The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to host the North American premiere of ALAZAR, a captivating short film by celebrated Ethiopian filmmaker Beza Hailu Lemma. Known for his thought-provoking narratives and masterful cinematic style, Lemma's latest work offers a powerful exploration of faith, tradition, and the human spirit set against the backdrop of contemporary Ethiopia.
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Haitian-Canadian filmmaker Fitch Jean’s debut feature, It Comes in Waves, opened the 25th ReelWorld Film Festival with a poignant story of trauma, resilience, and diaspora connection. The film marks a full-circle moment for Jean, a past festival alum, now spotlighting conversations on mental health and Black healing.
The 25th anniversary of the ReelWorld Film Festival opened on October 16 with a story that resonates across borders, languages, and generations. It Comes in Waves, directed by Haitian-Canadian filmmaker Fitch Jean, set the tone for this milestone edition with its hauntingly beautiful exploration of mental health, intergenerational trauma, and the unspoken bonds of the Black diaspora.
At TIFF50, the world premiere of The Man in My Basement brought together literary legend Walter Mosley, director Nadia Latif, and Hollywood star Willem Dafoe for a gripping new adaptation of Mosley’s acclaimed 2004 novel. AfroToronto was on hand to photograph the red carpet, where a talented cast and crew showcased the strength of Black creativity in contemporary cinema.
The red-carpet premiere of The Man in My Basement at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, stood out as part of the festival’s broader celebration of diverse storytelling. Adapted from Walter Mosley’s 2004 novel, the film examines the complex intersections of race, history, and guilt. The atmosphere on the red carpet reflected the strength and range of Black creative talent behind the project.
Idris Elba and Seal brought warmth and camaraderie to the Dust to Dreams world premiere, a short film praised for its vision and cultural resonance.
There was an undeniable spark in the air as I stood on the red carpet on September 8 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox lobby, camera in hand, waiting for the cast and creators of Dust to Dreams. The film’s world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival felt like a defining moment—one that carried the weight of culture, presence, and vision.
The Reelworld Film Festival+Summit marks its 25th anniversary with 34 films celebrating Canadian BIPOC talent. The 2025 edition will run from October 14 to 26.
The Reelworld Film Festival and Summit return this fall with a landmark celebration. Marking its 25th anniversary, the festival continues its trailblazing mission of amplifying diverse Canadian voices in film and media. Running from October 14 to 19 with in-person programming, followed by an online edition from October 20 to 26, this milestone year showcases 34 films, all directed by Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, and People of Colour talent from across Canada.
The Toronto International Film Festival will spotlight a landmark cinematic rediscovery with the world premiere of The Eyes of Ghana. Directed by Canadian filmmaker Ben Proudfoot and backed by Barack and Michelle Obama, the documentary tells the story of Chris Hesse, the 93-year-old Ghanaian cameraman who safeguarded a hidden archive of Africa’s independence era.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced that its 50th anniversary edition will open the celebrated TIFF Docs program with a historic world premiere. The Eyes of Ghana, a feature documentary by Academy Award–winning Canadian director Ben Proudfoot, will bring to light the extraordinary story of Ghanaian cameraman Chris Hesse, whose forgotten archive of over 1,300 films captures the birth of African independence. Adding to its global resonance, the film is executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama through Higher Ground Productions, alongside acclaimed artist-filmmaker John Akomfrah.
A powerful new documentary by Ian Mark Kimanje explores Carnival's deep cultural legacy and global resonance. Screening in Toronto this summer, Carnival: They Can’t Steal Our Joy is both a visual spectacle and an emotional journey across generations and continents.
In this episode of Afropolitan Dialogues, we sit down with Canadian filmmaker R.T. Thorne to discuss his feature debut, 40 Acres, premiering in theatres across Canada on July 4, 2025. This post-apocalyptic thriller has already garnered critical acclaim for its rich storytelling and powerful portrayal of Black and Indigenous experiences. Recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “51 Best Canadian Films of All Time” and included in TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten, 40 Acres examines the themes of legacy, survival, and land through the lens of a culturally rooted and resilient family.
40 Acres redefines the post-apocalyptic genre through a deeply cultural and emotionally resonant lens. More than a survival thriller, the film is a layered exploration of land, identity, and intergenerational resistance. At its core is a blended Black and Indigenous family living off the grid on ancestral farmland in a famine-ravaged future.
A powerful portrait of motherhood, grief, and healing rooted in Toronto’s Lawrence Heights. Karen Chapman’s Village Keeper makes a remarkable TIFF debut, expanding on her award-winning short Measure.
Some stories don’t just stay with you—they shift something inside you. Village Keeper, the debut feature by Toronto-based filmmaker Karen Chapman, is one of those rare films. Premiering at TIFF 2024, it brought to the screen an emotionally rich, deeply grounded portrait of a mother navigating grief, survival, and self-discovery. For Chapman, this film is a culmination of years of storytelling focused on voices often sidelined—and a powerful expansion of her award-winning short film Measure.
Positioned with my camera in a prime spot on the red carpet at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival, I was captivated by the warmth and unity radiating from the Washington family as they arrived at the Princess of Wales Theatre. This was more than just the international premiere of The Piano Lesson—an adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play—it was a deeply personal family celebration that highlighted the enduring power of storytelling, heritage, and love.
