Women Take Centre Stage as TIFF Kicks Off Second Year of Trailblazing Share Her Journey Campaign

Share Her Journey is back for its second year, and TIFF is asking you to join the movement. The $3-million, five-year campaign championing women in front of and behind the camera ramps up ahead of Festival season, reaffirming the organization's commitment to providing practical support for women and its efforts to help shift the dial across equity in the film industry.

"2017 was a landmark year for women in film," said maxine bailey, Vice President of Advancement at TIFF. "Discussions around gender parity were front and centre of the news cycle, and the important issues raised still ripple around the world. Thanks to the generosity of more than a thousand individuals, Share Her Journey, which launched in July last year, continues to make a difference on a very practical level for female creators."

"TIFF is proud to support a future film industry that represents the most diverse perspectives and range of voices on screen," bailey continued. "The Toronto International Film Festival is planning a variety of key events that will examine ways to advance more women and under-represented creators in the industry. We invite everyone to join us for a very special Share Her Journey Moment, planned for September 8. Stay tuned - the movement has only just begun!"

The campaign is fast gaining local and global momentum with new Ambassadors, including award-winning writer and director Amma Asante (A United Kingdom; Belle; A Way of Life); writer and director Molly McGlynn (Mary Goes Round; 3-way (Not Calling)); actor and producer Shohreh Aghdashloo(The House of Sand and Fog; Star Trek Beyond); actor Ellen Wong (GLOW; Scott Pilgrim vs. the World); actor and producer Jennifer Podemski (Moccasin Flats; EMPIRE of Dirt); and writer-director Joyce Wong (Wexford Plaza; Sunbathing). These Ambassadors are all joining the drive to amplify solidarity for women working in screen industries.

New female creator initiative unveiled

With over $1.3 million pledged to date, the Share Her Journey fundraising target for 2018 has been set at an ambitious $1 million. Funds will continue to help provide support, mentorship, and skill development to empower female creators and ensure equitable opportunities for women. The RBC Foundation today announced a pledge of $450,000 for the newly established RBC Female Creator Initiative supporting professional development opportunities for women. This initiative will help female creators grow their careers by fostering artistic skills development, mentorship, and year-round networking opportunities. In addition, the RBC Foundation will be providing support for the new TIFF Producer Accelerator Programme, female participation in TIFF Filmmaker Lab, and access to TIFF Industry programming. The inaugural TIFF Producer Accelerator programme will be delivered in partnership with award-winning producer Cassian Elwes (Mudbound; The Dallas Buyers Club; Lee Daniels' The Butler; Monster's Ball). Two female producers will have the opportunity to join Elwes and his team as they meet with decision-makers, pitch projects, attend business events, and discuss strategies for success in the marketplace. Information for producers about how to apply is available now at https://www.tiff.net/industry-talent-development/.

Micki Moore resident announced

Canadian writer Nikki Saltz was today announced as the inaugural Micki Moore Resident for her feature comedy screenplay, Work It. The Residency was created as part of the Share Her Journey campaign to support the development of outstanding Canadian screen stories by female writers. The programme will run for five years and is generously supported by broadcaster, journalist, and actor Micki Moore. A Special Mention was awarded by the jury to screenwriter Meryam Joobeur for Roman Ruins. "Throughout my life as a writer, there have been amazing women who have instructed, supported, and mentored me, and it is now my absolute honour to add Micki Moore to that list," said Saltz. "It's doubly wonderful to also be supported by TIFF - an organization so clearly leading the charge in making space for women in the industry." Saltz will receive a 10-week residency in downtown Toronto, a $3,000 grant to develop her script, complimentary access to the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival and Industry Conference, and mentorship from TIFF's programming teams and expert guests. The Share Her Journey relaunch kicks off tomorrow evening at TIFF Bell Lightbox with an expert panel discussion, moderated by Shedoesthecity's Jen McNeely and featuring activist, author, and educator Jane Doe; VP, Theatrical Marketing and Communications, Canada at Entertainment One Films Joanna Miles; writer and director Joyce Wong; Canadian actor Amanda Brugel(Room; The Handmaid's Tale); television personality and film director Sharon Lewis (Brown Girl Begins); singer-songwriter Molly Johnson; writer, actor, and director Charles Officer; and writer-director Naledi Jackson (The Drop In). Later this year, the new Heggie Family Speakers' Series will explore a wide variety of the challenges faced by female creators in the entertainment industry. TIFF will shortly announce its special Share Her Journey Moment for Festival 2018. To join the movement and to learn more, sign up here. Visit www.tiff.net/shareherjourney for more information about the campaign and to make a donation.

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