TIFF reception, Plages des Palmes

Time is something one should treasure while you are in Cannes. It can slip by you so quickly. Take for example the time I went to bed on Thursday  -4am - I awoke up on Friday morning at 11am. I was supposed to sleep only 4hours but that turned into a full 7 hours sleep which threw off my schedule completely. I agree that a good night sleep would make a person more efficient under the conditions of cannes but with so much happening each hour it would be a shame to sleeping through any of it.

Finally, when I did wake, I found out that the breakfast buffet at the hotel had ended leaving very little options. I had Hong Kong dim sum reception at noon followed by my first in Competition film of the fest “Chongqing Blues”. But before the movie could end I had slip out to attend a meeting back at the Canada pavilion with a company from the U.K. Directly after that meeting I had to attend the TIFF reception which so far has been the highlight of all my receptions. The invited guest varied among the international community. I had many delightful conversation with some old friends and I also made some new ones while I packed my stomach of mini cheese puffs - my first meal for the day.

This wasn’t just a typical reception.  It was TIFF’s way of announcing to the international community the opening of the brand new home for the festival, Bell Lightbox.  Piers Handling, Director and CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)  made the announcement, stating that TIFF Bell Lightbox will open its doors to the public on September 12, 2010.

FMA Kirk Cooper, Jesse Wente Bell Lightbox programmer, Sugith Varughese FMA client

TIFF’s programming in TIFF Bell Lightbox will give context to films through innovative cross-media exhibitions, lectures, and film-related learning opportunities for all ages. The year-round programming in TIFF Bell Lightbox is being driven by Noah Cowan, Artistic Director, TIFF Bell Lightbox and his programming team, including aboriginal programmer Jesse Wente. To date, two significant programming initiatives have been announced for 2010: Essential Cinema, a TIFF-curated film and exhibition programme, and Tim Burton, the highly successful MoMA exhibit.

At such an impressive festival, TIFF held its own among the international community’s various efforts to bring a spotlight to their individual country’s achievements.  I couldn’t have been prouder to be a Canadian today.  I look forward to seeing YOU at TIFF in September!

Zaheer, Tennile, Charles, Sugith, Nick at Cannes 2010

by Kirk Cooper