FutuRéale Magazine

Every year in April, cineastes, filmmakers, and industry flock to ReelWorld for five days of the best features, documentaries, animations, shorts, and music videos from Canadian and international filmmakers - in the heart of downtown Toronto. The celebration of diverse cinema kicks off with the Opening Night Screening and Gala attended by film stars, government officials, leading corporate executives and international media.

By: Shawn Shapiro
Opening Night (Wednesday April 2nd, 2008)
The walk was brisk towards the Scotiabank Theatre at John and Richmond (in Toronto's "clubbing" district). The ReelWorld film festival was mere moments away from the launching of its 2008 edition and as per usual I was late. As I went up the escalators that took me to the table where I picked up my press pass from jubilant volunteers, I looked around noticing all the VIP's entering the pre-party were excited beyond belief. They had good reason to be! The ReelWorld Film Festival (a festival supporting diversity in film) was about to start its 8th glorious edition and its founder/President Tonya Williams was there in tow to usher in the event with her pleasant face and amazing attitude. The party was in full force and media types of all sorts talked and sipped on wine. Light bulbs snapped ferociously as the room became a sea of yellow light. A glamorously dressed Williams stood by other industry types, bombarded pleasantly by the media who she eagerly talked to. I waited until I too could have a word with the actress/director and festival creator. Tonya was so pleased to talk about the festival and how great it was to be yet again be the guiding force behind it with her crew of many behind her, helping her make fruition of her dreams.

Shawn Shapiro: Tonya why was it Toronto that you picked to have the Festival in originally?
Tonya Williams: Toronto has a very diverse population and I am originally from here. I attended Ryerson for theatre arts and in the mid-1980's I left for Los Angeles. Over the years coming back was no different! There is a diverse audience here that I felt was perfect for the festival.
Shawn Shapiro: What brought ReelWorld together?
Tonya Williams: So many initiatives, it really morphed in 2000.
Shawn Shapiro: Are you a part of the film picking process?
Tonya Williams: Absolutely! I help pick the films. It is my vision and I do not step away!
Shawn Shapiro: Finally, what is “Exciting” about the 2008 Edition?
Tonya Williams: All the stars standing in front of me and all the great programs!

As Tonya gracefully walked away the festival really seemed to being and five days of fun festivities, interviews and viewing began.

Mini Interviews from the Festival

Interview with Beau Bridges (Co-Star of “Spinning Into Butter”)
Shawn Shapiro: How was the filming process on this movie?
Beau Bridges: Sarah Jessica Parker was there and we all had a ball!
Shawn Shapiro: What is your film about and why is it so fitting for it to play here at a film festival supporting diversity?
Beau Bridges: At its core it is on the subject of racism which is a huge theme of this festival and the film comes at a different angle.
Shawn Shapiro: How does it feel to be at the ReelWorld Festival?
Beau Bridges: It’s great to be here for my first time!

Interview with Arnold Sampson (Producer of “The Disciple” www.thedisciplemovie.com)
Shawn Shapiro: Tell me a bit about “The Disciple”?
Arnold Sampson: It is an independent film that I co-produced with Rodney Charles (Director/writer/co-producer/co-star) and this is its Toronto premiere.
Shawn Shapiro: Why is it that your film would be such a fit to premiere in Toronto at a film festival promoting diversity?
Arnold Sampson: I think it encourages a diverse audience since it has a diverse cast and diverse world ideologies.
Shawn Shapiro: From the festivals you have screened at, what is the response you have been getting?
Arnold Sampson: It has been well received by many and it is getting a good response culturally as well!

Interview with Charles Burrnett (Director of “Namibia”)
Shawn Shapiro: How does it feel to be regarded as one of the top directors working in the industry today?
Charles Burrnett: It feels like everyone is talking about someone else.
Shawn Shapiro: What are the differences and what are similarities from your directing now from when you started over 20 years ago?
Charles Burrnett: There are the same difficulties of being independent but it is almost like being in a parallel universe.
Shawn Shapiro: Tell me a bit about the hardships for filming “Namibia”?
Charles Burrnett: Well, it was made in another country and it is a historical piece so a lot of research was done.
Shawn Shapiro: What is next up for you to direct?
Charles Burrnett: I don’t even know? It is always a struggle to find your next piece!

Interview with Sarab S. Neelam (Director of “Ocean of Pearls”)
Shawn Shapiro: What is your link to Toronto?
Sarab S. Neelam: I grew up in Toronto and Michigan. The film is about Toronto and America and homecoming
Shawn Shapiro: Are today’s events exciting?
Sarab S. Neelam: It is go great since filmmaking is my dream. I am in Toronto, my parents are here and we sold out! It was just announced we are going to have a second screening (NOTE: Sarab had to run at this point since he needed to greet his audience as they left. Little did he know the second screening would sell out too.)

Interview with Ava Duvernay (Director of “This is the Life” www.goodlifelove.com)
Shawn Shapiro: Tell me a bit about “This is the Life”?
Ava Duvernay: It is a documentary and it is a hip hop story in Los Angeles. It is a new form of hip hop!
Shawn Shapiro: What is the high point for you about the ReelWorld film festival?
Ava Duvernay: I was just telling Tonya Williams that Toronto and the festival are very multicultural, and not as segregated as in the states.
Shawn Shapiro: What is different about hip hop in your film?
Ava Duvernay: All you normally hear is East Coast rap and the West Coast has gotten a bad stigma. People will like the truth of the music!
Shawn Shapiro: What is up next for you?
Ava Duvernay: My next piece is a narrative piece and “This is the Life” will come out on DVD this fall.

Interview with Rodney Charles (Director/Producer/Writer/Co-Star) and Race Owen and Charlie Charles of “The Disciple”
Shawn Shapiro: How did everything start coming together for your film “The Disciple”?
Rodney Charles: Well, I was an actor who had been writing for many years lamenting the lack of roles. All of us were lamenting around the dinner table one night. Instead of waiting for a vehicle to come to us I decided to write something.
Race Owen: In the background we always planned to work together, but it was not until that fateful night that we sort of said “Sure and fine” to the idea. The next week he (Rodney) had a script and after we picked our jaws up we had a table read!
Shawn Shapiro: So once it all came together what was the experience was like?
Charlie Charles: It was quite special! We wanted to do something great. Rodney did an amazing job!
Rodney Charles: It is an independent movie and not conventional. We all helped with it!
Shawn Shapiro: What did you all get out of this experience?
Race Owen: We all came closer and it was most gratifying. It was like a family feeling!

Interview with Kaushik Roy (Writer/Director of “Apna Asmaan”)
Shawn Shapiro: What is your film about in a few words?
Kaushik Roy: It is a drama about special education and parents and all that sort of stuff really.
Shawn Shapiro: What is so special about being at the festival?
Kaushik Roy: It’s an honour to be the closing film and it is wonderful to be here.
Shawn Shapiro: What is it like with this being your first film?
Kaushik Roy: It was an emotional event.
Shawn Shapiro: I heard Sony Picture picked up your film?
Kaushik Roy: Yes, that was a great moment and I hope to promote more production in India.

Closing Night (Wednesday April 6th, 2008)
Excitement was still in the air as the media and the talent swirled around the room at the Scotiabank theatre. Everyone was still full to the brim with energy even though the ReelWorld festival was almost over after five days. The stars were all present and shaking hands and taking their last interviews and as everyone made their way to the last screening of the festival, Tonya Williams granted us one last interview to check in with the hostess of this extraordinary festival.

Shawn Shapiro: How did this year’s festival go?
Tonya Williams: I think it was the best yet. I think the filmmakers really benefited and we have some great relationships in the industry. Just look at our diverse audience and content.
Shawn Shapiro: What was the pleasant surprise of the festival?
Tonya Williams: Definitely the film “Ocean of Pearls”! It sold out its first show and we scheduled a last minute second which sold out as well!
Shawn Shapiro: Finally Tonya any last thoughts on this year’s festival?
Tonya Williams: It has been really wonderful thanks to the stars, volunteers and staff.

As Tonya walked away and people made their way into the auditorium for the closing film the festival started its close.

Here’s Looking at 2009!

Photos from the Festival