Face it — our stories are compelling and nothing (and I mean nothing) is going to stop our gifted storytellers from expressing and sharing. It’s with this positive energy and collective resolve that the Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) is entering its ninth year, presented by TD Bank in collaboration with Global News.
Thanks to COVID-19 and the challenges it’s presented, the 2021 festival running now through Feb. 21 is available online with programs and events created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, that will feature 154 films from 25 countries focusing on such diverse topics as mental illness, women’s rights, U.S. politics, music, human rights, systemic racism, immigration and Black Lives Matter.
All in #TBFF21 will present 51 world premieres, 27 international premieres, 39 Canadian premieres, 3 Ontario premieres, and 19 Toronto premieres.
The Festival opened Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. EST with Youssef Delara’s “Foster Boy,” starring Louis Gossett Jr., Shane Paul McGhie, Matthew Modine, and executive-produced by Shaquille O’Neal. Then, as of 10 p.m. EST, all the films will be accessible online. The Festival will close with Mia Donovan’s “DOPE IS DEATH.” The TBFF Black Market returns with insightful panel discussions, conferences, and masterclasses with leading members of the Canadian and international TV and film industries. The TBFF Kids Festival is getting a makeover this year with new and exciting activities for the whole family on Family Day (Feb. 15). Finally, Festivalgoers can cap off their day with the TBFF Live Performance Series.
All tickets and passes can be purchased on the Festival’s website.
Highlights include:
TBFF “SHOW ME THE MONEY” SERIES!
The TBFF Black market is proud to present the FREE Show Me the Money Series. Everything Black creators and producers need and want to know about how to access funding.
TBFF PANELS, CONFERENCES, MASTERCLASSES
The TBFF Black Market is thrilled to present its lineup of free compelling panel discussions and masterclasses featuring some of today’s most powerful and influential Black voices addressing important social and industry topics that affect us all.
TBFF LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES
The TBFF Live Performance Series showcases different genres of music, representing the Afrocentric community. In the past three years, the series has been on location in various cafes and bars with these performances, but this year it goes virtual. The line-up includes Steele and Hardcore Reggae Band, Joanna Majoko, Eddie and Quincy Bullen, MelDubé, and Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison.
TBFF KIDS FILM FEST
TBFF Kids Film Fest is an online, fun-filled, family day celebration, taking place Monday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST. Children ages 4-12 will get to enjoy a variety of activities from the comfort and safety of their homes. Yoga with Vonnette Forde of Higher Love Yoga; Arts ‘n’ Crafts with Craftopia DIY; Story Book Reading with Jeff Martin and Denise Lopes––sponsored by Notability Mobile Bookstore; Afro-Caribbean Dance with Keishia Facey of RiddimFit.
For full #TBFF21 programming and events, visit www.TorontoBlackFilm.com.
Get Social #TBFF21
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