The 9th annual Toronto Black Film Festival (TBFF) is on now until February 10 – 21, 2021, returning for  an impactful 9th edition which amplifies more Black voices through a record number of 154 films from 25 countries and variousspecial events. #TBFF21 promises to inspire through a strong, diverse, and bold programming, available entirely ONLINE across Canada and around the world, which highlights important topics such as the Women’s Rights, Mental illness, US politics, Environment, Immigration, Music, Human Rights, Systemic Racism and Black Lives Matter. 

#TBFF21 will present 51 World Premieres, 27 International Premieres, 39 Canadian Premieres, 3 Ontario Premieres and 19 Toronto Premieres. TBFF21, Canada’s largest celebration of Black History Month through films and more, features films from around the globe, including Canada, USA, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Jamaica, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Venezuela amongst others. 

Part of TD’s 2021 Black History Month Series, the Festival opens on Wednesday, February 10 at 7pm EST with Youssef Delara’s FOSTER BOY, starring Louis Gossett Jr., Shane Paul McGhie, Matthew Modine and executive-produced by Shaquille O’Neal. Then, as of 10pm EST all the films will be accessible online. The Festival will close with Mia Donovan’s DOPE IS DEATH. The TBFF Black Market returns with insightful panel discussions, conferences, and masterclasses with leading members of the Canadian and international TV and film industries. The TBFF Kids Festival is getting a makeover this year with new and exciting activities for the whole family on Family Day (Feb. 15). Finally, Festivalgoers can cap off their day with the TBFF Live Performance Series. 

The #TBFF21 All Access Pass is available for only $69 and gives access to all films (Feature Films accessible in Canada only / Short Films Series accessible worldwide). Regular tickets are $8 for Feature Films and $12 for Short Film Series. All tickets and Passes can be purchased on the Festival’s website.   

TBFF PANELS, CONFERENCES, MASTERCLASSES!  

The TBFF Black Market is thrilled to present its lineup of FREE compelling Panel discussions & Masterclasses featuring some of today’s most powerful and influential Black voices addressing important social and industry topics that affect us all: 

  • BIPOC: Is the word BIPOC just another acronym to make Black, Indigenous and People of Color invisible? Co-presented by Directors Guild of Canada 
  • This Seat is Taken: The Absence of Black Leadership Roles in Performing Arts Institutions. Co-presented by ACTRA Toronto 
  • Black Wealth Matters: Encouraging Black entrepreneurship 
  • What Has Changed Since the BLM Movement? 
  • The Fashion “Oh So White” Industry”: Racism in the Fashion Industry 
  • Not Just Another “N-WORD”: In the context of the art of storytelling, should the N-Word be permitted?  
  • In Conversation with Wes Hall: Wes Hall’s Journey to success – MacLean’s 2021 Power List of Top 50 Most Powerful Canadians. Co-presented by Black North Initiative 
  • Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada: Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers – 20 emerging Filmmakers from the 2020 cohort talking about creating their first documentary shorts. 

Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA  

20 Canadian short films from the 2020 cohort! The FCF’s Being Black in Canada supported 20 Black Canadian Filmmakers, 18 to 30 years old, in Montreal, Toronto and Halifax in the creation of 20 short documentary films (8 to 10 minutes). The filmmakers received professional coaching for each stage of the audiovisual production process then made a short documentary film under the tutelage of industry professionals. A unique project that ensures inspiring emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

TBFF LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES 

The TBFF Live Performance Series showcases different genres of music, representing the Afrocentric community. In the past three years, we have been on location in various cafes and bars with these performances, but this year we go Virtual! Line-up includes Steele and Hardcore Reggae Band, Joanna Majoko, Eddie and Quincy Bullen, MelDubé and Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison.

TBFF KIDS FILM FEST 

TBFF Kids Film Fest is an Online fun-filled, Family Day celebration, taking place on Monday, February 15, 2021 from 11am to 3pm EST. Children ages 4-12 will get to enjoy a variety of activities from the comfort and safety of their homes. Yoga with Vonnette Forde of Higher Love Yoga; Arts ‘n’ Crafts with Craftopia DIY; Story Book Reading with Jeff Martin and Denise Lopes – sponsored by Notability Mobile Bookstore; Afro-Caribbean Dance with Keishia Facey of RiddimFit.  

Also introducing this year: the PUBLIC’S CHOICE AWARD!  

Every #TBFF21 All Access Pass and/or Ticket(s) holder will be given the opportunity to vote for their favourite films on the Festival’s online streaming platform in the following categories: Narrative Features, Feature Documentaries, Mid-Length Documentaries, Narrative Short Films, Documentary Short Films. Winners will be announced after the Festival.  

In Conversation with Taraji P. Henson Tribute

TBFF President and Founder Fabienne Colas discusses with Academy Award nominated actress Taraji P. Henson about her path towards Hollywood fame as a Black actress. The discussion will be available on the Festival film platform until the end of the event (available to All Access Pass Holders). Taraji P. Henson will receive the TBFF 2021 Career Achievement for her triumphs in TV and film while portraying strong powerful Black characters.

Clement Virgo Tribute

Clement Virgo will be featured on a podcast to be revealed during the Festival. One of Canada’s foremost film directors, Clement Virgo will be awarded the TBFF 2021 Career Achievement Award for his outstanding and critically acclaimed body of work. His TV directing credits include The Wire, Billions, American Crime, Empire, and Greenleaf, on which he served as Director and Executive Producer with Oprah Winfrey.

Jean Augustine Tribute

Hon. Jean Augustine will offer an insightful conversation during the Festival. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work and devotion in pursuit of social justice. To mark one of her most notable achievements, the legislation designating February as Black History Month in Canada 25 years ago, TBFF will present her with the TBFF 2021 Pioneer award.

In Conversation with Wes Hall + Tribute

On Tuesday, February 16, at 4pm ET as Part of the TBFF Black Market, Toronto Black Film Festival’s Founder and President, Fabienne Colas will interview Wes Hall about his journey to success and the important work he does as the chairman of Black North Initiative, for which he will be receiving the TBFF 2021 Social Impact Award.

The 9th annual Toronto Black Film Festival, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Global News – from February 10 to 21, 2021

Full Program, All Access Passes & Individual Tickets at TorontoBlackFilm.com 

Get Social #TBFF21: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

About the Toronto Black Film Festival

Founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the Toronto Black Film Festival is Canada’s largest celebration of Black History Month through Films and much more. TBFF is dedicated to celebrating the very best in cinematic work dealing with the experiences of Black people from a diversity of communities. Our mandate is to provide an opportunity for filmmakers from all ethnic backgrounds to shine the spotlight on authentic stories that reflect the realities of Black experiences. Along with its sister festivals, the Montreal International Black Film Festival and the Halifax Black Film Festival, TBFF showcases new voices in cinema and encourages audiences to see the world in new ways. In connecting black films with diverse audiences, we recognize the differences that make us unique while celebrating the shared values that bring us together.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.