Category Archives: Toronto festivals

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto film

318. Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

November 13, 2011 Heikki Walden

November 14, 2011

Highlighting films and videos by East an Southeast Asian artists in North America, Asia, and across the world, the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival is in full-swing! In its 11th year, the Festival is the largest of its kind in Canada and serves as a “public forum for Asian media artists and their work…fuel[ing] the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada.”

The Reel Asian Film Festival began on November 8th and continues until the 19th. For more information about films, venues and ticket prices, go to www.reelasian.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto film

313. Rendezvous With Madness Film Festival

November 8, 2011 Heikki Walden

November 9, 2011

The 19th Annual Rendezvous with Madness Festival began on November 4th and continues through to the 12th, showing feature and short films and videos that address issues of addiction and mental illness. The Festival is presented by Workman Arts, a not-for-profit multidisciplinary arts organization which supports individuals who receive addiction and mental health services in their artistic pursuits. Through artistic media, the organization seeks to promote a greater understanding of mental health and addiction issues.

For a full schedule of films and videos and to purchase tickets for Rendezvous With Madness, visit www.rendezvouswithmadness.com.

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310. Day of the Dead Festival

November 5, 2011 Heikki Walden

November 6, 2011

What is the Day of the Dead? It’s a Mexican holiday when family and friends gather to pray for and remember friends and family members who have passed away. In Mexico the day is a national holiday in connection with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Traditions include building altars honouring the deceased using marigolds, sugar skulls, and the favourite foods and beverages of the deceased.

In Toronto, the Day of the Dead Festival means a diverse range of music, food and Mexican celebrations at the Harbourfront Centre. Build community ofrendas, purchase crafts at the Mexican marketplace, make your own crafts with the kids, watch documentaries and of course, eat Mexican food including tortillas, burritos, carnitas and tamales! For more information on the Day of the Dead Festival in Toronto, visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto film

308. Regent Park Film Festival

November 3, 2011 Heikki Walden

November 4, 2011

The Regent Park Film Festival is Toronto’s only free-of-charge community film festival, and is committed to highlighting local and international independent films relevant to the individuals and groups who call Regent Park “home.” Key themes of the Festival include inner city issues, immigration, cultural identity and multicultural relationships. “The Festival aims to reach isolated communities throughout Regent Park and beyond and provide a forum for them to engage in critical dialogue on social issues and to enjoy films from all over the world.”

The Regent Park Film Festival takes place at Lord Dufferin Public School from November 3rd to the 6th. For a full schedule of events and screenings, go to www.regentparkfilmfestival.com.

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297. Toronto After Dark Film Festival

October 23, 2011 Heikki Walden

October 24, 2011

Be afraid…be very afraid. The Toronto After Dark Film Festival is ready to spook and scare you with eight nights of horror, sci-fi, action and cult movies! Taking place at the Toronto Underground Cinema from October 20th to 27th, you’ll have the opportunity to get thoroughly frightened just in time for Halloween, as the Festival showcases some of the creepiest new films of 2011. Previous years’ festivals have premiered films such as The Last Exorcism, Let the Right One In, Dead Snow, Repo: The Genetic Opera, Robogeisha and Black Dynamite, so who knows what you’ll have the opportunity to see (or peek at from behind your hands over your eyes!) at this year’s After Dark Film Festival!

For a schedule of screenings and for more information on the Festival, visit http://torontoafterdark.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals

294. Creativ Festival

October 20, 2011 Heikki Walden

October 21, 2011

Get ready to get your craft on at the Fall Creativ Festival! Starting today and continuing throughout the weekend, this Festival is a crafter’s dream come true. Whether you sew, knit, scrapbook or quilt, there is something for you during this incredible weekend of creativity.

Register for one (or more!) of over 200 workshops and seminars, browse the wares of the leading companies in the crafting industry, or simply get inspired as you wander through the south building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Buy a Single Day Adult Ticket for the special online price of $14, or enjoy access to the Show all weekend long with a $25 3-Day Pass. For more information on the Creativ Festival or to purchase passes online, go to www.csnf.com.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals, Toronto film

293. imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival

October 19, 2011 Heikki Walden

October 20, 2011

Celebrating film, video, radio and new media work by Indigenous peoples, the imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival is an international festival in Toronto featuring Indigenous works from across the world. Screenings, parties, cultural events and panel discussions serve to connect artists, programmers, buyers and professionals while illustrating the excellence of Indigenous film and media arts.

The imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival began yesterday and continues until October 23rd. For a full listing of associated events and screenings, and for more information about the Festival, go to www.imaginenative.org.

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292. International Festival of Authors

October 18, 2011 Heikki Walden

October 19, 2011

Bringing together some of the best writers of contemporary world literature, the International Festival of Authors features readings, interviews, round table discussions, lectures and public book signings at the Harbourfront Centre. 11 days of literature means there are several special events including the Governor General’s Literary Awards and readings by Scotiabank Giller Prize.

For a full schedule and list of authors participating in this year’s Festival, go to www.readings.org.

365 Things to Do in Toronto, Toronto, Toronto events, Toronto festivals

290. Toronto International Flamenco Festival

October 16, 2011 Heikki Walden

October 17, 2011

Get your dancing shoes on and celebrate the dramatic and theatrical dance that is Flamenco! The Toronto International Flamenco Festival is dedicated to increasing the popularity of Flamenco in North America by inviting Canadian and internationally acclaimed dancers to endear this powerful and graceful dance to the City of Toronto. Modeling itself on the Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque in New Mexico and the New York Flamenco Festival, Toronto’s Festival seeks to educate and advance the public’s appreciation and understanding of this dance form through performance and workshops.

If you already adore Flamenco, you can purchase a Workshop Pass to the Festival for $775, or a Dance Pass (for all dance classes) for $650. If you want to try Flamenco for the first time, try a Single Class Pass for $65. For a full listing of classes, workshops and performances, and to purchase passes online, visit the Toronto International Flamenco Festival’s website.

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285. Planet in Focus Film Festival

October 11, 2011 Heikki Walden

October 12, 2011

Starting today and continuing until October 16th, the Planet in Focus Film Festival is Canada’ international environmental film and video festival. Now in its 12th year, the Festival promotes environmental artistic expression in film, video and new media mediums in an effort to “frame and explore environmental and ecological issues as a catalyst for awareness, discussion and engagement.” In addition to highlighting films which celebrate the environment, science and activism, the Festival features workshops for youth and seeks to transform environmental education.

For a full list of screenings and events taking place over the next five days of the Planet in Focus FIlm Festival, go to www.planetinfocus.org.