Ontario Creates International Financing Forum Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Diverse Selection of Feature Projects
The 20th anniversary edition of the Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (IFF) has selected 40 feature producing teams, including projects from Lulu Wang and Lily Gladstone. The event, in partnership with TIFF, serves as a platform for producers to connect with sales agents, distributors, and executives to explore potential partnerships. The selected projects span various countries, including Canada, the UK, US, Australia, France, Greece, and Iceland.
Among the Canadian projects is the romantic comedy "Succor" from Ontario producer Mike MacMillan, with Lulu Wang and Jen Goyne Blake co-producing an adaptation of a 2015 TIFF short. The Montreal-set crime drama "Knight" comes from Quebec producers Michael Solomon and Laurent Allaire, with Carlos and Jason Sanchez set to direct. Ontario producers Tamara Dawit and Ashu Kermsa present the road trip drama "The Last Tears Of The Deceased," co-produced with France's Cigognes Films and Germany's Die Gesellschaft.
International projects at IFF include the Indigenous drama "Buffalo Stone" from US producers Laura Wagner and Ivan MacDonald, to be directed by Daniel Glick and Ivy MacDonald. UK producers Pablo Gutierrez De Lario and Elena Conte offer the comedy drama "Life And Flowers And Other Things," while Australian producers Gal Greenspan and Celyren Leckie present the dramedy "Please Don’t Go."
The IFF event features in-person one-on-one meetings between producers and executives, an industry panel discussion on the international film sales landscape, and networking opportunities. Over the years, projects launched at IFF have secured financing and been produced, with notable films like "Blood Lines," "40 Acres," "Alice Darling," "The Swearing Jar," and "Maudie" premiering at TIFF. The event's founding partners include Telefilm Canada, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, Canadian Media Producers Association, Creative BC, SODEC, and Manitoba Film & Music.
In conclusion, the 20th edition of the Ontario Creates International Financing Forum brings together a diverse range of feature producing teams from around the world, offering a platform for collaboration and partnership in the film industry.