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exploring taste – Spring/Summer 2016 places – The theater of Toronto

In 2015, the festival celebrated its 40 anniversary, showing, in 10 days, a scoring a ticket for the last Palme d’Or or the big Hollywood premiere, but
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total of 399 films from over 70 countries to growing numbers of attendees there is so much choice that everyone can find satisfaction. In general, the
and a swelling public audience. One’s schedule when visiting the festival TIFF is much more accessible to the public than its counterparts on the
can be incredibly busy, with dozens of films being shown every day from festival circuit: it offers public access to Q&As and events, and the ambience,
the morning onwards. Like at any other important film festival, some years in comparison, is relaxed and low-key. The whole affair is, one could say, very The Philippe Dandurand group during the National Meeting in 2015
delight and others disappoint. Toronto in particular has been criticized ‘Canadian’. That doesn’t prevent Toronto from having its classy moments as
for being too mainstream, but that might just be what gives it its homey the festival attracts its fair share of big Hollywood stars and parties have a THE CANADIAN LIFE OF
feeling: crowd pleasers tend to attract… well, pleased crowds. The audience fierce reputation. Some celebrations are notoriously exclusive, taking place in
has a reputation for being film-fluent though not snobbish, more readily luxurious venues. Well heeled festivalgoers, however, still get a chance to rub ITALIAN WINES
embracing the featured films and creating a welcoming atmosphere. For shoulders with celebrities and VIPs at parties opened to the public in some of
Hollywood studios, this makes Toronto a good pick to premiere films, the city’s trendiest hot spots.
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along with the non-competitive nature of the TIFF and relatively low-costs In 2016, the Toronto International Film Festival’s 41 edition will be held in
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compared to European events. The festival lacks a jury, and prize winning the Ville-Reine from the 8 to the 18 of September. For the first time, the
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comes down to the appreciation of the public. TIFF’s ten best Canadian films of the year, normally screened at a smaller Canada’s leading wine distributor Philippe Dandurand Wines, a family owned agency, was founded in Montréal in 1968, it began
All in all, this is an important time for the film industry, as the event is known follow up in January, will be showed as a ‘Canada’s Top Ten’ mini-festival expanding nationwide in 2003 and now has a presence in all provinces. Philippe Dandurand Wines specializes in high quality
to create ‘Oscar buzz’: many films prized here – especially recipients of the top in other Canadian cities. Little else of the upcoming edition is known: products selected from various countries, bringing the best of every region to Canadian tables. “In Canada, 50 million cases are
prize, the People’s Choice Award – will go on to receive Oscar nominations enthusiasts will need to wait until the summer for the first tranche of films sold annually. Of these, 36 million cases are imported wine of which Dandurand sells one out of ten. We have a strategy, supporting
or at least some Academy Awards notice. In 2015, the deeply moving Room showing at TIFF 2016 to be revealed, with the full line-up normally published our partners with consumer and market trends including taste profile, packaging, promotions and programs by channels. The
attracted attention with a 2016 Oscar nomination for Best Picture and so did in late July. This leaves plenty of time to discover Toronto, which will easily restaurants channel is a very important priority for us, as we believe the consumers will taste and experience the wine in an ideal
The Imitation Game the year before, picking up the award for Best Adapted keep curious visitors busy until the red carpet unrolls. setting,” says Hugues Gauthier, president of the company since 2012.
Screenplay along the way. The 2013 People’s Choice Award, 12 Years a Slave, “Canada is an interesting and promising market” he argues. Over the last 10 years it has experienced per capita consumption increases
collected three Academy Awards, from which the coveted Best Picture, with a lead by English Canada. Québec consumers have always been more disposed to wine consumption. Per capita consumption is still lower
total of nine nominations. than in Europe where it is anywhere between 40 and 80 liters. Indeed, it is 23 liters in Québec and 17 in the whole country.
But before being influential, massive and glitzy, the TIFF had humble debuts. “But the next few years should be interesting, as new channel opportunities are opening up and consumers are more open to drinking
The inaugural 1976 edition presented 127 titles from about 30 countries and wine. It’s a fantastic business to be in right now,” notes Gauthier. It is very clear that Canada is a good market for imported and
attracted 35,000 attendees, compared to last year’s 473,000. There and then, domestic wines lead by a few trends like Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Prosecco or sparkling in general. The Italian wine category is today
a $6 (4 Euros) ticket gave access to any 3 daytime shows. Thankfully, it has Official logo of the Toronto Film Festival, the largest imported wine category in cases. Other upcoming trends we can also see are Gavi, Nebbiolo and Franciacorta from Italy.
remained relatively easy to gain entry to most films. You might have trouble one of the most beloves cinematic events in the world Santa Margherita’s Pinot Grigio is the fifth best-selling wine in Canada!

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