The Toronto Food Film Fest has released its full lineup of screenings and talks for its third annual event, taking place October 1-4, 2021.

Hosted at Spadina Museum’s Historic House & Gardens, the in-person portion of the festival will include a selection of movies, food, and talks. An exclusive screening of Peace by Chocolate by Jonathan Keijser (Canada / Syria) will be shown on Friday, October 1st paired with food from Syrian Sisters (Newcomer Kitchen). Saturday will showcase a screening of the highly acclaimed Come Back Anytime by John Daschbach and Wataru Yamamoto paired with ramen from Crafty Ramen as well as a Gyoza-making demonstration. Saturday’s additional screening was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Japan Foundation.

Sunday, October 3rd will be dedicated to Talks in the Orchard, informal talks where expert panelists and the audience can discuss key issues about food and film in the Orchard section of the gardens. The food-focused panel Everyone’s at the Table – Fighting Food Insecurity in the GTA and Canada will include a panel of experts including two-time TEDx speaker and activist, Joshna Maharaj. 

Chef Bashir Munye will be demonstrating how to never waste food with his demo: From Scraps to the Table: A New Way of Looking at Food. It will be followed by Appropriation or Appreciation? Honouring Where Our Food Comes From, moderated by Chef and TV host Bianca Osbourne including Shawn Adler (Chef at Pow Wow Café) amongst others.  

Film panels such as That’s a Wrap on Waste – The Importance of Eco-conscious Filmmaking will discuss ways to help create a more eco-friendly industry that promotes sustainable food practices, and will include leading expert on waste Shane Harker from Rethink Resources. Increased Visibility – Casting More Meaningful BIPOC Roles will examine how BIPOC actors and characters can be placed front and centre in film and what it means to write with BIPOC characters in mind. Speakers include Casting Director Ron Leach. 

Quell will be hosting a dinner at 6:00 p.m. October 4, 2021, at Ahma, an exciting new location on Queen Street for an evening of immersive discussion and  sharing stories along with a full sensory food and drink experience born from Chinese home kitchens passed down through generations into most Canadian households. The dinner will be a curated experience from Chef Eva Chin and beverage expert Evelyn Chick. Industry day will also host other virtual talk on food identity. 

General admission passes are sold at $60.00 and include one seat to the in-person screenings and talks as well as an all-access pass to the virtual platform. VIP passes are sold for $150.00 and include guaranteed seating for two at all in-person events, full access to the online platform and all movies, 20% discount on workshops and special events, and a snack box with local Toronto goodies, curated by Phancy Bodega. A selection of À La Carte tickets are now also available. 

Tickets and More Information on the website.

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.