OCAD University on the Red Carpet at TIFF

Toronto, Canada, Sept. 4, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the second consecutive year, OCAD University is actively participating in the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), presenting an exclusive virtual reality (VR) exhibition and animated films and videos produced by OCAD U students.

From September 7-10, OCAD U, in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Toronto and with the support of the Institut français, will present a VR exhibition of groundbreaking works from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

On September 8, the Consulate General of France in Toronto, in collaboration with OCAD U, the Directors Guild of Canada and Unifrance, is organizing a master class for film industry professionals led by award-winning directors Julie Delpy and Louise Archambault.

Once again, content creators from OCAD U LiVE, the university’s 24/7 streaming channel, will be on the red carpet to interview artists and filmmakers and participate in a street festival.

“Our ongoing partnership with TIFF and the Consulate General of France in Toronto exemplifies our role as a key cultural hub in Toronto and Canada,” explains OCAD U President and Vice Chancellor Ana Serrano. “Developing our relationships with organizations across sectors allows us to create opportunities for our students to build their skills and networks. Such networks also include developing international connections. This year, we are hosting a reception for TIFF’s Filipino delegation, including filmmakers and industry professionals who exhibit at TIFF.”

SCHEDULE: OCAD U EVENTS AT TIFF

• From September 5 to 8:OCAD U LiVE will have a tent at TIFF’s street festival on King St. where people can meet emerging filmmakers and videographers and see work from the university’s Experimental Animation and Integrated Media programs.
• Throughout TIFF: Live on the red carpet:OCAD U LiVE is on the red carpet, conducting interviews with artists and filmmakers. These interviews will be broadcast on the OCAD U LiVE channel and OCAD U Instagram throughout the festival.
• September 8: The Consulate General of France in Toronto in collaboration with the Directors Guild of Canada, Unifrance and OCAD University is organizing a master class for film professionals with the participation of two renowned and award-winning directors: Julie Delpy from France (selected for TIFF24 for her film Barbariansgale) and Louise Archambault from Canada (multiple winner of prestigious Canadian film awards and representative of Canada at the Oscars and Golden Globes in 2014). This event will be an opportunity for both women to discuss their experiences as directors, screenwriters and producers.
• From September 7 to 10: Dream Machines: The Augmented Future of Moving Images and Immersive Storytellingexclusive virtual reality (VR) event, will be held on the OCAD U campus at 100 McCaul St.
• • People can book a time slot to see groundbreaking works from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, produced by French studio Atlas V and other leading international VR studios. The event is a partnership with the Consulate General of France in Toronto, with support from the French Institute.

• • Each film uses cutting-edge technology such as game engines, volumetric cameras, and 3D animation to create truly immersive experiences. Captivating VR films include:
• Battle scar by Nico Casavecchia featuring Rosario Dawson;
• Emperor by Marion Burger and Ilan J. Cohen, featuring Olivia Cooke (House of Dragons);
• Dark eyes by Fernando Maldonado and Jorge Tereso with Colin Farrell;
• Missing photos: Naomi Kawase by Clément Deneux.
• The exhibition also presents Hot dancean innovative VR film by OCAD U graduate Gabriel Masewich. This interactive animation explores the physics of entropy in a visually stunning and thought-provoking way.

ABOUT OCAD UNIVERSITY
OCAD University is Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university. We take a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to making a difference through art, design-thinking curriculum, and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national, and global leader in art and design. With a diverse and supportive team of instructors and peers, students gain skills that are relevant to their jobs. Graduates work in a variety of sectors, including film, animation, content creation, games, publishing, urban planning, environmental design, visual arts, and arts administration.

ABOUT CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE IN TORONTO
The Consulate General of France in Toronto, serving the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, is dedicated to administering French citizens and cultivating strong diplomatic relations with local authorities and key stakeholders. Under the leadership of Consul General Bertrand Pous, who has held this position since September 2023, the Consulate plays a key role in promoting French culture and interests in the region.

• Poster for Dream Machines