Shane Slater

That Shelf — As awards season continues full steam ahead, one of the most notable achievements of 2020 continues to be Steve McQueen's . Ever since its release on streaming and television platforms, this ambitious anthology of five films has stirred up constant debate (i.e. is it film or TV?) and adulation in equal measure.

Awards Radar — In Eché Janga's new film , a young girl named Kenza is caught in a culture clash between the traditional views of her grandfather and the more Westernized attitudes of her father, a single parent.

AwardsCircuit.com — As distributors continue to roll out their awards hopefuls throughout the fall and winter months, you won’t want to miss “Waves,” the sensational new film from director Trey Edward Shults. Featuring a stellar ensemble cast, one of its highlights is an indelible performance from one of Hollywood’s most promising young actors, Kelvin Harrison Jr. Following up his acclaimed work in “Luce,” Harrison delivers yet another provocative portrayal of a young black man’s struggle to meet the expectations of society and his family. During the film’s auspicious run through the festival circuit, he was honored as one of the Rising Stars of the Toronto International Film Festival, where Awards Circuit caught up with the 25-year-old New Orleans native to reflect on his life and career thus far.

AwardsCircuit.com — While Toronto will be abuzz with the excitement of this month’s Toronto International Film Festival, there’s another September festival in town that is worth your attention. Founded in 2006 to promote emerging filmmakers from the Caribbean and the diaspora, the CaribbeanTales Film Festival celebrates its 14th edition under the theme “A New Day.” Playing from September 4-20, the CTFF will feature 8 themed nights of programming, with eight feature-length films complimented by an array of short films.

AwardsCircuit.com — Though it may not be making major headlines, Jamaica’s film industry is currently having a significant moment in the spotlight. This month’s release of “Sprinter” marks the third film made by, or heavily featuring, Jamaican talent to be distributed in North America in 2019. Showcasing an array of filmmaking sensibilities, these films – Storm Saulter’s “Sprinter”, Idris Elba’s “Yardie” and Khalik Allah’s “Black Mother” – reflect the changing dynamics of the nascent Jamaican film industry. As “Sprinter” prepares for a unique theatrical run, AwardsCircuit.com caught up with some key figures of the contemporary Jamaican film scene to get an inside perspective on the factors that are fueling the industry’s recent growth.

AwardsCircuit.com — With the release of Idris Elba’s debut feature “Yardie“, authentic Jamaican culture gets a rare showcase on the big screen. Among its cast of British and Jamaican actors, actor/musician Sheldon Shepherd stands out as someone who fully embodies the island’s distinctive spirit. On the eve of the film’s arrival in US theaters, I spoke with Shepherd about the experience of making the film and his creative process.

AwardsCircuit.com — Scheduled to take place from October 26 to November 4, the 2017 Evolution Mallorca Film Festival is one with a distinct character. According to its founder and director Sandra Seeling Lipski, this budding festival (now in its 6th year) focuses on films that “share a vision of more than one culture and portray how people from different cultures interact and respect each other.” In keeping with this mandate, the festival will bestow the inaugural Evolution Vision Award this year to a filmmaker who represents these ideals through their work. This year’s deserving honoree is Oscar winner Paul Haggis, a native of Toronto whose filmography nevertheless shows a keen interest in American society, culture and politics. In anticipation of the upcoming gala in his honor, AwardsCircuit.com recently spoke with Haggis for a candid discussion of his impressive career, which spans several decades, mediums and genres.

AwardsCircuit.com — There have been a number of AIDS-themed films over the years, but you’ll hardly find one quite like “The Companion.” This story of an unlikely friendship in a uniquely Cuban setting provides a fascinating window to the past. And with the film’s selection as the official Cuban entry for the Oscars, director Pavel Giroud hopes to share its empathetic message to the world. Recently, I caught up with Giroud to discuss his inspirations for the film and its historical premise.

AwardsCircuit.com — With 3 acclaimed film collaborations under their belt already, Tobias Lindholm and Pilou Asbæk have developed one of the most compelling director-muse relationships in Denmark and the world at large. It was therefore an honor for me to get on the phone to chat with these talented filmmakers about their latest project A War, which has been submitted as Denmark’s Foreign Language Oscar submission this year. In our conversation we discussed the making of the film, the power of realism in cinema, and the excitement of Oscar season and international exposure.

AwardsCircuit.com — One of my highlights of TIFF this year was the opportunity to sit down with Saoirse Ronan to discuss her new film Brooklyn, as part of Fox Searchlight’s press junket for the film. Having seen the film a day earlier, I was eager to find out how she prepared for the role and the experience of making such a beautiful film.

That Shelf — Through such films as The Kindergarten Teacher and the Golden Bear-winning Synonyms, Nadav Lapid has earned a reputation for thematically and formally challenging work. For his latest effort Ahed's Knee, the Israeli filmmaker continues in the same vein, with a drama that takes its cues from real world events to make a bold cinematic statement.

Awards Radar — For many, Carnival conjures up images of carefree dancing in colorful costumes. But for some, the annual festival is a serious, competitive endeavor, with titles to be won for their performances. In Chris Strikes' latest documentary, the Caribbean-Canadian director takes us behind the scenes with Joella Crichton, an icon of Toronto's Carnival as she aims to win her 10th and final crown as Queen of the Bands.

That Shelf —