TIFF Hot List: Sydney Sweeney, Mads Mikkelsen and Pamela Anderson Films to Tempt Buyers in Toronto

As a seasoned film critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the lineup at this year’s festival is nothing short of spectacular! Dafne Keen and Samantha Lorraine are set to captivate audiences in the survival horror thriller, “Buzz,” which has me intrigued after their standout performances.

A year ago at this time, pickets were taking place outside studio entrances, with Hollywood’s dual strikes not yet resolved, two months away from a conclusion. Among the major film festivals, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was affected most significantly by the labor action, as empty red carpets transformed highly anticipated premieres into anticlimactic events. As we approach TIFF this year, Hollywood faces less ambiguity (excluding mergers and cost-cutting), and the release schedules show fewer gaps due to productions that were halted by the labor action have resumed have started again,benefitting favorable for dealmakers attendingTIFFestival. With strike-disruptedproductionsotions, thereleasecalendswithis, making thisyear’s schedulemoreholes,whichshouldbegoodnewsfordealers.Thisyear’sholdbeenefestivalsallbe goodnewsaverifiede

Kent Sanderson from Bleecker Street’s Kent Sanderson expresses that he believes things are likely to progress at a faster pace compared to what we’ve seen in film festival markets post-COVID-19, as festivals have slowed down the film festival market markets for movies since COVID. However, if there’s anything that might potentially slow down the speed of film sales, it would be the large number of films available

Movies similar to Sundance hit “Thelma” have boosted faith in the North American independent cinema market, with many predicting that Neon’s film “Longlegs” will be this year’s shining example of a successful indie triumph in terms of outstanding achievement in terms of indie success

As a gamer, I’ve always found Toronto to be a bustling hub for business deals, especially in the cinematic world. Last year alone, significant agreements were struck for the (unsuccessful) reboot of The Crow and Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, right around the time of TIFF. Unlike festivals like Cannes or Berlin, Toronto doesn’t have an official market where transactions can take place. Instead, film buyers and sellers would mingle and conduct business informally, either during festival activities or in hotel rooms, rather than in a single central location

The upcoming market, TIFF’s new venture, is set to debut in 2026, backed by a $23 million investment from the Canadian government over the following three years. This market will be used to measure the resilience and growth potential of the market post-crisis during the coming years. Not everyone in the industry is optimistic about this venture

“Susan Wendt, managing director of TrustNordisk, notes that from their point of view, Toronto is coming up too quickly following Cannes, leaving insufficient time to gather enough fresh projects for potential buyers. With fewer European buyers planning to attend, and Asian buyers typically not attending in large numbers, it seems the primary focus will shift towards American and Canadian buyers.”

To date, the proposed titles seem appealing, yet the true measure lies in the value of the contracts sealed for completed movies and packages. Here are several titles expected to garner significant interest from the market

Back to Reality (working title)

Director Anders Thomas Jensen

Stars Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas

Anders Thomas Jensen, a Danish director, brings together once more the cast of his 2020 action comedy hit, “Riders of Justice”. This time, it’s a blend of drama, crime, and comedy as Mads Mikkelsen portrays a bank robber in need of assistance from his traumatized sibling (played by Nikolaj Lie Kaas). To access his brother’s repressed memories, they must journey back to their childhood home and delve into the past, both literally and figuratively.>

Sales TrustNordisk

Eden

Director Ron Howard

Stars Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, Sydney Sweeney

Despite some recent films of Howard’s receiving negative reviews from critics (such as Hillbilly Elegy), he remains a highly sought-after director in Hollywood, particularly when collaborating with a multi-generational group of A-list stars like Law and Sweeney. Daniel Brühl and Ana de Armas are also part of this period thriller that brings together diverse personalities amidst the rugged wilderness of the Galapagos Islands.>

Sales CAA, AGC

The Deb

Director Rebel Wilson

Stars Rebel Wilson, Shane Jacobson, Tara Morice

Introducing The directorial venture by the star of Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids is an Australian musical comedy that unfolds in a quaint outback town, seemingly brimming with the vitality to become a success similar to Muriel’s Wedding or Strictly Ballroom – potential indie sensations

SALES WME

Friendship

Director Andrew DeYoung

Stars Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara

Viewers will find the same type of awkward humor that made Robinson’s widely acclaimed Netflix comedy series I Think You Should Leave famous, in this movie where a man living in the suburbs develops an unusual fascination with befriending his neighbor, portrayed by Rudd

Sales UTA, WME

Father Mother Sister Brother

Director Jim Jarmusch

Stars Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Tom Waits, Charlotte Rampling

Due to the continuing popularity of the succinct director among art house audiences and an impressive ensemble cast, it’s expected that there will be high demand for Jarmusch’s latest film since his last one in 2019, “The Dead Don’t Die”. The story revolves around the dynamics between adult children and their somewhat estranged parents

Sales The Match Factory

The Last Showgirl

Director Gia Coppola

Stars Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista

Buzz Anderson appears primed for a return to the screen, and this dramatic part, supported by the Coppola lineage, could be just the right opportunity. She plays a seasoned Las Vegas showgirl whose life is suddenly tossed into turmoil as her workplace, one of the city’s last traditional floor shows, declares its shutdown

Sales CAA, Goodfellas, Utopia

The Life of Chuck

Director Mike Flanagan

Stars Tom Hiddelston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan

Surprisingly, The title of this Stephen King adaptation from the mind behind Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass doesn’t match what audiences might anticipate. Instead, it has a stronger resemblance to Shawshank than to The Shining. However, with the high-profile individuals working on it behind and in front of the camera, it should certainly attract potential buyers

Sales WME, FilmNation

The Mountain

Director Rachel House

Stars Elizabeth Atkinson, Terrence Daniel, Reuben Francis

Under the guidance of Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal, known for their works like “Jojo Rabbit” and “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” this New Zealand-based adventure comedy about a trio embarking on a spiritual journey has been a box office success in its homeland. It’s expected to captivate both TIFF buyers and festival audiences alike

Sales Upgrade Production

Night Comes

Director Jay Hernandez

Stars Dafne Keen, Samantha Lorraine

Following her memorable appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine’s movie, Logan, rising star Keen grabs the spotlight in this chilling survival horror thriller, sharing the screen with Lorraine from Netflix’s You are So Not Invited to My BatMitzvah. In the film, they portray sisters who manage to survive a massive disaster, but soon discover that their task is far greater than just staying alive – they must complete a mission to prevent humanity from being wiped out. Making his directorial debut, Suicide Squad actor Hernandez takes charge of this project

Sales The Exchange

Nutcrackers

Director David Gordon Green

Stars Ben Stiller, Linda Cardellini

The comeback of actor Buzz Stiller to the acting scene kicks off the festival, where he plays a real estate developer who inherits his late sister’s farm in rural Ohio and takes care of her four boys. After a series of horror films, director Gordon Green is helming a project that he describes as an homage to “The Bad News Bears”, which aligns with the current demand for family-friendly comedy content from streaming platforms

Sales UTA

On Swift Horses

Director Daniel Minahan

Stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter

A dynamic young ensemble, featuring actors such as Edgar-Jones from “Normal People,” Poulter from “Midsommar,” and Elordi from “Euphoria” could significantly boost the appeal of this period drama, which is set in the American West during the 1950s and shares themes with both “Revolutionary Road” and “Brokeback Mountain.”

Sales UTA

Sharp Corner

Director Jason Buxton

Stars Ben Foster, Cobie Smulders, Gavin Drea

In this gripping psychological thriller, Foster, starring in “Buzz: Hell or High Water” and “Leave No Trace”, portrays a devoted family man who develops an unyielding fixation on rescuing victims of car accidents. This suspenseful tale, with its universal appeal, is certain to captivate fans of the genre, both domestically and internationally

Sales Neon International, Range Media Partners

Shell

Director Max Minghella

Stars Elisabeth Moss, Kate Hudson, Kaia Gerber

Director Buzz Minghella pays tribute to ’80s and ’90s slasher movies in his film, where his Handmaid’s Tale co-star, Elizabeth Moss, plays a gifted actress struggling in her career. She decides to try a questionable anti-aging treatment offered by a shady beauty company CEO. With genre films doing well at the specialty box office, there’s a demand for quality horror. Shell could be just what distributors are looking for as a high-end horror film

Sales WME, CAA

This story first appeared in the Sept. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

2024-09-04 23:57