Canadian Actors, Directors and Movies

News:

Score a Festival Winner - While it's not quite the same as going viral, Michael McGowan's latest film, Score: A Hockey Musical, is on a bit of a winning streak. At last count it has been selected as the opening night film in five Canadian film festivals, all of them in September.

Flashpoint Leads 2010 Gemini Nominations - Anyone who watches Canadian television should have had a pretty good idea that the series Flashpoint would be in line for a number of nominations for this year's Gemini Awards, which recognize excellence in Canadian television. The series has consistently offered some of the highest production values, terrific performances and compelling stories ever produced for the small screen anywhere. In the end, the tally for Flashpoint reached 15 nominations including Best Dramatic Series.

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Festivals & Events:

Canadian Features at TIFF 2010 - With the arrival of September, the countdown to the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival increases in tempo. By now regular subscribers have made their selections and have either had their choices confirmed or are coming to terms with getting most of their second choices. Contributing Editor, Wyndham Wise takes a close look at the Canadian features playing at TIFF 2010.

The Toronto Indie Film Festival starts one day ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival. The opening night film on September 8th is Armless, a 2010 comedy film directed by Habib Azar and written by Kyle Jarrow. An official selection of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, it's a great start to the 2010 Indie festival. Click here to see more September film festivals.

The 6th annual Montreal International Black Film Festival launches September 22nd. They'll announce their Official Selections on September 7th. It's one of 12 Canadian film festivals this month, from large ones in Halifax, Calgary and Edmonton, to smaller festivals like the one in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto. Click here to see more September film festivals.

Born Today:

Northernstars Nicole Leblanc, Paul Bradley, Keanu Reeves and John Cassini were born on September 2nd.

Wise Thoughts by Wyndham Wise:

Biograph is the abbreviated name commonly used for the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. Incorporated in 1895 by William Dickson, an inventor who had previously worked for Thomas Edison, it developed into one of the most active forces in the formative years of American cinema. By 1909 it was known simply as the Biograph Company and its studios were the spawning ground for such formative talents as D.W. Griffith, Mack Sennett, Lillian Gish, Blanche Sweet, Mabel Normand, Lionel Barrymore and Mae Marsh. Biograph’s stock company of players also included three Canadian beauties – Florence Lawrence, Mary Pickford and Florence LaBadie.

Inside Québec by Maurie Alioff:

Maurie Alioff writes from Montréal about the latest news from the world of film. He takes a look at the just released feature Filière 13, reviews the FanTasia Film Festival including a report on Jay Baruchel's Q & A appearance at the opening night screening, there's a detailed look a the classic Metropolis, and quick takes on a large number of other films that screened at the highly successful festival. All this and more Inside Québec for August.