From a media release:
- Cuba Gooding Jr., Aunjanue Ellis, Lyriq Bent, Allan Hawco, and Lou Gossett Jr., author Lawrence Hill and director Clement Virgo to attend
- Follows prestigious Mipcom world premiere screening
The 2nd annual Canadian International Television Festival (CITF) is proud to make its first programming announcement: the exclusive North American preview of CBC and BET’s highly anticipated event mini-series of The Book of Negroes from Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment, Entertainment One (eOne), and Idlewild Films on November 18. The CITF is an independent new social enterprise with the mission to showcase television content and talent from Canada and around the world via a dynamic festival experience. CITF will take place November 14 to 23, 2014 with most events happening at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Lead actress Aunjanue Ellis (The Help, Ray), Oscar® winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire, A Few Good Men), Lyriq Bent (Rookie Blue, Saw), Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle), and Oscar® and Emmy® winner Lou Gossett Jr. (A Raisin in the Sun, Boardwalk Empire) are scheduled to appear at the screening, along with The Book of Negroes author and series co-writer Lawrence Hill, multi-award winning director and co-writer Clement Virgo (The Wire), and executive producer Damon D’Oliveira (What We Have). The star-studded miniseries also features Jane Alexander (The Cider House Rules) and Ben Chaplin (The Thin Red Line).
“We are thrilled to present this advanced look at The Book of Negroes at one of the television world’s newest events. Made for two of North America’s most compelling TV networks, Canada’s CBC and Viacom’s BET Networks in the US, the series is a sweeping historical drama. It has an international scope and an international cast that features some of the finest Canadian talent in front of and behind the camera,†said David Heath, board member of the non-profit Canadian International Television Festival.
Executive producer Damon D’Oliveira from Conquering Lion Pictures said: “In addition to bringing this North American premiere to television fans, the CITF will feature an industry-oriented panel discussion about the making of The Book of Negroes.â€
The Book of Negroes is produced by Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa Entertainment, eOne and Idlewild Films.
The CITF is made possible with the support of partners, sponsors, and supporters including the City of Toronto, Bell Media, Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), DGC Ontario, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canada Media Fund (CMF), and the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA). In addition, new sponsors and partners include the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), ACTRA Toronto, and the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC).
Additional programming, schedule and ticket information will be announced soon.
