Around the Block and Canopy join the Australian line-up at Toronto

Around the Block and Canopy have been announced overnight to join an outstanding line-up of Australian films screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month. Both films will have their world premieres as part of the festival's Discovery program, which presents works by directors to watch'.

Around the Block, written and directed by Sarah Spillane, and produced by Brian Rosen and Su Armstrong, is the inspirational story of an Aboriginal boy torn between his unexpected love of acting and the disintegration of his family. The film stars Christina Ricci, Hunter Page-Lochard, Matt Nable, Damian Walshe-Howling and Daniel Henshall.

Marking the feature debut of writer/director Aaron Wilson, Canopy is a suspenseful WWII drama set during the fall of Singapore. After being shot down in combat, an Australian fighter pilot must navigate his way through enemy territory in search of sanctuary. The Australia Singapore collaboration is produced by Katrina Fleming and stars Khan Chittenden and Mo Tzu-Yi.

Around the Block and Canopy will join four other Australian films already announced to screen at TIFF: The Railway Man, Felony, Mystery Road and Tracks.

In addition, this year Australia is a guest country at the Producers Lab Toronto, an initiative of European Film Promotion, in partnership with the Ontario Media Development Corporation and TIFF. Australian producers Melanie Coombs and Matthew Dabner will take part in pitching sessions, case studies and roundtables over the four-day event.

The Toronto International Film Festival will take place 5 15 September 2013.

http://tiff.net/thefestival

AROUND THE BLOCK

Tree (Australia)

Producers Su Armstrong, Brian Rosen

Executive producers Jack Thompson, Gary Hamilton

Writer/Director Sarah Spillane

International Sales Arclight

Australian Distributor Greenlight

Cast Christina Ricci, Matt Nable, Damian Walshe-Howling, Madeleine Madden, Ursula Yovich, Trevor Jamieson, Daniel Henshall, Jack Thompson, Hunter Page-Lochard

Synopsis Around the Block is about breaking cycles and building dreams. Set in a contemporary, tough inner-city precinct, this is a story of love, revenge and triumph, as an unconventional American drama teacher encourages her students to confront their past and take control of their future.

CANOPY

Finer Films

Producer Katrina Fleming

Co-producers Mabelyn Ow, Aaron Wilson

Writer/Director Aaron Wilson

International Sales Odin's Eye Entertainment

Cast Khan Chittenden, Mo Tzu-Yi

Synopsis Wartime, 1942. Singapore. An Australian fighter pilot shot down in combat awakens suspended in the treetops. As night devours day, he must navigate through dangerous jungle in search of sanctuary. Transcending language and culture, Canopy is a cinematic tour de force exploring the collision of war and nature and its impact on humanity. Aaron Wilsons film marks the debut of an exciting new voice in Australian cinema.

Teri Calder T: 02 8113 5833; M: 0408 440 995

teri.calder@screenaustralia.gov.au

LINK:	http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2013/mr_130820_toron...
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