As film lovers get ready for the start of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) tomorrow, York University is celebrating a future full of cinematic dreams thanks to Cinespace Studios' continued commitment to the support and education of the next generation of local film talent through an in-kind donation.
Cinespace is extending an already successful and meaningful partnership with the University by donating the exclusive use of its Stage 1 and 2 by York University Motion Media Studio (MMS) for an additional two years. The gift will allow students from York's School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) to learn the art and craft of the film industry through hands-on exploration, experiential learning and practical training in the latest media technologies.
"This partnership with Cinespace Studios is a significant investment in York University's creative economy. By giving our students access to professional stages and industry mentorship, Cinespace is helping provide an education that extends beyond the classroom. Our students are learning on the same stages where award-winning films and series have been produced, gaining first-hand experience and building the skills they need to succeed. We are grateful to Cinespace for its ongoing support and for sharing our commitment to developing the next generation of talent in Canadian film and television," says York University Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps.
From left: Lisa Philipps, York University Interim President; Keith Gee, Co Managing Partner Cinespace; Magali Simard, VP - Global Industry & Brand Cinespace; and Brandon Vickerd, AMPD Dean.
Students gain exposure to and are mentored by leading industry TV and film experts that encourage their creativity and nurture their storytelling abilities often resulting in their films screening at TIFF as students and graduates. Several York alumni films are once again in this year's festival, speaking to the importance of the gift from Cinespace, Toronto's largest film and TV industry production hub.
York's MMS is important as it gives students and future filmmakers the opportunity to explore their passions whether that's aspiring to become a director, screenwriter, production designer, sound recordist, editor, cinematographer, costume designer or performer.
"At Cinespace, we believe our role extends beyond providing the spaces where great film and television are made. We have a responsibility to help develop the people who will shape the industry's future. Ontario's ability to create exceptional stories that reach audiences around the world begins with developing exceptional talent here at home," says Magali Simard, Cinespace VP - Global Industry & Brand.
"There is no substitute for learning inside a working studio, experiencing the pace, collaboration and professional standards of real-world production alongside the people who do this work every day. By renewing York University's exclusive use of two stages at our Kipling campus for another two years, we are helping emerging filmmakers move beyond the classroom, develop their craft and build lasting careers in the film and television industry."
The Cinespace stages have boosted local talent by providing storytelling opportunities for AMPD students since 2016, helping to bring Canadian cinema to a global audience and creating a positive and enduring effect on the multi-billion-dollar Canadian film industry, creatively and economically.
The partnership between York and Cinespace creates a television, digital media and filmmaking pipeline for emerging local talent with diverse experiences and views, many of whom came to York from around the globe, providing a rich and varied pool of potential stories just waiting to make the leap to screens big and small. York's MMS at Cinespace creates a place where creation and innovation thrive through a focus on film production, performance, immersive environments and virtual production.
"This is an investment in the future of Canada's film and television industry. By providing our students with access to professional, industry-leading production environments, Cinespace is helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. At AMPD, we are committed to creating experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to thrive as creative leaders, storytellers and innovators. We are deeply grateful for Cinespace's continued partnership and their shared commitment to developing the next generation of film talent," says AMPD Dean Brandon Vickerd.
Much of the magic happens when students are given the opportunity to learn and innovate using state-of-the-art technology - markerless motion-performance capture, augmented reality, virtual reality, immersive environments, motion simulation, digital post-production equipment, high-performance computing technology and more.
Courses, training, masterclasses and workshops happen next to studios where internationally acclaimed feature films and series are created, including The Shape of Water, Chicago, Mean Girls, Resident Evil, Chucky, Law & Order, Titans, The Umbrella Academy, The Handmaid's Tale and Frankenstein.
Some of the York alumni films screening at this year's TIFF
The newest film, Everything Else is Noise (Lo demás es ruido), by award-winning filmmaker, director and York alumnus Nicolás Pereda, will have its North American premiere at this year's TIFF's Wavelengths program. It is his third film in as many years to be screened at TIFF - Lázaro de noche (TIFF '24), and Copper (TIFF '25).
Award-winning alumnus Antoine Bourges will have the world premiere of his latest film Pacific Spirit shown at TIFF's Short Cuts program. He has had several shorts screen at TIFF along with his mid-length film East Hastings Pharmacy and feature film Concrete Valley.
Neverman by filmmaker Rodrigo Barriuso features the work of several York alumni, including cinematography by alumnus Rodrigo Michelangeli, editing by York alumna and instructor Michelle Szemberg with first assistant editor alumna Verona Choi. It will screen as part of TIFF's Centrepiece program.
The Black Box is Orange is MFA alumna Yuula Benivolsi's feature directorial debut being shown as part of TIFF's Wavelengths program along with current PhD student Mustafa Uzuner's The Address Book. Alumna Sylvia Mok's Restaurant Kids will screen as part of TIFF's REDEFINED Short Film Showcase.
One of the biggest Canadian Films last year at TIFF, Blue Heron, was directed by York alumna Sophy Romvari in collaboration with cinematographer and fellow alumna Maya Bankovic, receiving a 98 per cent review on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although not at this year's TIFF, the 2026 biopic film Tony about Anthony Bourdain's early days, which has already opened in theatres, was directed and co-written by award-winning alumnus Matt Johnson whose film Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, produced by another alumnus Matthew Miller, opened TIFF's Midnight Madness last year.
York's MMS has also led to funding for alumni film projects, including Concrete Valley, through Telefilm Canada's Talent to Watch program.
In addition, TIFF annually selects Canada's Top Ten, celebrating the best in recent Canadian cinema, from feature-length films to shorts, and York alumni are often on that list further reflecting the creative impact of York graduates on the film industry.
The Cinespace and York partnership is one of dream making come true.
