August 8, 2018
The following is a press release from the Toronto International Film Festival:
The Toronto International Film Festival ® unveiled today the 12 feature films that comprise the Platform lineup for 2018, marking a year rich in distinct voices and assured directorial efforts that address difficult subject matters unflinchingly. Ranging from period pieces to police dramas, and even incorporating elements of sci-fi, the films in this year’s lineup also stand out for the variety of genres they explore and the number of complex contemporary anxieties they consider.
“This year’s Platform selection stands out for the assured and precise directing on display,” said TIFF Director & CEO Piers Handling. “We are thrilled to present a slate that perfectly embodies the essence of the programme with so many risk-taking, challenging, and, at times, formally inventive titles that are the result of audacious directors making bold choices.”
The programme’s lineup for 2018 includes four features (30%) directed or co-directed by women, and seven titles that feature strong women in leading roles. Hailing from the Americas, Europe, and Asia, all but two of the titles will be making their World Premiere at the Festival. Caroline Poggi & Jonathan Vinel’s “Jessica Forever” is the standout feature directorial debut in the programme.
Now in its fourth year, Platform is the Toronto International Film Festival’s juried programme that champions risk-taking, with a lineup of up to 12 works with high artistic merit and a bold directorial vision. A three-person jury selects the winner of the Toronto Platform Prize, an award of $25,000 CAD made possible by Air France, which will be presented to the best film in the lineup at the Awards Ceremony on the last day of the Festival.
Previous titles that have screened as part of the programme include Armando Iannucci’s “The Death of Stalin” (2017), Warwick Thornton’s “Sweet Country” (2017), Pablo Larraín’s “Jackie” (2016), Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” (2016), and Eva Husson’s “Bang Gang” (2015).
The Platform programme is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Air France.
Films screening as part of the Platform programme include:
“Angelo”
Markus Schleinzer | Austria/Luxembourg
World Premiere
“Cities of Last Things”
Ho Wi Ding | Taiwan/China/USA/France
World Premiere
“Destroyer”
Karyn Kusama | USA
International Premiere
Platform Opening Film
“Donnybrook”
Tim Sutton | USA
World Premiere
“The Good Girls ( Las niñas bien)”
Alejandra Márquez Abella | Mexico
World Premiere
“Her Smell”
Alex Ross Perry | USA
World Premiere
“The Innocent”
Simon Jaquemet | Switzerland/Germany
World Premiere
Platform Closing Film
“Jessica Forever”
Caroline Poggi, Jonathan Vinel | France
World Premiere
“Mademoiselle de Joncquières”
Emmanuel Mouret | France
World Premiere
“Out of Blue”
Carol Morley | UK
World Premiere
“The River”
Emir Baigazin | Kazakhstan/Poland/Norway
North American Premiere
“Rojo”
Benjamín Naishtat | Argentina/Brazil/France/Netherlands/Germany
World Premiere
For film synopses, cast lists, images and more information see tiff.net/platform Festival ticket packages start at $105. Purchase packages online at tiff.net/tickets, by phone (416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433), or in person at TIFF Bell Lightbox until August 13 while quantities last. TIFF prefers Visa. Social Media: @TIFF_NET #TIFF18 Facebook.com/TIFF
About TIFF
TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $189 million CAD.
TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.
The Toronto International Film Festival is supported by Lead Sponsor Bell, Major Sponsors, RBC, L’Oréal Paris, and Visa, and Major Supporters the Government of Ontario, Telefilm Canada, and the City of Toronto.
The Platform programme is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Air France.