Jharrel Jerome, Zhao Tao Named Toronto International Film Festival Honorees – Film News in Brief

Award-winning actor and rapper Jharrel Jerome and award-winning actor Zhao Tao have been named Toronto International Film Festival Tribute Award honorees.

Jerome will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award, while Tao will be presented with the TIFF Special Tribute Award.

Star of “Moonlight” and “When They See Us,” Jerome will return to the festival for the premiere of William Goldenberg’s “Unstoppable” where he’ll play professional wrestler Anthony Robles. Tao was ranked eighth among the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century by the New York Times in 2020. Her collaborations with director Jia Zhang-Ke have produced renowned films like “Still Life” and “Mountains May Depart” (TIFF’ 15.) She returns to the festival for the North American Premiere of “Caught by the Tides,” where she takes center stage with her portrayal of Qiaoqiao. 

“From ‘Moonlight’ to ‘Unstoppable,’ Jharrel Jerome’s depth, strength and vulnerability on screen have made him one of his generation’s finest actors. It’s an honor to recognize his outstanding body of work with the TIFF Tribute Performer Award,” Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO, said in a statement. “In her collaborations with director Jia Zhang-Ke, the TIFF Special Tribute honouree Zhao Tao has captured the complexity and significance of China’s galvanizing change. Hers is a signature face of our 21st century, and her work in ‘Caught by the Tides’ stands with her very best.”

The TIFF Tribute Awards gala will take place on Sept. 8 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. 

Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Jeff Beal Named Society of Composers and Lyricists Ambassador Award Honorees

The Society of Composers and Lyricists has named Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Jeff Beal as recipients of the SCL’s prestigious Ambassador Award.

Songwriting duo Pasek and Paul have worked together to compose the scores of “La La Land,” “Greatest Showman” and “Dear Eva Hansen.” Beal has composed the scores of “Pollock,” “House of Cards” and “Monk.”

Past SCL Ambassador Award recipients include Dave Grusin, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Thomas Newman, Burt Bacharach, David Shire, Marcelo Zarvos, Johnny Mandel, Earl Hagen, James Newton Howard, Leiber and Stoller, Alan Silvestri, Randy Newman and Hal David. 

 “The Ambassador Award was created to recognize and acknowledge music creators who have made significant and valuable contributions to our profession and our music community,” Ashley Irwin, SCL president, said in a statement. “Their achievements will be used as the ultimate standard for future generations of media composers and songwriters.”

The Ambassador recipients will receive their respective honors at the SCL New York Holiday Party on Dec. 4th.

American Society of Cinematographers Releases Outstanding Achievement Criteria, Will Host Gala on Feb. 23  

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) will host the Outstanding Achievement Awards, which honors the work of photography directors who have excelled in the art and craft of visual storytelling, on Feb. 23.

In addition to the gala date, the ASC has also published the timeline for awards eligibility, which you can read below: Theatrical Feature Films must have a release date between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, with a submission deadline of Dec. 3.

For all TV categories, a show must air or stream between Dec. 1 and Nov. 30, with a submission deadline of Nov. 15. Eligible Documentaries must be released or air between Dec. 1 and Nov. 30, with a deadline of Oct 31. To be eligible for the Music Video Award, the video must have a release date between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, with a submission deadline of Oct. 31. Lastly, the ASC will also bestow a Spotlight Award. ASC members nominate and vote on winners in this category.

Submissions for all categories will open on Sept. 16, and you can read the full eligibility criteria here. The gala, which will be live-streamed worldwide, will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.

Casting Society Unveils ’24-’25 Board of Directors and Date and Venue for 40th Annual Artios Awards

Casting Society has unveiled its new board of directors for 2024-2025 and named the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills the venue for the 40th Annual Artios Awards, which take place Feb. 12, 2025. Current board members will continue to serve until their two-year term is completed in June 2025.

“I am privileged to continue my role as President of CSA, especially as we prepare to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Artios Awards, a wonderful milestone in our ongoing mission to support and spotlight the contributions of casting professionals globally,” said Destiny Lilly, sitting CSA President. “Our shift to the February ceremony date allows us to position the nominees and winners as influential precursors to the Academy Awards, where Casting will debut as an award in 2026.”

See the list of 2024-2025 CSA Board of Directors below.

Destiny Lilly, President
Steven Tylor O’Connor, Treasurer
Becca McCracken, Secretary
Elizabeth Berra, VP Governance
Danielle Pretsfelder Demchick, Co-VP Advocacy
Felicia Joseph, Co-VP Advocacy
Tiffany Little Canfield, Co-VP Communications
Felica Fansano, Co-VP Communications
Jazzy Collins, Co-VP Events
Matthew Glasner, Co-VP Events
Wendy Kurtzman, Co-VP Membership
Gayle Pillsbury, Co-VP Membership
Rachel Reiss, VP Technology
Erica A. Hart, Board Member
Tiffany Mak, Board Member
Sujotta Pace, Board Member
Zachary Spiegel, Board Member
Julie Tucker, Board Member

Costume Designer Guild Awards Sets Date

The 27th Costume Designer Guild Awards is set to be held on Feb. 6, 2025 at the Ebell of Los Angeles. The guild also has announced the timeline for nominations, which will be announced on Dec. 13.

Submissions, nominations and final ballot voting will all be conducted online. Forms, rules and guidelines will be posted in the awards section of the CDG website.

The timeline for the awards show is as follows:

Sept. 13, 2024
CDGA submissions open at 9 a.m. PT

Oct. 14, 2024
Submission entries close at 5 p.m. PT

Nov. 18, 2024
Nomination ballot voting opens online at 9 a.m. PT

Dec. 2, 2024
Nomination ballots voting closes at 5 p.m. PT

Dec. 13, 2024
Nominees announced

Dec. 16, 2024
Ticket sales open

Dec. 30, 2024
Final ballot voting opens online at 9 a.m. PT

Jan. 13, 2025
Final ballot voting closes at 5 p.m. PT

Feb. 6, 2025
27th Costume Designers Guild Awards

Inevitable Foundation Unveils 2024 Accelerate Fellows

Inevitable Foundation, a non-profit that supports disabled creatives, has named Ashley Eakin, Jamey Perry and Simone Hawthorne as its 2024 Accelerate Fellows.

The Accelerate Fellowship awards professional disabled writers $40,000 grants and provides mentorship and networking opportunities with industry leaders. The expanded initiative also provides recipients access to health insurance and additional educational programming.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ashley, Jamey, and Simone as our 2024 Accelerate Fellows,” said Richie Siegel and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, co-founders of Inevitable Foundation. “This cohort of accomplished writers demonstrates the growing talent of disabled creatives who will have a lasting impact on the industry.”