Tribute to Award-Profitable Actor ERNIE HUDSON on the thirteenth Annual Toronto Black Movie Pageant’s Opening Night + 60 Movies from 22 International locations!
The thirteenth annual Toronto Black Movie Pageant – #TBFF25 – marks Black Historical past Month with daring, various, modern and significant programming from
February 12 – 17, 2025.
Movies starring Edwin Moses, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Ama Qamata, Kyla Alexander, Michael Johnson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Caleb “CJ” Williams, Kathleen Stephens, Samba Badjii, Ouma Katrina, Siphokazi Jonas, Tyler Younger, Noxolo Dlamini, Irshaad Ally, and extra.
Full Program, All Entry Passes & Particular person Tickets at TorontoBlackFilm.com
TORONTO, January 28, 2025 – The Toronto Black Movie Pageant (TBFF), introduced by TD Financial institution Group (TD) in collaboration with International Information, declares the official program and occasions lineup working February 12 – 17, 2025. Based by the Fabienne Colas Basis, the Toronto Black Movie Pageant will supply, as ordinary, a diversified, highly effective and thrilling program to Toronto audiences.
TBFF is Canada’s largest cultural celebration of Black Historical past Month, attracting a whole bunch of hundreds of festivalgoers of all ages and ethnicities in individual and on-line. Yr after 12 months, by way of its daring and various programming, the Toronto Black Movie Pageant has been a catalyst and vital platform for Black artists who would in any other case stay invisible. Toronto Black Movie Pageant is a motion that permits members of the International Majority and different communities to return collectively to find out about and higher perceive each other.
#TBFF25 will current 3 World Premieres, 3 Worldwide Premieres, 1 North American premiere, 17 Canadian Premieres, 9 Ontario Premieres and a couple of Toronto Premieres. #TBFF25, Canada’s largest celebration of Black Historical past Month by way of movies and different participating public programming, showcases over 60 movies from 22 international locations, together with Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, Germany, Colombia, Mexico, the USA, Brazil, Belgium, the UK, Kenya, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Switzerland, Australia, Eire, and France.
OPENING NIGHT GALA: FILM & TRIBUTE
Isabel Bader Theatre – February 12 at 7:30 pm
The Pageant’s opening night time will happen on Wednesday, February 12, at 7:30 pm on the Isabel Bader Theatrewith the Toronto premiere of Combat Like a Woman, government produced by Serge Ibaka, directed by Matthew Leutwyler, and produced by Anton Laines with whom there shall be an enticing Q&A following the movie.
Starring Ama Qamata, this highly effective movie tells the true story of a younger Congolese girl pressured to work in an unlawful mineral mine who escapes captivity and begins a brand new life by becoming a member of a famend all-women boxing membership within the border metropolis of Goma. Based mostly on a real story, Combat Like a Woman highlights resilience, power, and the combat for freedom.
The opening movie shall be preceded by a tribute to Ernie Hudson.
TRIBUTE TO ERNIE HUDSON
Previous the opening movie screening – powered by TD Financial institution Group – the Pageant is honored to current one among this era’s most well-versed actors, Ernie Hudson, with the Toronto Black Movie Pageant’s 2025 Profession Achievement Award.
The extremely versatile and acclaimed actor is returning to the massive display. This spring, he’ll reprise his iconic position within the newest chapter of the legendary “Ghostbusters” franchise, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” Ernie Hudson at the moment stars alongside Raymond Lee and Caitlin Bassett within the reboot of Quantum Leap, which lately accomplished its second season on NBC and streaming on Peacock. He additionally stars and government produces The Household Enterprise, which is now in its fifth season on BET Plus and streaming on Netflix. Beforehand, he appeared in Grace and Frankie with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda and earned a Satellite tv for pc Award for Greatest Actor in a Collection for his position in HBO’s Oz.
Hudson’s in depth tv credit embody Trendy Household, The Secret Lifetime of the American Teenager, Regulation & Order, LA’s Best with Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba, Twin Peaks, Scandal, Blue Bloods, Gray’s Anatomy, and Ballerswith Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. In movie, Hudson’s credit span all 5 Ghostbusters films, The Crow with Brandon Lee, Miss Congeniality 1 & 2 with Sandra Bullock, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle reverse Julianne Moore and Rebecca DeMornay, and Congo with Laura Linney. His current movie roles embody Champions with Woody Harrelson, Retirement Plan with Nicolas Cage, and Prisoner’s Daughter with Brian Cox.
CLOSING FILM
Carlton Cinema – February 16 at 7 pm
#TBFF25 will shut with the Canadian Premiere of Legacy: The De-Colonized Historical past of South Africa. Apartheid was dismantled in 1994, but three a long time later, South Africa stays probably the most unequal nation on the earth. This exploration of South Africa reveals the roots of this inequality, exposing why it persists at present. It’s a perspective-shifting documentary that options, in unprecedented entry, the grandson of the “Architect of Apartheid,” who takes a searingly sincere look into his ancestry, exposing not solely the systemic strings that Apartheid nonetheless holds over South Africa however the psychological strings as nicely.
The TBFF All Entry Go and particular person tickets are on sale now on the Pageant’s web site.
QUOTES
“TBFF has been delivering Impression, amplifying Black voices and fostering inclusion of Black movie professionals and artists in our Business! That is because of the large help of TD Financial institution Group, our loyal companions and our rising viewers! Welcoming the award-winning actor, author and producer Ernie Hudson to the 2025 Toronto Black Movie Pageant is a profound honor and a mirrored image of the very essence of this pageant—a beacon for Toronto and the worldwide movie trade alike. We invite everybody to discover our extraordinary program and be a part of us in celebrating the numerous premieres that illuminate Black Historical past Month with tales of resilience, creativity, and triumph.” — Fabienne Colas, President and Founding father of the TBFF.
“By way of the TD Prepared Dedication, we’re proud to help initiatives just like the Toronto Black Movie Pageant and work with organizations that amplify Black voices and assist break down obstacles within the arts. Collectively, we’re serving to foster areas the place Black expertise and tales can shine, sharing genuine lived experiences and constructing significant connections by way of considerate neighborhood programming.” — Alicia Rose, AVP Social Impression, Sustainability & Company Citizenship, TD Financial institution Group.
“International Information has partnered with the Toronto Black Movie Pageant since its inception, and we look ahead to one other 12 months showcasing the outstanding contributions of Black filmmakers and artists. The TBFF is a vital a part of our neighborhood and it’s our pleasure to as soon as once more associate with the pageant and assist our metropolis have fun its range. — Sherri Clark, Information Director – International Information
Extra programming consists of:
THE TBFF BLACK MARKET
Offered by the Toronto Arts Council
Carlton Cinema – February 15-16
The TBFF Black Market sequence returns in-person and on-line with an thrilling mix of progressive and modern considering FREE panel discussions and workshops with famend trade professionals who will share real-world expertise on at present’s most crucial filmmaking and social points.
In-Individual Panels
- 11:00 am – CINEMATIC ACTIVISM: How Black Filmmakers and Crews Use Storytelling to Handle Societal Points, Problem Stereotypes, and Encourage Activism.
- 12:30 pm – NAVIGATING THE AI REVOLUTION: Using Synthetic Intelligence in Movie Manufacturing
- 1:45 pm – SPOTLIGHT STORIES: FILM INDUSTRY Q&A SERIES
- 3:00 pm – AFROFUTURISM AND THE BLACK SPECULATIVE FICTION IN THE CREATIVE WORLD
On-line Panels
- FROM BIG SCREENS TO SMALL SCREENS: How Social Media and Content material Creators Are Redefining Filmmaking
FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA
Offered by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the Nationwide Financial institution, and supported by Telefilm Canada
Carlton Cinema – February 14 from 9 pm & ONLINE
30 rising Black filmmakers from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver of the Fabienne Colas Basis’s Being Black in Canada program will current their WORLD PREMIERE quick movies in individual at TBFF on Friday, February 14. Due to the help of Netflix, Nationwide Financial institution, Telefilm Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Creates and varied native companions.
TBFF FAMILY DAY FESTIVAL
Carlton Cinema – February 17 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
The TBFF Household Day Pageant is again this 12 months with new and thrilling in-person actions for the entire household! Be a part of us on Household Day a day full of enjoyable, creativity, and inspiration.
This 12 months’s program goes far past simply movies—prepare for a dynamic lineup of workshops and actions designed to interact and delight kids aged 4–12 and anybody younger at coronary heart. From fascinating film screenings to hands-on periods, the TBFF Household Day Pageant guarantees an enriching expertise that blends leisure, schooling, and creativeness.
TBFF LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES
Rooftop on School – February 12-16 from 10 pm
Lastly, festivalgoers can cap off their day with the TBFF Reside Efficiency Collection, showcasing totally different genres of music and Spoken Phrase representing the Afrocentric neighborhood. Music artists embody Joseph Callender, Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, Gyles and Rudy Ray; Spoken Phrase artists embody Amoya Ree, Sarah G., Jäjé, Shakkoi and extra.
This 12 months’s line-up consists of outstanding movies, highlighting essential subjects equivalent to migration/displacement, social points, ladies points/empowerment, id, household, historical past/politics/romance, music/dance/artwork, thriller/homicide, racism/discrimination, comedy, neighborhood, science, horror, psychological well being.
A number of #TBFF25’s must-see characteristic movies are Combat Like a Woman, Pariah, The Weekend, Village Keeper, Dying of a Whistleblower, Moses 13 Steps, Igualada, Othelo, O Grande (Othelo, the Nice), Legacy: The De-Colonized Historical past of South Africa, Nay Day, Sincere / Fluff, Run Like We, Some Form of Heavenly Fireplace, You Can’t Get Misplaced in Joburg and Issues Lengthy Left Unsaid.
#TBFF25 All Entry Passes can be found on the Pageant’s web site.
The All Entry Go (for the On-line Program) $129.00 (+ tx & charges), provides entry to the pageant’s complete on-line program.
The All Entry Go (for the In Individual Program) is $149 (+ tx & charges) and provides entry to all in-person programming.
VIP + In Individual All Entry: $249 (+ tx & charges), consists of admission for 2 individuals to the Opening Gala on February 12, entry to the Purple Carpet, VIP Cocktail, and Precedence Seating, & Movie at 7:30 pm and One Entry In Individual Go to all pageant movies.
Particular person tickets to the in individual opening movie can be found for $25, closing movie for $20, common movies for $12 and movie sequence can be found for $12.
The thirteenth annual Toronto Black Movie Pageant, based by the Fabienne Colas Basis, is introduced by TD Financial institution Group in collaboration with International Information from February 12 to 17, 2025 – IN PERSON & ONLINE.
For full programming and occasions, go to TorontoBlackFilm.com
Get Social #TBFF25
ABOUT THE TORONTO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Based by the Fabienne Colas Basis, the Toronto Black Movie Pageant is Canada’s largest celebration of Black Historical past Month by way of movies and interesting public programming. TBFF is devoted to celebrating the easiest in cinematic work coping with the experiences of black individuals from a range of communities. Our mandate is to supply a chance for filmmakers from all ethnic backgrounds to shine a highlight on genuine tales that replicate the realities of black experiences. Together with its sister festivals, the Montreal Worldwide Black Movie Pageant, Halifax Black Movie Pageant, Ottawa Black Movie Pageant, Calgary Black Movie Pageant and Vancouver Black Movie Pageant, TBFF showcases new voices in cinema and encourages audiences to see the world in new methods. In connecting black movies with various audiences, we acknowledge the variations that make us distinctive whereas celebrating the shared values that convey us collectively.
ABOUT THE FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION
The Fabienne Colas Basis is Canada’s largest Black cultural group. Created in 2005, the FCF is a not-for-profit inventive group devoted to selling range and inclusion in Cinema, Artwork, and Tradition in Canada and overseas. Together with Zaza manufacturing, the Fabienne Colas Basis can be the creator of Festwave Institute and 12 Festivals, together with the extremely profitable Montreal Black Movie Pageant, the massively common Toronto Black Movie Pageant, the Halifax Black Movie Pageant in addition to a number of different profitable Festivals in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. These initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festivalgoers. The Basis can be the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator devoted to Black Filmmakers.