TIFFG’s mission is to transform the way people see the world using the power of film. The group hopes to share their love of Canadian film with the people of India and Nepal and to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the art of moving image with the local audience filmmakers and policy makers.
The India leg of the project is supported by the Federal Government of Canada though the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Provincial Government of Ontario and by POA Educational Foundation for the Nepal segment.
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL GROUP
TIFFG is an essential, national and international charitable, cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world. Our vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. This year the Toronto International Film Festival Group celebrated its 31st anniversary and is honoured to be recognized as one of the pre-eminent film institutions in the world.
The Group’s initiatives include Canada’s Top Ten, Cinematheque Ontario, Film Circuit, The Film Reference Library, Reel Talk, Industry Programming and Services, Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children, and the Toronto International Film Festival. Each initiative is a trailblazer in its own right and collectively make the Toronto International Film Festival Group one of the most important film institutions in the world. Canadian Charitable Registration number: 11930 4541 RR0001
FILM CIRCUIT
Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group, facilitates the screenings of Canadian and international independent films in communities across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and the Yukon. The mandate of Film Circuit is to provide filmgoers in under-served communities access to Canadian and international films that would otherwise screen only in larger urban centres. Film Circuit responds to an increasing demand for independent and international cinema and develops audiences for Canadian films. Film Circuit is the recipient of the Peter F. Drucker Award for Canadian Nonprofit Innovation presented by the Peter F. Drucker Canadian Foundation. Visit the Official website at www.filmcircuit.ca.
EXPANSION AND GROWTH
Conceived in 1992 by Cam Haynes, Film Circuit Director, the Circuit joined the Festival Group in 1995 with 16 groups. The Circuit has since blossomed into an alternative exhibition/distribution model which currently services 186 communities across Canada. By the end of 2005, 350,000 filmgoers attended Circuit screenings across Canada, capturing the imagination of audiences, cultural groups and the film industry across the country. The annual box office has risen from $132,000 in 1995 to over 2.2 million in 2005. In the past 10 years, Film Circuit has screened more than 500 Canadian films. To date, more than 1.2 million filmgoers across Canada have attended Circuit screenings.
CANADIAN FILMS ON THE CIRCUIT
Since 1995, Film Circuit has screened over 900 films; in 2005, the Circuit booked some 3000 screenings. Canadian productions have consistently ranked among the highest grossing. In fact, while Canadian productions account for fewer than two per cent of the national average of films shown on domestic screens, they account for, on average, 27 per cent of Film Circuit screenings. In 2005 acclaimed Canadian films such as Rubba Nada’s SABAH; Deepa Mehta’s WATER; Michael McGowan’s SAINT RALPH and Jean-Marc Vallée‘s C.R.A.Z.Y. led the Circuit’s box office.
SUPPORTING CANADIAN PRODUCTION INDUSTRY
In addition to current films, Film Circuit also re-releases classic Canadian films through its Canadian Open Vault programme. In 1998, the Circuit re-released Claude Jutra’s classic MON ONCLE ANTOINE, which screened in 22 cities across Canada. Other re-releases to date include Don Shebib’s acclaimed GOIN’ DOWN THE ROAD; BUSH PILOT, considered Canada’s first feature film; the restored version of Gratien Gélinas and René Delacroix’s TIT-COQ; Philip Borsos’ THE GREY FOX, winner of seven Genie Awards; Gilles Carle’s seminal film LA VRAIE NATURE DE BERNADETTE; Ted Kotcheff’s classic THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ; Gordon Pinsent’s THE ROWDYMAN; and Michel Brault’s classic ENTRE LA MER ET L’EAU DOUCE.
FILM CIRCUIT FACT SHEET
1,200,000 Number of attendees across Canada as of January 2006 350,000 Total Attendance in 2005 (23,781 in 1995) 186 Number of Current Film Circuit locations (16 in 1995) 3,000 Number of Screenings in 2005 (294 in 1995) 27% Percentage of Circuit Box Office garnered by Canadian films on average
POA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
The POA Educational Foundation is a charitable Canadian Private Foundation that works to promote education, nurture entrepreneurship and improve governance. The POA Educational Foundation was established in 2002 as a registered Canadian Private Foundation with charitable status by a successful Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Aditya Jha.