The Rogers Industry Centre has prepared a series of sessions for TIFF 2002 that address issues of creative autonomy, the marketing and distribution of films, as well as evolving technologies and their potential impact. This year’s offerings, open to registered industry members only, reflect the global face of cinema and acknowledge the growing stature of the independent filmmaker.

The Maverick Filmmakers Sessions feature several international directors discussing their experiences exploring against-the-grain subject matter, innovative shooting techniques or the unique production models that characterize the films they are bringing to TIFF.

Confirmed speakers include three directors from France: Catherine Breillat, director of the reputedly sexually graphic Scenes Intimes; Francois Ozon, whose 8 femmes mixes comedy, music and murder; and Gaspar Noe, whose Irreversible divided Cannes audiences with brutal murder and rape scenes.

From Hollywood comes legendary actor Robert Duvall, who brings the feature Assassination Tango, which he wrote, directed and stars in, and which combines elements of the suspense genre with the South American dance Duvall loves. The multitalented performer will talk about wearing various creative hats, and he can certainly also address the plight of indie productions. Duvall came to TIFF in 1997 with his film The Apostle, which he financed himself, and proceeded to secure distribution at the fest. (Assassination Tango arrives with distribution from United Artists.)

Another participant in this series is British actor Tilda Swinton, whose alternative project choices range from surprise TIFF hit Orlando (1992) to Quebec director Robert Lepage’s Possible Worlds (2000). From the U.S., frequent festgoer Michael Moore will be on hand to discuss his latest doc, Bowling for Columbine. Finally, there will be a special ‘maverick to maverick’ session involving critically embraced director Brian De Palma (The Untouchables) and groundbreaking director and screenwriter Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver).

New to the RIC this year is Telefilm Canada News and Views, a forum for discussion of trends in the film biz. The list of speakers represents a diverse cross-section of the industry, assembling distributors, directors, producers, sales agents, financiers, craftspeople and programmers. Confirmed guests include Bryan Gliserman, president, Odeon Films; Richard Stursberg, executive director, Telefilm Canada; Bollywood/ Hollywood director Deepa Mehta and producer David Hamilton; Jonathan Wolf, executive VP and managing director, American Film Marketing Association; and Charlotte Mickie, managing director international sales, Alliance Atlantis.

Producer and director Ivan Reitman will host a Masterclass in which he will share his thoughts on filmmaking, in particular working with comedic talent, and the industry in general. Raised in Canada, Reitman attended Hamilton’s McMaster University, went on to produce David Cronenberg’s breakthrough horror films Shivers and Rabid, and then directed Meatballs, one of the highest grossing Canadian films ever, and the 1984 blockbuster Ghostbusters.

The topic of film adaptation will be dissected in a session entitled In Conversation with Anne Michaels and Jeremy Podeswa, hosted by CBC’s Evan Solomon. The focus will be how director Podeswa (The Five Senses) is bringing novelist Michaels’ award-winning Fugitive Pieces to the big screen for Serendipity Point Films. In another session, British music writer Paul Tonks will interview Torontonian Mychael Danna, the acclaimed composer on such films as The Sweet Hereafter and The Ice Storm. Danna’s work can also be heard at TIFF in Ararat and Antwone Fisher, Denzel Washington’s directorial debut.

The advantages of D-cinema to exhibitors and producers worldwide will be measured in a panel entitled Making Waves. Daniel Langlois, founder, Ex-Centris, Pix Cinema, Media Principia and Softimage, heading the list of speakers, will argue that it is time for independents to rise up and embrace this form of distribution. Meanwhile, TIFF is conducting its own D-Cinema experiment with the Perspective Canada feature The Baroness and the Pig, produced by Langlois. The Quebec period drama, acquired onto a network via satellite, is being digitally projected at the Varsity Cinema.

The OMDC Sales Office, in its 15th year at the RIC, reports that 360 international distribution and sales companies are registered for TIFF 2002, including many new participants. The purpose of the sales office is to facilitate dialogue among filmmakers, buyers and sales agents for Perspective Canada and other invited films. So far, every Canadian film in the PC and Gala programs has some distribution rights available, so business should be buzzing.

More information and updates regarding the RIC are available at www.rogersic.com.