We encourage people seeing Canadian films. We also recognise the need to watch them safely, given the COVID-19 coronavirus.
You might have thought you were safe since your love is for Canadian films. The domino theory is too strong.
Today, we take the extraordinary measure of closing TIFF Bell Lightbox, along with its programming, as of 5pm, Saturday, March 14, for a one-month period until Tuesday, April 14, to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) March 14, 2020
Please read our full update here: https://t.co/WR9QbDFSO0
"Like you, we have been following the updates on COVID-19 closely. We have taken measures to help protect our staff and audience, including social distancing. Today, we take the extraordinary measure of closing TIFF Bell Lightbox, along with its programming, as of 5pm, Saturday, March 14, for a one-month period until Tuesday, April 14, to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19."
"This has been a heartbreaking but necessary decision. The health and safety of our community remains of the utmost importance to us. Medical evidence and guidance from all levels of government tell us that we can slow the progress of the virus by gathering less in groups. We want to do everything we can to contribute to safeguarding our collective well-being. We continue to monitor news of the pandemic daily, and will follow the advice of Toronto Public Health and provincial and federal authorities."
On Friday, TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto asking moviegoers to maintain a 3-seat distance within its cinemas and announced the theatre would sell fewer tickets per screening for at least the next 4 weeks.
That policy changed to an outright closing in fewer than 24 hours. Just after that announcement came word that France is shutting down all restaurants, cafés, cinemas, and clubs.
TIFF selects Top 10 Canadian films of 2019
Some of the Bell Lightbox premieres that are postponed include Anne at 13,000 ft.; Murmur; and White Lie, all from TIFF's Top 10 list of Canadian films in 2019.
The Hot Docs festival, scheduled for April 30-May 10 in Toronto, has been postponed. The Canadian Film Fest has also been postponed.
An important message about Canadian Screen Week: https://t.co/iO62ouW9oC pic.twitter.com/uOnskxHp0c
— The Canadian Academy (@TheCdnAcademy) March 12, 2020
The timing impacts getting people to see some of the Canadian Screen Award nominees. The Bell Lightbox closing leaves a huge hole to see those films.
Cancelling the Canadian Screen Week and the TV awards ceremony is a devastating blow to Canadian TV and Canadian film.
The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards is one of the many events cancelled by the COVID-19 coronavirus. The awards ceremony originally scheduled for March 29 on CBC would have been the culmination of a week of festivities in Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver.
The Canadian Screen Awards celebrates the best in Canadian television, Canadian film, and Canadian digital projects. The awards ceremony has been on CBC and available online outside Canada.
The Academy Awards in the United States was pushed up to February 9 for reasons that had nothing to do with crowds of people. Canadian TV, film, and digital projects deserve attention and now won't get those accolades.
Fans can still participate in the voting for the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award.
Expanding on the Canadian film nominees at the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards
Anne with an E, Schitt's Creek dominate 2020 Canadian Screen Awards nominations
The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television is looking for a creative way to announce the winners online. Our suggestion is to have the ceremony as usual on CBC with the presenters being the limited audience members. The presenters rotate going on stage and presenting the awards. No seat fillers needed. Winners give speeches via a video feed or a pre-recorded acceptance speech. They can't say they didn't anticipate winning.
We've seen the impact of limited audiences on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. The hosts were rather funny with their employees in the audience.
These are very talented film, TV, and digital performers. They should be able to come up with something enjoyable.
Most theatres are remaining open but with limited seating for social distancing in the theatre.
Anecdotally, this independent theatre in Chicago is reducing the capacity of its large theatre from 195 to 100 and the smaller theatre from 63 to 45. By percentage, the large theatre will be at 48.7% and the small theatre will be at 71.4%.
Similar rules apply to some mainstream theatres. The reduced capacity isn't as problematic for films that might play 35 times in a week.
You should be diligent about getting your tickets earlier rather than later.
Canada Now 2020 brings Canadian films to New York City
Canada Media Fund and Telefilm Canada merger has to benefit Canadian television and Canadian film
South Park realizes the dream of a Canadian content streaming service
CanadianCrossing.com television coverage
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
Social distancing is the new in phrase. You can watch lots of good Canadian television and film on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu in the United States as well as CBC Gem, Crave TV, Canada Screens, and Encore + on YouTube plus the U.S. streaming services in Canada.
If you do go to the theatre, spread out. You and your friends can catch up after the show. Get there early to select the location you want. The regular common sense rules also apply: cough into your elbow, no bright screens during the movie (credits included).
A lot of people might have more time on their minds with being underemployed or not having to commute. Use your time well to watch more Canadian film and Canadian television.
photo credit: me
Twitter captures: @TIFF_NET; @TheCdnAcademy
Comments