Vancouver is a city that offers a plethora of opportunities for aspiring actors to hone their skills and pursue their dreams. With a vibrant arts and culture scene, Vancouver is a hub for the film and television industry, providing aspiring actors with a wealth of opportunities to gain exposure and experience.

Attending an acting school is one of the best ways for aspiring actors to develop their craft and learn the necessary skills to succeed in the competitive world of acting. Acting schools provide a structured curriculum, experienced faculty, and practical experience, all of which are vital to a successful acting career.

By attending an acting school in Vancouver, aspiring actors not only gain the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career, but they also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s rich culture and network with industry professionals.

In this article, we will explore the best acting schools in Vancouver, their unique features and programs, and how they can help shape an individual’s acting career. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced actor looking to further your career, Vancouver has something to offer.

Why Choose Vancouver for Acting Schools:

Vancouver is one of the most attractive cities for aspiring actors due to its thriving acting industry, vibrant arts and culture scene, and exceptional location.

The acting industry in Vancouver is robust, with numerous film and television productions being shot in the city every year. Productions such as “Riverdale”, “The Flash”, “Supernatural”, and “Arrow” have all been shot in Vancouver, and many more are in the pipeline. This makes Vancouver an ideal location for aspiring actors to gain practical experience and exposure to the industry.

Apart from its thriving acting industry, Vancouver boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene. From theatre productions to music festivals and art exhibitions, there’s always something happening in Vancouver. This scene provides a platform for aspiring actors to network and collaborate with other artists, which can be vital for a successful acting career.

In addition to its thriving industry and arts scene, Vancouver’s location is also an important factor in honing acting skills. The city is surrounded by stunning landscapes, providing a perfect backdrop for outdoor scenes. The diverse geography of Vancouver also means that actors can easily access a variety of locations for filming, including beaches, mountains, forests, and cityscapes.

Choosing Vancouver as the location for an acting school means gaining access to a wealth of resources and opportunities that can help aspiring actors succeed in the industry. With its thriving acting industry, vibrant arts and culture scene, and exceptional location, Vancouver is the perfect destination for anyone looking to pursue a career in acting.

The Best Acting Schools in Vancouver:

When it comes to choosing an acting school in Vancouver, there are several options to consider, each with its unique features, courses, and programs. Here is an overview of some of the best acting schools in Vancouver:

Vancouver Film School (VFS)

VFS is one of the most reputable acting schools in Vancouver, offering a comprehensive range of acting programs that prepare students for successful careers in the entertainment industry. The school offers programs in acting, writing, and directing for film, TV, and animation, among others. With experienced faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and practical exposure to the industry, VFS provides students with the tools they need to succeed.

VFS offers a range of acting programs, including Acting Essentials, Acting for Film & Television, and Acting for Video Game Performance. The school’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for successful careers in the entertainment industry, with a focus on practical training, industry exposure, and mentorship.

VFS uses a project-based learning approach, where students work on real-life film, TV, or video game projects, giving them practical experience in the industry. The school also provides students with opportunities to network with industry professionals, attend industry events and workshops, and participate in career development programs.

Alumni

Seth Rogen – Vancouver Film School (VFS):

Seth Rogen is a successful actor, writer, and producer who attended VFS’s comedy program. He credits his time at VFS for helping him develop his skills and giving him the necessary experience to succeed in the industry.

Tuition:

Art Essentials Program: $7,750 – $10,750

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Vancouver Acting School

Vancouver Acting School is another leading institution in Vancouver, providing intensive training in acting, auditioning, and voiceover. The school offers courses for beginners, intermediate, and advanced actors, with a focus on building a strong foundation in the craft. The school’s faculty comprises experienced professionals in the industry, ensuring that students get the best training possible.

The Vancouver Acting School offers a range of acting programs, including the Foundation Program, Advanced Program, and Actor’s Masterclass. The school’s curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the craft of acting, with a focus on practical training, industry exposure, and individualized attention.

The school’s faculty comprises experienced actors and directors, who provide personalized guidance and support to each student. The school also provides students with opportunities to participate in industry events, workshops, and showcases, giving them exposure to the industry.

Tuition:

Acting FTV Diploma: $11,400 – $13,400

Alumni:

Evangeline Lilly – Vancouver Acting School:

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William Davis Centre for Actors’ Study

January 1, 2008, signified a significant milestone for the William Davis Centre for Actors’ Study, one of the most established privately-owned actor training institutions in Vancouver. After 10 months of meticulous planning, the school was officially rebranded as the William Davis Centre for Actors’ Study at VanArts. This transition was marked by the finalization of an agreement between VanArts’ President Alan Phillips, and WDC owners Christine Willes and Greg Kean.

Established in 1989 by the renowned Canadian actor, teacher, and director William B. Davis, the WDC has been steadfast in its mission to offer top-tier actor training for students at all levels of their journey. Davis, famously known for his role as the Cigarette Smoking Man in the popular TV series, X-FILES, saw the institution he founded become a rewarding workplace for many instructors by the early nineties.

Among these instructors, several have made long-standing commitments to the school that endure to this day. Key figures include Christine Willes, the current department head for the Acting for Film and TV diploma program; Chilton Crane, an expert in Film and TV; Sarah Louise Turner, specializing in Voice and Speech; and Julie Howgate, who provides an introduction to Acting.

Tuition:

Location:

333 Terminal Avenue, Suite 700 Vancouver, BC Canada V6A 4C1

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Railtown Actors Studio

Railtown Actors Studio is a boutique acting school in Vancouver, offering classes and workshops in various aspects of acting, including scene study, audition technique, and script analysis. The school’s curriculum is tailored to each student’s unique needs, with a focus on building a strong foundation in the craft. The school’s faculty comprises experienced industry professionals, providing students with a wealth of knowledge and insights.

Location:

1037 Broadway W Unit 4, Vancouver, BC V6E 1M3, Canada

Tuition:

$540-$550 per class

Vancouver Academy for Dramatic Arts

Founded in 2000 by Simon Longmore, the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts (VADA) has rapidly grown to become a leading center of excellence for acting training in Canada. Offering a wide array of acting classes, this full-blown academy with an entire faculty and studio is dedicated to helping aspiring actors achieve their professional goals.

VADA is not just renowned for its quality education but also for its impressive placement rate. Since its inception, it holds the highest actor/agency placement record in the country, boasting that an average of 80% of its students secure placement as professional actors on a talent agent’s roster within six months of graduation. This means VADA students can start attending auditions for paid professional jobs in a very short time.

Location:

900 Helmcken St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B3, Canada

Tuition: LINK TO ALL VADA TUITION FEES

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LeBlanc School of Acting

The LeBlanc School of Acting is a distinguished international acting school that specializes in television and film acting, specifically for children and teens. Offering a unique and modern educational approach, the school embraces diversity and inclusion to cultivate a dynamic learning environment.

LeBlanc’s mission is to deliver professional youth acting training that fosters the exploration of individual abilities, honing of the craft, and personal empowerment. The school maintains a steadfast belief in equal opportunities for all students, regardless of whether they choose to focus on film or television as their preferred medium.

The LeBlanc School of Acting is a trailblazer in its approach, providing invaluable acting techniques such as crying on demand, eyelines in a scene, and improvisation. In addition to group classes, the school offers one-on-one coaching sessions for auditions, ensuring each student receives individualized attention and guidance.

In essence, the LeBlanc School of Acting is not just an acting school, but a platform that equips young talents with essential life and social skills while building a solid foundation for a successful acting career. For more in-depth information about the LeBlanc School of Acting, visit their official website at leblancschool.com.

Location:

196 W 3rd Ave #204, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1E9, Canada

Tuition: : Link To Tuition Info For All Classes

Each of these acting schools in Vancouver has its unique features and programs, making it essential to compare and contrast them to determine which one is right for you. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive acting program, an intensive workshop, or personalized training, Vancouver has something to offer.

Tips and Advice for Prospective Students:

1. Do your research: Research the various acting schools in Vancouver and compare and contrast their features, programs, and alumni networks.
2. Visit the school: Visit the school and attend an open house or a class to get a feel for the environment and teaching methods.
3. Talk to alumni: Reach out to alumni of the school and ask them about their experience and how the school contributed to their success.
4. Consider your goals: Consider your career goals and interests and ensure that the school’s curriculum aligns with them.
5. Be committed: Pursuing a career in acting requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Be prepared to put in the effort required to succeed.

In conclusion, choosing the right acting school in Vancouver requires careful consideration of several factors. By considering the curriculum, faculty, cost, location, and alumni network, and following the tips and advice provided, prospective students can make an informed decision and pursue a successful career in the entertainment industry.

Other Resources

Best Acting Schools In Australia

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“Emily,” a biopic starring Emma Mackey as “Wuthering Heights” writer Emily Brontë, will have its world premiere through Toronto International Film Festival’s Platform program, the festival announced Wednesday.

Platform, which was established in 2015 and is named after the 2000 film by Jia Zhang-ke, screens eight to 12 films from a diverse range of global filmmakers with rising careers. After the screenings, the Platform Prize, an award of $20,000 CAD, is given to one film selected by an international jury. Previous Platform selections include acclaimed films such as “Sound of Metal,” “The Death of Stalin,” “Jackie,” “Moonlight,” “Lady Macbeth” and “High-Rise.”

“Emily,” the directorial debut of English actor Frances O’Connor, will be the opening film for this year’s Platform program. The other nine films selected for Platform are: “Carvão” by Brazilian director Carolina Markowicz, “La Gravité” by French director Cédric Ido, “Hawa” by French “Cuties” director Maïmouna Doucouré, “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” by American director Daniel Goldhaber, “Riceboy Sleeps” by Canadian director Anthony Shim, “Tafrigh” by Iranian director Mani Haghighi, “Foudre” by Swiss director Carmen Jaquier, “Tora’s Husband” by Indian director Rima Das and “Viking” by Canadian director Stéphane Lafleur. All 10 films will receive their world premieres at the festival.

“Eclectic in vision, this year’s selection not only represents all World Premieres of exciting, on-the-rise voices from around the world, but it also reflects the very timely and unique perspectives of racialized filmmakers from diasporic communities broadening the canvas,” TIFF programming chair Anita Lee said in a statement.

The Platform selections are curated by Lea, festival programming director Robyn Citizen and festival programming senior manager Ravi Srinivasan. The members of the Platform Prize jury will be announced later this summer.

Toronto International Film Festival will run Sept. 8-18. “Emily” is scheduled to release in 2023 by Warner Bros. Pictures in the United Kingdom and Bleecker Street in the U.S.

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The Locarno Film Festival’s artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro, has rejected calls to ban Leon Prudovsky’s “My Neighbor, Adolf,” which world premieres Aug. 4 in Locarno’s Piazza Grande, after a controversy was sparked regarding its funding.

A group of Israeli filmmakers and artists have urged Locarno to drop the film due to an allegation that the Rabinovich Foundation, one of its funders, attached politically motivated conditions to the funding. It was alleged that the foundation is now contractually obligating producers to agree that their films don’t include any statement or message that denies the “existence of the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state,” according to a story published on Tuesday in the Hollywood Reporter.

Nazzaro told Variety in a statement issued Wednesday: “When we selected Leon Prudovsky’s ‘My Neighbor Adolf’ in April we chose a film that convinced us with its tremendous artistic qualities. A depiction of the complex human experience, expressed by the touching performances of David Hayman and Udo Kier. Locarno will screen the film as planned on the Piazza Grande on Aug. 4.”

He added: “Freedom of expression and artistic freedom have been the guiding principles of the Locarno Film Festival for 75 years. We are convinced that all artistic works need independence and dialogue and should always be produced without constraints. Leon Prudovsky confirmed that he was not suffering from any pressure when making his film.”

The dark drama-comedy stars David Hayman, whose credits include “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” “Sid and Nancy” and TV series “Taboo,” as Polsky, a grumpy old man living in the wilds of Colombia in 1960.

Polsky, who survived the Holocaust and hates all Germans, is distressed when he learns that his new neighbor is an elderly German guy, who goes by the name of Herzog. When he hears that Adolf Eichmann has been found living in Argentina, he persuades himself that his neighbor could be Adolf Hitler, who – he thinks – faked his death in 1945 and escaped to South America.

He sets out to persuade Mossad, the Israeli secret service, that they should abduct the German, as they did Eichmann earlier that year. But in order to confirm his suspicions he must befriend his neighbor and earn his trust, so he can gather the evidence.

Udo Kier, whose films have included “My Own Private Idaho,” and several films by Lars von Trier, plays Herzog.

The idea for the film first came to Prudovsky after he visited Brazil. When he returned home, his long-time friend and the cowriter of “My Neighbor, Adolf,” Dmitry Malinsky, suggested they write a screenplay inspired by the 1978 thriller “The Boys From Brazil,” starring Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier and James Mason, which is focused on Nazi war criminal Josef Mengele hiding out in South America. It was Malinsky who suggested the idea that Hitler had survived the war, and wanted to speculate about what it would be like to meet him, and even look around his house.

After a sleepless night, Prudovsky decided he didn’t want to focus on Hitler, and try to get inside the mind of such an evil person. Instead, he wanted to adopt the point of view of someone – like his grandmother – who had survived the Holocaust, and was still suffering from the trauma of that, and then comes across a German man who might be Hitler. “That is interesting because that is going to try and get inside the head of the guy who thinks about it, not Hitler,” he says.

Prudovsky wanted to look at the “obsession” of a guy “who needs to find himself as a living person, and not as a dead person, like he is at the beginning of the film.” Polsky is, he says, someone “who never got to mourn” the deaths of his family in the Holocaust. After 1945, he was a displaced person, trying to find the best place to survive, and moves to Colombia in order to escape the people who caused the Holocaust or stood by and did nothing to stop it.

Prudovsky sees the relationship between the neighbors in the film as a kind of parable about two men who are kept apart by politics without really knowing each other. The key to overcoming these differences is to talk to the other side, and by doing so “you can enter into something more emotional and more human,” he says. It could be seen, he adds, as an allegory for the relationship between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

But on a simpler level, the film is the story of two lonely old men who feel the need to connect with another human being. “Both our protagonists are highly motivated [to interact with someone]. They are alone, they have no one. They feel a need to have some kind of social exchange. So, when it starts happening, it just takes them there,” he says. “Sometimes the need [for friendship] is stronger than ideas.”

Prudovsky will next be making a feature version of his 2012 short “Welcome, and our Condolences.” The project, titled “Our People,” is a multi-character tragicomedy, centering on a Russian Jewish family traveling to Israel in the early 1990s. On the plane their grandmother dies, which places them in a tricky situation: they worry that they will lose their right to settle in Israel, so they decide to pretend she’s alive. Prudovsky himself was born in Russia and migrated to Israel at that time.

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Lee Jung-jae, the Korean actor who has received an Emmy nomination for his role in Netflix hit series “Squid Game,” has re-edited “Hunt,” the film that marked his feature directorial debut. The new version will play at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.

“Hunt,” a 1980s-set espionage thriller about rival agents from North and South Korea, had its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May. It played as an out-of-competition title in a Midnight Screening slot.

Lee said Wednesday that, since returning home, he had changed some key lines and created some new exposition in order to help overseas audiences understand the plot and the insight into the turbulent politics of the era. This involved some cuts and having the actors re-record some dialogue. Lee also stars in the film, opposite Jung Woo-sung.

“When writing the script of ‘Hunt,’ I set younger generations in South Korea who learn about the era from history textbooks as the target audience. I thought foreign viewers would be the same,” Lee said, according to the Yonhap news agency. “But at Cannes, about 30% of foreign media reviews complained that it was hard for them to keep up with the story, as they didn’t know about Korean politics in the 1980s.”

Variety film critic Peter Debruge called “Hunt” “a twisty, action-packed political thriller — one that keeps you guessing even as it spirals into ever-crazier realms.”

The film’s international sales agent Megabox Plus M told Variety by email that the new international version will be used for the film’s North American premiere in Toronto. Previously, Megabox Plus M reported that it had licensed the film for distribution in over 200 overseas territories.

Korean audiences have greater awareness and understanding of the period politics. The original or director’s cut will be used for release in South Korea from Wednesday next week.

Yonhap reports, “since its press screening in Korea last week, the film has received rave reviews from local media for its well-rounded plot that weaves the rivalry between the two protagonists with Korean political incidents at that time and effective use of action sequences for an espionage movie.”

Lee’s involvement in in “Hunt” goes further than directing and starring. He acquired the rights to the project and set about trying to develop it. But, after failing to obtain a screenplay to his satisfaction, Lee took on the role of co-screenwriter. He endured similar pushback getting a greenlight and became its producer.

“When I was younger, I was curious about other trades, I wanted to see other parts of the world, try things out,” Lee told Variety back in September. “Just because I’m doing the director’s job on this film doesn’t mean I’m going to be giving up acting. I still like acting the best and intend to focus on that.”

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“Legally Blonde” fans have been waiting in limbo for announcements on the long-in-the-works third movie, but a recent Reese Witherspoon interview implies the sequel isn’t a sure thing just yet. The Oscar winner recently told USA Today that she is still hoping the movie comes together in “the right way,” which may surprise fans given that “Legally Blonde 3” once had a 2022 release date. Development is seemingly taking longer than Witherspoon expected.

“I’m still hoping that ‘Legally Blonde 3’ is gonna come together in the right way,” Witherspoon said. “It’s just like ‘Top Gun.’ They waited a long time to make another version of that movie, and I loved the nostalgia piece they incorporated in it. So definitely that gave us a lot of inspiration about what we would want to do with Elle Woods and make sure that we had all those same touchstones that mattered to people back then.”

Witherspoon added, “I feel like these characters are my friends, so I safeguard them. I would never make the subpar, mediocre version of their story.”

“Top Gun: Maverick,” released 36 years after the original, has become a box office powerhouse with $650 domestically and $1.3 billion worldwide, making it the highest grossing film of Tom Cruise’s career. Whether or not the long wait for “Legally Blonde 3” results in similar box office success remains to be seen. The second “Legally Blonde” movie opened in 2003.

Witherspoon has been trying to get “Legally Blonde 3” off the ground since at least 2018, when MGM announced the movie was in development and targeting a 2020 release date. Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor boarded the project in May 2020 to write the screenplay, with a new release date planned for 2022.

“Legally Blonde” was a success for MGM in 2001, grossing $141.8 million worldwide. The film followed a perky sorority sister attempting to win back her ex-boyfriend by getting a law degree from Harvard University while remaining relentlessly upbeat. The comedy also starred Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber and Jennifer Coolidge.

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The new trailer for the upcoming “Star Wars” series “Andor” has been released, and it’s an action-packed look at the Disney+ show. The trailer also announced the Sept. 21 release date of the three-episode premiere.

The new series stars Diego Luna as Cassian Andor and is a prequel to the 2016 film “Rogue One.” Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller and Fiona Shaw also star, and Forest Whitaker reprises his role of Saw Gerrera. Luna is executive producing the series, which was created by “Rogue One” co-writer Tony Gilroy, who also directed five episodes of the series, including the pilot.

Luna presented the new trailer during a segment on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” where he spoke about the scope of the new series.

“It’s quite unique, because we know what Cassian is capable of, but we’re going to meet him when he doesn’t know he’s capable of that,” Luna said. “We’re going to meet him when life is tough, it’s a very dark and interesting life because it’s just a regular guy that suddenly has to become part of something bigger, has to become part of a community that rises. It’s the beginning of the origins of a revolution, and it’s a beautiful story because it reminds us what we are capable of, what we are all capable of. There’s no Jedis around — it’s people having to take control.”

Luna also teased that the series is going to have more practical effects than other blockbuster productions.

“I love the whole world,” he said. “Suddenly I’m a kid on the set, because everything’s real, everything’s there. We don’t work with green screens — the stuff is built. The props work. They make noises.”

Watch the new trailer below.

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Rank Film Writer(s) and source material Distributor 1 “Women Talking” Sarah Polley (based on the novel by Miriam Toews) MGM/United Artists Releasing A group of women in an isolated religious colony as they struggle to reconcile their faith with a string of sexual assaults committed by the colony’s men.

2 “White Noise” Noah Baumbach (based on the novel by Don DeLillo) Netflix “White Noise” dramatizes a contemporary American family’s attempts to deal with the mundane conflicts of everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteries of love, death, and the possibility of happiness in an uncertain world.

3 “The Son” Christopher Hampton (based on the play by Florian Zeller) Sony Pictures Classics Peter as his busy life with new partner Emma and their baby is thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas.

4 “The Banshees of Inisherin” Martin McDonagh (based on a play written by McDonagh) Searchlight Pictures Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them.

5 “She Said” Rebecca Lenkiewicz (based on the book by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey) Universal Pictures New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor break one of the most important stories in a generation — a story that helped launch the #MeToo movement and shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood.

Next in Line 6 “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” Rian Johnson (based on characters written by Johnson) Netflix Sequel to the 2019 film “Knives Out.”

7 “The Wonder” Alice Birch, Sebastián Lelio (based on the novel by Emma Donoghue) Netflix A tale of two strangers who transform each other’s lives, a psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil.

8 “The Whale” Samuel D. Hunter (based on the play by Hunter) A24 A reclusive English teacher suffering from severe obesity attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption.

9 “Living” Kazuo Ishiguro (based on “Ikiru” by Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni) Sony Pictures Classics An English-language adaptation of the script of “Ikiru” (1952), set in London in the 1950s.

10 “Top Gun: Maverick” Peter Craig, Justin Marks, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie (based on characters created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.) Paramount Pictures After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.

Other Top-Tier Contenders 11 “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole (based on the comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) Marvel Studios

12 “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies” David Marshall Grant, Dan Savage (based on the book by Michael Ausiello) Focus Features

13 “Happening” Marcia Romano, Audrey Diwan (based on the novel by Annie Ernaux) IFC Films

14 “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins, Gris Grimly, Patrick Hale (based on the characters and novel by Carlo Collodi) Netflix

15 “Avatar: The Way of Water” James Cameron, Josh Friedman (based on characters created by Cameron) 20th Century Studios

16 “The Pale Blue Eye” Scott Cooper (based on the novel by Louis Bayard) Netflix 17 “Catherine, Called Birdy” Lena Dunham (based on the novel by Karen Cushman) Amazon Studios

18 “A Man Called Otto” David Magee (based on the novel by Fredrik Backman) Sony Pictures

19 “The Silent Twins” Andrea Seigel (based on the book by Marjorie Wallace) Focus Features

20 “Three Thousand Years of Longing” George Miller, August Gore (based on “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye” by A.S. Byatt) MGM/United Artists Releasing Also In Contention

21 “My Policeman” Ron Nyswaner (based on the novel by Bethan Roberts) Amazon Studios

22 “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” Dean Fleischer-Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Nick Paley (based on the short videos) A24

23 “Bones & All” David Kajganich (based on the novel by Camille DeAngelis) MGM/United Artists Releasing

24 “After Yang” Kogonada (based on the short story “Saying Goodbye to Yang” by Alexander Weinstein) A24

25 “Both Sides of the Blade” Christine Angot, Claire Denis (based on the novel by Christine Angot) IFC Films

26 “All Quiet on the Western Front” Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell (based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque) Netflix

27 “The Phantom of the Open” Simon Farnaby (based on the book by Scott Murray) Sony Pictures Classics

28 “Butcher’s Crossing” Gabe Polsky, Liam Satre-Meloy (based on the novel by John Williams) Saban Films

29 “The Batman” Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, (based on the characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger) Warner Bros.

30 “White Bird: A Wonder Story” Mark Bomback (based on the book by R.J. Palacio) Lionsgate

All Contenders Listed (Unranked-Alphabetical) — “A Man Called Otto” David Magee (based on the novel by Fredrik Backman) Sony Pictures — “After Yang” Kogonada (based on the short story “Saying Goodbye to Yang” by Alexander Weinstein) A24 — “All Quiet on the Western Front” Lesley Paterson, Ian Stokell (based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque) Netflix — “Allelujah” Heidi Thomas (based on the play by Alan Bennett) No U.S. Distribution — “Ambulance” Chris Fedak (based on the film “Ambulancen” by Laurits Munch-Petersen and Lara Andreas Pedersen) Universal Pictures — “Avatar: The Way of Water” James Cameron, Josh Friedman (based on characters created by Cameron) 20th Century Studios — “Black Adam” Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani (based on the characters from DC Comics) Warner Bros — “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole (based on the comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) Marvel Studios — “Blonde” Andrew Dominik (based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates) Netflix — “Bones & All” David Kajganich (based on the novel by Camille DeAngelis) MGM/United Artists Releasing — “Both Sides of the Blade” Christine Angot, Claire Denis (based on the novel by Christine Angot) IFC Films — “Brother” Clement Virgo (based on the novel by David Chariaridy) No U.S. Distribution — “Butcher’s Crossing” Gabe Polsky, Liam Satre-Meloy (based on the novel by John Williams) Saban Films — “Catherine, Called Birdy” Lena Dunham (based on the novel by Karen Cushman) Amazon Studios — “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” Rian Johnson (based on characters written by Johnson) Netflix — “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” Guillermo del Toro, Matthew Robbins, Gris Grimly, Patrick Hale (based on the characters and novel by Carlo Collodi) Netflix — “Happening” Marcia Romano, Audrey Diwan (based on the novel by Annie Ernaux) IFC Films — “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” David Magee (based on the novel by D.H. Lawrence) Netflix — “Lightyear” Angus MacLane, Matthew Aldrich, Jason Headley (based on the characters of “Toy Story”) Pixar — “Living” Kazuo Ishiguro (based on “Ikiru” by Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni) Sony Pictures Classics — “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” Dean Fleischer-Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Nick Paley (based on the short videos) A24 — “My Policeman” Ron Nyswaner (based on the novel by Bethan Roberts) Amazon Studios — “Persuasion” Ron Bass, Alice Victoria Winslow (based on the novel by Jane Austen) Netflix — “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” To be added DreamWorks Animation — “Rosaline” To be added Hulu — “RRR” To be added Raftar Creations — “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” To be added Warner Bros. — “She Said” Rebecca Lenkiewicz (based on the book by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey) Universal Pictures — “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies” David Marshall Grant, Dan Savage (based on the book by Michael Ausiello) Focus Features — “The Bad Guys” To be added Universal Pictures — “The Banshees of Inisherin” Martin McDonagh (based on a play written by McDonagh) Searchlight Pictures — “The Batman” Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, (based on the characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger) Warner Bros. — “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” To be added 20th Century Studios — “The Mother” To be added Netflix — “The Pale Blue Eye” Scott Cooper (based on the novel by Louis Bayard) Netflix — “The Phantom of the Open” Simon Farnaby (based on the book by Scott Murray) Sony Pictures Classics — “The Silent Twins” Andrea Seigel (based on the book by Marjorie Wallace) Focus Features — “The Son” Christopher Hampton (based on the play by Florian Zeller) Sony Pictures Classics — “The Stranger” To be added Transmission Films — “The Swimmers” To be added Netflix — “The Way of the Wind” Terrence Malick No U.S. Distribution — “The Whale” Samuel D. Hunter (based on the play by Hunter) A24 — “The Wonder” Alice Birch, Sebastián Lelio (based on the novel by Emma Donoghue) Netflix — “Thirteen Lives” William Nicholson, Don MacPherson Amazon Studios/MGM — “Thor: Love and Thunder” Taika Waititi, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (based on the comics by Stan Lee, Jason Aaron) Marvel Studios — “Three Thousand Years of Longing” George Miller, August Gore (based on “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye” by A.S. Byatt) MGM/United Artists Releasing — “Top Gun: Maverick” Peter Craig, Justin Marks, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie (based on characters created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.) Paramount Pictures — “White Bird: A Wonder Story” Mark Bomback (based on the book by R.J. Palacio) Lionsgate — “White Noise” Noah Baumbach (based on the novel by Don DeLillo) Netflix — “Women Talking” Sarah Polley (based on the novel by Miriam Toews) MGM/United Artists Releasing

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New works by directors Sam Mendes, Sarah Polley, Tyler Perry, Darren Aronofsky and Reginald Hudlin will screen at the 2022 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, an annual celebration of cinema that serves as one of the unofficial kickoffs to the film awards season.

After two years spent hosting largely virtual or dramatically pared-down events as a concession to COVID, Toronto, or TIFF as it is known around the entertainment business, is looking to offer up a full-fledged, week-and-a-half-long spotlight of the best of moviemaking.

“We’re going to have the fan excitement, the big audiences, the big movies launching and the red carpets,” TIFF’s CEO Cameron Bailey told Variety. “If that sounds like a familiar Toronto Film Festival, that’s what we’re going to have this year.”

As Tinseltown decamps for Canada, it will once again be feted with glittering premieres, celebrity panels and packed auditoriums of crowds that studio executives say remain among the most enthusiastic and least jaded of any major festival. The boos, heckles and walkouts that occasionally mar a Cannes premiere just aren’t a thing at TIFF, where even the most lackluster movie is met with polite applause.

And that’s partly why the lineup for the festival’s gala and special presentations programs is — as it was before the pandemic scrambled everything — overflowing with splashy premieres. Mendes will be on hand with “Empire of Light,” a romance set in an English coastal cinema that stars Olivia Colman and Colin Firth. Polley will debut “Women Talking,” a searing look at a group of women in an isolated Mennonite religious colony in Bolivia grappling with a series of sexual assaults. Perry is presenting his coming-of-age period drama “A Jazzman’s Blues,” a deeply personal film that is said to mark a departure from the broader comedies and dramas that propelled him to the A-list. Aronofsky will look to cement “The Whale,” a drama about a 600-pound man trying to reconnect with his daughter, as an Oscar frontrunner following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival this month. And Hudlin is hitting Toronto with “Sidney,” a documentary about barrier-breaking actor Sidney Poitier that has been made with the participation of the screen legend’s family. To up the icon quota, it’s executive produced by Oprah Winfrey.

They join such previously announced world premieres as Gina Prince-Bythewood’s historical epic “The Woman King,” Rian Johnson’s star-studded whodunnit “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” and Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans,” a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story. The festival will also screen two distinctive looks at the LGBTQ experience — “My Policeman,” a drama with Harry Styles as a closeted police officer in 1950s England, and “Bros,” a boisterous rom-com from Billy Eichner that is one of the first “meet cute” stories centered on gay men from a major studio. Both films were announced before TIFF released the bulk of its slate on Thursday.

Many of the movies tapped to screen at TIFF reflect the way that Hollywood’s efforts to become more inclusive are starting to re-shape the kinds of movies it produces. Bailey noted that movies like Lena Dunham’s medieval comedy “Catherine Called Birdy” or Lila Neugebauer’s “Causeway,” a drama about a solider suffering from a traumatic brain injury that stars Jennifer Lawrence, are projects told from a female perspective.

“The film world and the films that go to festivals have been profoundly affected by a kind of reckoning and awakening in terms of gender,” says Bailey. “We’re seeing many more films by women and more stories that either weren’t told when men dominated the film world or were placed in the background of men’s stories. When you put women in the writer’s chair or behind the camera as directors or as main characters, you get different kinds of stories and ones that resonate with audiences in different ways.”

The widening of Hollywood’s aperture doesn’t just involve telling more female-focused tales. There are a number of films at TIFF, such as “The Woman King,” the story of an all-female military regiment of African warriors, or Stephen Williams’ “Chevalier,” a drama about a Black violinist and composer in the court of France’s Louis XVI, that shine a light on parts of history that have been largely ignored by studios.

“We’ve got a number of terrific films from Black filmmakers about the Black experience,” says Bailey. “There’s a fascinating expansion of stories that are being told and a growing recognition that these audiences have long been here, craving stories like these ones.”

Other notable additions to the festival include the world premieres of Stephen Frears’ “The Lost King,” the story of an amateur historian’s search for King Richard III’s remains; Shekhar Kapur’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It?,” a cross-cultural rom-com that toggles between London and South Asia; and Catherine Hardwicke’s “Prisoner’s Daughter,” a drama about an ex-convict trying to forge a bond with his family after he is released from prison. There’s also such offbeat entries as Mark Mylod’s “The Menu,” a darkly comic horror film with Ralph Fiennes as a sinister celebrity chef, and Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness,” a deft mixture of class commentary and scatological humor that was the toast of Cannes.

TIFF has an enviable track record when it comes to spotlighting movies that go on to dominate awards season. Recent festivals, even those that have unfurled under the specter of COVID,  have included impactful premieres for such future Oscar winners as “The Power of the Dog,” “Belfast,” and “Nomadland” (2022’s best picture victor, “CODA,” was already streaming on Apple TV+ when TIFF rolled along). This year’s gathering will see the return of Peter Farrelly, whose most recent effort, “The Green Book,” nabbed an audience award when it screened at TIFF in 2018 before going on to be named best film at the Academy Awards. He’s back with “The Greatest Beer Run Ever,” a war drama with Zac Efron, Russell Crowe and Bill Murray. Will magic strike twice?

Other movies will arrive in Canada hoping to extend the momentum they’ve built up at earlier festivals. These include “Triangle of Sadness,” which won the Palme d’Or, as well as “Holy Spider,” the story of an Iranian serial killer that was another breakout from Cannes. Many filmmakers, such as Aronofsky and “The Son’s” Florian Zeller, will be nursing serious cases of jet lag as they shuttle from Venice, where their films are debuting, to TIFF, where their movies will also screen. And some films that will launch from the Lido, such as Alejandro J. Iñárritu’s “Bardo” and Luca Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” are skipping TIFF, though Bailey was coy about whether or not they turned down invitations.

“I really don’t talk about movies that aren’t in the festival,” says Bailey. “I’ll just tell you that I’m incredibly excited by this lineup, and I think our audience will be too.”

The festival will take place from Sept. 8 to Sept. 18. TIFF will unveil its programming choices for its Midnight Madness, Discovery and other sections in the coming days. Festival organizers expect to host between 200 feature films and 40 short films across the various verticals.

Here’s the complete list of films announced Thursday:

GALA PRESENTATIONS 2022
*Previously announced
Alice, Darling
Mary Nighy | Canada, USA
World Premiere

Black Ice
Hubert Davis | Canada
World Premiere

The Greatest Beer Run Ever
Peter Farrelly | USA
World Premiere

Butcher’s Crossing
Gabe Polsky | USA
World Premiere

The Hummingbird
Francesca Archibugi | Italy, France
World Premiere

Hunt
Lee Jung-jae | South Korea
North American Premiere

A Jazzman’s Blues
Tyler Perry | USA
World Premiere

Kacchey Limbu
Shubham Yogi | India
World Premiere

Moving On
Paul Weitz | USA
World Premiere

Paris Memories
Alice Winocour | France
North American Premiere

Prisoner’s Daughter
Catherine Hardwicke | USA
World Premiere

Raymond & Ray
Rodrigo García | USA
World Premiere

Roost
Amy Redford | USA
World Premiere

Sidney
Reginald Hudlin | USA
World Premiere

The Son
Florian Zeller | United Kingdom
North American Premiere

Opening Night Film
*The Swimmers
Sally El Hosaini | United Kingdom
World Premiere

What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Shekhar Kapur | United Kingdom
World Premiere

*The Woman King
Gina Prince-Bythewood | USA
World Premiere

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2022
*Previously announced
Allelujah
Sir Richard Eyre | United Kingdom
World Premiere

All Quiet on the Western Front
Edward Berger | Germany
World Premiere

The Banshees of Inisherin
Martin McDonagh | United Kingdom, Ireland, USA
North American Premiere

Blueback
Robert Connolly | Australia
World Premiere

The Blue Caftan
Maryam Touzani | Morocco, France, Belgium, Denmark
North American Premiere

Broker
Hirokazu Kore-eda | South Korea
Canadian Premiere

*Brother
Clement Virgo | Canada
World Premiere

*Bros
Nicholas Stoller | USA
World Premiere

*Catherine Called Birdy
Lena Dunham | United Kingdom
World Premiere

Causeway
Lila Neugebauer | USA
World Premiere

Chevalier
Stephen Williams | USA
World Premiere

Corsage
Marie Kreutzer | Austria, France, Germany
North American Premiere

Decision to Leave
Park Chan-wook | South Korea
North American Premiere

Devotion
JD Dillard | USA
World Premiere

Driving
Madeleine Christian Carion | France
International Premiere

El Suplente
Diego Lerman | Argentina, Italy, Mexico, Spain, France
World Premiere

Empire of Light
Sam Mendes | United Kingdom, USA
Canadian Premiere

The Eternal Daughter
Joanna Hogg | United Kingdom
North American Premiere

*The Fabelmans
Steven Spielberg | USA
World Premiere

*Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Rian Johnson | USA
World Premiere

Good Night Oppy
Ryan White | USA
International Premiere

The Good Nurse
Tobias Lindholm | USA
World Premiere

Holy Spider
Ali Abbasi | Denmark, Germany, Sweden, France
Canadian Premiere

Joyland
Saim Sadiq | Pakistan
North American Premiere

The King’s Horseman
Biyi Bandele | Nigeria
World Premiere

The Lost King
Stephen Frears | United Kingdom
World Premiere

A Man of Reason
Jung Woo-sung | South Korea
World Premiere

The Menu
Mark Mylod | USA
World Premiere

*On the Come Up
Sanaa Lathan | USA
World Premiere

One Fine Morning
Mia Hansen-Løve | France
Canadian Premiere

Other People’s Children
Rebecca Zlotowski | France
North American Premiere

Moonage Daydream
Brett Morgan | USA
North American Premiere

*My Policeman
Michael Grandage | United Kingdom
World Premiere

Nanny
Nikyatu Jusu | USA
International Premiere

No Bears
Jafar Panahi | Iran
North American Premiere

The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile
Kathlyn Horan | USA
International Premiere

Saint Omer
Alice Diop | France
North American Premiere

Sanctuary
Zachary Wigon | USA
World Premiere

Stories Not to Be Told
Cesc Gay | Spain
World Premiere

Triangle of Sadness
Ruben Östlund | Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America, France, Greece North American Premiere

Walk Up
Hong Sang-soo | South Korea
World Premiere

Wendell & Wild
Henry Selick | USA
World Premiere

Women Talking
Sarah Polley | USA
International Premiere

The Whale
Darren Aronofsky | USA
North American Premiere

The Wonder
Sebastián Lelio | United Kingdom, Ireland
Canadian Premiere

The post Toronto Film Festival Unveils Lineup Featuring New Works From Sam Mendes, Tyler Perry, Darren Aronofsky, Sarah Polley appeared first on We Are Actors.

The visual effects in the first official trailer for James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” aren’t ready for their internet close-up. The final installment in the director’s “Guardians” trilogy made headlines out of Comic-Con over the weekend thanks to the trailer’s debut, but only Hall H attendees got to see the never-before-seen footage. Marvel did not release the “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” trailer online for the public. Gunn took to Twitter to explain why.

“I wish you could have [seen it] too,” Gunn replied on social media to one fan who was outraged over Marvel’s decision not to release the trailer online. “But it’s not just Marvel, it’s also me. Although I love the teaser, some VFX aren’t where I’d want them to be for repeated views and close inspection — remember we didn’t wrap long ago — so you’ll have to wait just a beat! Sorry!”

As Variety reported out of Comic-Con: “In the trailer for ‘Vol. 3,’ Gamora no longer remembers her fellow Guardian crew members. The trailer also teases Rocket’s origin and an all-gold, super-buff Adam Warlock, played by MCU newcomer Will Poulter. Groot appears as a young adult. The clip is set to The Flaming Lips’ ‘Do You Realize.’ The trailer also confirms ‘Borat 2’ Oscar nominee Maria Balakova is playing Cosmo the Space Dog.”

“This is the end of that story,” Gunn said at Comic-Con, re-confirming that “Vol. 3” will be his last “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie. “I’m sorry. Some stories have an end. It doesn’t mean everybody dies.”

The film will once again feature Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon, Vin Diesel as Groot, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin and Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha.

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” will hit theaters on May 5, 2023.

I wish you could have too. But it’s not just Marvel, it’s also me. Although I love the teaser some VFX aren’t where I’d want them to be for repeated views & close inspection – remember we didn’t wrap long ago – so you’ll have to wait just a beat! Sorry! https://t.co/NAz0gIedo8

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 25, 2022

The post James Gunn: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Trailer Not Online Because VFX Aren’t Ready for ‘Repeated Views’ appeared first on We Are Actors.

Steven Spielberg has a new first in his 50-year-plus directing career — he’s directed a music video, using his smartphone, for Marcus Mumford’s first solo track, “Cannibal.”

Kate Capshaw may have some firsts on her resume, too: She acted as dolly grip and art director as well as producer for the single-take clip.

A photo included with the singer’s Instagram post shows Capshaw pushing Spielberg in an office chair as he holds up his iPhone, shooting the Mumford and Sons singer.

They are not the only celebrity names in the credits: Carey Mulligan is listed as responsible for costuming and sound.

In announcing the news on Instagram Mumford wrote, “On Sunday 3rd July in a high school gym in New York, Steven Spielberg directed his first music video, in one shot, on his phone. Kate Capshaw was the almighty dolly grip,” he added.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of the people around me to bring this music to you, and I cannot hope to express all of my gratitude. When people get it, it blows my mind. Kate and Steven just got it, and I cannot thank them enough. Thank you Kate. Thank you Kristie. Thank you Steven.”

Mumford included a list of the crew for the video, identifying himself as “Some Chancer Mug”:

Directed by
Steven Spielberg

Producer, Art Director and Dolly Grip
Kate Capshaw

Producer and BTS videographer
Kristie Macosko Krieger

Costumer and Sound
Carey Mulligan

Performed by
Some Chancer Mug

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