*Same time, new place

Rumors have abounded this week as to which hotel had scored the contract for next year’s Toronto festival. Word on the party circuit earlier this week suggested a return to the Sutton Place, but it’s the Park Plaza that will play host to next year’s hoopla.

*Junior, Norm and Sidney

Director and Canadian Film Centre founder Norm Jewison and legendary actor Sidney Poitier were recently treated to a private screening of Clement Virgo’s The Planet of Junior, produced by The Film Works, Toronto.

Meanwhile, foreign interest in Junior Brown continues to grow. Dean Oros of Evergreen Releasing has been talking to theatrical distributors from Japan and Italy and has received more notice from Australian distributors.

Still looking for that all-important u.s. distribution deal, American distribution companies Strand and Grey Cat have also expressed interest.