Free at Bell Lightbox on Ontario's Family Day

FABULOUS FREE FAMILY FUN

CELEBRATE FAMILY DAY AT TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX DURING BELL FREE WEEKEND

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 AND MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21

FREE PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES INCLUDES:

· Blockbuster Tim Burton exhibition

· Screenings of classic films and recent releases

· musical events: Concert and hosted Sing-a-longs

· Family activities

Toronto – From musical events to classic films, from blockbuster exhibitions to family activities, TIFF Bell Lightbox celebrates Family Day with two days of FREE programming courtesy of Bell on Sunday, February 20 and Monday, February 21. Complimentary programming includes the record-breaking Tim Burton exhibition; screenings of Tim Burton classics including Alice in Wonderland (2010) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (1994); Burton-themed family workshops; plus a silent film screening and concert with phonograph alchemists iNSiDEaMiND, and hourly sing-a-long events hosted by stand-up/cabaret artist Shawn Hitchins.

“On Family Day weekend, we are throwing open the doors to TIFF Bell Lightbox. Bell Free Weekend will offer two days of fun and film and we are grateful to Bell for partnering with TIFF to welcome the city into our home,” said Piers Handling, CEO and Director, TIFF.

Tim Burton EXHIBITION AND Family Activities

Come and enjoy the major record-breaking exhibition organized by the Museum of Modern Art, New York in TIFF’s HSBC Gallery, as well as other Burton-related screenings and events.

The HSBC Gallery will be open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Entrance to the gallery is available on a first come, first served basis and capacity is limited.

Drop-In Activities

On Sunday, February 20 and Monday, February 21 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, parents and children can drop in to participate in the following free activities. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Creating the Look

Use special effects techniques to create the hair and makeup of characters from Burton films.

Green Screen Magic

Through the magic of green screen technology, immerse yourself in the stunning sets of Tim Burton’s films.

Fun with Foley

Create movie sound effects with a variety of wacky props with the help of professional foley artists.

Buttonography

Use Tim Burton’s films as an inspiration to colour and craft a button.

Free Tim Burton Screenings:

Alice in Wonderland

Monday, February 21 at 12:30 pm

The most successful film of Burton’s career and one of the most successful of all time, this revamped version of Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic finds a teenaged Alice returning to Wonderland, where she reunites with her old friends and must battle to end the Red Queen’s tyrannical reign over the realm.

James and the Giant Peach

Monday, February 21 at 1:45 pm

An orphaned boy, seeking escape from his miserable home life with his despicable aunts, catches a flight on a giant peach, in the company of some friendly talking insects. This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s classic, combines live action and stop-motion animation. James and the Giant Peach is one of the relatively undiscovered treasures in the Burton oeuvre.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Monday, February 21 at 3:00 pm

When Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, discovers the concept of Christmas, he embarks on a plan to take the place of Santa Claus and spread joy instead of fear – but not everybody is ready for Jack’s version of Christmas.

MUSICAL EVENTS

Sherlock Jr. in Concert

Monday, February 21 at 4:30 pm

Join Toronto phonograph alchemists iNSiDEaMiND – whose debut album Scatterpopia recently became the basis for a 2009 production for the Toronto Fringe Festival – as they perform a new score for Buster Keaton’s surreal slapstick classic Sherlock Jr., seamlessly blending the vaudevillian spirit of early cinema with 20th-century audio samples.

Singin’ in the Dark

Sunday, February 20 hourly from 11:00am to 5:00 pm

Monday, February 21 hourly from 11:00am to 3:00 pm

Sing out loud, sing out strong! Join us for a riotous, family-friendly sing-a-long featuring hit tunes from movies, hosted by stand-up/cabaret artist Shawn Hitchins.

FREE SCREENINGS

Bibi Blocksberg Dir. Hermine Huntgeburth

Sunday, February 20 at 11:30 am

Monday, February 21 at 11:30 am

Join Bibi, a 12-year-old witch, on an exciting supernatural adventure! After she is awarded a magic crystal ball for an act of heroism, Bibi must try to stop an evil rival from carrying out a plan that could cause Bibi to lose her special powers forever.

Leave Her to Heaven John M. Stahl
Sunday, February 20 at 1:00 pm

John M. Stahl’s eye-popping Technicolor melodrama Leave Her to Heaven (1945) takes noir to the backwoods as a beautiful psychotic woman (Gene Tierney) aims to hold on to her new husband by any means necessary.

Cameraman: The Life & Work of Jack Cardiff Dir. Craig McCall
Sunday, February 20 at 3:30 pm

Told largely in Cardiff’s own words, the film features testimony from over 20 noted actors, directors and technicians, including Martin Scorsese, Charlton Heston and Lauren Bacall. As one of the first trainees for the new Technicolor process in 1936, Cardiff’s career spanned eight decades. Working with directors ranging from Alfred Hitchcock to John Huston to Richard Fleischer, Cardiff earned a reputation as one of the finest cinematographers in international cinema.

The Red Shoes Dir. Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Sunday, February 20 at 6:00 pm

One of the most gorgeous colour films ever made, Powell and Pressburger’s tale of the glories and perils of artistic creation looks more dazzling than ever in this fantastic restoration spearheaded by Martin Scorsese.

Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star exhibition and classic films

The inaugural – and always free – exhibition in TIFF’s Canadian Film Gallery, Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star chronicles the life and career of one of the first and greatest stars of the silent cinema. Amassed over a 30 year period by private collector Rob Brooks, this exhibition draws on his extraordinary collection of 1,900 items including photographs, posters, memorabilia, postcards, and products endorsed by Pickford.

Plus, enjoy these Pickford classics on the big screen:

Suds John Francis Dillon

Monday, February 21 at 12:00 pm

Mary is a poor laundress in London whose unrequited love for a handsome customer leads her into increasingly complex masquerades.

Through the Back Door Alfred E. Green

Monday, February 21 at 2:30 pm

Arriving at the house of her long-lost mother, Mary works incognito as a maid until a crisis forces her to bring the truth to light.

My Best Girl Sam Taylor

Monday, February 21 at 4:30 pm

In Pickford’s last silent film, she plays a shopgirl whose romance with her boss’ son causes consternation, scandal, and a thrilling last-second reconciliation.

Bell Free Weekend is presented by Bell.

TIFF is generously supported by Lead Sponsor Bell, Major Sponsors RBC and BlackBerry, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.

Tim Burton is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor RBC, Presenting Partner the Ontario Cultural

Attractions Fund and Media Partner The Toronto Star.

Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star is supported by Presenting Partner the Ontario Media Development Corporation and Major Supporter the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.