MASTER SERIES: KIM LONGINOTTO on OBSERVATIONAL FILM

THE DOC TORONTO MASTERS’ SERIES:
FILMMAKERS TALKING TO FILMMAKERS presents...

KIM LONGINOTTO on OBSERVATIONAL FILMS: Controversy & Compassion

The DOC Toronto Masters’ Series is back this Fall for another round of intimate, exclusive talks with celebrated documentary filmmakers. We are pleased to announce our first international guest to the series—the UK’s acclaimed auteur of observational documentary Kim Longinotto.

One of the pre-eminent documentary filmmakers working today, Longinotto is renowned for creating extraordinary human portraits and tackling controversial topics including domestic violence and female genital mutilation with sensitivity and compassion. Her films (see filmography below) have won international accolades and dozens of premiere awards at festivals worldwide, including the World Cinema Jury Prize in Documentary at Sundance the Special Jury Prize at the International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam (IDFA); a BAFTA Award; and the Cannes Prix art et Essai Award. This past spring, Longinotto was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award at Hot Docs International Film Festival, which hosted a retrospective of her work. Dubbed “The Invisible Woman” by the Guardian.co.uk, “Kim Longinotto is one of those rare documentary-makers content to remain behind the camera. Audiences - and festival juries - love her for it.”

Kim will be in Toronto for the premiere of her latest film, PINK SARIS, at TIFF. On Thursday, September 16th, she will take time out of her busy festival schedule to talk to fellow filmmakers. Using clips, Kim will discuss the process, philosophy, challenges, rewards and her evolution as a maker of observational films.

WHEN: 6:30PM – 9:30PM
WHERE: Camera Bar, 1028 Queen Street West
COST: $40 for DOC Toronto Members / $60 for Non-Members / $51 for LIFT or WIFT Member

SPACE LIMITED TO 50 PEOPLE. Some experience in documentary is necessary – Pre-registration required.

MORE ABOUT KIM LONGINOTTO:

In 1986, Longinotto formed the production company Twentieth Century Vixen with Claire Hunt. Together they made EAT THE KIMONO, about the controversial Japanese feminist performer Hanayagi Genshu; HIDDEN FACES, the internationally acclaimed, collaborative documentary with/about Egyptian women; and THE GOOD WIFE OF TOKYO about women, love and marriage in Japanese society. Throughout this time, she made a series of ten videos on special needs issues, including TRAGIC BUT BRAVE. With Jano Williams, Longinotto directed DREAM GIRLS, a BBC-produced documentary of the spectacular Japanese musical theatre company; and SHINJUKU BOYS, about three Tokyo women who live as men. Next, she made ROCK WIVES, about the wives and girlfriends of rock stars, followed by DIVORCE IRANIAN STYLE with Ziba Mir-Hosseini, about women and divorce in Iran. Her following film, GAEA GIRLS made with Jano Williams, was about women wrestlers in Japan, and then RUNAWAY, also made with Ziba Mir-Hosseini, was set in a refuge for girls in Tehran. Her film THE DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET, about young girls in Kenya challenging the tradition of female circumcision premiered at Sundance in 2003. More recent films include the highly acclaimed SISTERS IN LAW, about female justices in Kumba, Cameroon, and HOLD ME TIGHT, LET ME GO, about troubled children at England’s Mulberry Bush School. Her films have won international accolades and dozens of premiere awards at festivals worldwide, including the World Cinema Jury Prize in Documentary at Sundance the Special Jury Prize at the International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam (IDFA); a BAFTA Award; and the Cannes Prix art et Essai Award. This year, Longinotto was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievment Award at Hot Docs International Film Festival, which was host to a retrospective of her work.
(bio from Women Make Movies: wwm.com)

MORE ABOUT THE MASTER SERIES FILMMAKERS TALKING TO FILMMAKERS: The DOC Toronto Masters’ Series 2010/2011 offers a rare opportunity for celebrated documentary filmmakers to share their in-the-field experiences and expertise with their colleagues and peers. Unlike many workshops on offer today, the emphasis of this unique professional development series is on the craft and art of documentary media rather than the business and logistics of production. The intimate nature of the series allows for candid discussions, freewheeling insight, and honest discovery.

The Masters' Series is produced with the support of the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council.

(photo credit: Anna Weitz)