the TIFF Canning Fellow.
| Former TIFF Next Wave Committee member Emma Seligman |
| At nine years old, Emma Seligman first joined the TIFF family as a jury member at TIFF’s Sprockets festival for kids. After serving on the Next Wave Committee during high school, Seligman’s short film Shiva Baby was programmed as part of Next Wave Young Creators Showcase in 2019. Now, TIFF is thrilled to premiere the feature film Shiva Baby, presented by RBC, as part of TIFF 2020. |
| More works by women – Your guide to everything directed by women |
| With 44% of the films in TIFF 2020 directed, co-directed, or co-created by women, it’s easy to find them all in one place. In the online film list, select “Directed by Women” as an option under the ”Genre” drop-down menu to see the wide selection. |
Individual-ticket pre-sales for Members begin August 28 according to level. Individual-ticket on-sale for the public begins September 5.
