Toronto, Amsterdam Take Center Stage

Toronto, Amsterdam Take Center Stage

Andy Marken September 27, 2024

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Still waiting for the technology to catch up with the idea. I mean it's not easy, there are a lot of moving parts. - Night in the Museum, 20th Century Fox, 2006

Finally, things are starting to feel like there really is a new normal.

After the pandemic shutdown, followed by the squeezing of the industry by the US dual industry strikes, the entertainment industry has clawed back it's two main events that mark the beginning of the end of the year - the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and IBC.

One (TIFF) does a super job of attracting some of the best (and occasionally edgiest) films from around the world while the other (Amsterdam's IBC) marks a great gathering of leading edge/bleeding edge products, services and technology that folks will be using to tell even better video stories for us to enjoy.

TIFF isn't just an event where film hopefuls gather hoping to snag sales for domestic and international distribution. It also gives us a chance to see what's new and expanded in the most aggressive film production locations in North America.

Production Growth - Toronto's Basin Media Hub is just one of a number of content production studio projects under construction around the city. Even before the facilities are completed, films and shows are reserving the studios for upcoming projects

Sure, we're glad to see U.S. production centers are expanding in Atlanta, Tucson, the New York area, Austin and other locations; but the Canadian, Ontario and Toronto governments just seem to be more serious and committed to attracting project production north of the border with significant incentives.

In addition, TIFF attendance gives us a chance to catch up with old friends who tell us they are increasingly busy and in demand as writers, directors, producers, designers/decorators, filmmakers/cinematographers, DITs (digital imaging technicians), sound/video techs, sound/video editors, VFX, and animators.

But don't jump on the next bus/plane to Toronto because they have some of the best film schools in Toronto and are intent on growing their own talent.

Entertainment Galore - Content producers, actors, critics and the press as well as eager audiences and buyers gathered in Toronto to see some of the major and minor new films from around the world being shown at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival).

Still, September's TIFF is all about showing and selling films the event management did a great job of attracting not just film projects from seemingly everywhere but also in highlighting films that are shall we say edgy at times while advancing DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion).

At the end of the day though, it's all about the art of the deal - matching sellers with buyers.

Festival Hits - Projects shown at this year's TIFF included efforts in almost every genre and fom countries around the world including Bruce Springsteen (l), Nightbitch (center) and Relay.

Films that sold ahead of TIFF included Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Rebel Wilson's The Deb, Elton John: Never Too Late, The Last Showgirl, Nightbitch, Ben Stiller in Nutcrackers, and Relay.

Folks are already creating Oscar buzz for Angelina Jolie for her portrayal of Maria Callis in Maria and Daniel Craig for his interesting work in Queer.

Unlike in years past, there weren't any major pre-sales announced where directors and cast were hinted as to the possibilities if they got financing.

Most of the interest in the project came from US distributors including Lionsgate, A24 and Neon as well as major streaming organizations including Paramount, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple.

Projects that seemed to be snapped up for U.S. distribution were a continuing stream of drama and comedy titles.

International Fare - Films from almost every major film creation country were represented with the hopes of tapping into the Americas market including April from Georgia (l), Cloud from Japan (center) and Zwigato from India. There were a number of excellent message projects shown this year.

All of the action, horror, important message films and twisting documentaries were from the growing number international producers who were making their presence known at TIFF for our domestic market.

Thanks in no small part to how quickly AI has been put to what we feel is good use, there was a real variety of new content made in locations outside the Americas in native languages that were suddenly available to viewers here - if Netflix, Amazon, Apple and the others acquire them for viewers here in the Americas.

There were a lot of films done by international filmmakers we're hoping will find their way to U.S. streamers including Superboys of Malegaon, Saba, The Assessment, All We Imagine As Light, The Brutalist, and The Cloud.

These breaths of fresh air and global options probably wouldn't even be considered for showing on our services if it wasn't for the rapid advances in AI-enabled localization technology and we wanted to explore that subject in greater depth at IBC.

Of course, what is an event without a little bit of controversy. There was an on, off, on again struggle with the airing of Russians at War, a documentary on the Russian assault on the Ukraine.

But it was just one of the nearly 270 films shown at this year's TIFF; and hopefully, the event will attract more concrete buyers next year.

Amsterdam Activities - This year's return of IBC saw a return to the new normal for the content industry. Exhibitors and attendees from around the globe were focused on finding out what's new and what's changing in the content industry.

On the lighter and more enjoyable side of the industry, nothing can beat an information-packed week in Amsterdam for IBC.

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