Newfoundland and Labrador director Christian Sparkes’ mystery drama The King Tide is among 10 films from 12 countries making their world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) Platform competition program.

The selected films will compete for the $20,000 Platform Prize, which is awarded to the best film by an in-person jury.

The 2023 program jury includes Vancouver filmmaker and actor Anthony Shim, who won the 2022 Platform prize for his drama Riceboy Sleeps. Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) serves as jury chair, with director-writer-actor Nadine Labaki (Capernaum) rounding out the jury.

Sparkes’ The King Tide (pictured) is written by Albert Shin and William Woods, who is also a producer on the film with Allison White. The script is based on a story by Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby. VVS Films holds Canadian distribution rights while Altitude Films handles international sales.

Shin is an executive producer alongside Tom Spriggs, Rob McGillivray, Ben Stranahan, John Hansen III, Mark Gingras, John Laing, Mike Runagall, Will Clarke, Andy Mayson, Harry Grivakis, Claire Peace-McConnell, Ernie Grivakis and Javi Hernandez.

The other Platform selections include Tarsem Singh Dhandwar’s Dear Jassi (India), Kei Chika-ura’s Great Absence (Japan), Ginevra Elkann’s I Told You So (Italy), Hanna Slak’s Not A Word (Germany/Slovenia/France), Jaione Camborda’s The Rye Horn (Spain/Belgium/Portugal), Nora El Hourch’s Sisterhood (France), Axel Petersén’s Shame on Dry Land (Sweden), Héléna Klotz’s Spirit of Ecstasy (France) and Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario (U.S.).

Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage, will be the Platform program’s opening night film.

Robyn Citizen, director, programming and platform lead said in a statement that “this year’s diverse selection is distinguished by bold character studies and classic stories told through dynamic narrative and genre approaches.”

The Platform program showcases films with “unique directorial perspectives” and was introduced in 2015.

TIFF has previously announced its gala and special presentations, as well as its documentary lineup, which include the world premieres of Canadian titles such as Leigh Brooks’ Hate to Love: Nickelback, Sophie Dupuis’ Solo, Robert McCallum’s Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe, Stevie Salas and James Burns’ Boil Alert, and Jen Markowitz’s Summer Qamp.

Photo courtesy TIFF