Canadian ‘Youngblood' remake, Charli XCX drama added to TIFF's international lineup
The reimagined drama is co-written by late Toronto filmmaker Charles Officer, and it's among the 55 titles in TIFF's Centerpiece program.
The 2025 version of 'Youngblood' revisits the 1986 cult classic that starred Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze and a young Keanu Reeves, this time following an African American hockey prodigy played by Ashton James.
Officer, who was originally set to direct the film before he died in December 2023, left his imprint on the script.
Oscar-nominated Canadian filmmaker Hubert Davis, who helmed the 2022 hockey documentary 'Black Ice,' has since taken the reins.
Among other world premieres are Richard Linklater's Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley-led dramedy 'Blue Moon' and Polish indie film 'Erupcja,' which stars 'Brat' singer Charli XCX as a British tourist in a combustible relationship with a florist.
'Left-Handed Girl,' helmed by Shih-Ching Tsou and co-written by 'Anora' director 'Sean Baker,' will make its North American bow.
Also making its first appearance on the continent is 'Space Cadet,' an animated sci-fi feature and the directorial debut of Canadian DJ Kid Koala.
Weekly
A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene.
TIFF runs from Sept. 4 to 14 and will open with 'John Candy: I Like Me,' a documentary on the late Canadian comic.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
Vancouver's Ruby Slippers Production Society takes centre stage with new federal funding
Parliamentary Secretary Taleeb Noormohamed announces support for an initiative empowering diverse voices in Canadian theatre VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's arts and culture sector weaves the rich tapestry of our nation's diversity, nurturing spaces where varied voices, stories, creative processes and leadership have the chance to grow, develop and prosper. Today, Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Granville), announced an investment of $95,000 in the Ruby Slippers Production Society. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. Funding is provided through the Projects component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program, as part of the Anti-Racism Call for Proposals. It will support the Ruby Slippers Production Society's Advance Theatre Pipeline Development Process. This year-long initiative is designed to provide leadership and creative development opportunities to equity-deserving theatre artists. Through mentorship, workshops, professional networking and an Artist-in-Residency program, the project will help racialized and underrepresented artists deepen their experience in areas such as writing, directing, production and curation. The project will also include the Advance Theatre Festival and Advance Theatre Cultural Development program, offering script development, staged readings and community engagement opportunities. The initiative will culminate in a premiere professional production of new work by participating artists. By introducing inclusive workplace practices that are developed by and for equity-deserving artists, the Pipeline will support individual career growth and contribute to a stronger, more representative Canadian theatre ecosystem. Quotes "The Ruby Slippers Production Society has long championed diverse voices and redefined what leadership in theatre can look like. It brings its vision to life by spotlighting the voices and perspectives of equity-deserving, underrepresented artists, helping them not only envision a future in theatre but also reflect the richness of Canada's identity and the vital role culture plays in shaping a sovereign and united country. With this funding, our government is helping more artists, creators and makers find their place and their power on Canada's cultural stage." —The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "The Government of Canada's support for the Ruby Slippers Production Society ensures an ongoing legacy of inspiring artists to follow their own creative yellow brick road toward expression and opportunity. Through the Advance Theatre Pipeline, emerging equity-deserving creators will gain access to the mentorship, tools and platforms they need to flourish from script to stage. This transformative project will help foster the next generation of leaders and changemakers, opening doors across the sector and empowering new voices to shine across communities." —Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Member of Parliament (Vancouver Granville) "By producing and creating works by female identifying and gender non-conforming artists who also identify as Indigenous, Black or Persons of Colour, Ruby Slippers Theatre helps create a vibrant theatre culture that reflects the rich diversity of our great Canadian stage. By lifting up equity-deserving voices in this way, we are celebrating resilience and transformation in the spirit of allyship, empowerment and collective liberation from our colonial past. We express our deep thanks to the Department of Canadian Heritage for supporting the work of Ruby Slippers Theatre." —Diane Brown, Artistic and Producing Director, Ruby Slippers Production Society Quick Facts The Ruby Slippers Production Society is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization that supports, develops and showcases underrepresented voices in Canadian theatre. Founded by a collective of female-identifying artists, the Society has produced more than 80 theatre projects since 1994 and is known for amplifying diverse, equity deserving artists. Through its work, the Society advances inclusive theatre practice and fosters deeper cultural understanding by illuminating underrepresented perspectives. The objective of the Projects component of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program is to provide funding to community-based initiatives that address systemic racism, discrimination, or hate by effecting sustainable change to promote the value of diversity, and foster inclusion and a sense of belonging in Canada. The Anti-Racism Call for Proposals funds initiatives to address systemic racism and discrimination in Canada. Its objective is to enhance access to and inclusivity within Canada's arts, culture and heritage organizations and institutions, and creative industries by addressing systemic racism and discrimination in workplaces faced by Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, and other racialized and religious minority communities, while considering intersectionality. SOURCE Canadian Heritage
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hadfield to touch down with new novel in November
Beloved Canadian astronaut and bestselling author Chris Hadfield will touch down in Winnipeg in November to discuss his new novel. Hadfield's thriller Final Orbit will be published on Oct. 7 by Random House of Canada, and tells the story of the role of the 1970s Chinese space program in the space race between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. The Winnipeg launch of Final Orbit will take place in the Muriel Richardson Auditorium at WAG-Qaumajuq (330 Memorial Blvd.) on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., and will be hosted by Free Press editor Paul Samyn. Hadfield is the author of two previous novels, The Defector and The Apollo Murders, as well as the memoir An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, the photo book You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes as well as the children's book The Darkest Dark. Tickets for the event are $35 plus fees and include a signed copy of Final Orbit; they can be purchased online.
Toronto Sun
6 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Toronto film festival's TV lineup adds Jude Law, Ethan Hawke, Toni Collette shows
Published Aug 07, 2025 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 1 minute read A volunteer takes a photo of a movie lover in front of a festival sign at the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo by Chris Pizzello / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Big-screen heavyweights are all over the small-screen lineup at the Toronto International Film Festival, which will preview new shows from Jude Law, Jason Bateman, Toni Collette, Ethan Hawke and Mae Martin. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Festival organizers say its Primetime slate will open with Hulu's 'The Lowdown' from 'Reservation Dogs' co-creator, writer and director Sterlin Harjo. It stars Hawke as a Tulsa citizen journalist obsessed with exposing corruption. Meanwhile, Netflix hits the fest with two limited series: 'Black Rabbit,' starring Law and Bateman as brothers who run a Manhattan restaurant and VIP lounge; and the Canadian drama 'Wayward,' about a school for troubled teens starring Martin and Collette, Ryan Scott and Sarah Gadon. The lineup hints at the star wattage bound TIFF's 50th edition Sept. 4 to 14, since organizers say all Primetime screenings will include an extended Q+A with creators and cast. TIFF also announced 48 films in its Short Cuts program, and introduced a new award for best animated short, joining the fest's two prizes for international and Canadian shorts. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The 48 shorts include the world premieres of 'Dust to Dreams' directed by actor Idris Elba and starring singer Seal; and 'The Contestant,' starring David Hasselhoff, from duo Patrick Xavier Bresnan and Ivete Lucas. North American premieres include Joecar Hanna's 'Talk Me,' executive produced by Spike Lee, and 'The Non-Actor' starring Maya Hawke and Victoria Pedretti. The 20 Canadian titles include 'The Girl Who Cried Pearls' from Oscar-nominated animators Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski and the satire 'Bots' from 'Scarborough' directors Rich Williamson and Shasha Nakhai. Kelly Fyffe-Marshall of the TIFF '22 feature 'When Morning Comes' joins the shorts lineup with 'Demons' while Chelsea McMullan of the TIFF '23 ballet doc 'Swan Song' returns with 'Healer.' Columnists Celebrity Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons
