TIFF Announces Platform Films

TIFF Announces Platform Films

TIFF Announces Platform Films
by Staff Editors

(August 3, 2022 – Toronto, ON) With the start of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) a little over a month away, organizers have announced the 10 features that comprise the Platform programme for 2022. Platform is TIFF’s competitive programme that champions bold directorial visions. From first-time feature directors to veterans, this year’s Platform lineup offers a diverse range of talent and distinct directorial voices that are emerging around the globe. It is a year rich in perspectives, genres, and exceptional performances by newcomers, as well as established actors. All films in this year’s Platform will have their World Premiere at TIFF.

Emily, the feature debut by Frances O’Connor, has been selected as the programme’s opening film, and — like all 10 films in the programme — is a World Premiere. This year’s selection also includes two Canadian titles: Riceboy Sleeps and Viking.

Cameron Bailey, TIFF,
Photo of Cameron Bailey © Ralph Lucas for Northernstars.ca

“We launched Platform to shine a brighter light on some of the most original films and distinct voices at our Festival,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “Now in year seven, it’s become a true home for international auteurs on the rise.”

Named after Jia Zhang-ke’s groundbreaking second feature, Platform is curated by TIFF Chief Programming Officer Anita Lee; Director, Festival Programming Robyn Citizen; and Senior Manager, Festival Programming Ravi Srinivasan.

“Eclectic in vision, this year’s selection not only represents all World Premieres of exciting, on-the-rise voices from around the world, but it also reflects the very timely and unique perspectives of racialized filmmakers from diasporic communities broadening the canvas,” said Lee.

The 10 films in the programme are eligible for the Platform Prize, an award of $20,000 CAD given to the best film in the programme, selected by an in-person international jury. This year’s Platform Prize jury will be announced later this summer. Previous jury members include: Claire Denis, Béla Tarr, Brian De Palma, Mira Nair, Riz Ahmed, and Jia Zhang-ke.

Previous Platform selections include Hany Abu-Assad’s Huda’s Salon (2021), Kamila Andini’s Yuni (2021), Darius Marder’s Sound of Metal (2019), Alice Winocour’s Proxima (2019), Kazik Radwanski’s Anne at 13,000 Ft. (2019), Sarah Gavron’s Rocks (2019), Armando Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin (2017), Pablo Larraín’s Jackie (2016), Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight (2016), William Oldroyd’s Lady Macbeth (2016) and Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise (2015).

Platform’s full 2022 lineup:

Charcoal (Carvão) directed by Carolina Markowicz | Brazil, Argentina

Emily directed by Frances O’Connor | UK (Platform Opening Night Film)

The Gravity (La Gravité) directed by Cédric Ido | France

Hawa directed by Maïmouna Doucouré | France

How to Blow Up a Pipeline directed by Daniel Goldhaber | USA

Riceboy Sleeps directed by Anthony Shim | Canada

Subtraction (Tafrigh) directed by Mani Haghighi | Iran, France

Thunder (Foudre) directed by Carmen Jaquier | Switzerland

Tora’s Husband directed by Rima Das | India

Viking directed by Stéphane Lafleur | Canada

The 2022 Toronto International Film Festival runs September 9 to 18. The deadline to purchase ticket packages is August 14.

Also see: Discovery & Midnight Madness at TIFF

SOURCE: TIFF