Though still several months away, this year's
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is already generating buzz as organizers continue to drop hints about what we can expect in 2012 (see
Yonge Street's
In the News
item on TIFF's 2012 city-to-city showcase). In addition to the exciting preliminary schedules, organizers have recently confirmed the return of the
Producers Lab Toronto, a networking program that brings 12 talented Canadian film producers together with 12 of their European counterparts for a series of networking events throughout the festival.
The Producers Lab Toronto, launched for the first time three years ago, is the result of a collaboration between TIFF,
European Film Promotion (EFP) and the
Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC). All three organizational partners have reaffirmed their commitment to the project for 2012. Another vote of confidence comes from the MEDIA Mundus program of the European Union, which has confirmed financial backing for the third year running. By bringing together the most innovative producers from both sides of the Atlantic, the Producers Lab provides Canadian talent with the opportunity not only to learn from their European counterparts, but also to collaborate and co-produce projects.
"Packed into the heart of the Toronto International Film Festival, the [Producer Lab] venues and events provided an atmosphere that inspired and motivated the participants in a spirit of international cooperation," said Michael Dobbin in the announcement. The director of Quiet Revolution Pictures, Dobbin participated in 2011."We walked away with new insights, new relationships... and a co-production deal."
Writer: Katia Snukal
Source: Toronto International Film Festival