The 9th annual Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF), presented by TD Bank in collaboration with Global News, showcases online programs and events running February 10 to 21.
Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, TBFF returns for an impactful 9th edition which amplifies more Black voices through a record number of 154 films from 25 countries and various special events. #TBFF21 promises to inspire through a strong, diverse, and bold programming, available entirely online across Canada and around the world, which highlights important topics such as the Women’s Rights, Mental illness, US politics, Environment, Immigration, Music, Human Rights, Systemic Racism and Black Lives Matter.
#TBFF21 will present 51 World Premieres, 27 International Premieres, 39 Canadian Premieres, 3 Ontario Premieres and 19 Toronto Premieres. TBFF21, Canada’s largest celebration of Black History Month through films and more, features films from around the globe, including Canada, USA, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Jamaica, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Venezuela amongst others.
Part of TD’s 2021 Black History Month Series, the festival opens on February 10 at 7pm with Youssef Delara’s FOSTER BOY, starring Louis Gossett Jr., Shane Paul McGhie, Matthew Modine and executive-produced by Shaquille O’Neal. Then, as of 10pm all the films will be accessible online. The festival will close with Mia Donovan’s DOPE IS DEATH. The TBFF Black Market returns with insightful panel discussions, conferences, and masterclasses with leading members of the Canadian and international TV and film industries.
The TBFF Kids Festival is getting a makeover this year with new and exciting activities for the whole family on Family Day. Finally, festivalgoers can cap off their day with the TBFF Live Performance Series.
The #TBFF21 All Access Pass is available for only $69 and gives access to all films (Feature Films accessible in Canada only / Short Films Series accessible worldwide). Regular tickets are $8 for Feature Films and $12 for Short Film Series. All tickets and Passes can be purchased on the Festival’s website.
“Our focus at the Toronto Black Film Festival is to go beyond awareness with concrete actions to foster the inclusion of diversity off and on camera,” said Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the TBFF. “We feel privileged to be able to amplify the voices of more Black Filmmakers at such an important time in our history. We are enormously proud of this historic 2021 Online edition which highlights the tales and events that have challenged conventions, left a distinctive mark on our times, and changed how we see the world.”
The TBFF Live Performance Series showcases different genres of music, representing the Afrocentric community. Line-up includes Steele and Hardcore Reggae Band, Joanna Majoko, Eddie and Quincy Bullen, MelDubé and Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison.
TBFF Kids Film Fest is an Online fun-filled, Family Day celebration, taking place on Monday, February 15 from 11am to 3pm. Children ages 4-12 will get to enjoy a variety of activities from the comfort and safety of their homes. Yoga with Vonnette Forde of Higher Love Yoga; Arts ‘n’ Crafts with Craftopia DIY; Story Book Reading with Jeff Martin and Denise Lopes – sponsored by Notability Mobile Bookstore; Afro-Caribbean Dance with Keishia Facey of RiddimFit.
Every #TBFF21 All Access Pass and/or Ticket(s) holder will be given the opportunity to vote for their favourite films on the festival’s online streaming platform in the following categories: Narrative Features, Feature Documentaries, Mid-Length Documentaries, Narrative Short Films, Documentary Short Films. Winners of the Public’s Choice Awards will be announced after the festival.
To learn more, visit: www.TorontoBlackFilm.com
