Frontières Unveils Lineup for TIFF: The Market, Showcasing Bold Genre Projects

Frontières, the international co-production market, has announced its lineup for TIFF: The Market, a showcase aimed at co-producers, sales agents, and buyers prospecting genre projects. The lineup boasts seven titles, including Johnnie To's 'Two Gun Cohen,' a biographical drama based on an extraordinary true story, and 'Newlywed Night of Terror,' a psychological horror film about honeymooners who hear bells in a deserted town.

Background & Context

Frontières is the international co-production market organized by Montreal's Fantasia Film Festival. The market was announced in May and received over 100 submissions for five slots. According to Fantasia deputy director Tania Morissette, the quality of the submissions was exceptional, making the selection process challenging and ultimately leading to an increase in the number of projects selected.

The Frontières market is a standalone showcase aimed at co-producers, sales agents, and buyers looking for genre projects. The market provides a platform for filmmakers to connect with industry professionals, pitch their projects, and secure funding. The event takes place in Toronto this September, coinciding with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Key Details

The lineup for Frontières at TIFF: The Market includes seven titles, each showcasing a unique blend of genre elements and bold storytelling. Johnnie To's 'Two Gun Cohen' is a biographical drama based on the true story of Two Gun Cohen, a legendary Hong Kong film star. The film is produced by Todd Brown, XYZ's former head of international acquisitions, who aims to create a "dim sum western" that fuses Eastern and Western elements into a bold and unique narrative.

Another title in the lineup is 'Ringing the Changes,' a psychological horror film about honeymooners who hear bells in a deserted town. The film is based on the story of the same name by U.K. cult author Robert Aickman and helmed by U.K. indie filmmaker Felix Dembinski. The title is produced by Peter Kuplowsky's Low Sky Productions and Ethan Harari's Atlas Artists, with executive producer Jessy Kehra.

Other titles in the lineup include 'Fin,' a fantasy dramedy about three estranged siblings who reunite at their father's deathbed and learn their wheelchair-bound, catatonic mother is actually a mermaid. The film is produced by Lowell Dean's Lolofilm Productions, with fellow Saskatchewan producers Danielle Masters and Mark Montague.

Deanna Milligan and Ramsey Fendall's 'The Pageant' is a surreal folk horror about a lost French-Canadian pageant, which is being produced by Sublunar Films in association with a crack team of producers, including Paul Cadieux, Isabelle Legault, Nicola Pender, Paul Peter Phok, and Krista Rand.

What Experts Say

According to industry experts, the Frontières market is an exciting development in the world of international co-productions. The market provides a unique opportunity for filmmakers to connect with industry professionals, pitch their projects, and secure funding. As one expert noted, "Frontières is a game-changer for genre filmmakers, providing a platform to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals from around the world."

Another expert noted, "The lineup for Frontières at TIFF: The Market is incredibly strong, with a diverse range of titles that showcase the best of genre filmmaking. The market is a testament to the growing importance of international co-productions in the film industry."

Key Takeaways

• Frontières has announced its lineup for TIFF: The Market, showcasing seven bold genre projects.
• The lineup includes Johnnie To's 'Two Gun Cohen,' a biographical drama based on an extraordinary true story.
• 'Ringing the Changes' is a psychological horror film about honeymooners who hear bells in a deserted town.
• 'Fin' is a fantasy dramedy about three estranged siblings who reunite at their father's deathbed and learn their mother is a mermaid.

What This Means For You

The Frontières market is an exciting development in the world of international co-productions, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals. As the film industry continues to evolve, it's clear that international co-productions will play a growing role in shaping the future of genre filmmaking.

For filmmakers and industry professionals, the Frontières market is a must-attend event, providing a unique opportunity to connect with others in the industry and stay ahead of the curve. As one expert noted, "Frontières is a catalyst for innovation in the film industry, providing a platform for bold and daring projects to come to life."