Workshop: Documentary Filmmaking and Storytelling with Daniel Carsenty
August 23
Goethe-Institut Toronto and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) present Documentary Filmmaking and Storytelling with Daniel Carsenty
A free two-part digital workshop.
Co-presented with Toronto Arab Film (TAF) and the Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF).
Part 1: Artist Talk Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm ET
Register here: https://lift.ca/workshop-registration/?event=809&workshopcat=8
Part 2: Facilitated Workshop Sunday, September 19, 2021 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Register here: https://lift.ca/workshop-registration/?event=812&workshopcat=8
Daniel Carsenty is a Berlin filmmaker currently working at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, teaching at the Raindance Institute London and the International Academy for Film and Media in Dhaka, Bangladesh. http://danielcarsenty.com
The documentary “The Devil’s Drivers”, co-directed by Daniel Carsenty and Mohammed Abugeth, is celebrating its world premiere at TIFF 2021. The Goethe-Institut Toronto showed the Canadian premiere of Carsenty’s debut, the refugee drama “After Spring Comes Fall,” in 2016 at GOETHE FILMS@TIFF Lightbox.
The central element of this workshop is the idea that a film—documentary or fiction—is at its core a character-driven story. The camera captures the relationships between people and visualizes the unspoken elements at play. Most films pivot around ‘dramatic’ scenes. Scenes in which characters express their wants and needs either vocally or through the subtext of body language. They run up against an obstacle and we as an audience ‘discover’ their true character in the way they deal with the obstacle on screen.
This two-part workshop, aimed at emerging and intermediate filmmakers, will create awareness for the basic elements of storytelling at play and show examples in which these elements have been successfully captured on screen. After a 90-minute introduction open to registered participants and general audiences, where Carsenty will be joined from Berlin by his collaborator filmmaker Mohammed Abugeth, the workshop participants will go out and independently film a dramatic scene with their own cameras, which has the power to stand alone as a short film or could be the centre of a longer documentary. On the second day, the workshop participants will screen their work and have a collaborative discussion, critique the work of their peers and grow an understanding of storytelling.
Goethe-Institut Toronto and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) present Documentary Filmmaking and Storytelling with Daniel Carsenty
A free two-part digital workshop.
Co-presented with Toronto Arab Film (TAF) and the Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF).
Part 1: Artist Talk Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm ET
Register here: https://lift.ca/workshop-registration/?event=809&workshopcat=8
Part 2: Facilitated Workshop Sunday, September 19, 2021 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm ET
Register here: https://lift.ca/workshop-registration/?event=812&workshopcat=8
Daniel Carsenty is a Berlin filmmaker currently working at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, teaching at the Raindance Institute London and the International Academy for Film and Media in Dhaka, Bangladesh. http://danielcarsenty.com
The documentary “The Devil’s Drivers”, co-directed by Daniel Carsenty and Mohammed Abugeth, is celebrating its world premiere at TIFF 2021. The Goethe-Institut Toronto showed the Canadian premiere of Carsenty’s debut, the refugee drama “After Spring Comes Fall,” in 2016 at GOETHE FILMS@TIFF Lightbox.
The central element of this workshop is the idea that a film—documentary or fiction—is at its core a character-driven story. The camera captures the relationships between people and visualizes the unspoken elements at play. Most films pivot around ‘dramatic’ scenes. Scenes in which characters express their wants and needs either vocally or through the subtext of body language. They run up against an obstacle and we as an audience ‘discover’ their true character in the way they deal with the obstacle on screen.
This two-part workshop, aimed at emerging and intermediate filmmakers, will create awareness for the basic elements of storytelling at play and show examples in which these elements have been successfully captured on screen. After a 90-minute introduction open to registered participants and general audiences, where Carsenty will be joined from Berlin by his collaborator filmmaker Mohammed Abugeth, the workshop participants will go out and independently film a dramatic scene with their own cameras, which has the power to stand alone as a short film or could be the centre of a longer documentary. On the second day, the workshop participants will screen their work and have a collaborative discussion, critique the work of their peers and grow an understanding of storytelling.
Call for Board of Directors Members
June 21, 2021
Toronto Arab Film is seeking new members to join the Board of Directors in 2021/2022 who are interested in helping to strengthen our fledgling organization and bring their expertise in organizational management, fundraising, sponsorships and partnerships to the table. As TAF grows we need a Board of Directors that is able to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization. We are looking specifically for people who would be able to provide expertise and insight into alternative streams of funding which will allow for the organization to continue to deliver and diversify our year round programming. Although it is not a requirement, a passion for community arts and international film is an asset.
Organization’s Artistic Discipline:
Media Arts
Positions (3 available):
Expertise Required: (In your application, please indicate all that applies.)
Position Details:
How to apply:
Deadline to apply:
July 22, 2021
Contact information:
mason@arabfilm.ca
www.arabfilm.ca
ABOUT TORONTO ARAB FILM
Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-for profit organization dedicated to bringing films from, and about the Arab world, to Toronto audiences. TAF began because of a need to fill a void that exists in film programming in Toronto, specifically a lack of films from the Arab regions and a desire to reinstate a tradition of going out of watch films that has been lost.
Through our first initiative, Layali El Cinema, we programme year-round film screenings in Toronto. Through Mahrajan, our annual festival, we showcase Arab films from around the world. We also recognize the need to encourage interconnectedness between Arab filmmakers in Toronto and foster filmmakers, which we endeavour to do through the Shabaka initiative, where we support emerging talents through hosting networking events and running filmmaking workshops throughout the year.
Toronto Arab Film is seeking new members to join the Board of Directors in 2021/2022 who are interested in helping to strengthen our fledgling organization and bring their expertise in organizational management, fundraising, sponsorships and partnerships to the table. As TAF grows we need a Board of Directors that is able to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization. We are looking specifically for people who would be able to provide expertise and insight into alternative streams of funding which will allow for the organization to continue to deliver and diversify our year round programming. Although it is not a requirement, a passion for community arts and international film is an asset.
Organization’s Artistic Discipline:
Media Arts
Positions (3 available):
- Volunteer Board Member - Treasurer
- Volunteer Board Member - PR & Media
- Volunteer Board Member - Development & Sponsorship
Expertise Required: (In your application, please indicate all that applies.)
- Development / Fundraising
- Finances
- Government Relations
- Legal
- Event Planning / Marketing
- Outreach
- Organization Management / Project Management
- Media / Public Relations
Position Details:
- Volunteer Board Member
- One year, renewable
- Quarterly meetings
How to apply:
- Interested applicants can reach out to Executive Director Mason Hatahet via the email below. Please include a short bio, expertise and the reason you’re interested in joining the TAF Board.
- Resumes are not mandatory but you can include one if you would like.
Deadline to apply:
July 22, 2021
Contact information:
mason@arabfilm.ca
www.arabfilm.ca
ABOUT TORONTO ARAB FILM
Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-for profit organization dedicated to bringing films from, and about the Arab world, to Toronto audiences. TAF began because of a need to fill a void that exists in film programming in Toronto, specifically a lack of films from the Arab regions and a desire to reinstate a tradition of going out of watch films that has been lost.
Through our first initiative, Layali El Cinema, we programme year-round film screenings in Toronto. Through Mahrajan, our annual festival, we showcase Arab films from around the world. We also recognize the need to encourage interconnectedness between Arab filmmakers in Toronto and foster filmmakers, which we endeavour to do through the Shabaka initiative, where we support emerging talents through hosting networking events and running filmmaking workshops throughout the year.
| taf_boardcall_2021.pdf |
2021 Festival Awards Recipients
Toronto, June 14, 2021
PRESS RELEASE
The Toronto Arab Film Festival (TAF) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s awards. The Festival took place virtually May 27 to May 30. This year, three awards were presented after the Festival - the Jury Award for Most Promising Filmmaker, the Award for Best Canadian Short Film and the Audience Choice Award.
The recipients are:
About Toronto Arab Film
Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-for profit organization dedicated to bringing films from, and about the Arab world, to Toronto audiences. TAF began because of a need to fill a void that exists in film programming in Toronto, specifically a lack of films from the Arab regions, and a desire to diversify the visual representation of the Arab peoples in the arts. Through our first initiative, Layali El Cinema, we programme year-round film screenings in Toronto. Through Mahrajan, our annual festival, we showcase Arab films from around the world. We also recognize the need to encourage interconnectedness between Arab filmmakers in Toronto and foster filmmakers, which we endeavour to do through the Shabaka initiative, where we support emerging talents through hosting networking events and filmmaking workshops throughout the year.
Social Media:
facebook.com/TorontoArabFilm
twitter.com/TorontoArabFilm
instagram.com/TorontoArabFilm
For any press related questions, contact: rolla@arabfilm.ca
The Festival is made possible this year by the generous support of the Toronto Arts Council and in-kind support from the following community partners: Images Film Festival, the Liaison of
Independent Filmmakers of Toronto and Trinity Square Video.
PRESS RELEASE
The Toronto Arab Film Festival (TAF) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s awards. The Festival took place virtually May 27 to May 30. This year, three awards were presented after the Festival - the Jury Award for Most Promising Filmmaker, the Award for Best Canadian Short Film and the Audience Choice Award.
The recipients are:
- Award for Most Promising Filmmaker: Suzannah Mirghani, Al-Sit
- Best Canadian Short Film: Ines Guennaoui, Storm Child
- Audience Choice Award: Suzannah Mirghani, Al-Sit
About Toronto Arab Film
Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-for profit organization dedicated to bringing films from, and about the Arab world, to Toronto audiences. TAF began because of a need to fill a void that exists in film programming in Toronto, specifically a lack of films from the Arab regions, and a desire to diversify the visual representation of the Arab peoples in the arts. Through our first initiative, Layali El Cinema, we programme year-round film screenings in Toronto. Through Mahrajan, our annual festival, we showcase Arab films from around the world. We also recognize the need to encourage interconnectedness between Arab filmmakers in Toronto and foster filmmakers, which we endeavour to do through the Shabaka initiative, where we support emerging talents through hosting networking events and filmmaking workshops throughout the year.
Social Media:
facebook.com/TorontoArabFilm
twitter.com/TorontoArabFilm
instagram.com/TorontoArabFilm
For any press related questions, contact: rolla@arabfilm.ca
The Festival is made possible this year by the generous support of the Toronto Arts Council and in-kind support from the following community partners: Images Film Festival, the Liaison of
Independent Filmmakers of Toronto and Trinity Square Video.
| taf_awards_press_release_2021.pdf |
2021 Festival Press Release
Toronto, April 28, 2021
The Toronto Arab Film Festival (TAF) is pleased to announce the dates and programme for the 2nd annual film festival, including films from Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Qatar, United States, Belgium, France, Egypt and five films from Canada.
The Festival will take place virtually May 27 to May 30, 2021.
Egyptian critic Joseph Fahim writes “A couple of years ago, I aired my frustrations about the narrow scope of Middle Eastern films to a European critic. His reply? “But what else is there to the Middle East than this?” Well, there’s much more to the Middle East than war, poverty, immigration, terrorism and the subjugation of women and refugees.” This is precisely what we hope to highlight through TAF.
Our second festival comes during a very strange, challenging and weary time. Despite that, as we journey into our upcoming festival, the films submitted provide such an interesting diversity that emulates - and feeds into - the diversity of Toronto, the city of film lovers. Journey with us from a cotton farm in Sudan, to the suburbs of Saudi Arabia, from the beaches of Morocco to storm ridden Montreal.
Among the feature films presented, is Amin Sidi-Boumediene’s debut feature, Abou Leila, a genre-bending ruminative thriller set during the Algerian civil war, which premiered during Cannes Critics’ Week. The short films screened feature strong female presence behind and in front of the camera, including Aziza, a short film from award-winning Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan.
Among the Q&As scheduled, we are particularly excited to present a Q&A with Moroccan filmmaker Alaa Eddine Aljem and Sudanese filmmaker Eltayib Mahdi as they talk about their films, The Unknown Saint and The Tomb respectively, made more than 40 years apart, yet exploring similar themes.
There will be three awards presented during this Festival - the Jury Award for Most Promising Filmmaker, the Award for Best Canadian Short Film and the Audience Choice Award.
About Toronto Arab Film
Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-for profit organization dedicated to bringing films from, and about the Arab world, to Toronto audiences. TAF began because of a need to fill a void that exists in film programming in Toronto, specifically a lack of films from the Arab regions, and a desire to diversify the visual representation of the Arab peoples in the arts. Through our first initiative, Layali El Cinema, we programme year-round film screenings in Toronto. Through Mahrajan, our annual festival, we showcase Arab films from around the world. We also recognize the need to encourage interconnectedness between Arab filmmakers in Toronto and foster filmmakers, which we endeavour to do through the Shabaka initiative, where we support emerging talents through hosting networking events and filmmaking workshops throughout the year.
TAF separates itself from other Arab film festivals in the city by focusing on the pan-Arab identity and the nuances of the overlapping and intersecting identities of millions of people that are culturally nomadic and exist all across the world. We aim to increase the awareness of local media, audiences and academics to new Arab cinema, which in turn, we hope will be reflected in their journalism, curriculums and general dialogue surrounding Arabs. The festival’s mission is to present stories that reflect the diversities of the Arab peoples and the myriad of histories, cultures and religions that exist within the Arab world and beyond.
Social Media:
facebook.com/TorontoArabFilm
twitter.com/TorontoArabFilm
instagram.com/TorontoArabFilm
For any press related questions, contact: rolla@arabfilm.ca
The Festival is made possible this year by the generous support of the Toronto Arts Council and in-kind support from the following community partners: Images Film Festival, the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto and Trinity Square Video.
The Toronto Arab Film Festival (TAF) is pleased to announce the dates and programme for the 2nd annual film festival, including films from Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Qatar, United States, Belgium, France, Egypt and five films from Canada.
The Festival will take place virtually May 27 to May 30, 2021.
Egyptian critic Joseph Fahim writes “A couple of years ago, I aired my frustrations about the narrow scope of Middle Eastern films to a European critic. His reply? “But what else is there to the Middle East than this?” Well, there’s much more to the Middle East than war, poverty, immigration, terrorism and the subjugation of women and refugees.” This is precisely what we hope to highlight through TAF.
Our second festival comes during a very strange, challenging and weary time. Despite that, as we journey into our upcoming festival, the films submitted provide such an interesting diversity that emulates - and feeds into - the diversity of Toronto, the city of film lovers. Journey with us from a cotton farm in Sudan, to the suburbs of Saudi Arabia, from the beaches of Morocco to storm ridden Montreal.
Among the feature films presented, is Amin Sidi-Boumediene’s debut feature, Abou Leila, a genre-bending ruminative thriller set during the Algerian civil war, which premiered during Cannes Critics’ Week. The short films screened feature strong female presence behind and in front of the camera, including Aziza, a short film from award-winning Syrian filmmaker Soudade Kaadan.
Among the Q&As scheduled, we are particularly excited to present a Q&A with Moroccan filmmaker Alaa Eddine Aljem and Sudanese filmmaker Eltayib Mahdi as they talk about their films, The Unknown Saint and The Tomb respectively, made more than 40 years apart, yet exploring similar themes.
There will be three awards presented during this Festival - the Jury Award for Most Promising Filmmaker, the Award for Best Canadian Short Film and the Audience Choice Award.
About Toronto Arab Film
Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-for profit organization dedicated to bringing films from, and about the Arab world, to Toronto audiences. TAF began because of a need to fill a void that exists in film programming in Toronto, specifically a lack of films from the Arab regions, and a desire to diversify the visual representation of the Arab peoples in the arts. Through our first initiative, Layali El Cinema, we programme year-round film screenings in Toronto. Through Mahrajan, our annual festival, we showcase Arab films from around the world. We also recognize the need to encourage interconnectedness between Arab filmmakers in Toronto and foster filmmakers, which we endeavour to do through the Shabaka initiative, where we support emerging talents through hosting networking events and filmmaking workshops throughout the year.
TAF separates itself from other Arab film festivals in the city by focusing on the pan-Arab identity and the nuances of the overlapping and intersecting identities of millions of people that are culturally nomadic and exist all across the world. We aim to increase the awareness of local media, audiences and academics to new Arab cinema, which in turn, we hope will be reflected in their journalism, curriculums and general dialogue surrounding Arabs. The festival’s mission is to present stories that reflect the diversities of the Arab peoples and the myriad of histories, cultures and religions that exist within the Arab world and beyond.
Social Media:
facebook.com/TorontoArabFilm
twitter.com/TorontoArabFilm
instagram.com/TorontoArabFilm
For any press related questions, contact: rolla@arabfilm.ca
The Festival is made possible this year by the generous support of the Toronto Arts Council and in-kind support from the following community partners: Images Film Festival, the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto and Trinity Square Video.
| taf_press_release_2021.pdf |
