Journal – Gentong Film LK21

Guillermo del Toro to Receive Ebert Director Award at the 2025 TIFF Tribute Awards | Chaz’s Journal

Film LK21 — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 10:49:04 +0000

Cameron Bailey, the CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival (“TIFF”), announced that at its 50th edition, TIFF will present acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro with this year’s Ebert Director Award, as part of their TIFF Tribute Awards gala.

Del Toro, the Academy Award-winning director of films like “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Nightmare Alley,” “Hellboy,” “Crimson Peak,” “The Devil’s Backbone,” and “The Shape of Water,” will be presented with the award (which recognizes filmmakers who have exemplified greatness) at the TIFF Tribute Awards gala, in Toronto, Sunday, September 7th at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

The director will also premiere his latest film, “Frankenstein,” at the festival.

Chaz Ebert, Publisher of RogerEbert.com, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Guillermo Del Toro will receive the Ebert Director Award at TIFF in acknowledgement of his excellence as a filmmaker. In his conversations with Roger, he confirmed that his films often explored the depths of the psyche, both of his own and of our collective fears and desires. His attention to cinematic detail is exemplary.”

Alongside del Toro, other Tribute Award recipients this year include Jodie Foster, who will receive the Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award for her pioneering work as a female filmmaker; Japanese writer-director Mitsuyo Miyazaki (aka Hikari) will receive the Emerging Talent Award, and South Korean star Lee Byung-hun (“Squid Game, “this year’s upcoming “No Other Choice”) will receive the Special Tribute Award. Brendan Fraser is returning as the Chair of the event.

TIFF Ebert Tribute recipients Martin Scorsese (with Roger Ebert), Agnes Varda, Ava DuVernay (receiving Golden Thumb award from Chaz Ebert), Claire Denis (with Robert Pattinson), Taika Waititi (with Guillermo Del Toro) and Wim Wenders (with Michael Barker).

Previous Ebert Director Award recipients include Martin Scorsese, Ava DuVernay, Agnes Varda, Wim Wenders, Spike Lee, Mike Leigh, Claire Denis, Taika Waititi, Chloé Zhao, Denis Villeneuve, and Sam Mendes.

TIFF will take place September 4th to September 14th, with its opening night film being the documentary “John Candy: I Like Me,” about the late comic actor.

Watch the teaser for the TIFF Tribute Awards below.

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Ari Aster Talks with Chaz Ebert About “Eddington” at Music Box | Chaz’s Journal

Film LK21 — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:18:25 +0000

This Saturday, July 12th, Chaz Ebert will moderate a Q&A with writer/director Ari Aster about his latest film, “Eddington,” following a special promotional screening at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre at 7 pm.

A24 describes the film thusly:

In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.

From writer/director Ari Aster (BEAU IS AFRAID, HEREDITARY, MIDSOMMAR), EDDINGTON also stars Luke Grimes,‬‭ Deirdre O’Connell, Clifton Collins Jr., with Austin Butler and Emma Stone.

In our review from the Cannes Film Festival, Managing Editor Brian Tallerico described the film as “a challenging film that plays with hot-button ideas.”

“There will be some fascinating discussion around this movie, including people who consider its undeniable ambition courageous and those who think its racial provocations downright irresponsible. I think that’s actually how Aster wants it. He’s made a film about divided communities, and he hopes in his own way to do the same to his audience.”

You can learn more about the sold-out screening (and buy tickets for future showings) at Music Box Theatre’s official website.

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