
Donnybrook to open TIFF 2018 Platform programme
Toronto, Aug 24 (IBNS): The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced that Donnybrook, the powerful new film from Tim Sutton (Memphis, Dark Night), will be the opening film of the festivals Platform programme.
Starring Frank Grillo, Margaret Qualley, James Badge Dale and Jamie Bell, the film is Sutton’s fourth directorial effort, most ambitious project to date, and his first title at the Festival.
“Tim Sutton’s unflinching portrayal of the American heartland masterfully captures many of the anxieties that exist in our society today,” said TIFF Director and CEO Piers Handling.
“Donnybrook is the perfect choice to open Platform, showcasing not only the calibre of filmmaking in the lineup, but also the depth of the challenging stories that make up the programme.”
Set in the shadows of today’s America, Donnybrook tells the story of a young veteran who — seeing no way out for his poverty-stricken family — robs a gun shop to fund his entry fee into a legendary, bare-knuckle tournament, where the winner gets $100,000 and a chance for a new life.
“It’s a profound honour that Donnybrook was chosen to open this year’s Platform section at TIFF,” said Sutton.
“I set out to make a film that reckons with the extreme times we are living in. Donnybrook is about the fight to survive — physically, financially, and emotionally. While creating it I found not only darkness, fear, and violence, but also beauty, tenderness, and wonder. I’m thrilled the programmers responded to the film, and I look forward to presenting it to audiences on the big screen with the cast and crew by my side.”
Donnybrook is a Backup Studios presentation and a Rumble Films production in association with Sierra/Affinity. It is produced by David Lancaster and Stephanie Wilcox.
Executive Producers from Backup Studios include Joël Thibout, David Atlan-Jackson and Jean-Baptiste Babin.
Executive producers from Rumble include Jon Shiffman and Andrew Schwartzberg. UTA Independent Film Group is handling North American sales.
Sierra/Affinity is handling world sales.
The 43rd TIFF will run from Sept 6 to 16, 2018.
The Platform programme is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Air France.
Top Headlines
-
Entertainment
Sharmila Tagore to Alia Bhatt, India weaves cross-generational tale at Cannes 2025
May 28, 2025
-
Entertainment
Is Sandeep Reddy Vanga's cryptic 'feminism' post meant for Deepika Padukone? Neitzens think so
May 27, 2025
-
Entertainment
Disha Patani creates waves on internet in backless top on European streets
May 26, 2025
-
Entertainment
Cannes veteran Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stuns in white saree, flaunts sindoor at the red carpet
May 22, 2025
-
Entertainment
Cannes screening sparks new interest into Rays 1970 urban youth drama Aranyer Din Ratri
May 21, 2025
-
Entertainment
Aranyer Din Ratri: Culturist Sundeep Bhutoria to attend historic Cannes screening of restored Satyajit Ray classic
May 19, 2025
-
Entertainment
Manoj Kumar (1937-2025): The Enduring Icon of Cinematic Patriotism in India
April 08, 2025
-
Entertainment
The golden voiced Rafi
December 31, 2024
-
Entertainment
As the end credits rolled, we hugged and cried: Anasuya and Omara share crowning Cannes moments
December 16, 2024
-
Entertainment
My Melbourne is a relatable film which I helmed instead of directing: Imtiaz Ali
December 16, 2024