Each year, TIFF Rising Stars showcases new Canadian and international acting talent during the Toronto International Film Festival, placing the emphasis on the next generation poised for international success.
The Canadian and international actors who are selected for the program are immersed in a series of public events and private industry meetings during the Festival. They undertake professional development with international casting directors, filmmakers, producers, and industry executives, and also have front-row access at some of the biggest red-carpet events at the Festival. TIFF Rising Stars alumni include Stephan James, Tatiana Maslany, and Sarah Gadon.
What’s included:
- Four-day intensive program September 6–9
- Mentorship from TIFF’s programming team and expert guests
- National and international media exposure
- Complimentary guest accreditation at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival
- Complimentary access to TIFF’s Industry Conference, Business Centre, and Delegate Resources
- A social mixer dedicated to celebrating the TIFF Rising Stars programme
Eligibility
Canadian actors need to apply. International participants will be chosen based on films in Official Selection at TIFF.
Canadian Applicants
The TIFF Rising Stars programme is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are 20–40 years old.
- Applicants must have a minimum of three screen credits in a principal role (short films, feature films, or scripted broadcast TV shows).
- At least one of these screen credits must be for a feature film.
- Priority will be given to candidates who have a principal role in a feature film submitted to the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.
Key Dates
Applications open
April 8
Applications close
June 21
Participants notified of selection
July 19
Submission Guidelines
Materials
Applicants must provide the following materials in support of their application:
- Copy of filmography in pdf format (max. one page)
- 1 high-res headshot file in colour (format: jpg; min. resolution: 300dpi)
- 1 high-res still from a film in which the applicant has starred (format: jpg; min. resolution: 300dpi)
- 2 clips from films in which the applicant has a principal role (max. length of each clip: 3 minutes).
- 1 video self-interview; max. length: 3 minutes (see below for more information).
Clip and Video Submission Protocol
All clips and the video self-interview must be submitted electronically as a Vimeo link through the TIFF Rising Stars application form. NOTE: one of the film clips should be from the film that has been submitted to the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival (if applicable); the other clip can be from a previous feature/short film or TV show, in which the applicant had a principal role. Please read the following before you submit the link to your clips:
- The film clips and self-interview must each be shorter than three minutes.
- The film clips and self-interview must be edited together into one file and uploaded to Vimeo. Please put the film clip(s) first, followed by the self-interview.
- The Vimeo link to the file needs to be valid and active until September 13, 2019.
- Please ensure that all of the clips are in high resolution. The Jury will review the clips on a large screen.
- Please ensure that the file is downloadable from Vimeo.
- If the language spoken in the film(s) is not English, please ensure that the clip includes English subtitles.
- If you would like to password-protect your clip, please use the password: TRS2019.
- Demo reels, trailers, and music videos will not be accepted.
- Submissions of full-length films with time-codes will not be considered by the Jury.
IMPORTANT: TIFF takes the applicant's confidentiality seriously and the Vimeo links will not be shared with any third parties. Access to TIFF Rising Stars clips and applications is limited to the TIFF Rising Stars programming team and Jury members. While in TIFF’s possession, all clips are securely stored. No duplication of the clips is permitted.
Video Self-Interview
Applicants will need to answer three questions in a video self-interview. Maximum length of the entire video should be no longer than three minutes.
- What do you hope to get out of TIFF Rising Stars?
- What kind of roles would you like to play? Please explain.
- Name three directors or showrunners with whom you’d like to work. Tell us why.
Questions?
Contact us at 1-888-599-8433 ext 2407 or email us at
industry@tiff.net.
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