The Toronto Film Festival announced an eclectic slate of Canadian films on Tuesday August 10. The list composed of 32 features, 40 shorts.

Festival co-directors Cameron Bailey and Piers Handling announced films at Royal York hotel

It took me some time to review the list, once I was done I decided it needed to be shorten. Here are my picks of the most notable directors and Canadian talents to look out for while you’re making your selections of films to see this year… 

Xavier Dolan’s sophomore comedy “Les amours imaginaires” (Heartbeats). – I saw this film in Cannes and I must say I’m happy that they waited for TIFF before they released it theatrical. I hope festival attendees will enjoy it as much as I did. (for synopsis of film see my earlier blog from Cannes Day 7-8)

Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies”- is one many Canadian films this year that will have its world première outside of TIFF. It’s scheduled to screen at the Venice festival. Based on the acclaimed play by Wajdi Mouawad – twins Simon and Jeanne embark on a journey to the Middle East that shines a disturbing light on their mother’s past and culminates in a shocking revelation

Last year's Genie winner Denis Villeneuve returns with "Incendies"

Jonathan Sobol’s father-and-sons comedy “A Beginner’s Guide to Endings” staring Harvey Keitel – where has Harvey been hiding out? We miss you Keitel!

Ed Gass-Donnelly’s “Small Town Murder Songs” Ed is one of those directors that has a keen sense to the details in his film. Regardless  how small that detail may be to the story. The film stars Jill Hennessy.

Most notable Quebec director Louis Belanger’s “Route 132,” will play the festival after its world première at the Montreal World Film Festival – The film is about two old friends and small-time crooks embark on a crime spree, but take an unexpected detour that could lead them down the road to redemption.

And finally festival returnee Ingrid Veninger – “Modra” In this authentic portrait of teenaged self-discovery, recently-dumped seventeen-year-old Lina and free spirit Leco travel to visit Lina’s extended family in the quirky town of Modra, Slovakia.

The true honour this year goes to Canadian director Bruce McDonald’s film “Trigger” which will be the inaugural film at TIFF’s Bell Lightbox. Trigger stars Molly Parker and the late, great Tracy Wright who passed away earlier this year.

Toronto's own Bruce McDonald - Trigger

 On the documentary slate there are two to look out for: Sturla Gunnarsson’s “Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie,” about the Canadian environmentalist and a new print of the late Allan King’sdocu classic “A Married Couple” will screen in Canadian Open Vault as a tribute.

And finally we come to what is considered the backbone of Canadian film industry – the SHORTS.

There are several topics, styles and length…far too many for me to trim down but they all sound wonderful. My suggestion is to visit the TIFF web site http://bit.ly/9ec9ry  to get the full list. But don’t be surprise if you see the name of a famous director’s son – that would be Brandon Cronenberg – I wonder if he’s got a bit of his father style?  I guess we just have to get a ticket and find out.

Please remember comments are welcome.