Canada’s Black Filmmakers Ride Wave of Storytelling Momentum at Toronto Festival
variety.comJennie Punter As Toronto director Clement Virgo and the cast of “Brother” took the stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre on the night of Sept.
9 to soak in the hometown standing ovation after film’s world premiere, a delegation of Black producers from across Canada was settling in for a week of networking ops curated by the Black Screen Office (BSO).
This year has seen Black-led CBC and BET+ historical drama series “The Porter” (recently renewed for Season two) connect with audiences and critical kudos beyond Canada; Black talent empowerment and training organizations extend their reach; and the BSO forge platforms and alliances to strengthen and amplify its advocacy, research and funding development work.
This is not simply a moment, say the Toronto filmmakers, it’s accelerated momentum. “When I first started out, making a film about the Black experience in Canada was fairly new, but over the last 25 years that has changed,” Virgo says. “We don’t take for granted who’s telling the story anymore.” Beginning with “Rude” (1995), Virgo’s features have all screened at Toronto.
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