The 2015 Toronto International Film Festival shines a spotlight on episodic storytelling with Primetime, a new program presenting the best in international television on the big screen. The lineup will showcase up to six high-quality programs that demonstrate the strength of contemporary television coming from broadcasters, streaming services or independent filmmakers.
“What better way to celebrate our 40th anniversary than with a program that focuses on the new golden era of television that’s currently producing high-quality global programming, terrific writing, and direction that rivals the best feature filmmaking,” said Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF. “The Festival has explored this area for years and we’re thrilled to provide an exclusive platform for these strong creative voices.”
“Film and television have been converging for years, with many filmmakers gravitating to television to experiment with that medium,” said Cameron Bailey, artistic director of the Toronto International Film Festival. “Primetime will highlight these developments internationally, spotlighting the growing intersection between these two moving-image cultures and industries.”
The Primetime lineup will be announced in the coming months. The program will include public screenings and Q&A sessions with show creators. The Festival’s Industry Conference will incorporate leading creative producers and thinkers from the world of long-form and episodic storytelling.
The 40th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 10-20, 2015.
