Mi-am facut un obicei ca o data pe an sa scriu un articol in care sa analizez statisticile blogului meu – cuvintele cheie care ii aduc pe cititorii mei pe blog, surse de trafic, de unde provin cititorii mei, si alte componente ale statisticilor Blogger. In anii precedenti, adica in 2011 si 2012, faceam asta la inceputul anului; dar anul acesta tot n-am gasit timpul potrivit pentru a scrie acest articol (caci mereu apareau alte subiecte mai fierbinti despre care vroiam sa scriu), incat m-a apucat luna mai si de-abia acum am ocazia sa scriu articolul anual despre statistici.
Daca e sa compar statisticile din acest an cu cele din anii precedenti, observ atat diferente cat si asemanari, si in felul acesta imi dau seama ce ii intereseaza mai mult pe cititorii mei cand ajung pe blogul meu.
Iata si unele din cuvintele cheie pe care le-am descoperit in statisticile blogului “Fashion, Style, Beauty and More” in ultimul an (voi reda ortografia lor exacta, cu exceptia majusculelor de rigoare), si la ce articole au ajuns cititorii mei atunci cand au cautat aceste informatii.
Bijuterii si accesorii – am scris foarte multe articole dedicate atat bijuteriilor, cat si accesoriilor in general. Cei doi termeni, “bijuterii” si “accesorii”, sunt unele din cele mai frecvente taguri pe blogul meu. Multe din articolele mele despre bijuterii si accesorii sunt dedicate colectiilor Swarovski, si sunt convinsa ca cei care au folosit aceste cuvinte cheie au gasit pe blog numeroase articole despre brandul de bijuterii Swarovski.
Bijuterii Swarosvski – un cuvant cheie similar cu cel de mai sus, care probabil i-a adus pe cititorii mei la aceeasi categorie de articole.
Lovely crystals – avand in vedere ca majoritatea bijuteriilor Swarovski sunt de cristal, acest cuvant cheie i-a adus pe cititorii mei la articolele despre Swarovski.
Butoniere barbati – un numar de articole de pe blog sunt dedicate modei pentru barbati, iar in ce priveste “butoniere barbati”, am scris despre colectiile Swarovski pentru barbati, care includ si butoni (sau butoniere).
Bratari Swarovski barbati – am publicat articole despre colectiile pentru barbati Swarovski, care cuprindeau si bratari.
Ochelari Swarovski, ochelari de soare Swarovski toate modelele, ochelari de soare Swarovski Bianca – aceste cuvinte cheie sunt destul de “la tinta”, am scris in ultimul an despre ochelari Swarovski, ceea ce inseamna ca cititorii mei au gasit exact ceea ce cautau.
The Sound That Broke the Silence este un film de scurt metraj care a fost prezentat anul acesta la ReelWorld Film Festival din Toronto care a avut loc luna trecuta, si pe care l-am mentionat intr-un articol din martie 2013.
Clara Pasieka – este vorba de actrita canadiana Clara Pasieka pe care am cunoscut-o prima oara anul acesta in martie, in cadrul unei conferinte de presa pentru ReelWorld Film Festival 2013. In timpul acelei conferinte am facut un interviu cu Clara si am publicat un articol despre unul din filmele ei – actrita a participat cu doua filme de scurt metraj la acest festival. Un alt articol pe care l-am scris despre Clara Pasieka in decursul acestei luni este despre un alt film de scurt metraj de-al sau, Pretty Thing, cu care actrita a participat la festivalul de film Cannes care a avut loc luna aceasta.
10 lucruri de stiut cand te muti la casa noua – nu am scris niciodata vreun articol de tip “How to” despre mutarea la casa noua, dar in schimb am scris un articol in ianuarie 2012 despre propria mea experienta atunci cand eu insami m-am mutat la noua mea casa unde locuiesc acum.
Alexa Vega heels – in martie 2012 am publicat un articol despre Alexa Vega, dar nu despre pantofii pe care i-a purtat, ci despre in brand de bijuterii, Renee Sheppard.
Comenzi online Victoria’s Secret, cum cumperi de le Victoria Secret – nu am scris despre cum sa faci comenzi online VS, dar in schimb am scris cateva articole despre prorpiile mele experiente de shopping la Victoria’s Secret.
Thrift shop Bucuresti – n-am scris despre magazine de acest gen din Bucuresti, dar in schimb am scris mai multe articole despre thift shopping la Toronto.
Carti Sohie Kinsella – scriu pe blog si despre carti, si am scris pana acum mai multe articole despre Sohie Kinsella si cartile ei.
Cascade Romania – n-am scris niciodata despre cascade din Romania, dar in schimb am scris despre Cascada Niagara.
Masini de teren – nu-mi aduc aminte sa fi scris vreodata despre acest subiect, dar daca cititorii au ajuns pe blogul meu folosind acest cuvant cheie, probabil ca am mentionat “masini de tren” intr-un articol sau altul.
Statisticile imi arata unele din cuvinte cheie pe care le-am gasit si anii precedenti, cum ar fi urmatoarele:
Hello Kitty, bijuterii Swarovski Hello Kitty, accesorii Hello Kitty, magazin Swarovski Hello Kitty;
Cascada Niagara, Niagara pentru prima oara;
Le Chateau dresses;
Poze cu dovlecei de Halloween;
Lipstick Jungle;
Black dress;
Fashion style.
De asemenea, cititorii cauta direct blogul meu – am gasit cuvinte cheie fashionstylebeautyandmore.blogspot.com sau www.fashionstylebeautyandmore.blogspot.com.
Conform statisticilor, cititorii mei provin din Romania, Canada, Statele Unite, Rusia, Germania, Moldova, Olanda, Marea Britanie, Franta, Italia, si alte tari.
Showing posts with label ReelWorld Film Festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ReelWorld Film Festival. Show all posts
Friday, May 31, 2013
Saturday, April 06, 2013
ReelWorld Film Festival 2013: short film “Eneme”
ReelWorld Film Festival starts next week, on Wednesday April 10th. One of the films showcased at this year’s RWFF is the Canadian short drama Eneme (director Chris Abell), which will be screened at Famous Players Theater at Canada Square in Toronto on Friday April 12th. After the recent death of his son, Boyd (played by Edsson Morales) is deciding between his own life and death. Canadian Features Programmer Bobby Del Rio says: “Edsson Morales delivers a powerhouse performance in this well-crafted short film about one man’s pain”.
I have had the opportunity to chat with the filmmakers of the short drama Eneme – Chris Abell, director; Brendan Whelton and Chris Green, producers; Edsson Morales, lead actor.
When I asked the four of them to tell me about the making of the film, director Chris Abell told me that the lead actor Edsson Morales had come to him with an idea, they collaborated on the script, and then, over a couple of months, they brought over producers Chris Green and Brendan Whelton. After that, the idea just flew through Edsson’s style of acting and Chris’s style of directing. Chris Abell and Edsson Morales tried to create a very dark atmosphere inside the characters. The location was brought to them by the producers coming on board, and within 3 months the film was shot. The editing of the film took approximately another 3 months. This is the first festival the short film Eneme is showcased at.
Producers Brendan Whelton and Chris Green shared that for them the making of this film was a really great experience. Brendan was approached by actor Edsson Morales, and since the two producers have worked with Edsson on a feature film in the past, they were looking forward to working with him on a new film again, so they decided to come on board of Eneme. They had gone through 8-9 drafts of the script until it was locked. Once the script was decided upon, the shooting started and everything came together really quickly. As the film developed, Brendan says, the producers passed the ball to Chris Abell and Edsson Morales – they just needed to make sure that they stayed out of the director and lead actor’s way and let them get where they needed to go. Producers Brendan and Chris even joked that there was a very cold weekend when they shot the film, but it was an awesome experience for them.
Then I asked Edsson Morales to share about his experience with the film. He told me that from an actor’s point of view, it was an amazing project to work on, thanks to the team that the film had and thanks to Chris Abell, the director. “It was awesome to work with him [Chris Abell]. Whenever you needed someone to help you dig and get into that moment, or get into that character, Chris [Abell] was definitely there. Also, our producers Brendan Whelton and Chris Green made it an easier environment to work in. It was really great how they pulled it together. For me as an actor, it was an awesome script to work with. Also, my co-star Leo – he’s 10 years old, he is a very talented young man, and it was awesome to work with him. And yes, it was definitely a very cold weather when we shot the film, but it was an amazing experience.”
Director Chris Abell hopes this film to be a reflection. Eneme reflects the idea of a man who’s lost his son. How someone in this situation would feel, what would they be forced to go through, and what would they do about it? Taking it to the extremes? What Chris hopes for is that the audience will feel the heartache and the pain of the lead character and reflect on it.
Photo credit: Victoria West
I have had the opportunity to chat with the filmmakers of the short drama Eneme – Chris Abell, director; Brendan Whelton and Chris Green, producers; Edsson Morales, lead actor.
When I asked the four of them to tell me about the making of the film, director Chris Abell told me that the lead actor Edsson Morales had come to him with an idea, they collaborated on the script, and then, over a couple of months, they brought over producers Chris Green and Brendan Whelton. After that, the idea just flew through Edsson’s style of acting and Chris’s style of directing. Chris Abell and Edsson Morales tried to create a very dark atmosphere inside the characters. The location was brought to them by the producers coming on board, and within 3 months the film was shot. The editing of the film took approximately another 3 months. This is the first festival the short film Eneme is showcased at.
Producers Brendan Whelton and Chris Green shared that for them the making of this film was a really great experience. Brendan was approached by actor Edsson Morales, and since the two producers have worked with Edsson on a feature film in the past, they were looking forward to working with him on a new film again, so they decided to come on board of Eneme. They had gone through 8-9 drafts of the script until it was locked. Once the script was decided upon, the shooting started and everything came together really quickly. As the film developed, Brendan says, the producers passed the ball to Chris Abell and Edsson Morales – they just needed to make sure that they stayed out of the director and lead actor’s way and let them get where they needed to go. Producers Brendan and Chris even joked that there was a very cold weekend when they shot the film, but it was an awesome experience for them.
Then I asked Edsson Morales to share about his experience with the film. He told me that from an actor’s point of view, it was an amazing project to work on, thanks to the team that the film had and thanks to Chris Abell, the director. “It was awesome to work with him [Chris Abell]. Whenever you needed someone to help you dig and get into that moment, or get into that character, Chris [Abell] was definitely there. Also, our producers Brendan Whelton and Chris Green made it an easier environment to work in. It was really great how they pulled it together. For me as an actor, it was an awesome script to work with. Also, my co-star Leo – he’s 10 years old, he is a very talented young man, and it was awesome to work with him. And yes, it was definitely a very cold weather when we shot the film, but it was an amazing experience.”
Director Chris Abell hopes this film to be a reflection. Eneme reflects the idea of a man who’s lost his son. How someone in this situation would feel, what would they be forced to go through, and what would they do about it? Taking it to the extremes? What Chris hopes for is that the audience will feel the heartache and the pain of the lead character and reflect on it.
 |
| Filmmakers of the short drama "Eneme" (left to right) -- director Chris Abell, producer Chris Green, lead actor Edsson Morales, producer Brendan Whelton |
Photo credit: Victoria West
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Short films featured at ReelWorld Film Festival 2013
This year’s ReelWorld Film Festival, the festival of the diverse and multicultural films and artists, will take place in Toronto next month, on April 10-14. For 5 days the festival will showcase feature films, documentaries, short films and music videos.
YEAA (Young Emerging Actors Assembly) and ACTRA Toronto will feature nine short films coming from experienced and emerging Canadian artists. The nine short films, which will be screened on Sunday April 14th at Famous Players Theater in Canada Square (Yonge & Eglinton, Toronto), are:
Bejide
A Man Is a Man Is a Man
To Hell with Love
The Change
The Haircut
The New Domain
Audition Day
The Sound That Broke the Silence
Getaway Car
I have had the opportunity to chat with three young artists, filmmakers of two of the above mentioned short films, that participate in this year’s ReelWorld Film Festival – Clara Pasieka (Bejide), Raven Dauda (Bejide) and Richard Young (Audition Day).
Clara Pasieka is the writer, executive producer and actor in the short film Bejide. Raven Dauda is one of the actors in this film as well. Richard Young is the filmmaker of the short film Audition Day, but he also acted in a couple of other short films that will be featured at this year’s RWFF come April.
This is the first screen play for Clara Pasieka. She is an actor, as well as a playwright. Also, it's her first time as a filmmaker, which, she says, is really exciting. But as an actor, she has done a lot of work in theater, film and television.
For Clara, ReelWorld Film Festival is a platform to tell stories that are important to her. She thinks it can be really difficult to find a place where people can hear the stories that emerging filmmakers want to tell – that’s the tricky thing for young filmmakers, to find a festival that would be interested in hearing those stories. Clara has always been interested in writing multicultural plays and screenplays for theater and film. This is a really unique festival, she says, and to her it’s an absolute honor to tell stories that reflect the diversity and multiculturality showcased by this festival.
Raven Dauda has been an actor in Canada for over 20 years now. She shares that she loves the film festivals. She has been a part of Toronto International Film Festival, as well as a part of Sundance Festival; and now, being a part of ReelWorld Film Festival is a real honor for her and she admits she is very excited about it.
Raven thinks that as an actor, primarily in this festival, it’s just wonderful to have this type of support. Canada has a rich pool of talent, so for her being a part of a festival like this helps showcase that, helps showcase the sense of diversity, and allows Canadians to know exactly what our country’s artists have to say.
As Richard Young says, the main scope of this partnership between YEAA and ReelWorld is to give the emerging artists and filmmakers the necessary space to create films and work on them together. All these short films were made by ACTRA members or actors. Richard thinks that in this country Canadian actors need to be true artists and take the reigns of their own career. They cannot wait around for the agent to call them, they need to find a way to create their own works. In this collective of short films Richard and his partners have worked with people who are first time filmmakers. The films are great, but there is a learning process of being an actor, a producer, a writer, and taking back the control of their own career, by saying: “Here’s my voice, I can do it, it’s not as difficult as I thought it was going to be, and I have something to say”. Richard thinks that ReelWorld Film Festival provides that support by giving a voice to the people who want to share their stories.
When I asked the three artists what do they think about the future of the short film in Canada, Clara Pasieka told me that in her opinion the short films are the building blocks for many of filmmakers into creating bigger stories and feature film. But she also thinks that this country needs to pay more attention to short films, because there are a lot of amazing short films in Canada that people don’t see, because they don’t know about them. She says: “We need to start getting Canada watching short films, and we need to do that by featuring short films on television. I think filmmakers are taking some incredible risks and they are telling some incredible stories that they wouldn’t necessarily be able to or have the option to tell these stories in feature long films. So it’s really important we get Canada watch short films – I’m astounded when I see all these amazing Canadian short films from so many talented artists.”
For more information on ReelWorld Film Festival, please visit ReelWorld.ca.
YEAA (Young Emerging Actors Assembly) and ACTRA Toronto will feature nine short films coming from experienced and emerging Canadian artists. The nine short films, which will be screened on Sunday April 14th at Famous Players Theater in Canada Square (Yonge & Eglinton, Toronto), are:
Bejide
A Man Is a Man Is a Man
To Hell with Love
The Change
The Haircut
The New Domain
Audition Day
The Sound That Broke the Silence
Getaway Car
I have had the opportunity to chat with three young artists, filmmakers of two of the above mentioned short films, that participate in this year’s ReelWorld Film Festival – Clara Pasieka (Bejide), Raven Dauda (Bejide) and Richard Young (Audition Day).
Clara Pasieka is the writer, executive producer and actor in the short film Bejide. Raven Dauda is one of the actors in this film as well. Richard Young is the filmmaker of the short film Audition Day, but he also acted in a couple of other short films that will be featured at this year’s RWFF come April.
This is the first screen play for Clara Pasieka. She is an actor, as well as a playwright. Also, it's her first time as a filmmaker, which, she says, is really exciting. But as an actor, she has done a lot of work in theater, film and television.
For Clara, ReelWorld Film Festival is a platform to tell stories that are important to her. She thinks it can be really difficult to find a place where people can hear the stories that emerging filmmakers want to tell – that’s the tricky thing for young filmmakers, to find a festival that would be interested in hearing those stories. Clara has always been interested in writing multicultural plays and screenplays for theater and film. This is a really unique festival, she says, and to her it’s an absolute honor to tell stories that reflect the diversity and multiculturality showcased by this festival.
Raven Dauda has been an actor in Canada for over 20 years now. She shares that she loves the film festivals. She has been a part of Toronto International Film Festival, as well as a part of Sundance Festival; and now, being a part of ReelWorld Film Festival is a real honor for her and she admits she is very excited about it.
Raven thinks that as an actor, primarily in this festival, it’s just wonderful to have this type of support. Canada has a rich pool of talent, so for her being a part of a festival like this helps showcase that, helps showcase the sense of diversity, and allows Canadians to know exactly what our country’s artists have to say.
As Richard Young says, the main scope of this partnership between YEAA and ReelWorld is to give the emerging artists and filmmakers the necessary space to create films and work on them together. All these short films were made by ACTRA members or actors. Richard thinks that in this country Canadian actors need to be true artists and take the reigns of their own career. They cannot wait around for the agent to call them, they need to find a way to create their own works. In this collective of short films Richard and his partners have worked with people who are first time filmmakers. The films are great, but there is a learning process of being an actor, a producer, a writer, and taking back the control of their own career, by saying: “Here’s my voice, I can do it, it’s not as difficult as I thought it was going to be, and I have something to say”. Richard thinks that ReelWorld Film Festival provides that support by giving a voice to the people who want to share their stories.
When I asked the three artists what do they think about the future of the short film in Canada, Clara Pasieka told me that in her opinion the short films are the building blocks for many of filmmakers into creating bigger stories and feature film. But she also thinks that this country needs to pay more attention to short films, because there are a lot of amazing short films in Canada that people don’t see, because they don’t know about them. She says: “We need to start getting Canada watching short films, and we need to do that by featuring short films on television. I think filmmakers are taking some incredible risks and they are telling some incredible stories that they wouldn’t necessarily be able to or have the option to tell these stories in feature long films. So it’s really important we get Canada watch short films – I’m astounded when I see all these amazing Canadian short films from so many talented artists.”
 |
Poster of the film "Bejide" (depicting Raven Dauda and Clara Pasieka), directed by Joel Keller,
poster design by Sean Kung
|
Friday, March 29, 2013
An Interview with Canadian Actress Tonya Lee Williams, Founder of ReelWorld Film Festival
The annual press conference of the ReelWorld Film Festival (RWFF) took place in Toronto last week, on Wednesday March 20th. The event was held at Famous Players Theatre at Canada Square (Yonge and Eglinton). The conference was presided over by Canadian actress Tonya Lee Williams, founder and executive director of ReelWorld Film Festival. The programmers of the festival presented the upcoming events of this year’s RWFF that will take place next month, April 10th – 14th. There will be 84 films featured at the festival next April – feature films, short films, documentaries and music videos, from a total of 17 countries. The trailer of the festival was also showcased during the press conference.
*****
Victoria West: Looking back at 2001 when you founded ReelWorld Film Festival, do you think you achieved what you were hoping for, after these 13 years, or even more than you hoped for?
Tonya Lee Williams: I don’t know, not more that I hoped for, but exactly what I actually thought. We needed a place, a meeting place, let’s say an oasis, where all these diverse film makers could come together, share their experiences, and help each other. What I’ve watched over the 13 years is how they have bonded. They are now working together, they have produced and directed films, built production companies, and that’s really what I wanted the festival to be – it’s the oasis where we come together, and share, and move forward. It was also a great platform to attract a lot of distributors and more senior professionals in the industry to be able to impart their knowledge to a lot of these emerging artists.
At the time when we started the festival, there was really nothing like it. There wasn’t a place where people could just go every year: “This is where I can put my film, this is where I can meet people who can help my career”. The fact that that keeps happening, is what my expectation always was; and if that keeps happening, then this is where I meant it to be.
VW: What are you the most excited for about this year's ReelWorld Film Festival?
TLW: I think the programming is so superior this year. We have some amazing films. Not only do we have 66% Canadian films this year, but we also show films from Egypt, Iran, Uganda, Nigeria, UK, Ireland, Caribbean, Guadalupe. We have the first film from a female director from Guadalupe at the festival this year. The films are absolutely amazing. I’m also very proud of our music video program. When people think music videos, I think they are always thinking hip-hop and urban music; but it’s an art form, and there are so many directors doing so many beautiful things, visually beautiful things, and that’s what we want people to look at when they look at the music videos that we programmed this year.
Also, industry series – people forget that a film festival is not just screening films. We have amazing panels. Telefilm is doing a panel that is the best panel for people who are emerging film makers and who are always saying: “How do I get my film made, how do I get financing, how do I move it to the next step?” This is the panel you need to be at. Another wonderful panel is the panel with The Writers’ Guild of Canada – there is a lot of writers who want to get into TV shows; how do you become a part of a writers’ team? This panel is about that.
And then the networking events that we do – when we say networking, we think less about parties, we don’t think much networking thing happens at parties. We do a brunch with an Ontario Media Development Corporation support session where people can talk and sit, and be casual and comfortable, and yet in a working environment.
Another event we do is Face2Face, which is an opportunity for emerging artists to have 15 minutes one-on-one time with more senior professionals to talk about whether they are pitching a project or if they are trying to move their careers to the next level.
So there are so many components! What’s great is we have an amazing website that Wired Messenger developed, and we just launched it on March 20th. On the website, there is everything – an opportunity for people to see information about more that 84 films that are in the festival this year, and to see all the different workshops, and panels, and everything that’s going on, including our Reel Youth screening, which happens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (April 12th, 13th, 14th). Schools bring kids age 8 to 13 to see an amazing production of some films that we’ve gotten from the National Film Board, and also LIFT is doing a workshop for them. So there is a lot in 5 days.
VW: How it is decided which films to be screened for the opening and closing nights?
TLW: We do it as a collective. I worked with 7 programmers this year (I was the director of programming), and we looked at everything. This year we’re opening with a film from Ghana, Contract; in fact, there are not many films that have come from Ghana. Every year we try to look for what’s the community that we should spotlight a bit this year. That film is a hilarious one, a comedy. We’re closing with a salvation Bollywood film, Aayna Ka Bayna, but a Bollywood film with a twist that has a modern take on how Bollywood films are done.
These are done as a collective. We as programmers get together, we discuss all the programming, we look at what we think is the strongest film to open the festival with, what would be to close the festival, and then what pieces to put all in the centre.
VW: How do you see ReelWorld Film Festival in the future, let’s say in 10 years from now?
TLW: Ten years from now? I want it to be the same festival actually. I just want a bigger audience. I want the Canadian audience to come to the festival excited to see what Canadian artists are doing, what international emerging artists are doing, so for me the growth at this point is always now about the audience. We have great filmmakers, we have great films, we have incredible staff, we have phenomenal programmers – that is all great. If I can keep all that up, then I am really happy. What I still find challenging is how to get the audience to get out of their bed, get in their car and come down to Canada Square and check out the five days of the festival. And I think most film festivals struggle with this, but it’s something that we work on all the time. TIFF, Cannes – everybody struggles with it. But I think that’s what I would want in 10 years – everything to be sold out, every single film.
And we have to expand the festival. Sometimes people even now say to me: “The festival is 5 days, why don’ you make it longer?” I said I would not make the festival longer, until I see every film is filled in the five days. Then I will know it’s time to expand it. But there is no point to make the festival longer for no reason.
*****
For more information about the festival please visit ReelWorld.ca.
Photo credit: Victoria West
*****
Victoria West: Looking back at 2001 when you founded ReelWorld Film Festival, do you think you achieved what you were hoping for, after these 13 years, or even more than you hoped for?
Tonya Lee Williams: I don’t know, not more that I hoped for, but exactly what I actually thought. We needed a place, a meeting place, let’s say an oasis, where all these diverse film makers could come together, share their experiences, and help each other. What I’ve watched over the 13 years is how they have bonded. They are now working together, they have produced and directed films, built production companies, and that’s really what I wanted the festival to be – it’s the oasis where we come together, and share, and move forward. It was also a great platform to attract a lot of distributors and more senior professionals in the industry to be able to impart their knowledge to a lot of these emerging artists.
At the time when we started the festival, there was really nothing like it. There wasn’t a place where people could just go every year: “This is where I can put my film, this is where I can meet people who can help my career”. The fact that that keeps happening, is what my expectation always was; and if that keeps happening, then this is where I meant it to be.
VW: What are you the most excited for about this year's ReelWorld Film Festival?
TLW: I think the programming is so superior this year. We have some amazing films. Not only do we have 66% Canadian films this year, but we also show films from Egypt, Iran, Uganda, Nigeria, UK, Ireland, Caribbean, Guadalupe. We have the first film from a female director from Guadalupe at the festival this year. The films are absolutely amazing. I’m also very proud of our music video program. When people think music videos, I think they are always thinking hip-hop and urban music; but it’s an art form, and there are so many directors doing so many beautiful things, visually beautiful things, and that’s what we want people to look at when they look at the music videos that we programmed this year.
Also, industry series – people forget that a film festival is not just screening films. We have amazing panels. Telefilm is doing a panel that is the best panel for people who are emerging film makers and who are always saying: “How do I get my film made, how do I get financing, how do I move it to the next step?” This is the panel you need to be at. Another wonderful panel is the panel with The Writers’ Guild of Canada – there is a lot of writers who want to get into TV shows; how do you become a part of a writers’ team? This panel is about that.
And then the networking events that we do – when we say networking, we think less about parties, we don’t think much networking thing happens at parties. We do a brunch with an Ontario Media Development Corporation support session where people can talk and sit, and be casual and comfortable, and yet in a working environment.
Another event we do is Face2Face, which is an opportunity for emerging artists to have 15 minutes one-on-one time with more senior professionals to talk about whether they are pitching a project or if they are trying to move their careers to the next level.
So there are so many components! What’s great is we have an amazing website that Wired Messenger developed, and we just launched it on March 20th. On the website, there is everything – an opportunity for people to see information about more that 84 films that are in the festival this year, and to see all the different workshops, and panels, and everything that’s going on, including our Reel Youth screening, which happens on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (April 12th, 13th, 14th). Schools bring kids age 8 to 13 to see an amazing production of some films that we’ve gotten from the National Film Board, and also LIFT is doing a workshop for them. So there is a lot in 5 days.
VW: How it is decided which films to be screened for the opening and closing nights?
TLW: We do it as a collective. I worked with 7 programmers this year (I was the director of programming), and we looked at everything. This year we’re opening with a film from Ghana, Contract; in fact, there are not many films that have come from Ghana. Every year we try to look for what’s the community that we should spotlight a bit this year. That film is a hilarious one, a comedy. We’re closing with a salvation Bollywood film, Aayna Ka Bayna, but a Bollywood film with a twist that has a modern take on how Bollywood films are done.
These are done as a collective. We as programmers get together, we discuss all the programming, we look at what we think is the strongest film to open the festival with, what would be to close the festival, and then what pieces to put all in the centre.
VW: How do you see ReelWorld Film Festival in the future, let’s say in 10 years from now?
TLW: Ten years from now? I want it to be the same festival actually. I just want a bigger audience. I want the Canadian audience to come to the festival excited to see what Canadian artists are doing, what international emerging artists are doing, so for me the growth at this point is always now about the audience. We have great filmmakers, we have great films, we have incredible staff, we have phenomenal programmers – that is all great. If I can keep all that up, then I am really happy. What I still find challenging is how to get the audience to get out of their bed, get in their car and come down to Canada Square and check out the five days of the festival. And I think most film festivals struggle with this, but it’s something that we work on all the time. TIFF, Cannes – everybody struggles with it. But I think that’s what I would want in 10 years – everything to be sold out, every single film.
And we have to expand the festival. Sometimes people even now say to me: “The festival is 5 days, why don’ you make it longer?” I said I would not make the festival longer, until I see every film is filled in the five days. Then I will know it’s time to expand it. But there is no point to make the festival longer for no reason.
*****
For more information about the festival please visit ReelWorld.ca.
 |
 |
Friday, April 13, 2012
Tonya Lee Williams about the 12th Annual ReelWorld Film Festival
 |
| Canadian actress Tonya Lee Williams |
Canadian actress Tonya Lee Williams, Founder and Executive Director of ReelWorld Film Festival, welcomes everybody to the 12th Annual ReelWorld Film Festival, which is currently taking place in Toronto.
A message from Tonya Lee Williams:
“For many the global financial crisis has severely impacted their lives. For many filmmakers this is not the case. The independent filmmakers this is not the case. The independent filmmaker has always lived in financial crisis. They have already tightened their belts, and lived within their means. They have frugal lives, and make conservative fiscally prudent choices daily.
They run their movie sets like countries. They handle impossible budgets, intercede in conflicts, clothe, feed and serve the needs of their subjects.
Their sheer will and tenacity make the impossible, possible. They funnel fragmented chaos through the lens of a camera and allow it to breath onto the screen, bringing us real insight and a truly magical experience. They do all this for us.
When you think of voting for a President or Prime-Minister you would do well to vote for an independent filmmaker!
I thank all our sponsors and partners who continue to support the vision of ReelWorld. I thank our Board of Directors who give ReelWorld such strong direction. I thank our staff and volunteers who give their all to make this event happen. And of course I thank the filmmakers, their crews, screenwriters, production staff and actors without whom this festival would never exist.
Have a great festival!
Tonya”
About the Founder
Actress Tonya Lee Williams founded ReelWorld Film Festival in October 1999. The first inaugural festival premiered in March of 2001. Born in London, England to Jamaican parents and arriving in Canada at the age of 12, Tonya has been in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. Having started her career as an actress in Toronto, she now lives and successfully works in Los Angeles.
Tonya wants to create something lasting in Canada that would help emerging diverse talent find their success. Her passion, hard work and vision brought together a village of people – Board of Directors, staff, sponsors, Government funders, volunteers and talent – to bring this vision to fruition.
Tonya has been honored over the years with many awards, including two NAACP Image Awards, two Emmy nominations, a Harry Jerome Award, an ACTRA Award of Excellence, an African Canadian Achievement Award, an Oshawa “Walk of Fame”, the Planet Africa Award for Media and Entertainment, the 2012 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award in Montreal and the 2012 International Women Achievers Award.
Tonya believes “there is a rich untapped diverse audience in Canada, that is hungry to see itself reflected on its screens, the future of our Industry lies in its ability to provide entertainment for this growing demographic”.
Tonya is also a Director, Producer and President of Wilbo Entertainment, and she has an online consulting business that helps actors create a sustainable career in the entertainment industry. For more information, please go to TonyaLeeWilliams.com.
Source: ReelWorld Film Festival
Photo Credit: Victoria West
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
ReelWorld Film Festival starts in Toronto tomorrow
An important event is happening in Toronto this week – Annual ReelWorld Film Festival, the 12th edition. The festival starts tomorrow, Wednesday April 11th, and will close on Sunday, April 15th 2012.
The festival’s Opening Night Screening, sponsored by TD Bank Group, will take place tomorrow night starting at 7pm, at Cineplex Odeon Sheppard Cinemas (4861 Yonge Street, Toronto, at Yonge & Sheppard). Media reception will start at 5pm. The film featured during Opening Night Screening will be LUV.
The next RWFF event, NBC Special Presentation Screening (sponsored by NBC Universal), will take place on Thursday night, at 7.30pm, at Famous Players Canada Square Cinemas, Theatre 6 (2190 Yonge Street, Toronto). Media reception will start at 6pm. Two-time Emmy Award Winner Keith Davis will give a speech during the event. Hopelessly in June will be the film featured during the festival on Thursday night.
Tickets for the festival are available at ReelWorld.ca.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Conferinta anuala de presa ReelWolrd Film Festival
 |
| Actrita canadiana Tonya Lee Williams |
ReelWolrd Film Festival este un festival de film anual din Toronto fondat acum 12 ani de catre actrita canadiana Tonya Lee Williams. Editia din anul acesta, cea de-a 12a, va avea loc intre 11 si 15 aprilie. In fiecare an, cu putin timp inainte de festivalul in sine, organizatorii festivalului tin o conferinta de presa in care anunta filmele participante precum si evenimentele din jurul festivalului.
Am fost invitata in calitate de reprezentant media la conferinta anuala de presa a festivalului care a avut loc ieri, la unul din cinematografele din Toronto, Sheppard Cineplex Odeon Cinema. La conferinta au mai fost prezenti echipe de la televiziunile toronteze, CityTV, OMNI, CBC, dar si alti reprezentanti media online sau print. Conferinta a fost tinuta de actrita Tonya Williams, fondatoarea festivalului ReelWorld, pe care am avut placerea sa o cunosc personal si sa stau putin de vorba cu ea. La conferinta au mai luat parte membri ai conducerii festivalului, sponsori, invitati speciali. Ce am aflat in timpul acestei conferinte de presa? La festivalul ReelWolrd din aprilie vor fi prezentate filme canadiene, americane, braziliene, indiene, mexicane, germane, sud-americane; filme artistice, documentare si de scurt metraj. ReelWorld este un festival dedicat diversitatii. Ni s-a prezentat si trailerul festivalului in timpul conferintei.
Iata si filmele participante la festival (artistice si documentare):
Arab Rap, Canada, artistic
Besouro, Brazilia, artistic
Billy, Canada, artistic
Bonsai People: The Vision of Muhammad Yunus, SUA, documentar
BumRush, Canada, artistic
Charlie Zone, Canada, artistic
Clive Houston We Have A Problem/Open Your Eyes Katarina, Canada, artistic
Colour Me, Canada, documentar
De Dia y De Noche, Mexic, artistic
Desert Flower, SUA, artistic
Dirty Hearts, Brazilia, artistic
Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, India, artistic
El Bulli: Cooking in Progress, Germania, documentar
High Chicago, Canada, artistic
Hopelessly in June, SUA, artistic
If I Should Fall, Canada, documentar
Land of Opportunity, SUA, documentar
LUV, SUA, artistic
My Country, Canada, documentar
No Look Pass, SUA, documentar
Paradise Stop, Africa de Sud, artistic
Searching for Angels, Canada, artistic
The Forest, India, artistic
The Golden Pen, Canada, documentar
The Start of Dreams, SUA, documentar
Evenimentele din cadrul ReelWorld Film Festival de pe 11-15 aprilie 2012 se vor desfasura in 3 locatii din Toronto -- Sheppard Cineplex Odeon Cinema (Sheppard & Yonge, 4861 Yonge Street), Canada Square (2190 Yonge Street), Alleycatz Jazz Bar. Biletele de intrare la fiecare din evenimentele din cadrul festivalului (filme, gala de deschidere, gala de inchidere) sunt $10 -- foarte accesibil; $5 pentru seniori si studenti. Biletele pentru festival sunt deja disponibile online la ReelWorld.ca. Ma bate gandul sa merg la festival, mai ales ca n-am avut niciodata ocazia sa merg la un festival de film, nici macar la Toronto International Film Festival care are loc in fiecare an in septembrie. Inca nu m-am hotarat ce film din cadrul festivalului mi-ar placea sa vad, caci mai multe dintre ele mi-au atras atentia, cum ar fi LUV sau Hopelessly in June. Nu cred ca voi reusi sa merg la mai multe filme din cadrul festivalului, dar unul dintre ele mi-ar fi suficient sa vad ca sa simt atmosfera de la festival.
La conferinta am intalnit-o si pe cantareata canadiana Anastasia, pe care am cunoscut-o luna trecuta in timpul unui eveniment din Toronto, cand mi-a acordat un interviu. Motivul prezentei ei la aceasta conferinta a fost (cred) faptul ca atat ea, cat si actrita Tonya Lee Williams sunt reprezentate de aceeasi profesionista Relatii Publice, Sasha Stoltz, care s-a implicat in organizarea conferintei de presa si care m-a invitat la acest eveniment in calitate de jurnalist.
Poze de la conferinta de presa:
Un alt festival de film care va avea loc anul acesta la Toronto (in septembrie) este Indie Film Festival.
Sursa poze: Victoria West
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Media Alert: 12th Annual ReelWorld Film Festival Press Conference
The annual ReelWorld Film Festival commits to share our stories, our talent, our films. This year's ReelWorld Film Festival will take place on April 11-15, and it will be at its 12th edition. A press conference preceding this year's festival will be held in Toronto next week, on Tuesday March 13th, during which films, music videos, panels ans special events surrounding this year's festival will be announced. Media from everywhere is invited.
The press conference hosts will be Canadian actress Tonya Lee Williams, Chair of the Board of Directors of the festival, festival sponsors and special guests. The location of the press conference will be Cineplex Odeon Sheppard Cinemas, at 4861 Yonge Street in Toronto.
The schedule of the event will be as follows:
Tuesday, March 13th 2012
10am -- media check in;
11am -- press conference;
12pm -- press interviews.
Refreshments will be served during the event.
Among the sponsors of 12th annual ReelWorld Film Festival are TD, Cineplex, Government of Ontario, City TV, Global TV, CBC, and others.
Media can RSVP at sashastoltz@bellnet.ca.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)